"Okay…" The children were disappointed, but they obediently went to bed.
Zayn stood up and walked out of the room. However, he only took two steps before knocking into the corner of the table.
Thump! The loud noise startled the children.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. It's just too dark in here, " he reassured them as Benard darted over to support Zayn.
Carla was at the doorway, and when she saw the scene, a strange feeling washed over her.
She abruptly felt that there was something odd about Zayn.
Zayn had undergone strict training since he was a child; he possessed superior physique and senses than the average person. Even if the entire room was dark—the room was still lit with a dim wall lamp— he should be able to walk around without crashing into anything.
Moreover, she realized he seemed to have been careful on his way to the outside of the room.
Furthermore, Benard seemed excessively nervous.
"Daddy." Randy ran out for Zayn, but he spotted Carla by the doorway. "Mommy!"
The moment Benard realized Carla was standing there, panic flickered past his eyes. Nevertheless, he recomposed himself quickly and smiled at her. "Ms. Lierger, you're here. Mr. Giblo has been sitting on that tiny chair for too long, so his legs had pins and needles."
"The children's chair is indeed a little too short for him, " Carla nonchalantly agreed with him as she glanced at Zayn's legs. "It must have been a hard time for his long legs."
"Good to know that you know, " Zayn snapped.
"Mommy, Daddy he…"
"Randy, go back to your room with Josh and sleep, " Carla interrupted softly. "I'll send your daddy back."
Randy opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed the words that were at the tip of his tongue. Instead, he said, "Daddy hasn't had a drink after telling us such a long story. Mommy, why don't you offer him a drink before he leaves?"
"My son's a sensible boy." Zayn smiled happily. "However, it's late now, and I should be going back. Rest earlier, all of you."
"No, it's fine. It's better if you have a drink before you leave, " Carla promptly said. "Otherwise, the boy might think that I'm torturing you."
"Very nice of you." Zayn grinned before leaning toward her. "Shall we drink in your room?"
"Sure, " came her swift response. "Jewel, prep the tea."
"Understood."
Zayn froze. He thought that Carla was sure to reject him if he were to tease her. To his surprise, her agreement had come quick.
Benard anxiously peeked at Zayn, thinking, What now?
In the middle of the story earlier, Zayn's vision had abruptly gone blurry. He could not read the words in the book, so that was why he had come up with his own version of the story.
Benard watched them both at the side, his heart racing. However, with Randy's cooperation, Zayn managed to keep up with the act.
Then, he tried to look for an excuse to leave. However, due to his blurry sight, when he stood to leave, he knocked onto the corner of the table again. Benard quickly grabbed him.
They wanted to leave as soon as possible. That way, he would not be found out. Yet, they had encountered Carla.
"Since you're so enthusiastic about it, then I won't resist."
Unlike Benard, Zayn was calm and steady as if there was nothing wrong with him.
"This way." Carla brought Zayn back to her room before casually saying to Benard, "I think Freda's caught a mild cold. Why don't you have a look at her?"
"No, no, I shouldn't. She…" Benard was about to reject her when Zayn secretly gestured at him. "I don't know if she'll chase me out of this place."
"How would you know unless you've gone there?" Carla teased. "Men should take a more active role."
"Well, she's quite ferocious." Benard scratched his head, embarrassed.
"This way please, Mr. Giblo."
Carla opened the door to her room as she motioned to him.
Zayn ambled in.
The entire time, Carla was keeping her eye on him. He seems fine now. Was I overthinking things?
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