Chapter 143
“Is it necessary to seek his help?” Arabella thought, feeling frustrated with herself. Is she really that incapable?!
Dean understood now. Ms Bennett was a powerful career–oriented woman who was self–reliant and didn’t need any external assistance to handle her affairs.
“Ms. Bennett, my admiration for you has grown even stronger. What should I do?” Dean’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
Arabella kept her head down, not even glancing at him, “If you have time, you can help the janitor clean the toilets.”
“I’ll get to work right away!” Dean hurriedly left the office. He definitely did not want to clean toilets.
Night fell
Louisa sat on the couch, whipping out her phone to ring up her boys.
“Your sister’s been found, she’s on summer break. You guys need to wrap up your work and whoever can, come home ASAP. Whoever can’t, needs to make some time!”
“I know you guys are busy, but your sister is back, all five of you need to come home for a while! Got it?”
“Anyone who dares to ignore their sister or mistreat her, I’ll be the first to oppose!”
“You can come home without luggage, without work, but you must bring gifts for your sister!”
After four calls, Louisa finally dialed her youngest son’s number and repeated the message.
“But mom, I’m your son, you’re giving me a hard time over a sister who just showed up?” David Collins was a bit peeved on the other end of the line.
“Huh, at least you remember you’re my son, how many times have you come home to see me this year?!”
“Well, I’ve been swamped with work, no? And I’ve sent plenty of gifts and gift cards!” David’s tone was rather aggrieved.
Louisa was unimpressed, “Humph, who cares about your money!”
Well, his mom didn’t exactly need his money.
“Anyway, you must come back! Oh…” Louisa seemed to remember something and added, “Tell me in advance when you’re coming back.” “Why, you gonna make me something tasty?”
“You’re famous and all you think about is eating? Have I ever let you starve when you were little?” Louisa sounded disgusted.
David was indignant, “Even famous people need to eat!”
“The Bartley’s girl has been over a lot lately, she’s pretty, well–educated, well–mannered…”
“Okay, stop, I get it, I don’t have time right now!”
“You little rascal, let me finish.” Louisa didn’t let him interrupt, “You’re not young anymore, you should think about getting married.”
“Mom, I still have my elder brothers, why don’t you urge them? Why me?”
“They won’t listen to me! The Bartley’s girl has a crush on you, what can I do?”
“You…” David clutched his heart, this was definitely his mom!
“Remember to bring a gift for your sister when you come home, bye.”
David felt wronged, if not for this sister, how long has it been since his mom called him?
Louisa completed her mission, finally able to let go of her worries.
“Dear, are you thirsty? Have some coffee first.” Kenneth tenderly served a cup of coffee, smiling warmly.
After five calls, Louisa was indeed thirsty, so she took the cup and had a few sips.
“I started brewing the coffee when you were making the fifth call, the temperature is just right now,” Kenneth waited for her to finish her coffee, put the cup back on the table, and continued to massage her, “Dear, you’ve worked hard, are your hands sore? Let me give you a massage…”
“You take a break too.”
“I’m not tired!” Kenneth lovingly squeezed her hand, “By the way, this big news about Bella coming home, when are you going to tell our other relatives?”
When they’re emotionally stable, then we can share the good news.
If they can’t accept it at once, blood pressure would spike, old illnesses would flare up, that’d be a hassle!
Once they know Bella’s back, relatiyes from both families will certainly find out. Visitors would be endless, just thinking about it is annoying!
If they disturb us, that’s fine, but if Bella gets annoyed…
“We’ve gone through a lot to find Bella, I want to spend more time with her, make it up to her.” Kenneth massaged her hand, “If too many relatives show up, our time with Bella will be reduced, don’t you think so?”
“I don’t want anyone to disturb our family reunion.”
Just as Louisa finished speaking, her phone rang. It was Arabella calling!
Kenneth looked on with anticipation, a sour feeling in his heart: when will his daughter call him?
Louisa cleared her throat and answered the phone joyfully yet solemnly, “Hello? My baby girl…”
“Mom, Romeo McMillian and I are eating out tonight.”
“Okay, I got it. Ever since Romeo’s been around, I’ve stopped saving dinner for you!”
Why did Arabella suddenly feel a pang in her heart?
“Take your time and enjoy! Don’t worry about home!” Louisa wanted to talk more with her daughter, but didn’t want to annoy her, so she quickly said, “If there’s nothing else, hang up first.”
“Okay.” After hanging up, Arabella turned to the man in the car, “What’s wrong with you now?”
“Don’t call me by my full name in the future.” Romeo held her, speaking affectionately, “When can I hear you call me honey?”
Arabella didn’t want to deal with him. She couldn’t bring herself to say it, “I think Romeo is a nice name.”
“Nonsense, ‘honey‘ sounds much better.”
Could they have a peaceful conversation?
Romeo kept pestering her, “Call me ‘honey‘ once.”
“If you annoy me again, I’ll get out of the car.”
Romeo immediately quieted down, just hugging her and occasionally kissing her forehead and lips.
“You’re pushing your luck more and more!” Arabella was getting a bit pissed off. When would he learn to have some boundaries?
“Maybe I need someone to keep me in line?” Romeo replied, grinning in a way that was both charming and smitten. “Maybe you should step in more, keep me in check. I need a partner who can rein me in.” Romeo’s eyes were full of warmth and affection.
Arabella was a bit overwhelmed and turned her head away, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
