CHAPTER 6

Once again, Tania wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Looking at him, she said, “Little bean, it’s better not to invite trouble for your mommy. We can’t afford to offend this sort of man.”

“Aunt Tania, you also think I looked like him, right?” While he was carefully studying the man in the photo, he felt an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

“That’s right. You resembled him. Other than your nose and mouth, the rest of your facial features bear a striking similarity to him. Your father must be a very handsome man, otherwise, how could there be such a good-looking little fellow like you?” Tania was green with envy.

Looking at the man in the photo, the little boy questioned, “Aunt Tania, are you sure that this man can be found at that building?”

“That’s his company. He should be working there.” However, Tania herself wasn’t actually sure of this. Gabriel was, at present, the world’s wealthiest man. Who could be sure of his whereabouts?

But the little fellow took it seriously and kept it firmly in mind. He was thinking of preparing a brief introduction of his mommy to hand it over to that man for him to accept mommy’s application as his girlfriend.

Half an hour later, Tania brought the little boy back to the company. After half an hour of sitting in silence, Cynthia began racking her brains to come up with a design for Angela. When she had been in her junior year, Angela had suddenly approached her and had helped her out with various things. It had been a chance encounter. She had lowered her guard and had become good friends with Angela. Only now was she aware that Angela was two-faced. All along Angela had been pretending to be her friend, while she had been carrying on with Jude behind Cynthia’s back.

Cynthia felt the beginnings of a headache. Behind her, a tender voice called out to her sweetly, “Mommy, mommy… We’re back! ”

In an instant, Cynthia felt herself loosen up as she watched her handsome little son run towards her. Lifting him in her arms, she embraced him warmly like he was her treasure.

Yes, for this child, she was willing to suffer any grievances, set aside any resentment, swallow any bitterness.

“Mommy, this is the flavor that I’ve picked for you. See if you like it.”

“Whatever Zion has picked, mommy will like it.” Cynthia said while giving him a peck on his cheek.

“Okay, mommy, eat first before working. I’ll go play with Aunt Tania.”

“Alright, go on then!” Cynthia took the cake from him with a smile. She then looked at his cheerful, departing figure, her eyes filled with tender affection.

She has her own separate office. At this time, it was after office hours, so most of her colleagues have left. Tania had volunteered to stay behind to accompany the little kiddo, allowing Cynthia to feel at ease while she worked.

“Aunt Tania, can you print out a résumé for me?”

“What do you need a résumé for?”

“It’s of use to me, so print me a copy, please.” The little boy wore a beseeching expression on his face. Looking at the pair of huge, watery eyes, called to mind the appearance a small kitten.

How could Tania possibly withstand such an onslaught. She immediately petted him on his head, “Alright, I’ll print out a copy for you now.”

Tania actually printed out a copy for him. She thought to herself, such a small little bean, he wouldn’t be familiar with that many words, what does he need a résumé for?

Cynthia worked till eight in the evening. She couldn’t bear to let her son accompany her through her overtime. She planned to bring her work home and cook up a meal for her son. Only after she had put him to bed would she then continue working overnight.

Linda also happened to be working overtime and since they were staying in the same living accommodation that the company had arranged for them, she gave this pair of mother and son a ride home.

A house becomes a home when there’s a child and a woman living in it.

Cynthia prepared a bowl of noodles for him which the little boy obediently finished. After he had a glass of milk, Cynthia bathed him. Smelling like his whole body had been lathered in fragrance, he was then ushered into his room.

The well-behaved little boy bid her goodnight, “Mommy, don’t stay up too late working! I’ve read that it’s not good to stay up late or else you’ll start aging.”

“Got it.” Cynthia was touched. Although he was still young, he acted like an adult, looking after her and giving her advice.

Once Cynthia had shut the door, the little boy swiftly got down from his bed. He sat at his small study table and took out the résumé that Tania had printed out for him today. He then took out his colored gel pens. Laying them all on the table, he carefully studied it. 

However, writing was his biggest weakness. His sloppy handwriting was, nevertheless, still legible.

On the résumé, he wrote mommy’s name, age, hobbies, and job.

He racked his brains searching for things he could write down that would extol mommy’s virtues. For instance, mommy was beautiful, capable, able to cook and do the laundry and so on.

After writing all of that down, he picked up the résumé and examined it. From inside his school bag, he took out a small photo album from which he selected a picture of her to stick on the résumé.

With this, the résumé in his hand was starting to look like the real deal.

Putting away the résumé, he thought to himself that he would take it with him tomorrow to find Gabriel. He would then be able to introduce his mommy to this man and let him be mommy’s boyfriend.

With this fanciful notion in his head, the little boy soon drifted off to sleep.

Cynthia worked until the early hours of the morning. She cracked open the door and saw the little boy sleeping soundly under the covers. She walked up to the bed and kissed him softly on the forehead. Then, she left, washed up and got in bed.

Because she was tired, she fell asleep as soon as she hit the sheets.

Early morning

As usual Linda called her up to give the pair of mother and son a lift. The little boy accompanied her to work even though it wasn’t all that proper. Since school was out for the summer, she planned to pick out some courses that were of interest to her son for him to take up. She intended to check them out in person but, at present, she was unable to take time off work.

Tania had nothing much to do at work so Linda assigned her the task of babysitting the little bean. If Cynthia managed to secure this contract, the company would earn a considerable profit.

Today, the little boy had on a cool backpack, dressed stylishly, he was full of spirit.

“Wow, little bean, you’ve become more handsome.” Tania was captivated by his looks. Looking at him was like looking at a mini version of Gabriel .

Heavens! That person was an Adonis in the eyes of the female population.

“I’m the one to wake my mommy up every day.” The little boy confidently uttered. Who knew he was that capable?

Tania chuckled. It must not be known by him that she had her doubts even though the words he had uttered were said in sincerity.

At this time, Tania's cell phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was her father calling, she hurriedly picked up the call. “Hello, dad? What has happened? You’ve been injured? Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Tania’s face whitened in worry. Turning to the little boy, she said, “I need to ask for a leave from your mommy. You mustn’t run about.”

“Aunt Tania, if there has been an emergency, hurry up and go. I’ll not run about.” The little fellow said tactfully and followed her to his mommy’s office.

In her office, Cynthia was diligently sketching out a design on the paper. Suddenly, her office door was pushed open by Tania. With red eyes, she sniffled, “Cynthia, my father has just been involved in a car accident. I need to be at the hospital. Can I get a leave?”

Cynthia was shocked and immediately nodded. “Sure! Quickly be on your way! ”

Tania returned to her table, picked up her hand bag and hurried to the elevator.

Cynthia looked at the little boy in her office. She said softly, “Aunt Tania has left to deal with an emergency. Behave yourself, okay?”