Chapter 649 Kiss
As Yvette carried BoBo and CiCi's shoes back to shore, Albert answered an incoming call.
Vincent's cautious voice came through the line, "Mr. Valdemar, is this a convenient time to speak?"
"What do you think?" Albert replied coolly, his expression impassive.
Vincent cleared his throat. "Well, if it weren't convenient, I imagine you would have already hung up."
Albert remained silent, his steady breathing the only confirmation Vincent needed.
Slightly relieved, Vincent got straight to the point. "There's a document at the hospital requiring your signature. I've sent it to your email. If possible, please sign it today—they're quite urgent about it. Without your signature, they can't proceed with the next steps."
"Fine."
Despite being on vacation, Albert handled whatever work he could. After all, sometimes his single signature prevented project delays and significant losses.
Albert glanced up to see Yvette holding BoBo and CiCi's hands while chatting with an unfamiliar woman. The woman appeared friendly, and since Yvette and the children seemed comfortable, he didn't give it much thought.
"I'll sign it now," he said.
The sea breeze tousled Albert's hair, yet his silhouette still conveyed his cool demeanor. He ended the call and began navigating through documents on his phone.
"Daddy!" a bright, childish voice called out.
Albert looked down to see BoBo and CiCi running toward him hand-in-hand, their faces radiant with excitement.
"Daddy!" CiCi shouted enthusiastically, her voice brimming with joy. "Can we take photos together?"
Albert raised an eyebrow. "Photos?"
"Yes! A family portrait of the four of us!" BoBo's expression remained composed, but his small hands clutched Albert's shirt, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Alright," Albert said, looking at his children with a flicker of tenderness. "Let's go."
He gently ruffled their hair and took each child by the hand, walking toward Yvette.
"Was this your idea, or your mother's?" Albert asked after a moment.
"Both of us and Mom want to!" CiCi explained. "Ms. Harvey took some really nice pictures of me and BoBo, and then she invited Mom to join. She said we should get the whole family in the shot!"
"A portrait of all four of us would be meaningful," BoBo added seriously. "Ms. Harvey is a kindergarten teacher too, just like our Ms. Seraphina Everly."
Albert looked up, finally taking notice of Thalia standing across from Yvette.
The two women were engaged in conversation, with Yvette smiling warmly, apparently at ease with the stranger.
As Albert approached with the children, he released their hands and instead took Yvette's slender one in his, intertwining their fingers.
Yvette, not accustomed to such public displays of affection, instinctively tried to pull away, but Albert tightened his grip, keeping their hands firmly clasped together.
Controlling her expression, Yvette smiled at Thalia. "Thank you for doing this, Ms. Harvey."
Thalia smiled back. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Yvette blinked in surprise.
"Oh!" Realizing her oversight, Yvette quickly said, "This is Ms. Thalia Harvey. And this is my husband."
Turning to Albert, she explained, "Ms. Harvey took some lovely photos of BoBo and CiCi, and she's offered to take family portraits for us."
Albert pressed his lips together and nodded slightly. "Thank you."
"No wonder BoBo and CiCi are so adorable—you and your husband are both so attractive," Thalia remarked candidly. "I'm lucky to photograph such a photogenic family."
Yvette, somewhat uncomfortable with Thalia's effusiveness, smiled awkwardly. "We appreciate it, Ms. Harvey."
"And sir, you—" Thalia paused, glancing back at Yvette. "What should I call your husband?"
"His surname is Valdemar," Yvette replied.
"Mr. Valdemar." The name seemed to linger on Thalia's tongue, as if she were savoring it.
Albert frowned slightly, noticing Thalia's poorly concealed, lingering gaze. Something about it immediately put him on edge.
Before Albert could express his discomfort, Thalia had already resumed her professional demeanor. "Let's get started, shall we?"
BoBo and CiCi excitedly struck poses while Yvette smiled tenderly. Even Albert's lips curved into a slight smile.
Their expressions, varying in intensity, radiated happiness and contentment, as if time had momentarily stood still.
"Mom, Dad, let's make sure we look our best!" BoBo said earnestly.
"BoBo! Mom and Dad always look good," CiCi replied with a sweet smile. "And Ms. Harvey takes great photos—we'll all look wonderful!"
CiCi's sugary words made both Yvette and Albert break into genuine smiles.
"Beautiful!" Thalia encouraged while snapping photos. "Ready, one, two, three!"
BoBo and CiCi continuously adjusted their expressions and poses, determined to create the perfect family portrait.
They beamed their brightest smiles, eager to preserve this precious moment.
"Mrs. Valdemar, you seem a bit reserved—try opening up your smile more!" Thalia suddenly directed Yvette. "A family of four should really showcase their joy together."
Yvette nodded and looked toward Albert, attempting to display a more radiant expression to complement the children's excitement.
"Don't look at Mr. Valdemar!" Thalia called out. "Focus on the children instead!"
Yvette tensed momentarily, then instinctively shifted her gaze toward BoBo and CiCi.
Still unsatisfied, Thalia continued, "Mr. Valdemar, you should also look at the children—it would make for a better composition!"
Albert's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't want his annoyance to be captured in a family portrait.
Hearing Thalia's instructions, Albert's lips curled into a subtle smirk as he cast a dismissive glance toward the photographer behind the camera.
Before Thalia could react, Albert pulled Yvette into his arms with one swift movement.
Then, tilting Yvette's chin upward, he kissed her directly on the lips—just as Thalia's finger instinctively pressed the shutter, capturing the unexpected moment forever.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
