Chapter 776 Lola, Merry Christmas!
Johnny didn't respond.
He just quietly watched her for a long time before his hoarse voice broke the silence, "It's late. We should get some sleep."
With that, he started tidying up.
He usually didn't stay overnight at home, probably to avoid any misunderstandings. But his car broke down on the way here, and Jared hadn't responded yet, so Johnny decided to stay.
His bedroom was still the same as before.
"Goodnight," Johnny said softly to Lola as he got up to go upstairs.
Lola knew he was avoiding something but didn't mind. She smiled slightly, "Goodnight."
That night, Lola stayed up late, perhaps because of the snow outside.
She found snowy nights to be very quiet.
Lying in bed, she felt like she could hear the sound of snowflakes falling. Unable to sleep, she got up and stood by the window to watch the snowy night.
The bedroom lights were off, and only the light from outside added a faint glow.
The night wind was tight, and the fine snow was like needles.
The glass of the floor-to-ceiling window was fogged up due to the temperature difference. Lola breathed lightly on it and wrote two names with her finger, Lola, and Johnny.
She did it unconsciously, maybe out of a habit formed in her youth.
Every snowy night, she would write his name, even during the time he left Syeattel to go abroad.
Lola stood there alone for a long time until she heard footsteps in the hallway which were slightly different from a normal person's.
Was it... Johnny?
Lola was startled for a moment, then quietly returned to bed and lay down. About half a minute later, there was movement in the living room, and someone came in.
Soon, he entered the bedroom. Lola squinted and peeked out.
She saw Johnny holding something.
Playing Santa Claus?
She didn't make a sound or get up, just waited quietly for his next move. Soon, Johnny sat down on the edge of the bed... very close to Lola, close enough to touch her with a stretch.
He did touch her, his warm palm lightly brushing her cheek.
But it was just a brief touch.
Then he just gazed at her for a long time, doing nothing, watching her in the dark. Lola thought he would sit there until dawn. Suddenly, Johnny spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.
He said, "Lola, Merry Christmas!"
He placed the Christmas gift he brought on the bedside table and then left.
When Johnny left, Lola slowly opened her eyes.
In the faint light, she saw his slightly limping leg, struggling to walk out, trying to be as quiet as possible... not to wake her.
Tears filled her eyes.
Lola watched quietly, watching him leave the bedroom, listening to him close the living room door.
She sat up in the dark and reached for the gift.
It was a red apple.
She sniffed it; it smelled wonderful.
This was Johnny's special Christmas gift for her. Lola bit her lip and took a careful bite... sweet and sour, very delicious.
She slept well for the rest of the night, dreaming of her younger days.
When she woke up, it was already bright outside.
Lola checked the time; it was already seven o'clock. She quickly got up... she had to take Angelina and Austin to school. But as soon as she went downstairs, the housekeeper told her, "Mr. Flores got up early. Austin and Angelina wanted to see the snow, so Mr. Flores took them to school early. They might play in the snow on the way."
Lola was slightly stunned.
She slowly sat down at the dining table and started eating breakfast. Halfway through, she couldn't help but call Johnny.
The phone rang a few times before he answered.
His tone was cheerful, "What's up?"
Lola hesitated before speaking, "I heard from the housekeeper that you took the kids to play. Um... make sure to keep warm. Felicity mentioned that your leg needs extra care."
In the past, Johnny would have been sensitive about this.
But after they gave up on being together, he became especially tolerant and calm. He replied gently, "Okay, I'll be careful! ... Alright, I have to go now."
Lola didn't say anything more. Saying too much would seem ambiguous.
Neither of them mentioned the apple from last night or his visit to her room.
These became unspoken secrets between them.
Lola was staring at her phone when Natalie came downstairs, yawning. She sat across from Lola and greeted her, "Morning, Lola! ... Why is everyone up so early? Frederick and Charlotte went to the mountains to see the snow and took Stella with them. Johnny took the kids to school. Why didn't anyone take me?"
Lola picked up her hot milk and took a sip.
"Natalie, you forget your age."
Natalie propped her chin on her slender arm, "I have to go to the office later. I heard there's an interview with a difficult celebrity. I'm a comic artist, why am I doing this?"
