Jessica took a glimpse of the kitchen and said, “I’ll go help Summer. You sit still here.”
Left alone after that warning from Jessica, Carl did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Summer was washing the vegetables in the kitchen when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning her head, she saw Jessica coming in.
“Ms. Patel, do you need anything?”
Jessica pouted. “You used to call me Jessica…”
Summer looked at her apologetically.
Seeing her reaction, Jessica quickly said, “Let me help you out.”
“That’s okay, I can handle it.”
“Let me help so we can get it done faster. I’m starving.”
…
As Summer served the food to the table and they were about to eat, the sound of the door opening came. Summer tilted her head, looked over at the door, and saw that Stanley had changed his shoes. He was now walking toward the dining room.
Holding the car key in his hand, Stanley appeared startled when he saw the three of them in the dining room. However, he quickly regained his composure as his eyes swept over Jessica and Carl, finally landing on Summer.
“We have visitors?” He smiled as he asked gently, sounding approachable.
“Yeah.” Summer got up. “Why are you back?”
Stanley smiled at her but did not explain, just walking up to Summer.
“Why don’t you introduce your friends?”
Summer glanced at him, then at Jessica. “This is Jessica.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Stanley.” He held out his hand with just enough of a smile on his face.
Jessica held out hers. “My pleasure, Mr. Bates.”
While speaking, she quietly studied Stanley. He was not as handsome as Leonardo, but he looked kind with an amiable disposition. But to say that he was as outstanding as Leonardo was a stretch. Anyway, he had been taking care of Summer for three years. Not every man could do that.
Stanley nodded slightly at her, then his sights landed on Carl. “Mr. Jones, what a surprise to see you here.”
Carl glanced at Stanley’s hand that he used to shake Jessica’s and cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, what a surprise. Am I welcome here, Mr. Bates?”
“Of course. You are Summer’s friend.” Stanley looked over at Summer calmly.
Sensing the weird atmosphere, Summer asked Stanley, “You must not have eaten yet. Let me lay out the table for you.”
“Let me do it.” Stanley gently placed his hand on her shoulder, then turned around and went into the kitchen.
As soon as Stanley walked away, Jessica gave Carl a good kick under the table. Carl sucked through his teeth in pain and looked over. When Jessica glared at him, he decided to keep mum.
…
The atmosphere at the dining table was still harmonious. There was no love lost between Stanley and Carl, but Summer, Jessica, and Stanley had a good time.
After lunch, Stanley did not leave immediately but stayed back to help Summer clean up. The harmony and tacit understanding between them made them look like an old married couple.
Jessica had a hard time describing her feelings. She was used to seeing Summer and Leonardo together. She could not accept the fact that Summer was with another man now.
After Summer and Stanley disappeared into the kitchen, Carl finally opened his mouth. “Jessica, don’t be as naïve as those little girls. Don’t judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to men!”
Jessica knew what Carl was insinuating; he was referring to Stanley.
“Some people are the what-you-see-is-what-you-get type,” she sneered.
Carl took a deep breath. Glancing at the kitchen, he leaned over to her and said in a whisper, “Jessica! Even though both Leonardo and Summer have lost their memories, there is still Rosie tying them together! Rosie is Summer’s biological daughter; she has the right to know that!”
“But Leonardo can’t recognize anyone right now. Even if Summer knows that Rosie is her daughter, what next? Leonardo will still see Summer as a loony! On top of that, he has a dogsh*t elder sister…”
Jessica could not hold back her anger at the mention of Kate. She had learned that Kate called off the search and rescue operation after she found Leonardo. After Leonardo came out of unconsciousness, he could not even recognize or trust Carl when Carl went to visit him. Kate was the only person whom Leonardo trusted at the moment.
Jessica had only been able to see Leonardo from afar at events for the past three years. Aside from that, she did not have a chance to talk to him.
“I think we shouldn’t cover up this thing forever.” Carl had a grave expression.
“Had it not been for the terrible things the Emerson family has done, Summer would still be living happily.” Jessica realized that it was all water under the bridge now. “Let’s wait and see. Who knows, maybe they’ll remember everything someday?”
As soon as Jessica’s voice trailed off, Stanley emerged from the kitchen. Jessica and Carl immediately sat upright and shut their mouths.
“How’s work, Ms. Patel and Mr. Jones? Are you all busy?” Stanley went up to them, looking calm. By his looks, there was no telling if he had overheard what they said earlier. Stanley’s words were plain enough for them; he was hinting for them to leave.
“I’ve been busy lately, so I have to go now.” Jessica got to her feet as she spoke.
“Let me walk you out,” said Stanley.
“You two are leaving?” Summer came out and heard their conversation.
“Yeah.” Jessica came up to Summer. “Leave me your number. We can hang out when I’m free.” They exchanged numbers with each other. Summer walked Jessica to the door, but Jessica pushed her back in. “It’s okay, get back inside. Mr. Bates’s walking us out. See you around. Goodbye.”
As soon as the door was closed, the expressions on their faces changed, and the three of them walked into the elevator. Looking at the floor indicator that told her they were descending, Jessica solemnly asked, “How did you come to know Summer, Mr. Bates?”
She had observed him earlier; Stanley’s clothes were of an expensive foreign brand, and even his watch was a limited edition model. He lacked no money and projected a sense of confidence, obviously a well-traveled man.
Jessica could not help but look at him a few more times even though she had seen enough rich kids and celebrities in her life. For all the years she had known Summer, she knew Summer’s social circle well, and she had seen no one like Stanley before.
There was very little emotion on Stanley’s face as he casually said, “I met her before you, Ms. Patel.”