Chapter 430 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Only because you have Celsie,” Jamal pointed out sullenly.

“That’s right,” Benne said, amused by the kid’s perspective, “But you also have Samantha and everyone else.”

“It’s not the same. They are always busy,” Jamal said, and Benne nodded.

“Celsie is always busy too.”

“I don’t mind,” Jamal said, and this time Benne chuckled. Okay. It seemed like the kid had a crush on Celsie.

“Would you like me to get you a home teacher? That way, you wouldn’t miss out on your school work too much while you are here, and it might help you stay busy,” Benne suggested, and Jamal gave him an indifferent shrug.

“Maybe we can play games in the evening when I’m back from work and hang out over the weekend,” Benne suggested, and Jamal’s dull eyes lit up, letting Benne know he liked the idea.

“Will we go bowling too?”

“If you promise to be a good boy and not cry, then we will go to any fun place you want. And you can also talk to your mother over the phone,” Benne promised, and Jamal’s face brightened.

“I won’t cry. I will be good,” he promised excitedly.

“Good. Celsie and I are going out for dinner soon. I will ask Samantha and the others to stay up and watch a cartoon with you. We will try to come back early. If you are still up by the time we get back, I will tuck you in and read you a bedtime story. Deal?” Benne asked, and Jamal looked at him like he was contemplating something.

“Will Celsie be there to tuck me in too?” Jamal asked with hopeful eyes, and Benne smiled knowingly. Definitely a crush.

“You want her to?” Benne asked, and Jamal bobbed his head.

“We will have to ask her about it,” Benne said as he rose, and Jamal did the same.

By the time Benne returned to the bedroom, Celsie was out of the bathroom, dressed in a bathing robe as she searched the closet for something to wear.

“You didn’t think that you’d need to dress up for dinner,” Benne said, knowing that she hadn’t packed any clothes.

“I’m sure my work clothes will suffice. After all, you guys will be wearing suits…” Benne watched in amusement as she spoke since he could tell that she didn’t exactly like the idea of wearing formal clothes to dinner with friends.

“It’s not the same thing. Go to the closet in Jade’s bedroom and see if you can find something you like. If you don’t, we can stop on our way to get you something,” Benne suggested, cutting her off.

Celsie opened her mouth, ready to argue, but when she saw the way he was staring at her like he was anticipating an argument, she flashed him a smile instead.

“Thanks,” she said as she walked out of the bedroom, leaving Benne, whose chuckle escorted her out.

Away from there, as Sonia lay back on the bed, ready to respond to the beckoning call of sleep, a knock sounded on the door, and she opened her eyes to see who it was.

“Come in,” she called, guessing it was probably Evelyn.

“Are you sleeping already?” Desmond asked as he peered into the bedroom from the doorway.

Sonia yawned, “Not yet. But I was about to. Did you want something?” she asked, trying to sit up as Desmond walked in.

“Other than keeping you company? Nah. You don’t have to sit up. I will just sit beside you and watch over you while you sleep. Bryan is busy with Matt, and Eve needs to rest for a bit,” Desmond said as he pulled the single couch in the bedroom closer to Sonia’s side of the bed before reaching over with his hand to feel her temperature.

“The fever has gone down. How are you feeling now?” He asked with concerned eyes.

“I’m fine. You realize I can’t sleep if you are here watching me, right?” Sonia asked as she sat up, and Desmond grinned.

“Why? Because I’m too handsome?”

Sonia threw back her head and laughed, “You spent too much time in Andrew’s company. He has ruined you,” Sonia said with a shake of her head, and Desmond laughed.

“As long as it makes you laugh, I don’t mind being ruined,” Desmond said as he helped her adjust the pillows behind her so that she would be seated in a comfortable position.

“You are so sweet. Your family is sweet too,” Sonia said as she watched him lower himself to the couch beside her.

“Am I? Sweeter than Andrew?” Desmond asked, and once again, Sonia laughed.

“Why? You want to steal his spot in my heart?” Sonia asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Nah. I don’t have to steal anything. I’m sure you’ll carve my own spot soon enough,” Desmond said confidently, and Sonia grinned.

“Who says you don’t have your own spot already?” Sonia teased.

“Do I?” Desmond asked playfully, and Sonia smiled at him.

“What do you want?” Sonia asked curiously.

From the look in his intelligent blue eyes that reminded her of Bryan’s eyes, she could tell he was not there to just make small talk with her.

He had old eyes. Eyes that looked like they could see through you and knew every secret you were trying to hide. She liked to describe his eyes as sage eyes.

“I told you already. To keep you company,” Desmond said as he held Sonia’s guarded gaze.

“What do you want to know?” Sonia asked, and this time Desmond chuckled.

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