Chapter 6 Won't Love You

“What? Keep an eye on him until we get there!” Henry snapped, ending the call abruptly.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen to the boy?” Regina’s expression remained stoic, but her voice was laced with concern.

“He suddenly got off at the side of the road and just stood there. My men asked him to come with them, but he refused,” Henry explained as thoroughly as possible. “He insists we pick him up ourselves. That kid, with his infuriatingly stubborn and selfish nature.”

“You’re one to talk. You two are like carbon copies of each other,” Regina jibed.

“I’m not selfish and stubborn like that. He must have gotten that from you. Just listen to yourself,” Henry retorted.

“He’s obviously your son. He inherited it from you. Besides, his last name is Jian, not Tan.”

“Hey, I couldn’t have had a child by myself. You’re the one who gave birth to him!”

“Maybe it was another woman. You’re lucky I’m helping you pretend.”

They bickered back and forth. The driver up front tried to block out the noise from his squabbling employers. He sighed in relief when he saw the car ahead. “Young Master, we’ve arrived.”

Henry and Regina ceased their argument. Henry cleared his throat, “Let’s get out and deal with this.”

They both exited the car and approached the man waiting outside. “Where is the boy?” Henry demanded.

The man gestured with his eyes. Regina immediately walked towards Kevin, who was standing by the roadside, with Henry quick to overtake her.

Henry gave the boy a light tap on the head. “What are you doing here? Why are you making everyone worry?”

Kevin rubbed his head and turned away, his small lips pouting. “Even if you’re here, I won’t go home until my demands are met.”

“You! Don’t you fear staying out here and meeting a ghost that’ll drag you to another world and eat you?” Henry tried to scare him.

“I don’t believe in such cheap tricks! Don’t talk to me! Both of you, go away!” Kevin shot back.

“Fine, leave the kid! Let’s go and pretend he doesn’t exist. Forget the marriage contract. There’s no reason for us to be together. I’ll go back to my own house.” Regina declared.

“Regina, what are you talking about?” Henry was shocked by her sudden decision. “You know the consequences if we don’t marry—”

“I’ve thought it over and…” Regina stopped when the boy grabbed her hand.

“No. Mom can’t just leave. You two have to be together! If you still want to leave, I’ll cry right here!”

“Are you threatening me with tears?”

Kevin immediately sat down and began to wail, still holding onto Regina’s hand. “Mom, don’t go! Hwaaa…” His cries grew louder, causing passing cars to slow down.

“Regina, do something!” Henry was embarrassed, covering his face with his hands.

“Alright, I’ll call off my decision!” Regina conceded.

Kevin instantly stopped crying. “Really? Mommy, you’re not lying, are you?”

“Yes, but you also have to come home and agree to the decisions the adults have made.”

Kevin pouted again. “So it’s a trick, huh? This time, I’ll forgive it. But the time frame is too short. I want to extend it to five years!”

“Five years is too long!” Henry and Regina protested in unison, both showing their displeasure.

“No, it has to be five years!” Kevin insisted. His strong voice turned to a mumble as he said, “If not, I’ll disappear.”

“What did you just say?” Regina asked.

“Nothing. The most important thing is that it must be five years, and if needed, extended until you two fall in love,” Kevin stated firmly.

Regina and Henry exchanged looks. The elegant woman with her flowing hair gazed at the man beside her with disdain. “I could never fall in love with him. Even in a hundred years, I wouldn’t be interested in someone like him.”

“Hey, I would never like a woman below my standards like you. You’re not my type either!”

They both turned away from each other.

“Dad and Mom should stop fighting. You’re not children, why do you argue so much?” Kevin advised in his cute voice. Then he asked again, “Daddy, do you agree to marry within five years?”

“Alright, five years. It’s not a big deal,” Henry finally agreed.

Kevin smiled triumphantly. “You made the right decision, Daddy. Now, let’s go home. Don’t waste time, I’m very tired.”

His small legs led the way into the car, ahead of Regina  and Henry. The two adults still occasionally refused to look at each other, even as they sat side by side in the car.

***

Once home, Kevin sat sleepily on the office sofa, watching the contract discussion between the two adults.

Henry showed the contract to Kevin. “I’ve amended it. Are you satisfied now? Go to your room. If you fall asleep here, I’ll just leave you.”

Kevin nodded, slowly making his way out of the room and almost bumping into the door. “Since when did this door move?” The boy muttered as he continued on.

Regina stifled a laugh. “CEO Jian, why don’t you ask a servant to escort him? What if he falls down the stairs?”

“That’s not going to happen! Miss Tan, it’s time for you to sign.”

Regina picked up the pen but hesitated. “Can I add one more clause?”

Henry sighed. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ll have to reprint the contract if you make changes now.”

“But this is important.”

“Do whatever you want!” Henry gave in.

Regina began writing in the contract. Henry looked over her shoulder. “What’s this? Miss Regina, how can you add a condition like this? Do you have another man? Who is it?”

“I don’t have anyone right now, but it’s not about you. Aren’t you still waiting for that woman to come back? I don’t want to be in the way of someone else’s relationship.”

“Since when do you care about me? I know this benefits you too, right? Hand over the contract! I’m adding something as well.” Henry snatched the contract and wrote something in it.

Regina signed it.

“Now we need to establish one more thing. You have to call me by a term of endearment. Let’s practice now!”

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear me clearly? I’ll tell you what to call me!” Henry whispered something to Regina.

“Are you serious about me calling you that?”

“Yes, now repeat it! I want to hear it directly.” A mischievous grin spread across Henry’s face.