Fritzi took the file from his hand, signing, “Boss, if you want to get Cristelle’s heart, you need to be sweet with her. Cristelle has set up a date with her new business partner. I think they’re gonna play golf this weekend.”
“Who’s her new partner?” Linford suddenly frowned, feeling bad as he heard Fritzi’s words.
“You can go take a look if you’re curious,” With that, Fritzi snatched the file away and ran out of the office.
Linford threw his pen away, reclining in his chair. And then, he dialed a number, “Alfred, where’s the nearest golf course to Cristelle’s studio?”
****
Meanwhile, Cristelle just got out of the car and went to her office. Jasper was holding a contract, walking toward her excitedly, “Cristelle, the contract is made. This is our first deal. We didn’t get much, but it’s still great.”
Cristelle flickered through the contract. This was their first deal. She felt happy as well.
“I just thought about this. Maybe we can open an online store. We can sell so many products if we work harder.” Jasper added excitedly.
Cristelle shook her head, “Our goal is to establish a high-end brand. Opening an online store doesn’t suit our image. Maybe we should wait for a while before making the decision.”
Jasper nodded, “I know… This is just my primary thought, I actually haven’t decided yet… Ow…” He suddenly covered his right eye.
“Geez! Jasper, what happened to your eye?” Cristelle only noticed that there was a faint bruise under his right eye now, “Did someone hurt you?”
Jasper covered his eyes, stammering, “I’m okay… I accidentally fell when I…”
His assistant instantly spoke up, “What fall? Mr. Bradley assaulted him yesterday. We were gonna sent you back last evening, but Mr. Bradley suddenly showed up and beat Mr. Johnson.”
“Will you shut up?” Jasper hissed at his assistant.
The assistant rolled his eyes and walked away.
Cristelle instantly went pale, “Oh my gosh… Jasper. I’m sorry… I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s not like it’s your fault, Cristelle,” Jasper smiled, “Just forget about that. We still have our business to do. We need to get the first batch made as soon as possible.”
Cristelle couldn’t stop feeling sorry when she looked at his face, “Is our studio even the right decision? I don’t want to get you in any trouble.”
Jasper hurried to say, “Please don’t say that. It will ruin my world if you suddenly decide to leave me, Cristelle. I know your concern… And… I know I will never give up.”
Hearing his words, Cristelle suddenly felt dejected and lost for words.
“Hey… Hey, look at me,” Jasper cupped her face, smiling at her warmly, “Just stop thinking about people who aren’t worth our time. And let’s get this deal, okay?”
Cristelle’s head was a mess, but she still nodded.
****
Jasper wanted to ask Cristelle to have dinner when they finished today’s work. However, Cristelle suddenly received a call from her daughter.
Candace didn’t look happy on the screen, pouting a bit. She missed her Mom so much.
Cristelle felt so guilty leaving her all day at home, “Honey, don’t be mad. Mom’s coming back right now, okay?”
Candace nodded.
After hanging up the phone, Cristelle turned to face Jasper apologetically, “I’m so sorry, Jasper, but Candace’s still waiting. I really need to go back early. Maybe we can have dinner next time.”
“Of course, of course,” Jasper smiled, “You don’t need to say sorry to me, remember? Your little girl is important. Just go back and spend some time with her.”
“Thank you, Jasper. You’re always so tolerant of me,” Cristelle smiled and grabbed her purse, leaving the office.
Jasper’s fist balled up after Cristelle was gone.
The babies!
The babies again!
She only cared about her children. He wished she didn’t have any children, mostly knowing the father was Linford Bradley.
He must find a way to make the babies rely on him and treat him as their dad, so Cristelle would finally be his.
However, Cody was not here. Things would be much easier for him if the boy were here.
Wait… Cody…
Could he figure out a way to not let the boy stay away forever? A woman who lost her children was the most vulnerable. When Cristelle got vulnerable, he would finally have his chance to take her.
****
It had already been pretty late when Cristelle finally made it to Franco’s. Candace had had dinner with her Pop. But she still left some food for Cristelle.
“She wanted to have dinner until you came back. She only ate a little,” Linford explained.
Cristelle held her daughter on her lap and left a kiss on her cheek, “Sweetie, you don’t have to wait for Mommy next time, okay? Mommy will eat outside if it’s getting late, okay?”
Candace nodded, pouting a bit. So, Mommy’s just getting busier and busier?
Dad just said that she should learn to grow up as Cody did. Maybe she was being too clingy.
The little girl jumped off Cristelle’s lap to take a bath by herself, determined to be a big girl. She’d been practicing before the mirror every day. Even though she still couldn’t make a sound, she believed that one day she could start to speak if she kept trying.
****
Cristelle didn’t eat much, putting the fork down as she asked Linford, “Why did you hit Jasper last night?”
Linford closed the magazine in his hands, his voice cold, “Why? Did it break your heart to see him getting beaten up?”
“Stop changing the topic. I think it’s absolutely nasty. He’s my business partner and friend. Do you even know how much he always takes care of me?” Cristelle got a bit pissed off as she mentioned that.
“Yeah, he’s taking care of you so much that he almost raped you when you were drunk,” Linford threw the magazine onto the table, “And now, you’re questioning me because of that rapist. Why didn’t you ask if Candace got scared last night sleeping alone? Have you ever thought about her when you were trying to make that deal happen?”