Filed to story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel >>
Upon hearing Jared’s words, Anastasia looked helplessly at her son, feeling rather frustrated that he had just exposed her right in front of Elliot due to his naive nature. Alas! I guess I can’t blame my son for telling the truth. After all, I’ve always taught him not to lie, and I’m pretty confident with my cooking skills as well.
“Mr. Presgrave, Mommy is going to buy some ingredients to prepare for dinner. Do join us.” The child looked up shortly before he entered the car without giving Anastasia a chance to say no. Nonetheless, Anastasia soon realized she should perhaps treat Elliot to a meal when she recalled the time that he had helped her, as well as his willingness to do Jared a favor by attending the parent-child program with her son. Therefore, she followed Jared and got into Elliot’s car, whereupon he drove them to a nearby shopping mall.
Then, she told her son to wait in the car with the man while she did a quick round of shopping and returned with a bag full of groceries that could last them for the night before they returned to Anastasia’s apartment.
Upon arrival, Anastasia somehow felt that her house was too small with Elliot around. After all, she had always thought that an apartment unit with two rooms and a living room was big enough for her and her son.
“You could keep Jared company while I prepare in the kitchen.” Deep down, the only thing Anastasia wanted was to prepare the dinner as soon as possible so that Elliot could leave shortly after.
Meanwhile, Jared reckoned he was old enough to be independent without needing anyone’s company, so he told Elliot to give Anastasia a hand. “Mr. Presgrave, why don’t you help my mom out in the kitchen? I’m going to do my homework now.”
“Alright, go ahead then!” Elliot set his eyes on the petite figure in the kitchen.
As soon as Jared returned to his room to do his homework, Elliot walked toward the kitchen to offer Anastasia some help, but little did he know that she was approaching the refrigerator to grab something at the same time. Therefore, both of them came face to face with each other at the kitchen’s entrance just before Anastasia bumped her head on the man’s chest, but fortunately, Elliot was quick enough to wrap his arm around her slim waist and pulled her toward him. Shocked by what just happened, Anastasia wanted to back away but accidentally tripped over the threshold at the kitchen’s entrance. In that instant, her knee-jerk reaction prompted her to grab the man’s hand just as he snaked his arm around her waist even tighter this time. With that, she found her arms tightly wrapped around the man’s muscular waist as well.
The next second, Anastasia freed herself and backed away frantically. Then, she berated Elliot in an annoyed manner by saying, “Can’t you just sit on the couch quietly? You’re creating a mess here.”
In the face of the lady’s mean scolding, Elliot felt sympathetic for himself, thinking his kind and innocent intention should be repaid with something else better than her mean scolding. I came by to see if she needed help and saved her from falling twice, but all I get is her harsh scolding. He then squinted and asked, “Do you need help?”
“No, I don’t.” Anastasia frowned while giving him a reply.
Thus, Elliot returned to the couch and sat down, keeping an eye on the lady as she prepared a meal for all three of them in the kitchen. At that moment, he somehow felt as if there was an energy in the small apartment that rid him of his tiredness and made him feel relaxed.
Within an hour, Anastasia made Jared’s favorite mushroom chicken, several vegetable dishes, and corn soup made with bone broth. On the other hand, Elliot remained seated on the couch while watching her for that one hour, somehow feeling he couldn’t have enough of it the longer he kept his eyes on her. What’s wrong with me?
Meanwhile, Jared intentionally hid in the room because he wanted to give Elliot and his mother some private space so that they could grow on each other. Deep down, he wished that Elliot could be his father one day. Despite the child’s young age, he could tell that his mother only treated Nigel as her friend, thinking that she had no intention of marrying him at all. Therefore, he was trying to see whether Anastasia would fall for Elliot instead.
When Anastasia served the dishes, she coldly stared at the man who was sitting on the couch in a graceful and handsome manner. “Dinner time.” Then, she went to her son’s room and knocked on the door to tell him that dinner was ready.
Jared opened the door and looked back at the man on the couch. “Mr. Presgrave, let’s wash our hands and get ready for dinner!”
“Alright.” Elliot took Jared to the washroom and made sure he washed his hands properly. Then, he walked toward the dining table and was greeted by the sight of those appetizing dishes. Although they were all home-cooked dishes, he found them even more tantalizing than the food from a five-star restaurant.
In the meantime, Anastasia wiped her hands and stepped out of the kitchen before she caught sight of the man laying the table. She started digging in after making sure that her son was able to pick up the dishes and place them on his plate.
“Help yourself, Mr. Presgrave.” Jared placed some dishes on Elliot’s plate. “How is my mom’s cooking, Mr. Presgrave?” he asked.
“Not bad.”
“You should drop by more often and join us for dinner then.” Jared told the man.
“Sure!” Elliot answered almost immediately.
Anastasia, who was chewing her food, nearly spat it out as she looked at her son in puzzlement. What’s wrong with my boy? Why is he trying to make my life so hard? It’s tiring enough for me to come home from work after a long day, and now I’m supposed to cook for one more guest? Like hell I’m going to do that.
“Mr. Presgrave, can you raise my mom’s pay? The boy looked at the man with his smiling eyes.
Upon hearing that, Anastasia paused when she was eating and stared at Elliot who was sitting opposite her, wondering if he would really raise her pay. Soon, the man looked at Jared and directly answered, “Sure, I’ll raise her pay tomorrow.” Then, Anastasia pondered for a while and realized the next day was the fifth of the month, which was the day that she usually received her pay. Therefore, she couldn’t help but think to herself if Elliot would keep his word.
After dinner, Anastasia began washing the dishes in the kitchen while Jared took Elliot to his room and played with him. By the time it was 8.30PM, Anastasia looked at the man who was sitting on her son’s bed and told him the time, implicitly suggesting that he should leave. “It’s getting late, President Presgrave.”
Then, Elliot rubbed Jared’s head and said, “Alright, it’s time for me to go.”
“I’ll see you during the parent-child program, Mr. Presgrave!”
“Sure! I’ll be there.” Elliot promised the child that he would be present on that day.