Leonard held onto Humbert’s trousers, thinking, ‘Rosalind heard that. How can I not have money? It’d be so embarrassing for a pretty girl to hear that I’m out of cash!‘
But Jessica was worried he’d buy junk food after school, so she didn’t give him any money.
Winifred offered to treat everyone. It was getting late, and even though her daughter had eaten a little, she still wanted to get something else. Plus, since Humbert had brought them here, it was just a way to thank him.
Blushing, Leonard defended his honor. “Ms. Nelson, I have money, it’s just that my uncle is holding onto it for me.”
Humbert decided not to tease him any further. He nodded, and immediately, Leonard grabbed Rosalind’s hand and ran toward the seafood diner.
Humbert glanced at Winifred and noticed her light–colored lips. He frowned and said, “You need to be more careful with your blood sugar. Eat on time, focus on nutrition, don’t skip breakfast, and make sure to eat carbs.”
“Got it,” Winifred replied.
He strode toward the diner, and she followed him.
She told the owner of the seafood diner that she’d take care of the bill. This way, it felt like she wouldn’t owe him anything. She always wanted to keep a distance from Humbert.
He dropped her off, so she thought of this meal as a way of paying for the ride.
Leonard was overly enthusiastic about the seafood boil, exclaiming it was the best meal he’d ever had.
With his chubby and cute appearance, he really charmed the owner, who threw in an extra serving of veggies and two fried eggs.
After the meal, Leonard whispered to Humbert, “Uncle Humbert, please transfer me 30 bucks. I promise I’ll pay you back 60,”
He didn’t want anyone to look down on him.
Humbert smirked and sent him 30 dollars.
Leonard jumped off his chair and went to pay the owner, but she informed him that Winifred had already settled the bill. Frowning, Leonard protested, “Ms. Nelson, I want to treat you all. You can’t pay.”
13:08 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 28
62
55 vouchers
“Why can’t I?” Winifred replied quietly, not looking at Humbert standing behind Leonard. “I want to thank your uncle for bringing us home.”
“Well… How about next time you treat us? Since it’s my turn to pay this time,” Leonard suggested.
His dad had told him that guys should pay when cating out with girls.
“Ms. Nelson, let’s add each other on WhatsApp and exchange bank details. I’ll send you the money, and you can treat me to dinner next time. How about that?” Leonard proposed.
“Sure.” Winifred thought Leonard was adorable as she pulled out her phone.
Looking at Leonard’s WhatsApp username, “Your Prince,” she couldn’t help but think kids these days were becoming a little too mature for their age.
*****
Humbert was driving back home with Leonard, who was busy sending a voice message to Winifred.
“Ms. Nelson, you’re really beautiful. You’re the prettiest woman I’ve seen besides my mom and grandma,” Leonard said.
Humbert couldn’t help but twitch his lips at this compliment.
He was definitely going to tease Herman, Jessica’s husband, about this later. If it weren’t for the way he spoke to Jessica at home, Leonard wouldn’t have picked up such phrases.
“Uncle Humbert, do you know you almost ruined my chances today?” Leonard put his phone down and looked at Humbert seriously.
Humbert was focused on driving and didn’t respond.
“Uncle Humbert, my mom didn’t give me any money, but to pursue girls, I really need cash. Can you transfer me 500?
“When Ms. Nelson handed me the pizza with the most toppings, I fell for her right there,” Leonard continued.
Humbert slammed on the brakes, pressing his fingers against his throbbing temples. “Leonard, are you serious?”
“Uncle Humbert, I know you’re not a conservative guy. You understand me, right?” Leonard
insisted.
Humbert kept driving, ignoring Leonard’s chatter throughout the ride.
13:08 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 28
62
55 vouchers
By the time he dropped Leonard off at the Pierce residence, Leonard scoffed, “You adults just don’t get it, do you? I already added her on WhatsApp, and I believe I have a chance with her.”
Humbert had no response. He felt like lighting a cigarette and reached for one, but then he put it away. His voice was a bit hoarse. “She’s married, and you’re basically her daughter’s age.”
Leonard said, “My age isn’t a problem. Plus, who doesn’t like younger guys? Uncle Humbert, you don’t understand how beautiful Ms. Nelson is! When she handed me the pizza, she also ruffled my hair.
“She smells nice, has beautiful skin, and when she smiles, she’s so gentle. I really think she
likes me.”
“Yeah, she’s probably just surprised to see such a little piglet who can eat so much,” Humbert replied.
“Go ahead and put me down if you want, but Ms. Nelson said I’m cute,” Leonard said, ignoring Humbert.
He pulled out his phone and noticed it was about to die. He hurriedly plugged it in to charge in Humbert’s car while opening WhatsApp. He saw a new voice message from Winifred. “Thanks, you’re very cute too.”
He turned the volume up and played it for Humbert.
“You believe in Winifred’s flattery? Pretty girls can be deceptive,” Humbert said.
“Then why did she only say I’m cute and not you? If she only says that to me, it means she really likes me,” Leonard argued.
Humbert squeezed Leonard’s chubby cheek and smiled slightly. “Remember the time you wet your pants at school? Wasn’t I the one who had to come pick you up?”
Leonard turned red. Clenching his fists defensively, he replied, “I was still little, and that was just because I drank too much water.”
He hopped out of the car without even saying goodbye, sulking as he walked away.
Humbert leaned against the car door to smoke.
The family’s maid, Ann, helped Leonard with his little backpack and looked at Humbert. “Are you eating dinner at home tonight, Humbert?”
“Tell Margaret no. I’m going to pick up Nemo. He’s still at the pet store,” Humbert replied.
On the way back, he picked up the dog. Nemo had just had a bath and was sprawled out in the back seat. Looking at Nemo, Humbert couldn’t help but think of Claire.
13:09 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 28
She had begged him to temporarily take in this dog.
62
55 vouchers
Humbert rubbed his forehead and glanced at the passenger seat where Leonard’s phone was charging. He picked it up and opened WhatsApp. Winifred’s profile photo was blue sky.
He couldn’t help but smirk, thinking, ‘So ordinary. That profile picture isn’t even as stylish as
Mom’s.‘
Her WhatsApp username was “Blooming Rose.”
He clicked on the last voice message. “Thanks, you’re very cute too.”
Her soft voice didn’t have any particular charm–it was gentle, not overly sweet, almost like her real self. It was like a gentle breeze.
Such a soft tone stirred up some unsettled feelings in him. He clicked play again.
“Thanks, you’re very cute too.”
There was a slight nasal tone to her voice that reminded him of Claire.
But at that moment, Humbert suddenly realized he seemed to have forgotten what Claire’s voice actually sounded like.
It had been seven years. Many memories had gradually faded away with time.
Humbert found himself confused. ‘Is it because I feel Winifred is similar to Claire that I think her voice is similar, too? Or is it that Claire naturally spoke that way?‘ he thought.
He had already changed his phone so many times that all the saved audio files and pictures were gone.
Realizing this left him feeling upset, so he pressed the smoke in his throat down and exhaled.
宙
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
