"What are you busy with?" Freda complained. "Lierger Corporation isn't fighting against you nowadays; Giblo Group is monopolizing the corporate world. What could you possibly be busy with?"
"It's true that everything's going fine in the company, but…"
At that point, Benard realized what Freda was doing. If not for his wary nature, he would have let the secret slip without noticing.
"But what?"
"I'm Mr. Giblo's right-hand man. I have to do everything myself. Naturally, I won't have a lot of free time, " Benard said with a smile. "Nevertheless, I can still come out here once in a while."
"Oh, all right." Freda realized that her plan had failed, so she decided to change her strategies. "There's something in your hair."
"What?" Before Benard could react, Freda had reached out toward the top of his head, causing him to stiffen up.
Her fingers gently combed his hair, seemingly casual but affectionately. His heart began thumping loudly.
"It's a leaf!" Freda took out a dried leaf from his head and chuckled. "Were you at a forest? How did the leaf get into your hair?"
"Oh. Maybe it was from earlier, when I was under the tree."
Benard was so nervous to the point his face was as red as a tomato, and he was almost hyperventilating.
"By the way, did you skip dinner tonight?" Freda took out a small bag of something from her pocket. "I made these green pea tartlets myself. Have a try."
You made these?" Benard took them and placed one in his mouth. Its sweetness reached all the way into his heart. "This is delicious!"
"I'm glad you like them. I'll get you more tomorrow." Freda giggled. "Randy, Josh, Venus, and the three other little ones like them too. The three little ones, especially. They're always pestering me to make more for them."
"Haha! The kids are adorable." Benard beamed.
"You like them too, right?" Freda asked in a merry tone. "Ms. Lierger was worried that Mr. Giblo wouldn't like the three little ones, but it seems like they're getting along with each other. I'm sure Ms. Lierger will be relieved."
"Indeed. Mr. Giblo looks cold, but he's a kind man inside." Pride swelled in Benard's heart when he talked about Zayn. "The kids adore him."
"Yes. After Mr. Giblo left, I went to tuck the three little ones into bed. They even told me that they hoped Mr. Giblo would be able to tell them more stories tomorrow."
Then, with a smile, Freda asked, "Will Mr. Giblo come tomorrow?"
"I don't think so, " Benard replied before his mind truly registered the question.
"What's the matter?" They had finally reached the main topic Freda wanted to know more about. "I noticed something off with him when you were leaving earlier. Is he sick?"
"No, no, he's fine, " Benard explained. "Maybe his legs went numb when he was reading the kids bedtime stories. Moreover, it seems like he was scalded when he was chatting with Ms. Lierger in the bedroom."
"Is that all?" Freda wondered out loud. "It looks to me that he's feeling some discomfort in his eyes."
"Maybe something got into his eyes when he came down the stairs earlier, " Benard said dismissively.
"All right." There was nothing Freda could do when Benard refused to give her any answers.
"It's getting late. Let me send you back."
The longer they chatted, the likelier he might blurt something he should not, so it was best for him to end the date as quickly as possible.
"You're going back?" Freda asked, disappointment evident in her voice.
"Brandy went out to work on something, and I'm not home, so I'm a little worried." Benard did not have the courage to stay out for long with Zayn's current condition. "Everyone else is careless, so I have to stay home by Zayn's side."
"Okay." Freda then stepped out of the car. "I'll walk myself back. It's just a short path home. You should hurry home too."
"I'll leave when I see you reach the door."
Benard then turned on the car lights to illuminate her path.
His gesture warmed her heart, and she waved at him before jogging up the path.
Share
