Chapter 360 Neatly Arranged Meals
Darwin's other properties were mostly decorated in cool tones, but not this one.
He had Fiona in mind when designing it, so the house felt gentle and exquisite inside and out.
Despite its size, it radiated warmth and coziness everywhere.
"This house was a gift from me to Mom, Chicago. It was all set up, but we never got the chance to move in, so many things are still missing," Darwin coaxed gently, "Especially the decorations. Would you like to help me set it up?"
Chicago paused, turning to look at Darwin with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "I've said it before. Don’t think about taking me and Charles away from Mom!"
"Sis, Mom and I will move in too," Charles reassured her, squeezing her hand. "That way, you can see the kitty every day."
A sparkle lit up Chicago's eyes.
But then she shot Darwin a wary look.
"Do you want to see your rooms?" Darwin offered, his voice tinged with a humbleness bordering on meekness.
"Sure," Charles answered first.
Chicago had no choice but to follow.
The elevator dinged as they reached the second floor. There were two suites – one for Charles and one for Chicago.
"It's empty, huh?" Chicago muttered as she stepped into Charles' room, looking around, puzzled.
"I didn't know what kind of beds and desks you guys would like, so I thought we'd shop for them together," Darwin answered. "Look, this is your brother's bedroom, over there's the walk-in closet, and next to it, the study..." Darwin showed off each room.
They then moved on to see Chicago's room.
"Where's Mommy's room?" asked Chicago.
"Mommy's room... Well, she'll see it when she gets here," Charles said as he playfully squeezed his sister's hand. "Didn't you say there's an orchard, Dad? Wanna check it out?"
Chicago was instantly intrigued by her brother's diversion.
Before long, the family of three made their way to the orchard. Some of the fruit trees were already laden with fruit.
Chicago was thoroughly enamored with these ecological wonders.
Soon, it was dinner time.
Darwin had set an alarm, and when it went off, he playfully ruffled the kids' hair, saying, "Time for dinner. I have a suggestion!"
Chicago and Charles turned to look at him as he grinned mysteriously.
Before they boarded the minivan to leave, Chicago picked a few large lemons and a variety of colorful cherry tomatoes from the gardener's plot, which she put into a little basket.
As she got into the car, Chicago looked back wistfully at the vegetable garden. "I forgot to remind the gardener to pick the cherry tomatoes when they ripen tomorrow, Charles."
"Dad will remind him," Darwin assured her.
Chicago nodded in agreement.
Charles's eyes lowered with a faint smile on his lips.
Chicago was already taking to heart the tasks of the vegetable garden, reminiscent of her sense of responsibility back on the island she considered her turf.
Charles figured he wouldn't need to persuade his sister to move in. Just a few more visits with Darwin should do the trick.
Before setting off, Darwin sent a message to a familiar restaurant.
By the time they arrived, the food was packed and ready. Holding the meals, Darwin looked at Charles and Chicago, "You’re hungry, huh? Hang in there. We'll be home soon!"
Charles nodded.
But Chicago was not too hungry, since she had munched on several cherry tomatoes.
The ones from the garden tasted so much better than those from the supermarket.
She had picked so many tomatoes, all for Mommy to try!
As Laura was tidying up at the reception desk, she heard a familiar voice.
"Laura!"
She looked up and saw the incredibly adorable Chicago running toward her.
"Chicago!"
Laura hadn't seen Chicago in quite some time.
Without concern for appearances, she exclaimed aloud, and with a joyous run, scooped up Chicago and spun around in a circle.
"What brings you here? Does your mommy know?" she asked.
"Dad..." Chicago's words screeched to a halt as they left her lips.
This was all because of that troublemaker. He was always going on about "dad" this and "dad" that - she had practically been brainwashed!
She had almost slipped up.
But Laura's gaze still drifted toward the door.
Darwin walked in carrying two large bags, Charles by his side.
"Hey, Charles," Laura greeted politely.
"Hi Laura... Darwin... Um, Mr. Solomon is here."
Laura quickly put Chicago down. "Uh... Chelsea is in an international meeting, so she might be a while."
"I understand."
Darwin's voice was gentle.
"Mind if the kids and I wait inside?"
"Of course!"
Laura hurried to lead the trio to Fiona's office.
Along the way, every head in the office turned to look at Darwin.
Fiona's team knew she had kids, but many of them hadn't seen them before.
When the tall Darwin and the two little ones entered the office, heads turned in curiosity.
"Is it just me or do the kids look a lot like Darwin?"
"I kind of see the resemblance. They look like Chelsea, too!"
"Wow!"
"Keep your traps shut," Laura said sternly. "We don't need gossip, especially about the boss. Zip it in here and once you're out."
Just then, the office door opened.
Darwin stepped out, and the staff awkwardly grew quiet.
"If you haven’t ordered dinner yet, don't bother. Food's on the way," Darwin's tone was as calm as ever, a stark contrast to his usual imposing business appearance.
He was dressed in casual clothes, and you couldn't miss his strong family-man vibe.
Usually, they saw Darwin in sharp suits, exuding a commanding presence. The difference was night and day.
"Thank you, Mr. Solomon," Laura chimed in quickly, and the rest snapped out of it to echo her thanks.
Darwin gave a slight nod and headed back into the office.
It wasn't long before the dinner Darwin had ordered for everyone arrived. It was an extravagant spread of custom-made seafood dishes.
Fiona stepped out of the meeting room only to be greeted by the savory aroma.
"What smells so good?"
"Chelsea, Mr. Solomon stopped by," said Laura, who hadn't touched a bite and was hanging by a thread with anticipation.
Fiona paused, then noticed the enticing seafood dish everyone was enjoying, "Did he order this?"
"Yes."
"Well, then don't just stand there, dig in," Fiona said to Laura with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Relax, he's not going to poison you."
With that said, Fiona walked towards her own office.
The marketing guy at Laura's side finished the last bite of his oyster and tilted his head with an envious grin. "The boss and her partner are so sweet together..."
"What do you mean, sweet?" Laura was taken aback. "And who the heck is the boss' partner? Are you sure you're not having a reaction to that seafood platter?"
The guy gave Laura a 'you-don't-get-it' look and teased, "Laura, you're stunning and you've got that sizzle. Don't just bury yourself in work. Hit the dating scene! You need a little romance in your life!"
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