Chapter 38
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Humbert’s eyes fixed on the winged rabbit, finding it strangely familiar. He said casually, “You’ve only known her for a few days and you’re already buying her a gift? Watch out. She might scam you.”
“This is how people chase girls,” Leonard said, acting like he knew better. But with his allowance taken by Jessica, he grabbed Humbert’s arm. “Uncle Humbert, please. You’re the best. Winifred wouldn’t trick me.”
Leonard added, “You’re the one who would get tricked by a woman.”
Humbert frowned at the dancing rabbit and rested a hand on Leonard’s head. He muttered coldly, “Who dreamed this up? A rabbit with bee wings.”
The saleswoman beamed and said, “It’s this year’s hot item. It’s really cute, and our store’s top seller. A huge hit with the younger crowd.”
Humbert pursed his lips, his tone icy. “Ugly.” Deep down, he muttered, ‘It was clearly a style from seven years back, and they’re claiming it’s today’s hot trend.‘
Leonard sensed Humbert’s foul mood and knew asking for money was hopeless. He propped his chin and mused about going back to Margaret. He believed she’d definitely hand over the cash.
He thought to himself, ‘It’s all Mom’s fault. She cut off my allowance and then cleaned out my savings stash. Now I can’t even buy a gift for my crush. Life is hard without money!‘
The saleswoman’s lips twitched. She hadn’t expected someone so handsome to be that blunt. ‘Seriously, what kind of taste is that? This rabbit is so adorable,’ she wondered.
The shop was bustling with customers, so the saleswoman rushed to help others. Leonard leaned against the display case, eyeing the other wooden crafts. He checked his balance and zeroed in on a wooden block rose- the price was just right.
Suddenly, Leonard looked up and caught sight of a familiar figure. “Winifred, we’re here!” he called out.
Winifred knew that wherever Leonard was, Humbert would be close by. But still, she walked into the wooden craft store while holding Rosalind’s hand.
The store was crowded, with a lounge area for rest. Humbert sat there, legs crossed, his whole demeanor radiating an aloofness that screamed “keep away.”
Nearby, young girls stole glances at him, blushing and whispering while sneaking their phones out to snap a photo.
At Leonard’s call, Humbert glanced up. His eyes and Winifred’s locked for an instant before he looked away at once, his gaze dropping to his phone.
Leonard took her hand, guiding her toward the rabbit music box and asking, “Do you like it, Winifred?”
Winifred smiled. “It’s cute.”
Winifred stared at the winged rabbit and stopped dead. A strange sense of familiarity washed over her.
10:47 Fri, Sep 12
Chapter 38
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“I knew you’d like it,” Leonard declared. “Uncle Humbert called it ugly. Our tastes don’t align.”
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Winifred clenched her fist. She was still holding Rosalind’s hand, thus tightening her grip until Rosalind cried out in pain.
Winifred finally let go. Her face remained calm, though a faint sadness stirred inside. She told herself inwardly, ‘Humbert’s just the same as before. Or maybe he acts this way because he never likes me.‘
Just then, a young woman walked up and bought the music box. Every piece in the handmade shop was unique, never mass–produced. Custom orders took two weeks. Watching it go, Leonard felt a pang of disappointment.
*****
Originally, the trip was set to end at four PM with everyone taking the bus back. But Leonard suddenly got a stomachache. It turned out he’d eaten too much ice cream. Humbert took him home early in a cab.
That afternoon, Winifred and Rosalind took the school bus home. Rosalind got carsick and fell asleep on the sofa as soon as they arrived.
The two dogs were curled up on the nearby carpet. Winifred sat on the carpet, her laptop resting on the coffee table, and she’d glance up now and then at the sleeping girl while she worked.
Outside, twilight faded into deep night. Winifred rubbed her neck as the WhatsApp notification flickered on her computer.
Leonard: [Hey Winifred, are you busy?]
Winifred: [How are you doing? Still feeling under the weather?]
Leonard: [I’m much better now. They gave me three IV bags this afternoon.]
Winifred: [Good boy.] Winifred also sent a really cute emoji.
Leonard: [Have you got a nickname?] Leonard thought building a connection started with how people addressed each other.
Leonard: [Call me Leo. That’s what Uncle Humbert and others use.]
Winifred didn’t have a nickname. Only her grandparents would sometimes call her “sweetheart.”
Noticing that she was quiet, Leonard sent another message. Leonard: [Can I call you Winnie?]
Winifred: (Of course, you can.
Leonard: Has anyone called you that before?]
Winifred: [No. You’re the only one.J
With Rosalind asleep, Winifred fixed herself some instant noodles for a quick bite. But one bite in, it was too spicy.
10:47 Fri, Sep 12
Chapter 38
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Leonard said he also wanted instant noodles, especially fire noodles. Winifred couldn’t understand why today’s kids would like fire noodles so much. Rosalind loved them too. Winifred only fixed a pack occasionally and let Rosalind have a little.
Winifred really liked Leonard, who was chubby, handsome, and cute. She thought that if her son were still alive, he would be about that age.
After talking with Leonard for a while, Winifred had nearly finished her bowl of instant noodles.
Leonard: [Winnie, mind if we video chat?]
Winifred: [Alright.]
Leonard lay face down on the bed. Excitedly, he rolled over, dashed to the bathroom, stood on a stool to peer in the mirror, combed his hair, and then slipped into his favorite cool kids‘ jacket.
Winifred could tell right away from the video that he’d dressed up nicely. Even his hair was combed neatly back. She couldn’t help pressing her lips together.
Leonard complained, “Winnie, I’m starving. Uncle Humbert won’t let me eat a thing.”
Winifred replied, “Your uncle is a doctor. You better listen to him.” She knew that when the diarrhea hit, one really couldn’t keep any food down, and that they should just sip warm water and wait for it to pass.
“Your instant noodles look yummy.” Leonard couldn’t help licking his lips.
Winifred smiled, “Once you’re back on your feet, I’ll take you for seafood boil, alright?”
“Alright, deal,” Leonard exclaimed.
All at once, he doubled over, clutching his belly–that awful, familiar cramp was back. “Please give me some time. I’ll get back soon,” he said, frowning as he clutched his backside and rushed to the bathroom.
After taking care of business, Leonard stepped out of the bathroom and spotted Humbert in his bedroom with his phone in hand.
“Uncle Humbert, you can’t just go through my personal messages,” he blurted out.
Humbert had brought Leonard back at noon and stayed at the Pierce residence all afternoon. Figuring the little guy should rest his stomach without eating for a day, Humbert went upstairs to check on him. He hadn’t expected to find Leonard video chatting with Winifred.
In the video, Winifred’s connection flickered, freezing her face on–screen. Her lips parted, revealing a smooth complexion free of makeup.
Her long, brown hair was pulled back casually, with a smear of chili oil near her lips. A half–eaten bowl of instant noodles sat beside her on the table. Humbert frowned at her dinner.
Leonard hopped up, trying to snatch the phone, but Humbert lifted it high. “Please give me back,” Leonard said and scrambled onto the bed, but he couldn’t reach the phone in Humbert’s grasp.
10:47 Fri, Sep 12
Chapter 38
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Just then, Winifred’s voice came through from the other end. Her connection steadied, and she heard Leonard’s voice. “Leo, have you come out?” she asked.
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.