Lola knew about this.
The celebrity was Grace, a famous figure from years ago and a good friend of Chloe, who used to be friends with Andrew.
Lola patted Natalie's hand with a smile, "Grace is a good friend of your mom. She rarely gives interviews, but she respects you. If you do well, your position in the company will improve."
Natalie took a bite of her sandwich, "I don't have any career ambitions."
Lola nodded. As Andrew's daughter, Natalie had always had plenty. Her personal assets were worth billions, not counting future inheritances.
Lola was about to say something when Natalie changed her mind, "But it would be nice to see Grace. Mom always thinks about her."
Lola patted her head, "I'll drive you there later."
Natalie declined, "I drove myself here."
Lola didn't say anything more. She put down her cup and got ready to go to the law firm. The housekeeper noticed she ate less and asked, "Was breakfast not to your liking? You only ate half of what you usually do."
Lola paused. Then she put on her coat, changed her shoes at the entrance, and smiled, "It was delicious! But I have a breakfast meeting later, so I don't want to be too full."
The housekeeper, Maddy Faye, laughed, "Ms. Hawkins, you're always busy with breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, dinner meetings. They sound fancy but have no real content! You should fill up at home, or how will you manage everything?"
Lola hugged her and kissed her cheek, "Alright, I'll eat more tomorrow morning, but today I really can't!"
Maddy blushed.
Lola went out and got in her car. Before starting the engine, she thought,' Eating that apple last night, no wonder I can't eat breakfast.'
In the dining room, Natalie was still enjoying her meal. She held a fork, watched the car leave, and muttered to herself, "Lola looks like she's in love!"
Maddy didn't understand but agreed, "Must be someone special at that meeting, huh?"
Natalie looked at her and softly said, "A house thief is hard to guard against!"
With that, she wiped her mouth and left.
She went to the office, got her assignment, and wandered around until ten before slowly driving to meet Grace. The place was chosen by Grace—a very stylish salon where Grace had been getting her hair done since she was young. Over the years, it had become like home to her.
Natalie had been there a few times with Charlotte when she was younger. Now that she was older, she appreciated the style of the place. As she walked, she marveled at the capitalist vibe! Every piece of decor exuded luxury.
She walked quickly and accidentally bumped into someone coming down the stairs. The person didn't avoid her, and Natalie ended up crashing straight into his arms. Then a warm hand held her waist, steadying her.
This was quite improper, and Natalie was about to scold the person, but the familiar scent stopped her. It was Grant. It was him!
Natalie was stunned, forgetting to pull away and leave his embrace. She was naturally free-spirited, but only one person could touch her heart. That person was Grant.
She didn't know how long it was before a low, elegant voice reached her ears, "How long are you going to hold on?"
Natalie snapped back to reality. She quickly stepped back but forgot she was on the stairs. The hand tightened its grip on her, preventing her from falling. At that moment, she looked into Grant's eyes. His eyes were emotionless, even cold, just like every time they met after reuniting.
"Thank you."
Natalie stood firm, politely and distantly thanking him, then tried to walk past him, "Sorry, Mr. McCall, I have something to do. I'll thank you properly another time."
She thought Grant didn't want to see her either. They both knew that thank you was just a formality. They usually had no interaction.
But unexpectedly, Grant spoke in a calm voice, "How do you plan to thank me? Like before, inviting me to dinner, buying me expensive gifts, trying to win me over? Natalie, after all these years, you haven't changed. Still using the same tactics."
Natalie's pupils contracted. It took her a while to say, "Mr. McCall, you're overthinking it! I won't use the same tactics on you again, rest assured."
"So you'll use them on someone else?" Grant pressed on.
Just as Natalie didn't know how to respond, a female voice called out, "Grant, what do you think of this dress? Will it be too plain for the engagement toast?"
A moment later, Clara appeared. She was wearing a light pink dress that accentuated her slender figure, matching Grant's outfit.
She said... engagement toast!
So, they were getting engaged.
Natalie's heart tightened, but she kept a calm facade. She looked at them and softly said, "Congratulations!"
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