Chapter 734 Lola, Happy Holidays!
Johnny knew exactly what she was worried about, and his tone turned even more indifferent, "I'm fine."
Felicity's voice softened, "If you're still not feeling better in a couple of days, you really should listen to the doctor."
Johnny didn't argue and simply said, "Okay."
He was supposed to get an IV, but he was worried that Lola would finish her check-up and not see him, so he stayed here waiting. Felicity understood his concerns and stayed with him.
Now and then, Johnny would cough a few times.
Felicity poured him a glass of water and handed him some anti-inflammatory medicine. "Take this. It's not good to keep holding it in."
Johnny took the medicine and swallowed it.
Felicity felt a bit relieved and started talking to him about work. She was professional and reliable, and Johnny trusted her a lot.
Outside, the beautiful Shelly had been waiting for a long time and saw Johnny still sitting in the VIP lounge.
She couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
Today's luncheon was her first appearance since her promotion, and she valued it greatly. She also wanted to restore her professional image in front of Johnny, so she walked in and said softly, "Mr. Flores, how about we go for the IV first? The luncheon is pretty important, and we can contact Ms. Hawkins later."
She finished speaking and waited quietly for Johnny's instructions.
She thought Johnny would know how to prioritize and choose between his ex-wife and his career.
To her surprise, Johnny continued to sip his coffee leisurely.
Felicity, who knew him best, immediately realized that the ambitious Shelly was about to be fired. Sure enough, when Johnny put down his cup, he said lightly, "Ms. Peterson, you can go back to the office."
Shelly was stunned, "Mr. Flores, about the luncheon..."
Johnny didn't respond, just looked at Felicity.
Felicity understood his meaning and said directly, "Go back to the office. Ms. Peterson, I'm sorry, but you didn't pass your probation."
Shelly was unwilling to give up.
She found a way to call Felicity outside and lowered her stance, "Ms. Marie, did I do something wrong? I believe I am capable of handling this job. Mr. Flores is being too harsh."
Felicity had just stepped out.
But Shelly had already said enough. Felicity considered her words and gave her a hint, "Mr. Flores's concern is Ms. Hawkins. Ms. Peterson, you overstepped. You shouldn't have taken it upon yourself to say those things. I think you must have done something inappropriate just now. Otherwise, Mr. Flores, who always values talent, wouldn't have made such a decision."
Shelly regretted it deeply and wanted to make amends.
Felicity said softly, "It's impossible now. If it were something else, there might be room for negotiation, but this is almost impossible."
After sending Shelly away, Felicity sat back down next to Johnny.
She was Johnny's confidante and could ask some questions, "Did you just see Ms. Hawkins?"
Johnny stared outside and said, "Yeah."
After a moment, he was willing to say more, "She came for a prenatal check-up. The ultrasound will be ready soon. I'll go for the IV after I see it."
Felicity understood him and said gently, "Then let's wait for the results first."
The two sat quietly for about 20 minutes when Nola came over with a copy of the ultrasound," Mr. Flores, Ms. Hawkins asked me to bring this over."
She put down the ultrasound and was about to leave when Johnny stopped her, "Where's Lola?"
Nola smiled faintly, "Ms. Hawkins has already left the hospital."
Johnny couldn't help but feel disappointed.
He looked down at the ultrasound. The baby was too small for the color ultrasound to show much, but the conclusion showed the baby was fine and almost 10 weeks along.
He read the short two lines on the report more than ten times.
When he came back to his senses, Nola had already left. Felicity said softly, "The baby is doing well! Mr. Flores, let's go for the IV."
Johnny carefully folded the report and placed it cautiously in his pocket.
After the IV, it was almost noon, and he headed straight to the luncheon.
This event was quite important. Even though Johnny was sick, he still drank a lot... By the end of the meal, his face was pale, and he stood at the sink in the restroom for a long time without coming to his senses.
Felicity was quite worried, "You didn't have to push yourself so hard. This project isn't that crucial."
Johnny took a while to recover, turned on the golden faucet, and washed his face with cold water. Afterward, he dried his hands with a paper towel and said softly, "It's not about the money. This project has kept the development team busy for two years. If it falls through, how will I maintain their trust?"
Felicity handed him some hangover medicine.
Johnny waved it off and said, "No need! I can still handle it. Schedule a meeting with the client for tomorrow. I want to finalize the contract while the opportunity is still fresh. I don't want any delays."
Felicity nodded.
She helped Johnny out of the business hotel, only to run into Lola again on the first floor. Lola was sitting in the open café, discussing something with someone. When she saw Johnny, she was momentarily stunned.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward.
Lola was the first to look away and continued her conversation. However, the person she was talking to was even more distracted and said, "Ms. Hawkins, why don't we end today's discussion here? You seem to have personal matters to attend to."
Lola wanted to say she had no personal matters, but the person had already left.
She could only slowly finish her half cup of milk. When she stood up, she saw Johnny still standing there, watching her intently, as if waiting for her to speak.
Lola knew that in Seattle, running into each other was inevitable.
But the frequency was too high. Fortunately, Johnny didn't say much this time. He just said softly, "Take care of yourself and the baby."
Lola smiled faintly.
Johnny paused for about 10 seconds, looking at her deeply, "If you need, I can accompany you for the check-ups."
He didn't wait for her response and said to Felicity, "Let's go back to the office."
He left first, and Felicity followed closely.
Lola stood under the crystal chandelier in the hotel lobby for a long time, gently touching her flat stomach.
Inside was Johnny's child.
This child had given her freedom and also ended things between them completely.
