Cody didn’t say many things about that, “Mom, can we eat pizza tonight?”
“Of course,” Cristelle agreed, “What kind of pizza do you want? I can call Lily and ask her to prepare the ingredients.”
“No,” Cody shook his head, “I don’t wanna go home. We haven’t had anything outside for a while. Let’s just pick a nice Pizza Haus.”
“Yeah, Mom. We haven’t done that for a while. I miss it,” Candace agreed. And pizza sounded like an amazing idea.
Cristelle was still pretty scared after what happened last time. But the babies seemed to really want to eat outside tonight. She had no reason to refuse them.
Cristelle hovered on the internet, checking the nearby Pizza Haus. Soon, she found one, called them, and ordered to reserve one table for them.
Cody insisted on picking the table. They ended up closing a table near the window.
Linford called and said he would be there as well. Cody, however, jumped off his seat, telling Cristelle that he needed to go to the bathroom.
Cristelle wanted to ask if the boy wanted her to go with him. But she knew it would probably piss Cody off because he was an independent kid.
Candace pulled at Cristelle’s sleeve and started to tell her what happened in school today as they waited for their Pizzas.
On the other hand, Cody didn’t go to the bathroom as he claimed to do. He left the restaurant and went across the street, going to a convenience store and buying some candies.
He looked around as he ate his candies behind the floor-to-ceiling window. After getting the information he wanted, the boy returned to the restaurant again.
“Where have you been, Cody? You took so long.” Cristelle frowned as she saw the boy.
“Sorry, diarrhea.” Cody covered his belly and winced.
“Really? Are you feeling better now, sweetie?” Cristelle asked worriedly.
“I’m fine, Mom,” Cody smiled, grabbing his fork, “Where’s my pizza?”
****
Linford grabbed his coat the moment he hung up the phone. He wanted to go to the Pizza Haus immediately to see Cristelle and the babies.
However, Lana suddenly walked forth and blocked his way.
“Linford, you’re leaving so soon?” Lana hurriedly asked.
Linford slipped his coat on his body, “Yes.”
“But… Your work hasn’t finished yet.” Lana tried to stop him.
Linford looked at her as if she was dumb, “This is my company. I hired you to finish my job. Are you kidding me right now?”
Lana released an ugly smile, defeated, “It was a joke. You need to relax.”
“Thanks for the joke then,” Linford arched an eyebrow, “Can I go now?”
Lana still refused to move.
Linford pushed her shoulder gently and walked past her.
Lana was still standing there when she heard the chime of the elevator. She was so furious at the thought that Linford was leaving soon.
****
Linford showed up in the Pizza Haus 20 minutes sharp. Many people noticed his presence and started secretly taking photos of him as he approached Cristelle and the babies’ table.
“Dad!” Candace smiled the moment she saw him.
Linford smiled and sat across Cody, pulling the little girl in and leaving a kiss on her forehead. Cody looked away rigidly, his mouth setting into a thin line. Linford took off his coat and looked around, “Why did you guys suddenly decide to eat in this place?”
Cody was poking at the food on his plate. “Why, we can’t?”
“Of course, you can,” Linford poured himself a cup of orange juice, “This place has the best food. It’s a great choice.”
But the seat Cody chose was quite interesting. After what had happened yesterday, the boy still chose to eat at a public restaurant. He even chose a table near the window.
Linford knew what kind of tricks Cody was trying to play. But he didn’t want to expose the boy yet. He pulled the plate of shrimp near him and started to peel the shrimp for Cristelle and Candace.
The family happily enjoyed their meal, unaware of Lana’s gaze through the window as she drove by the opposite lane.
It was the red light, and she happened to see the happy family from this angle. Linford seemed so gentle with his wife and children. The way he looked at Cristelle made Lana’s heart boil with heated jealousy.
Lana’s hands clasped around the steering wheel. Why was Linford Bradley so cold and detached toward her? Why couldn’t he treat her this way? Was she not better than that stupid woman?
The emotion churning in Lana’s chest was so strong that she forgot that she was in the middle of the traffic.
She didn’t drive away until the cars behind her started to honk.
****
Cristelle and Linford sent the babies to school together the next day. The babies held each other’s hands and went into the gate after saying goodbye to their Mom and Dad.
Cristelle and Linford thus went back to the car. Linford held the door open for Cristelle, “Do you want to go back to the company with me today?”
Cristelle seemed hesitant, “Why? Do you need me there?” She was not an employee of his company anymore.
Linford gently smiled, “Fritzi needs your help. She’s quite busy lately, and her project is going on slowly. She will be thrilled if you would show up and help her.”
Fritzi was her friend. Cristelle would never leave her helpless.
She only thought for a short while before nodding a yes.
Linford couldn’t stop smiling as he drove toward his company, “Fritzi still hasn’t gotten used to her new project yet. Why don’t you stay and help?”
Cristelle laughed, “Why? I won’t get paid. Do you want me to be your free labor?”
Linford grabbed her hand, “How much salary do you want then? Just give me a number.”
Cristelle pulled away, teasing, “I won’t stay no matter how much you pay me. I like my life now. I can do whatever I want and go wherever I want freely. This is better than going to work.”
Linford pulled the car over and rubbed her nose. “So, you just want to stay at home and lie on the couch all day? Do you want to be as chubby as Candace?”