Summer was almost certain that Rosie was a “visual person”. Most children find women more matey.
Jessica worked in the entertainment industry and looks became an integral part of her. So it was only natural that Rosie liked her. She carried Rosie in her arms, sat down, and looked over at Carl.
“Don’t you have work to do, President Jones?”
Carl pretended not to understand what Jessica meant. “I’m busy, but since Rosie’s here, I can make the time.” She had to be thinking of shooing him away and treating him as a non-existent person.
Summer looked at Jessica and then at Carl, smiling but saying nothing. When she looked back, she saw Rosie was looking at her nervously.
“Rosie?” she called out.
Rosie looked even more nervous while she wriggled in Jessica’s arms, as though she wanted to get down. Was she not fine a while ago?
By then, Jessica had sensed that Rosie wanted to get down and put her on the floor. As soon as her feet touched the surface, she scampered up to Summer into her arms.
Summer found it funny. She lifted her up in her arms and tried her best not to laugh. “What’s wrong?”
Rosie cautiously glanced at Jessica, then plunged her head into Summer’s neck. “Strange woman,” she whispered.
“Who?” Summer was baffled. “You mean the woman who carried you just now?”
Rosie twisted her fingers and nodded her head nervously. But Summer could not figure out why she said so.
“What did she say?” Jessica asked, looking at Rosie with a bright smile on her face.
Summer blinked and shook her head with a smile. She then looked down at Rosie.
“Why did you say Aunt Patel is a strange woman? Don’t you think she’s pretty?” she asked with a low voice.
Rosie glanced at Jessica, who looked at her with a smile at the same time. She leaned back in Summer’s arms. “Pretty.”
“Then why did you say she is a strange woman? She likes you very much, you know?” Summer stroked her hair to coax her.
“Daddy said… strange woman.”
Rosie’s voice was indistinct, but she could still make out her words. She did not know whether to laugh or cry right now.
“Did you meet Leonardo earlier?” Summer asked Jessica.
“Yeah. I saw him having dinner with Rosie here, in the Golden Cauldron last time.” Jessica winked at Rosie. “She was here, saying hi to me.”
Summer facepalmed upon hearing that. Why the heck Leonardo said this thing to Rosie? She looked down at Rosie again. “Aunt Patel isn’t a strange woman. She is Mommy’s friend. She’s a wonderful person, and she likes you very much.”
Rosie stared back at Summer with her eyes wide open as if she had understood it. So, Summer held her hand. “Since Aunt Patel likes you so much, would you like to give her a compliment?”
Rosie blinked, then looked at Jessica. “You are pretty.”
Summer spread out her hand, shaking her head.
Jessica broke into a mysterious smile. “You’re so clever, Rosie. Auntie has a present for you.”
Rosie’s eyes lit up upon hearing the word “present”.
Jessica held out her hand. “Come here. Auntie will let you look at it alone.”
Rosie looked at Summer expectantly.
“Go ahead.” Summer put her down on the floor.
Rosie scurried toward Jessica, who then held her and acted mysteriously as she took out the present.
“Rosie, could you please stand here so your mommy won’t see it?”
“Okay.”
Rosie gave her full cooperation. She glanced back at Summer and reached out her hand to block Summer from her view.
Summer could still see the present. Most girls like Barbie dolls and colorful wishing bottles. Not that they were special. But Rosie liked them, her eyes looking like a pair of crescents as she grinned from ear to ear.
“Twist this and it will change color. Just like this…”
“Wow, that’s beautiful!”
Leonardo probably had no time for Rosie since he was so busy. Summer started to understand why Leonardo let her stay with them.
Rosie took the wishing bottle and showed it to Summer excitedly. “Look, Mommy!”
“That’s beautiful! Shouldn’t we thank Aunt Patel?” Summer nodded obligingly.
“Thank you, Aunt Patel,” Rosie said, then kissed her on the cheek.
Jessica collapsed back in the chair. “Ouch, my head hurts. Only kisses from Rosie can heal me.”
Rosie was baffled. The next moment, she came close and kissed Jessica again.
Sitting nearby, Carl cleared his throat as he became jealous. “Shall we order something to eat?” He handed the menu to Rosie. “You can order whatever you like, Rosie.”
Rosie glanced at him and then pushed the menu to Summer, who subsequently ordered her a glass of fruit juice and French fries, herself a cup of coffee before passing the menu to Jessica.
Food was served pretty quickly, probably because Carl was there.
Rosie sat in the children’s room, enjoying her French fries while Summer shared with them briefly what had happened recently
After Summer finished, Carl looked at her curiously. “Did Leonardo really fall out with his elder sister?”
“I guess so, but I’m not so sure.” Judging from what happened that day, Leonardo had indeed fallen out with Kate. But who knows what would transpire later on? After all, they were siblings.
Carl was elated upon hearing that. “Just wait and see. When Leonardo fully recovers his memory, Kate will get her dues.”
“Why do you say so?” Summer could not make head or tail of the reason behind Carl’s statement.
Just then, Jessica promptly gave him a good kicking under the table. “You’re so busy; I think you should go to work now…”
Carl dragged himself up and left the room reluctantly. As soon as he left, Jessica leaned close to Summer.
“How do you and Big Boss get along now?”
“So-so.” Summer thought for a moment. “I’m already grateful enough if we don’t argue.”
“You hate him?” Jessica nodded.
“Not really. Just that we don’t share any common thoughts.” Summer pursed her lips and glanced at Rosie with a curious look on her face. “How was our relationship? I mean Leonardo and I.”
“You guys were a loving couple. Otherwise, you two wouldn’t have such an adorable child.” Jessica could not help but look at Rosie with her chin resting on her hand. “So adorable.”