“Do you have his contact number?” Adams asked.
Summer hesitated for a second, then replied, “Yeah.”
She seldom contacted Douglas ever since she got back. Even when Douglas texted her on WeChat, they just exchanged some pleasantries and that was it.
After Nathan’s tragic incident, she was worried about Douglas but could not contact him. She was no longer deemed Leonardo’s wife, so she was not expected to know about the accident that happened to Nathan.
Now that Adams had come to meet her, it gave her a proper excuse to see Douglas.
Adams nodded his head lightly as he gratefully said, “Thank you.”
“Had I known earlier, I would have gone to see him even if you didn’t come to me.” Summer sounded cold.
There was a subtle change in Adams’s expression as if something came to mind. He then broke into a faint smile.
…
After Adams left, Summer called Leonardo.
Leonardo received her call while he was in a meeting, so he took his mobile phone and walked out.
“What’s up?” he asked quietly.
“Adams came to see me earlier.”
“What did he want?” His brows were slightly knitted together, and his voice turned cold. Obviously, he was just as cautious of Adams as Summer was.
“He told me about what happened to your uncle. He was hoping that I’d visit and talk to Douglas.”
There was a moment of silence on Leonardo’s side. “Are you willing?”
“Of course, I’m willing to.” Summer paused, then continued, “In fact, I’ve sensed that Douglas likes you. You might also want to comfort him when you have time.”
She and Douglas had been getting along well, but as close as their relationship was, Summer still thought Leonardo had a more important place in Douglas’s heart.
“I don’t have time. You can go and see him. I’ve got to go back to my meeting now. I’ll hang up here.”
“Okay,” Summer said.
After hanging up, Summer held her mobile phone in her hand and started to space out. Did Leonardo blame himself? Nathan was going to see Leonardo back then, and he met with a traffic accident right in front of the cafe where they were supposed to meet. He died on the spot. It sounded unbelievable, but it was true. Leonardo’s attitude told her that Nathan’s death was not an accident.
Forget it, she would not be able to figure it out now.
On the same night, Summer texted Douglas on WeChat.
“Douglas, what are you doing right now?”
After a few minutes, Douglas replied, “I’m doing my homework.”
Summer checked the calendar. September was just a few days away; Douglas’s school was going to reopen soon.
“Haven’t you finished them yet? Do you have time to grab lunch with me tomorrow?”
“Mmm.”
Summer looked at his reply and could not help but sigh. The kid used to be chatty every time they chatted on WeChat, but now he was almost as taciturn as Leonardo.
After that, Summer texted Douglas the venue and time.
…
Summer arrived on the dot at the restaurant where she had made a prior reservation. She and Douglas used to dine there.
Douglas was punctual as he arrived right after Summer. He looked pale, and his curly hair was so long now that it blocked half of his eyes, making him look like a depressed teen. With a bag over his shoulder, a white T-shirt and gray knee-length shorts, he looked as if he had lost some weight.
He scanned his surroundings as he entered and immediately spotted Summer sitting by the window.
“Summer.” He sat down opposite her, took his bag off his shoulder, and placed it on one side before he looked up at Summer. His curly hair was too long. Summer could not see his eyes. She just felt that his appearance was like death warmed up and he was depressed like a timid puppy. She sympathized and felt sorry for him.
Summer had not seen him for quite a while, and she gave him a smile. “You’re punctual, but your hair needs a cut badly.”
“I’ve been busy with homework. I’m planning to get a haircut a day before school reopens.” Douglas reached to touch his hair, feeling embarrassed.
“I’ll go with you later. Let’s get it done today,” Summer said.
“Mmm.” Douglas nodded. He still hearkened to Summer’s words
“Let’s order something to eat, then.” She pushed the menu in front of him.
Douglas ordered two dishes, and Summer ordered the rest. Unlike his ravenous appetite in the past, he did not eat much—not even half the portion of what Summer ate. It hurt Summer to see that.
She fetched him some dishes and asked, “Do you want some more?”
“I don’t feel like eating anymore.” Douglas shook his head from side to side.
“That’s all right. We won’t anymore in that case. We’ll go to a salon and get you a haircut.”
Summer summoned a waitstaff and paid. As they emerged from the restaurant, a group of bodyguards stood in their way. Their eyes were on Douglas while one of them greeted him.
Summer looked over at Douglas, whose brows were knitted together as he spoke with a rare frosty voice.
“Why are you all following me? It’s not like I’m going to kill myself! I’ll go home later.”
He looked expressionless, much like Leonardo. Summer could not help turning to glance at him. She knew that the Emerson family had sent those bodyguards to protect Douglas. The bodyguards did not say a word.
Douglas looked over at Summer. “Summer, let’s go.”
As they left, the bodyguards stepped aside and allowed them to pass through. While Summer was still amazed that those bodyguards let them go, Violet suddenly appeared and walked in their direction.
“Douglas, how could you go out alone? Don’t you know that I’m worried about you?” Violet came up and studied him, as though she was checking for injuries. Her eyes were fixated upon Douglas, and she did not even look at Summer.
“I’m as fit as a fiddle, and I’m sane. At fifteen, I’m even considered an adult in some countries. Why can’t I go out alone?”
Even Summer could feel the irritation in Douglas’s voice, let alone his mom, Violet, whose pale face had turned even paler.
“I’m just worried about you.”
“I am fine. You don’t need to worry about me. You can go home now.” After that, Douglas looked over at Summer.