“It seems like the Lim family has forgiven Diego even though he made mistakes. Diego Barnett is gonna start his business again back in Lim’s territory. Sir, should we start our business there as well?” Alfred asked Linford in his office the next day.
Linford shook his head, “I don’t think so. Just go investigate the whole thing secretly. Don’t leave any trace behind.”
Alfred nodded and left the office. A call from Mrs. Weston came suddenly, “Linford? The school will start in two days. There will be a family talent show on the first day of school. I bet you’ve already forgotten that. You guys need to prepare for that event. Candace and Cody will get pretty upset if their parents don’t perform well.”
Linford let out a breath. He almost forgot about that, “Okay. We will get prepared.”
The babies were walking around in the garden with their grandpa.
Linford greeted them before entering the main house. He went directly to Cristelle’s room.
Cristelle was still working. She didn’t notice that Linford got in until he wrapped his arms around her, startling her.
“Could you at least knock?” Cristelle sounded a bit pissed off.
“I’m sorry,” Linford shrugged, “I didn’t know you were working.”
Cristelle sighed as she collected the papers on her desk, “Why are you here?”
Linford smiled, “The school will begin in two days. Mrs. Weston just called me to prepare for the family performance. I’m just here to ask if you have any ideas for that.”
Right. The family talent show.
Cristelle was swamped recently, and she forgot about it.
She looked a bit worried, “But there are only two days left. Can we come up with a good idea in two days?”
Linford seemed pretty calm, “I think we can.”
“You’re so confident?” Cristelle arched an eyebrow.
Linford’s smile was warm, “You’re a wonderful Mom. And you have so many talents. We can even play piano together like last time.”
It was a wonderful idea, actually.
However…
Cristelle seemed to recall something as she approached Linford, whispering, “But Cody doesn’t know how to dance. He’s also not quite confident about singing. I’m afraid it will be awkward to get him on the stage.”
“Really?” Linford’s eyes lit up.
Cristelle frowned, “Why does it look like you’re so happy with that?”
Linford shrugged his shoulders, winking at Cristelle, “Nothing, I’m just happy right now.”
Cristelle glared at him, “Linford Bradley, stop teasing your son!”
A loud laughter echoed through the whole house.
Cody sat up alertly in the garden, “Who’s laughing?”
Candace was eating her grapes, “It’s Dad. He came back.”
Was that man with Mom right now? Nope! Not under his nose.
Cody jumped off the chair in a swift motion. Franco tried to stop the boy, “Cody, come back. I can’t catch you up, Cody.”
Cody halted his pace, glancing at the old man, “What’s wrong, Pop?”
Franco turned to Candace, “Candace girl, go check out what your dad is laughing at upstairs. Tell me the reason when you come back.”
“Okay.” Candace jumped off the chair and ran upstairs.
Franco took Cody to his room and locked the door.
Cody instantly realized that a long conversation might occur.
Pop must be doing this for that man.
Cody folded his arms before his chest, seeming quite impatient.
Just as he expected, Pop sighed, “Actually, your dad….”
“Pop, you don’t need to tell me anything,” Cody shook his head, “To be honest with you, I’m staying at this house because I’m not yet capable. If one day, I grow up and have the ability to provide for my Mom and my sister a better life, I will leave this house. Please don’t blame me for that. I just don’t have another choice this time.”
Pop only shook his head before he took out a photo from the drawer, “Take a look at this, boy.”
Cody lowered his gaze, “Isn’t this that man?”
Franco sounded slightly annoyed, “What do you call that man again?”
Cody pouted, “Dad.”
Yet he was not qualified to be called that way. He thought in silence.
“Then how about this man?” Pop took out another photo, and Cody’s eyebrows frowned, “It’s still him, isn’t it?”
“No.” Franco shook his head, sighing. “This one is your second uncle, Clyde.”
“I have another uncle?” Cody’s mouth fell open, “How come they look exactly the same? Are they twins? Why don’t I remember seeing him before?”
Cody took the photo in his hand, frowning at the young man in the photo, “Where’s he right now?”
Pop smiled sadly, “Your dad has never brought him up before, has he? Clyde was a great young man, just like your dad. However, he passed away 10 years ago. He was only 20 back then.”
Franco’s eyes were clouded with tears as he mentioned his second grandson.
Cody’s eyes widened, “I’m sorry to hear this, Pop. But how did that happen?”
Pop smiled weakly, “It’s a long story. Let me tell you everything.”
****
Candace ran upstairs happily. Now she could finally run after her leg recovered.
“Mom! Dad!”
Linford was happy that Candace finally called him dad cheerfully, but his daughter seemed nervous as if she didn’t mean to let that word slip off her tongue.
“What’s wrong, sweetie? What did you just call me?”
Candace pouted. She failed to keep her promise, “Cody won’t let me call you dad.”
“Really?” Linford arched an eyebrow.
Good for you, Cody Bradley.
You persuaded your sister successfully!
Linford stood up and picked the little girl up, trying to go downstairs to ask the boy what his problem was.
“Linford… Don’t do it,” Cristelle pulled his sleeve.
Linford instantly halted his pace.
“Linford, don’t do it,” Candace mimicked her Mom’s words.
“You can’t call me Linford, Candace,” Linford ordered.
“Why?” Candace reached out her chubby hand to grab his cheek.
“Honey, I’m your daddy,” Linford explained patiently.
Cristelle was laughing, looking at them.
“We will move back to our apartment tomorrow. And we must do a family performance on the first day of school. What do you want to perform, honey?” Linford smiled at his daughter.
Candace’s eyes lit up at the news, “I want to dance.”
“Alright. Let’s discuss the form of the performance then,” Linford held his daughter on his lap.