Their relationship seems a little too stiff, I thought. He was perhaps a little strict for such a young child.
At that age, they were developing actively. Their nature, reason, and emotional quotient had to be nurtured most carefully.
I wasn’t close to Anthony as we were merely casual acquaintances. It was not up to me to criticize him about the upbringing of his kid.
Anthony stood where he was for a little while. He then turned and led his child into the villa opposite ours.
When they had entered, the man who had opened the door for them walked up to me. “So, we are officially neighbors now. My name is Joseph. If there’s anything you may need, please feel free to ask.”
He handed me his card while he introduced himself. I glanced at it before introducing myself in return. “You can call me Carlette.”
“Did you enquire on behalf of Anthony the other day? Is he your boss?” I asked after a brief pause.
“Yes, he is,” Joseph replied. “Mr. Featherstone would like a change of scenery for his child. He chose this neighborhood and sent me over to help him settle in. I must thank you again for that day.”
“Joseph.” Anthony’s voice rang out from behind.
We turned and found Anthony at the door with a sullen expression on his face.
Joseph hastily excused himself and ran to Anthony.
I felt confused as I stared at the shut door of the Featherstones’ new residence.
This neighborhood is mere of an upper middle class. With Anthony’s wealth and status, shouldn’t he be living somewhere much more expensive?
Why did he choose to stay here, of all places? Anthony had many puzzling things about him that could not be deciphered if one were to approach the problem rationally.
With a headful of doubt, I waited for the doors opposite to shut again before turning around to return to my villa.
Marcus came home at dinnertime. At the recollection of the events of the afternoon, I perked up at the chance of a conversational starter. “You’d never have guessed who just moved into the house across ours,” I began casually.
“Who?” Marcus asked nonchalantly. It was obvious that he wasn’t interested.
“They are…”
Ding dong!
The words almost out of my mouth when I was rudely interrupted by the doorbell.
Marcus did not like to be disturbed during his meals. The servants had returned to their rooms after serving us, and there was no one left to wait on us in the living room. The door was nearer to me so I voluntarily got up. “I’ll get it.”
Marcus had already put down his fork exasperatedly but at my initiative, he resumed his meal.
Due to recent troubles in his life, he had not been attentive towards me.
A chubby little face appeared as soon as I opened the door. “Ms. Stanhope!”
Gregory held the door open. His beady little eyes were fixed on me with a gleeful look on his face.
“Hello, Greg! What can I help you with?” I smiled down at him.
“We have no electricity and water in our house. It’s dark all over and no fun at all.”
“Is that so…” I frowned and touched the boy’s head sorrowfully.
Before Anthony moved in, that villa had been uninhabited for a long time. The problems with the utilities were to be expected at the sudden occupation.
Anthony suddenly leaned over and appeared before me through the half-opened door. “Gregory is very picky with his food.”
“Hmm?” I was stunned for a moment, unclear of his intent.
Gregory tugged on my sleeve. “Ms. Stanhope,” he said with a grimace. “I’m very hungry. Look, my stomach is all deflated.”
“We can’t cook, and he doesn’t like takeout,” Anthony chimed in.
He remained expressionless as he spoke; it was cold and distant.
I understood perfectly at this point; they had invited themselves over for a meal.
“I prepared a lot of extra food,” I lowered my head and said with a grin. “Greg, why don’t you join me for dinner?”
“Okay.” Anthony accepted as soon as I had finished extending my invitation.
He spoke extremely calmly but quickly as though he was very eager.
Anthony’s buffet lunches probably cost him tens of millions. I wouldn’t be surprised if his dinners were in the millions as well. Why would a wealthy man like him want to share the dinner of an ordinary citizen like me?
“Okay!” Gregory cheered as he pulled me by the hand into my own house, leaving me no time to spare any further thought to the matter.
I was a little worried that Marcus would not like the way I led the party in while he was still having his dinner. To my surprise, he did not express any dissatisfaction. Perhaps it was due to the virtues of hospitality that he embodied. “I’ll get two more sets of cutlery,” he said courteously.
Gregory was well-mannered too; he hurried after Marcus to help.
Marcus bent down and patted him on the shoulder. “Young man, just have a seat and make yourself at home,” he said as he turned and walked into the kitchen.
Anthony suddenly walked over to Gregory’s side. “Did you forget what we talked about yesterday?”
“What did he talk about?” Gregory replied, nonplussed. Perhaps they talked about a lot of things and he didn’t immediately realize which one his father was referring to.
“You mustn’t disturb Weird Ms. Stanhope,” Anthony said coldly.
“Yes, I remember,” Gregory said with an obedient nod.
“It’s the same with Weird Mr. White. In the future, you have to read the situation better. Understand?”
Marcus emerged as Anthony concluded his speech. It was so awkward for me that I drew deep breaths to calm myself.
Not only did this temper have a temper that was difficult to grasp, but it also seemed that he didn’t know how to accommodate others. How could someone eat and drink for free in another’s house and teach their kids to ignore the owner of the house?
I held my head and cringed on behalf of Gregory. With a father like this, the child would have plenty of hardships to endure in the future.
It was a good thing that Marcus had plenty of patience. He stared Anthony down for a few seconds before looking away and taking his seat. This episode was a small incident to him.
“Have a seat wherever you like, make yourselves at home,” I said to our guests as I resumed my own seat.
Marcus dropped some potatoes onto my plate. “Have some more. If I get off work late again, don’t wait up for me.”
“It’s no trouble. Dinner is no fun to have alone,” I said with a smile. I recalled that Gregory had a sweet tooth, so I gave him a piece of caramelized pork.
Gregory held his cutlery and eyed the pork without moving. He looked toward his father as though awaiting his approval.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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