Chapter 426 Expectation
Charles finally couldn't hold it in and protested, "Stop staring at me."
Benjamin blinked, "Why, Mr. Percy? You don't like people watching you eat?"
"It's really annoying."
That comment had a bit more emotion in it.
"Do we look annoying? I don't think so." Benjamin rubbed his own face and then looked at Diana's.
He had been praised for his cuteness and good looks since he was a child, like a little prince. And his mommy's beauty was undeniable.
Benjamin quickly dismissed Charles' words and retorted, "Mr. Percy, I think it's your own issue. If someone watched me while I peed, I wouldn't be able to go either. But when you eat..."
Before he could finish, Charles interrupted with a stern face, "Shut up."
Discussing such topics during a meal was truly off-putting.
Benjamin, annoyed by Charles' words, huffed loudly, crossed his arms, and turned his head away, refusing to look at him.
Diana, watching their interaction from the side, struggled to suppress her laughter.
Benjamin's personality was very much like Diana's, to the point where Charles often found himself at a loss for words against him.
Seeing the two of them bickering, Diana coughed a couple of times at the right moment, "Benjamin, didn't you say at home that you had something to tell Mr. Percy?"
Reminded by her, Benjamin's stern little face relaxed. He glanced at Charles and hesitantly said, "Maybe we should wait until Mr. Percy finishes eating."
Charles swallowed his food and looked between the two of them.
"What is it?"
Seeing his usual expression, Benjamin thought for a moment and finally said, "Alright, I'll say it. The end of the month is my birthday."
Benjamin paused for a moment, looking up at Charles' face, not missing any change in his expression.
Charles' eyes flickered when he heard this, "What do you want?"
To Charles, Benjamin being alone in the Rainbow Federation was a bit pitiful. His mother was nowhere to be found, and with his birthday coming up, he was probably missing her.
"A toy? Or maybe a trip somewhere?"
Charles thought about it. He didn't really understand what kids liked, so he could only guess based on common preferences.
Benjamin nodded. He had no qualms about making demands of Charles and quickly laid out his entire birthday plan.
"I want a birthday present, a cake, and a trip to the amusement park."
Charles frowned slightly.
After a moment, he put down his utensils, pulled out a wallet from his pocket, and took out a card. "Buy whatever you want. The PIN is four ones."
"No, buying it myself is no fun. Mr. Percy, you prepare it for me. On my birthday, let's go to the amusement park together, okay?"
Benjamin immediately refused. He had already taken three hundred million dollars from Charles, so this was nothing.
Charles felt a headache coming on. He glanced at Diana and said, "Your idea."
Diana, unexpectedly called out, pouted, "I didn't suggest anything, Mr. Percy. Benjamin is very smart and has his own ideas. It's normal."
Charles looked back at Benjamin, who was staring at him seriously.
His small fists were clenched at his sides, as if ready to charge at Charles if he didn't agree.
Charles asked, "How did you celebrate your previous birthdays?"
"With Mommy and Uncle. But Mommy was always super busy and couldn't take me out much, though she gave me lots of presents that I loved!"
Benjamin's face lit up as he talked about it.
But mindful of Diana's presence, he didn't say too much.
Charles pursed his lips. Benjamin's mother was just a small-time waitress who had run off with the child after being warned by Elise. Life must have been tough for them over the years.
But that woman had raised Benjamin well. He was a lively and adorable boy, showing no signs of insecurity or gloom.
"Mr. Percy, please agree. It's already sad enough that my mommy isn't around, and my dad, whom I've never met, is dead. Please consider my mental health."
Benjamin tugged on Charles' sleeve, playing the pity card.
But his intent was too obvious, not at all like a child's.
However, given his young age, Charles saw it as a form of childish pleading.
Diana, listening to their conversation, felt a pang of guilt.
Back in the Federation, she had too many official duties and often neglected Benjamin.
Despite his young age, he understood a lot and rarely demanded Diana's company, usually playing with Dean or tinkering with code on his own.
This birthday could be a way to make it up to him.
"Benjamin, I can also buy you a gift."
Diana chimed in, smiling warmly.
Charles was momentarily dazzled by her smile, coughed lightly, and looked away.
Benjamin, touching his chin, hesitated. He really didn't lack anything, but to avoid making things difficult for Diana, he replied, "I want a cake made by you."
Diana blinked, not expecting that request.
Money could solve most problems, but cooking skills couldn't be bought.
Diana had no talent for cooking. She pursed her lips and said seriously, "How about something else? I'm afraid what I make might be poisonous."
But it was Charles who answered, not Benjamin, "Care about the child's mental health. Why do you keep rejecting him? He just wants a homemade cake, not the moon and stars."
He said this while elegantly putting food in his mouth, looking at Diana with an expression that was either challenging or disdainful.
For the first time, Benjamin found Charles agreeable.
Remembering the noodles Charles had made before, he had an idea, "It's okay, Mr. Percy. You two can make it together. Two adults can surely make the world's most delicious cake!"
The more he thought about it, the more brilliant the plan seemed, and he clapped his hands excitedly.
Diana couldn't believe her son was so bold, asking the president of the Percy Group to make a cake?
She couldn't help but picture Charles in a pink frilly apron, coldly decorating a cake, and shivered. She rubbed her arms, "Benjamin, I'll make it. Mr. Percy is very busy."
At worst, she could get the servants to help. Even if it wasn't perfect, making an edible cake shouldn't be too hard.
Benjamin thought about Diana's words and felt they made sense. Taking him out was already nice enough; the cake wasn't that important.
Just as he was about to convince himself, Charles' voice suddenly broke in, "Okay."
Mother and son both looked at him, eyes wide with surprise.
He calmly pulled out a napkin, wiped his mouth, and, as if unaware of their shock, continued, "What flavor? I'll have Jacob prepare the ingredients."
Benjamin answered, still in a daze, "Blueberry."
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