Chapter 78
“Awesome!” Jared happily nodded.
“Jared, perhaps we should invite Mr. Nigel instead. What do you say?” Anastasia reckoned that Nigel was a better choice.
“Nigel just took over his company, so he won’t have time to attend the event.”
“Let me ask him and see what his plan is.” Nonetheless, Anastasia reckoned it was necessary for her to ask.
“No, Mommy! Fred just heard that Mr. Presgrave is my father, so if Mr. Nigel comes with me, our cover will be blown.” Jared disagreed.
After hearing her son’s explanation, Anastasia felt helpless while cursing Elliot deep down inside for telling the others that he was Jared’s father. Why would this fella falsely admit that he is my son’s dad?
Elliot smiled and said, “I’ll play my role as your father well.”
“I look forward to that.” Jared clapped his hands.
“Come on, I’ll treat you to a fancy meal.” Elliot then opened the car door and was about to put the boy inside his car when Anastasia came over and grabbed her son.
“We’re good, President Presgrave. I’m preparing dinner tonight.”
Upon returning to his mother’s embrace, Jared looked up and gazed at Elliot. “Mr. Presgrave, would you like to come to my house and try my Mommy’s cooking? She is a very good cook…” The child was about to show a thumbs-up, but he was blocked by his mother’s hand.
While covering Jared’s mouth with her hand, Anastasia looked at the man and replied, “My cooking sucks, so I don’t think I should count you in.”
Elliot gave a smile and answered, “I don’t mind that.” He then sympathetically shifted his gaze to the child whose mouth was being covered by his mother’s hand. “Stop doing that to the kid.”
It was only then did Anastasia realize what she was doing and quickly took her hand – away from Jared. After that, the boy gasped for breath and blinked at his mother.
“Mommy, why are you lying about your cooking? You’re a good cook.”
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?”