In no time, Avalonia's traditional Fireworks Festival was approaching, and the Hawkins Mansion was bustling with activity. The family gathered together.
It seemed the housekeeper had been careless, setting an extra place at the table. Frederick, with his sharp eyes, noticed it first and quietly asked the housekeeper to remove it. The housekeeper, not realizing the significance, said, "That's Mr. Flores's place!"
The atmosphere grew awkward.
The Hawkins family worried that Lola might be upset, but before they could say anything, Lola calmly said, "He's not coming for dinner today. Go ahead and take it away. Once the baby is born, we'll need the extra place setting."
Frederick was glad that she could see things positively.
The conversation quickly shifted, and the atmosphere became lively again.
After the family dinner, Lola chatted with Amara and a few others for a while before heading upstairs.
Angelina, who was very attached to her, quietly took two apples upstairs... She carefully pushed open the bedroom door and saw Lola lying on a comfortable lounge chair, gently stroking her belly.
Angelina tiptoed over, placed the apples to the side, and lay her head on Lola's stomach to listen.
Lola didn't say anything, gently stroking Angelina's ear.
Angelina whispered, "Mom, is it a brother or a sister? Do you... like them?"
Lola knew what she was worried about. A girl of about ten could be quite sensitive. She placed Angelina's hand on her belly and smiled gently, "Once they're born, I think I'll like them."
Angelina was reassured, her breathing becoming soft and steady.
She cherished holding Lola. Since returning from Sunset City, she often wanted to sleep with Lola. Occasionally, Lola would wake up in the middle of the night to find Angelina gazing at her with wide eyes.
Lola thought that perhaps her quick recovery was because of Angelina.
Fireworks lit up the sky outside the floor-to-ceiling window, brightening the night.
Even the winter night didn't feel so cold!
The elders in the family began handing out gift boxes. Angelina took an apple downstairs and returned with many gift boxes in her hands.
Lola didn't go downstairs to join the fun. She stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly watching the fireworks outside.
Childhood memories flooded back.
"Johnny, this one looks good. Let's set off this firework first."
"We'll set them off secretly. Dad won't find out."
"Johnny, look..."
Lola extended her finger and wrote on the window, which was covered in condensation: Stella Hawkins.
The name of the baby in her belly would be Stella Hawkins.
The phone on the table rang. Lola ignored it at first, but it kept ringing persistently. She finally went over to check. It was an unfamiliar number.
She guessed it was Johnny and didn't answer.
After a while, she received a text message:[Lola, happy holidays!]
Lola looked at it for a few seconds, then deleted the message. When she returned to the window, she saw Johnny standing in an open area outside the courtyard, dressed in black and blending into the night, with only the red glow in his hand visible.
He bent down to light a firework.
It was the kind Lola loved most as a child. In the glow of the firework, he turned and looked at her silently.
They were about 100 feet apart, separated by a glass window. Neither spoke, just quietly gazed at each other. If they could do it all over again, their story wouldn't end like this.
The fireworks lit up the night, gray smoke spreading.
She saw his lips move slightly. He said, "Happy holidays."
Her eyes grew moist. She couldn't bear to watch any longer and suddenly turned away, drawing the curtains.
Moments later, her phone received another message from the same number: [Don't cry!]
Lola calmed herself and thought for a moment before replying: [Don't come again.]
Johnny read the reply for a long time.
He understood that she couldn't forget their past, but she didn't want to dwell on it anymore and she didn't need him anymore.
He didn't disturb her again, standing quietly in the night for a long time before leaving.
The next morning, after washing up, Lola went downstairs. Angelina and Austin were not there.
Frederick poured himself a glass of champagne, smiling faintly, "Their father took them out for a meal. He said he'd bring them back in the afternoon."
Lola didn't say much, just nodded.
Frederick deliberately avoided mentioning Johnny and changed the subject, "After breakfast, your mother is going to the church to pray. You should go too, just to get some fresh air."
Lola usually didn't like these activities, but feeling bored, she agreed.
However, before they could leave, the Hawkins Mansion received a call from Johnny, saying that Austin had a fever, a pretty serious one, and was now in the hospital.
Frederick immediately put on his coat, "I'll go with your mother to check on him."
Lola grabbed his sleeve, her voice urgent, "I'm going too."
Frederick looked at her for a few seconds and nodded: "Let's go together."
At the hospital, the situation was worse than they had imagined. Austin was semi-conscious from the fever and kept mumbling incoherently.
Johnny was personally taking care of him, with Angelina helping out.
Lola sat by the hospital bed, looking at Austin's flushed face, feeling heartbroken. Austin had always been healthy; how did he suddenly get such a high fever?
"The doctor said he caught a cold."
Johnny had been watching Austin closely. At that moment, no one was thinking about their personal feelings; as parents, they were most worried about their children.
Hearing his words, Lola's hand, which was caressing Austin's face, paused.
She remembered the fireworks from last night and asked softly, "What time did you leave last night?"
Johnny didn't understand why she was asking but answered truthfully, "Around 1 a.m."
Lola didn't respond.
She pressed her palm against Austin's face and leaned down to gently rest her head on him. Austin had gotten sick because he had been climbing the wall, watching Johnny. His feelings for Johnny were complicated, a mix of love and hate.
Lola didn't say it, but Johnny quickly figured it out.
His Adam's apple bobbed twice, and he said painfully, "This foolish boy!"
At that moment, Austin mumbled again: "Comfort her, Dad... Dad."
Frederick and Charlotte had also pieced together most of the story.
Now, everyone felt a deep sense of sorrow.
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