Because Calix wanted to limit other people’s intrusion, he drove his favorite sleek SUV instead of having Logan as the driver. The latter, including Mrs. Sang and other bodyguards, followed in a van.
Leslie sat together with Calliope in the backseat. The little one was strapped to the child’s car seat, happily singing to the children’s songs played by Calix while hugging Mimo.
"The Itsy Bitsy spider🎵 Climbed up the water spout🎶"
"Down ca the rain🎵 And washed the spider out🎶"
"Out ca the sunshine🎵 And dried up all the rain🎶"
"And Itsy Bitsy spider🎵 Climbed up the spout again🎶"
Calix and Leslie sang along, doing as much as they could in between eruptions of laughter. Calliope heartily repeated the song before asking her father to change to another song.
"Papa, the teapot song, please~"
Calix chuckled at how sweetly Calliope called him. He briefly looked at her through the rearview mirror, finding her eyes glinting with anticipation.
"Why? Do you wanna be a teapot, Poppy?" asked Calix, purposely teasing the title dumpling. He returned his focus to the road ahead of the vehicle.
"No ah. Poppy wanna sing to that teapot song," Calliope quickly shook her little head, giggles slipping out of her mouth, "Papa, the teapot song, please~"
"Hahaha! Okay, okay."
While Calix and Calliope interacted, Leslie couldn’t help from observing the man. She was reminded of how distraught he was last night. It was rare to see him acting like that.
Despite Calix looking all better today, Leslie couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it. She wondered whether to bring up the subject later or not.
’Let’s just wait and see. It’ll be awkward if I suddenly ask him about it.’
Perhaps, it was nothing at all.
Paying her attention to Calliope once again, Leslie listened to the little munchkin singing the teapot song. Calix sang along, followed by so cheering. The entire vehicle was booming with the father and daughter’s singing.
Calix continued driving on the expressway. The roads were not as congested as in the morning because most people had already reached their workplaces. The smooth ride allowed them to reach their destination earlier.
After leaving the expressway, Calix drove toward the city center, passing Qindom Plaza. Leslie rembered the man saying the ho center was nearby. They might arrive there in no ti.
"We’re here!"
Calix’s exclamation piqued Leslie and Calliope’s interests. They hurriedly looked out of the windows, finding a two-story building standing in the middle of a vast courtyard. Half of the building was covered by glass panels, showing various kinds of furniture inside.
"Well... this place does look chic..." uttered Leslie, referring to its business na, Chic Chateau. She didn’t dare to imagine the prices of the items sold here.
"Its founder is my father’s friend," Calix responded to Leslie as he slowed down the vehicle’s speed, "Dad has told him to keep quiet about our visit today."
"Oh... I understand..."
Even without Calix saying anything about it, Leslie knew he was already prepared with various possibilities. It was a reason he tasked the bodyguards to supervise from a distance.
By bringing Calliope out with them to the city, they were bound to be spotted by people. Despite having the intention to disclose the little one’s existence, Calix and Leslie didn’t want to push their daughter into the lilight.
The announcent would serve as a reminder for everyone that Calliope was one of the Xu family mbers. Anyone who dared to ss with her had to face the Xu family as a consequence.
"Papa, this place is huge!"
Overflowing with giddiness, Calliope couldn’t wait to get out and explore the ho center.
"Hahaha! It’s indeed huge. You’ll surely find what you want here."
Calix parked the car in the basent. Two n and one woman were already waiting for his arrival there. They were dressed in professional suits in dark gray color.
"Welco to Chic Chateau, CEO Xu and family. We’re honored to have you here."
Calix nodded once at the middle-aged man standing in the middle. He was Manager Chen, a longti employee at this ho center. He had already t this older man a few tis before.
Calix was carrying Calliope. He had already helped Leslie to the wheelchair. Logan, Mrs. Sang and two other bodyguards stood not far from them.
"We’re here for our daughter. It’s for her bedroom makeover. You just need to lead the way for now."
"Understand, CEO Xu," responded Manager Chen. He knew the man in front of him ordered absolute secrecy about his family’s visit today.
Manager Chen and his assistants brought Calix, Leslie and Calliope to the ground floor. The ho center was quiet as no one else was around, not even the other staff.
The situation was weird but, aligned with Leslie’s expectations. She said nothing until Manager Chen and his assistants left them alone in an area. Logan and the others also didn’t intrude.
Extending one hand, Leslie tugged at Calix’s jacket. She softly called his na, "Calix..."
The man turned around. Calix had just put Calliope on the floor, letting the little one walk around the area. She was fascinated by the huge pink bed displayed nearby.
"Yes?" Calix raised his brows, a smile was plastered on his face.
Leslie smiled in helplessness as she voiced her curiosity, "Do you rent... this whole place?"
Calix’s mischievous grin was already enough as the answer, earning chuckles from Leslie. His verbal reply amused her further.
"I’m showing my domineering CEO side ah," Calix winked, putting on a flirty facade, "Don’t you like it, Mrs. Xu?"
"Hehe, I’m honored to... witness it, Mr. Xu."
Leslie’s response brightened Calix’s countenance. Smiling sheepishly, he turned his gaze toward Calliope.
"Let’s look around. Oh, just tell if you like anything here. We’re not here solely for Poppy’s bedroom makeover ah."
"You’re not afraid... I’ll spend so much of your money?" asked Leslie teasingly.
Calix patted his chest, declaring, "Mrs. Xu, I’m so flattered if you do that. Don’t you want to spend your husband’s money?"
"Should I get..."
"Mama! Papa! Here!"
Calliope’s voice interrupted Calix and Leslie. The little one excitedly pointed to one of the beds, earning laughter from the husband and wife.
Reviews
All reviews (0)