Gavi had been truly terrified when he first heard his mother crying. The sound of her wailing sent a shiver down his spine, and when he finally saw her face streaked with tears, he froze in place. His little heart pounded as he tried to understand what was happening. But then, he noticed Uncle Dante coaxing her, speaking to her gently, his hands moving in a way that seed to calm her down. Gavi stood still, uncertain, watching them carefully.
A mont ago, anger had surged through him. His momma’s tears had blinded him with rage, making him think that Uncle Dante must have done sothing terrible to upset her like this. But as he continued to observe, he slowly realized that wasn’t the case. Whatever had made his mother cry, it was not Uncle Dante’s fault. Soon enough, she seed calr, and to Gavi’s growing surprise, his mother and Uncle Dante even began talking—like friends.
His confusion lingered, but as the adults resud their conversation, their voices now steadier, he decided to leave them alone. Stealing another glance in their direction, he made his way back to the bed. With the careful precision of a small child trying to act like an adult, he climbed onto it, sat cross-legged, and folded his arms.
From his small bag, he pulled out a packet of chocolate chips. Tearing it open with his teeth, he humd to himself. As he popped a few into his mouth, he squinted his eyes, deep in thought.
"Uncle Dante?" he murmured between bites, chewing slowly. He tilted his head as if weighing sothing very important in his little mind. Then, nodding to himself, he whispered, "Can we trust him and give him a chance?"
---
anwhile, elsewhere...
"Hm, alright! Very good work, Calix. Keep it going. You can hand the file later."
Dante leaned back in his chair, listening to the work report Calix was presenting over the phone. Calix, on the other hand, felt another chill run down his spine. This was the hundredth ti during this single phone call that his boss had praised him.
Calix swallowed. His heart was racing—this was far worse than being in a life-threatening situation! He was not used to Dante being this... nice.
Boss, please get back to your nonchalant self while talking to , he thought desperately.
But his curiosity got the better of him. Sothing was off. His boss was never like this—not unless sothing very specific had happened.
And there were only a very, very few things that could put Dante Lancaster in such a ridiculously good mood.
Miss Dove topped that list, written in golden, shining capital letters.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Calix finally blurted, "Boss, what’s the matter? You seem to be in a good mood."
Dante acted surprised, as if he hadn’t been deliberately making it obvious so that Calix would ask. "Oh? Am I that obvious?"
Calix pressed his lips together, already feeling like he had walked into a trap. But, since he had asked, he humd in response.
Dante grinned. "Dove and I hugged today. And now she even calls by my first na."
"Oh." Calix nodded absentmindedly, then stopped. His mind registered what Dante had actually said.
Wait.
He blinked.
Then, he gasped.
"Haah!?!"
He nearly dropped his phone.
What—what did they do?
A hug?
So soon?!
He stared at his phone, double-checking that he was actually on a call with his boss.
Was this really the sa Dante Lancaster who, just yesterday, would lose his mind if Miss Dove so much as glanced in his direction? And now, suddenly, they had made this much progress?!
His respect for his boss shot through the roof.
Dante smirked, clearly enjoying Calix’s stunned reaction. Of course, he conveniently left out the part where Dove had been in a vulnerable state, and it had been more of a comforting embrace than anything romantic. But did Calix need to know that? Absolutely not.
"Well," Dante continued, still smirking, "and now I also know everything that happened four years ago. Dove herself told ."
Calix understood what that ant imdiately. She trusts him now.
A genuine smile appeared on Calix’s face. "That’s a good progress, Boss."
Honestly, he really hoped things continued smoothly. If Miss Dove fell for his boss quickly, then they could get married soon.
One, because he truly wanted his boss to be happy—he had seen how Dante had all but sprinkled his heart on this woman.
And two—and most importantly—because maybe then Dante would finally co back to the office.
Because right now, poor Calix was drowning under double the workload.
Before Calix could voice his suffering, Dante smirked once again. "It is. You’re soon going to have a Madam, Calix."
Then, with a chuckle, Dante hung up.
Calix sat there, staring at his phone, blinking.
Did that just happen?
He sighed, shoving his phone into his pocket. Looking around, he let his eyes roam over the beautiful garden of the Lancaster mansion.
Just then, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Senior Sterling standing there.
A smile quickly appeared on Dante’s face. He rushed over and gently assisted the elderly man to a nearby bench.
"Grandpa, you shouldn’t be out here this late. It’s chilly at night—you know that could affect your health," Dante scolded lightly, his voice holding the sa concerned tone that Dove often used.
Senior Sterling chuckled. "I sotis like coming here at night. The garden looks beautiful during the day, but at night, it’s even more enchanting," he said, watching the fireflies dance in the air.
Dante followed his gaze, nodding in agreent.
"Butler Joe told you were out here, so I ca too," Senior Sterling continued.
Dante looked slightly surprised. "You were looking for , Grandpa? You could have just called. I would have co to you in a while."
After all, considering his grandfather’s health condition, Dante didn’t like the idea of him having to co all the way out here just to find him.
Senior Sterling simply chuckled again, his wise old eyes twinkling with mischief. He eyed Dante knowingly and said, "But then I wouldn’t have been able to hear you bragging in such a good mood, would I?"
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