Carla wanted to escape when she noticed the manager waving at her, but since he called her by the janitor's name, and everyone was looking at her, leaving the room would be suspicious. It would be difficult to clean up if she was exposed, so Carla went up to them.
"The wine's spilled, Foruma. Clean it up fast, " the manager ordered.
"Okay." Carla cleared the glass shards away, but she hung her head low in case someone could recognize her. Meanwhile, Zayn had moved away from the spot, wiping the stain on his hand with a piece of wet tissue.
"Will you be changing clothes, Mr. Giblo? I can go with you, " Benard proposed carefully.
"No. It's just the coat." Zayn took it off and tossed it to Benard before going back to his wine.
"Whoa, muscles!" Josh was excited to see Zayn's muscular body. "What's your routine, Boss?"
Carla stopped cleaning for a moment and looked up at Zayn. He calls Zayn "Boss?" What's going on?
"Boxing, " Zayn answered curtly.
"You box? What do you specialize in?" Josh's interest was piqued. Instantly, he put his cutlery down and waited for Zayn's answer with anticipation.
"I know everything, " Zayn answered calmly.
"Really? Then spar with me when we have the chance." Josh loved martial arts.
"You? Spar with me?" Zayn thought it was laughable. "I can beat you down with one finger."
"As if." Josh puckered his lips, swinging his fists. "My leg's injured, but once I heal up, you're getting it."
"We'll see." Zayn sipped his wine without looking at the boy.
Venus gave Jombo a piece of candy. "We're going to kindergarten tomorrow, Mr. Jombo, " she said pleasantly. "We can't wear smartwatches when we're in school, but you can call us once school's out. That is if you miss us anyway."
"Why can't you wear smartwatches? What if you go missing again like last time?" Jombo frowned.
"I don't know. The teacher said smartwatches aren't allowed in the kindergarten." Venus fiddled with her cherry ice cream.
"What's your kindergarten's name?" Jombo asked.
"Apple Kindergarten!" Venus held up a little apple and grinned. "That's its name."
"I see." Jombo gave Thompson a look. Thompson understood what must be done, and he went to do it.
"You shouldn't spoil the kids, " Zayn commented, knowing what his grandfather had done.
"Bite me then, " Jombo snapped back.
Zayn didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the janitor and sneered. "Why don't you take the kids with you if you love them so much?" he told Jombo. "Their home's tiny. Makes it hard for them to move around."
Carla trembled, and she started to panic. No, no, no. Don't say yes, kids.
"Sure." Jombo had the same idea. "Why don't you stay over at my place, kids?" he asked lovingly. "I can give you a ride to the kindergarten every day, and I can take you guys back too."
"Sure, " Venus answered without even a moment of hesitation. She was even rubbing her pudgy hands happily. "Can we come here when school's out then?"
"Of course, you can." Jombo nodded. "And I can hire a boxing coach for you, " he told Josh. "You can learn whatever you want to."
"Really? Cool." Josh punched the air with excitement. "Can I learn taekwondo then?"
"No problem. I'll get the best coach to teach you." Jombo was about to tell Thompson to get to it.
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