Chapter 37 Meeting Sam
Sophia arrived at the designated location half an hour early, nervously pacing back and forth. Today was the official meeting with Sam, would he be scared?
She was going to have lunch with Sam later, but she didn't know what he liked to eat.
Ethan and Emma both enjoyed spicy food, would Sam be able to handle it?
She remembered that Gabriel wasn't very good with spicy food. As time ticked away, Sophia felt like the hours were dragging on, her feet aching.
Gradually, Sophia furrowed her brows as Gabriel was late! Sophia took out her phone to call, only to have Gabriel hang up on her.
Could it be that he was going back on his word? It was entirely possible! Sophia was angry on her own, deciding to wait for another half an hour.
If he still didn't show up and didn't answer her call, then it would be a breach of their agreement! Just as the half-hour mark was about to pass, there was a commotion not far away.
Sophia looked over, but the warm sunlight blinded her, causing her to squint.
A tall figure and a small one were walking towards her against the light. The father and son duo had striking appearances, quickly becoming the center of attention in the square.
When Gabriel's tall figure was within two meters, Sophia finally saw clearly. She glanced at Gabriel's deep, distinct face, then looked down at Sam.
The same indifferent gaze that resembled Gabriel's tugged at Sophia's heart, but when she saw the face that resembled hers, all her irritation disappeared, replaced by warmth. "Sam, do you still remember me?" Sophia didn't even greet Gabriel, stepping forward and crouching down in front of Sam.
The little boy shrank behind his father, feeling uncomfortable. Sophia felt a sense of disappointment upon seeing this.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." She said gently. Sam peeked out from behind his father to look at her before nodding slightly to indicate that he remembered her. Sophia felt happy inside. Gabriel had sent people to stop her from meeting Sam several times, but today she was finally able to communicate with Sam smoothly.
Suppressing her excited heart, Sophia reached out and asked eagerly, "Can I hug you?" Sam hesitated. He didn't like being held by people other than his father and great-grandmother, but he didn't dislike this aunt either, yet he still couldn't bring himself to hug her.
"He doesn't like being held by strangers." Scarlett's voice, mixed with sarcasm, came from Gabriel.
Was she referring to herself as a stranger? Sophia suppressed her displeasure. In front of Sam, she couldn't argue with Gabriel. If Sam developed a psychological shadow, what would she do if he refused to see her in the future?
Since Sam didn't want to be hugged, she wouldn't force it for now.
After all, Sam had only seen her a few times, so it was normal for him not to fully open up to her. The path to recognition with "Sonny" was long and arduous. "Are you hungry? Auntie can take you to eat something delicious, okay?" Sophia continued to gently communicate with Sam. Sam blinked his round, obsidian-like eyes and remained silent.
In the eyes of Gabriel, Sophia saw a friendly and loving expression. He tightly held his father's finger, showing no reaction to Sophia.
"Let's go, let's eat." Gabriel gestured towards the finger held by his son.
Sam obediently followed Gabriel as they turned around.
Sophia: ...
It's okay, after all, Sam grew up with Gabriel by his side, so it's normal for him to rely on Gabriel... but the sour feeling in her heart is hard to suppress.
Sophia's beautiful and delicate face seemed distorted in the sunlight.
She quickly caught up with them.
"Sam, what do you like to eat?"
Sam didn't say anything. His short legs made him walk slowly, so Gabriel bent down and picked him up. Now Sophia had to look up to speak to Sam instead of lowering her head.
She internally expressed her complaint about Gabriel being too tall.
On the way to the restaurant, Sophia continued to communicate and interact with Sam, who remained unresponsive. However, out of the ten attempts, he would at least nod or shake his head twice, which satisfied Sophia.
Of course, Gabriel chose the restaurant.
While ordering, Sophia hesitated and glanced at Gabriel.
Doesn't this person know how to take a hint?
This is their time together as mother and son, and Gabriel is such a third wheel.
Feeling the disdainful gaze from the woman, Gabriel also felt uncomfortable. Fine, Sophia feels displeased with him no matter where they are!
But he couldn't leave!
"If you want what's best for Sam, then don't look at me with that look in your eyes. I won't leave Sam alone to be with you," his cold words extinguished Sophia's expectations completely.
Sophia took a deep breath and told herself it's okay, it's fine. Take it slow. Once Sam accepts her, she won't need Gabriel as a third wheel anymore.
Unbeknownst to Sophia, Sam had been quietly observing her.
Sophia noticed that Gabriel ordered non-spicy dishes, and as expected, Sam doesn't eat spicy food either. She silently made a note of the dishes Gabriel ordered.
She knows how to make all of them, and next time she wants to cook them for Sam.
Today was the first time Sophia ate together with Sam, and also the first time in five years that she ate with Gabriel. One is her beloved son, and the other is the man she detests. She wasn't sure if she could enjoy her meal with this feeling.
The food arrived, and Sophia kept serving Sam.
"Why aren't you eating, Sam?" Sophia looked at Sam in confusion as he sat there motionless.
Gabriel spoke up at the right moment, "You've served him too much, he can't finish it all."
Sophia furrowed her brows.
But these portions are less than half of what Ethan and Emma eat. No wonder Sam is so thin. How does Gabriel raise a child?!
"Sam, do you eat less because these dishes aren't tasty?"
Little Sam shook his head and waited for his father to help him pick out some dishes before starting to eat. The little guy's eating movements were elegant and refined, neither hurried nor slow. He didn't make a mess with his food, nor did he gobble it up like other children, nor did he play around with it or curiously look around while eating.
He was just too quiet and focused.
Sophia watched quietly, her furrowed eyebrows never loosening.
He really doesn't seem like a child at all. Ethan, although mature and often acts like a little adult, occasionally shows his innocence like a child, but Sam seems more like a soulless piece of art.
Her heart ached and Sophia felt a suffocating pain, almost losing control in front of Sam. She lowered her head and hurriedly said, "I'm going to the restroom."
Tears fell as she turned and ran away, shocking Gabriel, who felt a little shaken inside.
Why did she suddenly cry?
Gabriel's gaze fell on Sam.
Can watching Sam eat bring someone to tears?
He had never expected this. Sophia had such a sensitive and melancholic side. Tsk... it doesn't really match her sharp-tongued image.
"Gabriel!"
A familiar voice from Scarlett came, accompanied by surprise.
Gabriel turned his head and saw Tiffany approaching, his brows furrowing.
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