Chapter_24
Chapter 24
“I was about to ask you the same question. Are you here to kidnap the kids?” Abel’s voice was cold, his tone sharp.
“They are my kids! I just want to bring them home,” Adrien said, his words defensive.
Helios, Endymion, and Hesperus, the three children, stood firm, their small voices ringing out in unison.
“We are not going with you! We are not going to leave Mommy!” Helios declared.
“That’s right!” Endymion echoed.
“We are not leaving!” Hesperus added, his arms crossed as he stared up defiantly at Adrien.
“Alright, alright! We’ll discuss that later.” Adrien’s tone softened, trying to defuse the situation, though his frustration was clear.
“Get lost, now!” Emmeline snapped, raising the wooden spoon again.
Adrien quickly ducked behind Abel, shielding himself.
“Can you let him go? For my sake, please?” Abel asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
“Why would I let him go for your sake? Who do you think you are?” Emmeline’s fury flared up again.
“I’m someone you’ll be working with on the Adelmar Group project. I’m here to discuss work,” Abel explained, trying to keep the peace.
“Shouldn’t you discuss work at the office? Why come to the cafe?” Adrien asked, confused by the odd location for a business meeting.
“I’m hiding from Mom and Grandad,” Abel replied with a frown, his face suddenly pale.
“Haha! I knew it! You must be troubled because Auntie Rosaline wants you to marry Alana, and Grandad wants you to marry the Wonder Doctor. Am I right?” Adrien laughed, teasing Abel.
Abel groaned lowly, clearly not finding the humor in it.
“Seems like my decision to stay single is correct…” Adrien gloated, enjoying the discomfort he saw on Abel’s face. But as he noticed Emmeline’s expression, he quickly covered his mouth and backed away. “Alright, alright, I’m leaving,” he muttered, retreating to his car with his bodyguards following behind him.
Emmeline watched him leave, but then turned her gaze outside the cafe. She didn’t see any of Abel’s bodyguards’ cars following him. Did he come here alone?
“Are you not going to invite me in for a coffee?” Abel’s voice broke her thoughts, and when she looked up, she saw him standing at the door, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Come on in,” Emmeline replied, reluctantly gesturing him inside.
The children, who had been listening in on the conversation, immediately ran to greet Abel. They preferred his company over their birth father’s, much to Emmeline’s surprise.
Abel crouched down, gently caressing each of their heads. “Thank you, dearies. Go play. Daddy has something to talk to Mommy,” he said sweetly, not realizing his slip-up until it was too late.
“I’m sorry,” Abel apologized quickly, his face reddening.
“It’s okay,” Emmeline said, her own face flushing slightly. She poured him a cup of coffee, trying to avoid making eye contact.
“Do the kids always play upstairs?” Abel asked, trying to steer the conversation to something neutral.
“Yes,” Emmeline replied, still not meeting his gaze. “The first floor is the cafe, and we live on the second floor. The third floor is vacant, so the kids usually play there.”
“The third floor is vacant?” Abel asked, his interest piqued.
“Yes. We don’t need that much space,” Emmeline explained.
“Can you rent the space to me?” Abel asked casually, though there was a serious undertone in his voice.
“Why do you want to rent the space?” Emmeline asked, surprised by the sudden request.
“I want to move out and stay here. Mom and Grandad are driving me crazy!” Abel admitted, a slight edge to his tone.
“Really?” Emmeline asked, still processing the idea. “Alright, I’ll give you a five percent discount on the rent and utilities.”
“I’ll prepay one year of rent to you. Tell me the amount,” Abel said, already reaching for his phone. A few taps, and the money was transferred.
“I’ll be back with my stuff. See you later,” Abel said, his tone light as he stood up to leave.
“I’ll clean the room for you,” Emmeline offered, her voice soft.
Abel smiled, finishing his coffee with eagerness. “Thanks, Emmeline.”
As he left, Emmeline turned and headed upstairs to prepare the room for Abel.
“Mr. Ryker, how’s everything?” Luca’s voice came through the car’s radio, catching Abel just as he was about to drive off.
Abel’s car was parked just around the corner, out of sight from the cafe, and he responded to Luca’s call.
“All good, Luca. Just handling some… personal matters. I’ll be back in touch soon,” Abel replied, his tone businesslike once more.
“Understood, sir,” Luca responded, the conversation ending as Abel pulled away from the cafe, the weight of his actions still lingering on his mind.
