Lucian knew Roxanne was uneasy about his presence, so he went straight to the couch and quietly read his emails right after he entered the room.
Roxanne was playing with the children when a few knocks on the door grabbed her attention. She got up and went to get the door.
When she pulled the door open, she saw two waiters pushing a cart, and beside them stood a man who seemed to be the manager. The man was looking at her respectfully.
Roxanne was puzzled about the crowd outside her door since they did not order any room service. She instinctively turned to glance at the man sitting quietly on the couch.
“Good afternoon. I’m the manager of the hotel, and this is the lunch included in your vouchers. Enjoy your meal,” the manager said with a courteous smile.
Comprehension dawned on Roxanne. She immediately thanked the manager and stood aside to let the waiters push the cart into the room.
Roxanne called the children over to have lunch after the waiters had set up the table.
Lucian, however, was still seated on the couch, going through his emails with a deadpan expression.
Upon deliberation, Roxanne went up to him and said, “Mr. Farwell, come and have lunch with us.”
Lucian lifted his head at her invitation. She got up from the couch and sat beside Estella at the table.
With Estella sitting between them, Roxanne didn’t feel as uncomfortable.
However, recalling that their outing was to accompany the children, she didn’t want to be a wet blanket. Hence, she suppressed the uneasiness within her and focused on the children.
“Eat, Ms. Jarvis.” Estella clumsily speared some of the food and placed them on Roxanne’s and Lucian’s plates with a bright smile.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Roxanne couldn’t help but giggle. “Thank you, Essie. But you don’t have to look after me. You should eat more instead.”
Estella’s body had always been weak, and Roxanne was worried.
Estella nodded obediently, then flashed Roxanne a toothy smile. “I’ll eat! You eat too, Ms. Jarvis!”
Roxanne ruffled Estella’s hair with a chuckle.
Archie and Benny followed suit by scooping food for Roxanne and Estella. They even advised Estella, saying, “You can only grow taller if you eat more.”
Estella nodded obediently.
The atmosphere among the quartet was harmonious. Lucian, on the other hand, was like a stranger at the table.
Noticing the man’s silence, Roxanne hesitated for a while before scooping some food onto his plate. “Thank you for bringing us here this morning, Mr. Farwell.”
Since they came together, Roxanne didn’t want to spoil the mood.
There was a flicker in Lucian’s eyes, and he smiled at Roxanne. “Don’t worry about it. I should thank you for agreeing to share a room with us, Ms. Jarvis. Otherwise, Essie would’ve been disappointed.”
Estella nodded at the cue.
Roxanne smiled faintly in response to Lucian’s words.
Archie and Benny looked at Roxanne, then at Lucian, confused.
Mommy doesn’t like Daddy, no? Why did she scoop some food for Daddy, then? Were we wrong about Mommy hating Daddy?
They exchanged glances and scooped some food for Roxanne and Lucian after a brief hesitation. After that, they cautiously looked at Lucian from the corner of their eyes.
Seeing that, Lucian arched his brow in surprise and said, “Thank you.”
After lunch, the children made a fuss about going out to play. Roxanne knew staying in the hotel room was boring for them, so she agreed to take them out.
The resort they stayed at was famous in Horington. Roxanne didn’t forget to grab a travel booklet when they passed by the front desk. The children were fighting to look at it.
Roxanne gave them the booklet and left them to decide on the destination. “Let’s visit the marine park.”.
The children were still mulling over the options when Lucian’s deep voice sounded from behind them.
Roxanne and the children were stunned by the sudden suggestion.
It was the first time Lucian had spoken since morning, and it was to give them suggestions on where to go.
Roxanne snapped out of her daze and eyed Lucian in confusion.
Meeting her gaze, Lucian said casually, “I’ve been here before. The marine park is a good place for them to visit. Don’t they like looking at fish?”
Roxanne was stunned again.
So he noticed the children admiring the fish in the fish tank when he went to the front desk to reserve the room this morning?
Lucian looked down at the children, waiting for them to decide silently.
The children flipped through the booklet and turned to the page with information about the marine park.
After a short discussion, the children came to a decision. “Let’s visit the marine park, then!”
Roxanne agreed and brought the children to the marine park.
As the resort was right by the beach, the size of the marine park was massive and so was its fish collection,
The children had an affinity for anything colorful. They were so amazed at the fish in the viewing area that they couldn’t bring themselves to walk away.
Estella’s eyes sparkled as she watched the beluga whales swimming in the water through the glass. Hoping to feel the elegant creature, she touched the glass with her fingers.
As though the beluga whales could sense her intention, they swam to her side when they saw her fingers.
Suddenly, three beluga whales were swimming in front of her.
Estella’s eyes brightened, and she couldn’t help plastering her face to the glass.
The next second, a beluga whale landed a kiss on her cheek through the glass.
Seeing that, Roxanne reached for her phone and snapped a photo of Estella with a smile.
Lucian’s heart warmed when she took in Estella’s and Roxanne’s expressions.
Benny was fascinated by Estella’s interaction with the whale.
When he finally withdrew his gaze and turned to the tank in front of him, he saw a
shark swimming toward him with a wide open jaw.
Benny screamed in fright, turned around, and ran away, hiding behind Lucian, who was closest to him, his fingers gripping the hem of Lucian’s shirt.
Lucian’s heart lurched when he heard Benny’s scream. When he turned to look, he saw Benny racing toward him in fear.
Amusement flashed across Lucian’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything and let Benny continue to use him as a shield.
Once Benny calmed down, he belatedly realized that he had hidden behind Lucian and seemed to have heard the man chuckle.
Benny’s cheeks turned red. He instantly released his grip and walked away from Lucian, acting as though nothing had happened.
At the side, Roxanne had also heard Benny’s screams, but by the time she turned, it was too late. The boy had already sought refuge behind Lucian.
The sight of the smile on that man’s face while the two of them were together left Roxanne with mixed feelings. As much as she had done for the children, certain forms of security were something only a father could provide.
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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