Chapter 232 Enemy Coming
I was surprised. "So soon? When did you arrive in the city?"
Cecil smiled and asked, "This afternoon. Do you want to eat out for dinner or stay in? Do you need me to bring anything?"
"Hold on a second." I moved the phone away and asked Nolan in a low voice. "Nolan, do you want to eat at home or go out for dinner tonight?"
"I want to eat the dinner you make!" Nolan answered instinctively, then reconsidered and quickly added, "Actually, can we order takeout? I’ll treat you to dinner!"!"
I brought the phone closer and smiled. "Cecil, you don't need to bring anything, just come over."
Cecil agreed.
After hanging up, I pinched Nolan's soft, delicate cheek. "Didn't you want to eat the food I make? Why did you change your mind?"
"Jerry warned me."
"Warned you about what?"
Nolan mumbled, "Jerry said... not to trouble you!"
Nolan saw I wasn't speaking and leaned on my leg, propping his head up. "Hope. Who's coming?"
"An uncle."
"An uncle?" Nolan immediately asked, "What kind of uncle, like Jerry or like my dad?"
I was puzzled. "What's the difference?"
"Old or young."
I couldn't help but laugh, "Your dad is old?"
Nolan answered seriously, "Well, not really. It's just that Mom often says he's very old-fashioned."
I laughed out loud, not expecting that Sophia’s sharp tongue could rival Jerry’s when it came to criticizing her ex.
Nolan emphasized, "Hope, you haven't answered my question yet!"
I replied, "Well, he's young like Jerry."
Nolan quickly climbed off me and started running out, even losing one of his little slippers.
"Where are you going?"
"I suddenly need to use the bathroom!"
"There’s a bathroom in the house."
"No, I..."
I picked Nolan up, thinking he was just being shy. "Do you still need help with the potty?"
Nolan shook his head. "No!"
"Go ahead, call me if you need help."
I take Nolan in the bathroom, but he looked like he was about to cry. "I suddenly don't need to go anymore."
I was suspicious. "Really?"
"Yes! Really!"
The kid walked out of the bathroom dejectedly and looked up at me. "Hope, can I play with the phone for a while?"
I refused, "No, phones can impact your vision."
"Please!" Nolan pitifully grabbed my skirt and gently shook it. "Just for a little while, please!"
I couldn't help but soften and handed him the phone. "Alright."
Nolan was overjoyed, grabbed the phone, and happily climbed onto the sofa, curling up in the corner. But his little brows were furrowed tightly.
I was curious. "What's wrong?"
Other kids would immediately start watching cartoons when they got a phone. Nolan, on the other hand, quietly typed on the screen.
With a furrowed brow, he glanced up. "Hope, how do you spell 'uncle'?"
I guided him through the spelling and asked, "Got it?"
Nolan nodded. "Got it."
A few moments later, he looked up again. "How do you spell 'home'?"
Just as I finished telling him, the doorbell rang. I headed to the door and was met with a delightful surprise. "Coco!"
A fluffy white Samoyed pounced on me, nudging me with affectionate enthusiasm. Elated, I turned to Cecil. "Cecil, I was just thinking about when to bring Coco back, and you show up with him."
Cecil smiled. "You're used to having him around; I thought he might lift your spirits."
I held Cecil's gaze gratefully. "Thank you! I wouldn't have recovered so quickly without your help."
He teased, "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Please come in!"
Leading Cecil into the living room, I realized Nolan was no longer on the sofa. I turned around and stopped by the bathroom door, where I heard some anxious muttering. Gently, I knocked. "Nolan?"
"Hope, I'm using the bathroom!" Nolan responded was fraught with anxiety, punctuated by more muttering.
It seemed some kids had a habit of talking to themselves in the bathroom.
I smiled and gently reminded him, "Take your time, but be careful not to slip."
Returning to the living room, I brewed a cup of coffee for Cecil. Coco, ever the loyal companion, nestled against my knee. "Cecil, thank you so much for going out of your way to bring Coco."
Cecil's warm smile was reassuring. "You're welcome. I was just in Maple Valley for business and thought I'd bring him along."
I sighed, "You always have an excuse."
Every time Cecil helped me, he framed it as if it were just a convenient coincidence, never wanting to burden me.
Nolan emerged from the bathroom and, seeing Cecil, greeted him politely, "Hello!"
Cecil returned the greeting and looked at me, slightly puzzled.
I clarified, "He's Jerry's cousin. I'm helping to take care of him for a bit."
"Jerry?" Cecil's expression stiffened, and he blurted out, "You met Jerry? He came to see you?"
Cecil's eyes softened with a gentle smile. "Of course not. I was just stunned he's still alive and that you met him. I'm genuinely happy for you."
Relief washed over me. Nolan, resting against my side, spoke up again, "Cecil, do you think Jerry and Hope are a good match?"
Cecil replied, almost helplessly, "That's really up to Hope."
Nolan's curiosity persisted. "Cecil, are you married? If you're single, I could introduce you to my mom!"
I couldn't stifle my laughter, and Cecil nearly choked on his coffee. "No, no need. I'm not thinking about that right now."
"Then you wouldn't consider Hope either." Nolan squirmed closer to me, whispering in my ear, "Hope, Cecil doesn't like you, but Jerry really likes you!"
Cecil interrupted, his tone serious. "That's not true. If one day, Hope decided to be with me, I would definitely..."
Before he could finish, the doorbell rang again.