Chapter 199 Say One Thing, Mean Another
"Charlie, come with me,” he said.
As the man passed by, a cold breeze trailed in his wake.
Anna was horrified at the thought of him punishing a 3-year-old by making him print documents. "Charlie, what's wrong with your father? Don't go."
Charlie remained calm and stroked his chin. "It's fine, it's probably just a private conversation between father and son. Don't worry, Anna. You go rest for a while; I'll be back soon."
He quickly walked in the direction his father had vanished.
The top floor was quiet, with misty heights. Looking down, one could see the sprawling Crownhaven, submitting beneath, magnificent and imposing.
The man stood on the rooftop, resolute and solemn. The wind blew, causing his clothes and hair to sway, but not becoming disheveled. Instead, it gave off a terrifying feeling.
Charlie gathered his courage, patted his chest, and tried to calm himself. "Father, what do you want with me?"
The man didn't turn around, keeping his back to him as he spoke calmly and indifferently. Sending chills down Chalie’s spine.
"Do you like Simon? Do you really want Simon to marry you, Anna?"
Charlie, unafraid of death, said,"Yeah, Mommy will wake up soon, right? Daddy, if you stay with Mommy, we can have a happy family. Anna shouldn’t be alone. If she is with Mr. Dalio, she will be happy."
Giorgio furrowed his eyebrows, slightly surprised, and asked,"Aren't you repulsed by your mommy? Refusing to acknowledge her? When did you think we would have a happy family?"
Charlie said,"After three years of struggle, I realized the truth. As long as Daddy is happy, I will be happy. It doesn't matter who is called Mommy."
Giorgio remained silent, his expression stern. He finally said,"Regardless, if I ever hear you trying to match Anna with Simon or any other man again, you will never see her in your lifetime."
It was both an order and a threat, but Charlie wasn't scared at all. He had Anna's live-stream room number. Even if they were separated by mountains and rivers, he could still see her.
"As long as Anna is happy, it doesn't matter if I see her or not,” he retorted.
Giorgio felt his anger rising, a rush of blood in his chest. He was almost speechless. This is it.
"Daddy, what's wrong? Don't you want Anna to be with Mr. Dalio?" Charlie deliberately asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Giorgio frowned,"So what if I do? It's not for a child like you to meddle in adult matters."
After saying that, he realized that he hadn't denied it, feeling embarrassed, and said coldly,"If you want to meddle, go ahead. I just don't want you, at such a young age, to act like a matchmaker."
Then he turned around without even looking at Charlie and walked away.
"Tch, saying one thing but meaning another." Charlie pouted and muttered.
He couldn't understand why his dad cared about Anna, but didn't do or say anything.
Back in the office, Anna called out,"Charlie, come over quickly, Mr. Dalio is video calling us."
Charlie looked around the empty office desk, and hurried over, exclaiming,"I'm here!"
The video call opened, revealing Simon sitting with Penny at a Starbucks table, a spread of delicious food in front of them. Penny, as soon as she saw Anna and Charlie, danced with excitement, exclaiming,"Mummy, Charlie, I'm here!"
Simon took a tissue and wiped her mouth, saying,"Take it slow, finish eating first, beware of choking."
Anna affectionately looked at her adorable and chubby daughter, remarking,"Simon, you're spoiling her with sweets again. Be careful, she might become round and chubby."
Simon smiled and said,"No, chubby girls are cute. I'll take her to the amusement park later, it's good for digestion. Charlie, it's been a while and you seem to have grown taller."
The man always had a gentle and warm voice, with a smiling face, like the spring sun.
Charlie fixed his gaze on the screen, looking at the big and small figures. Suddenly, he envied Penny. Mr. Dalio was just her stepfather, yet he treated her so well. Charlie had never been to KFC, Starbucks or the amusement park with his own father. Maybe he made a mistake by introducing the wonderful Mr. Dalio to that mischievous Anna.
"Charlie?" Anna gently grasped his small hand. "What's the matter? Would you like some ice cream? Shall Anna take you for some later?"
Charlie snapped back to reality, feeling even more guilty. Anna was so sweet and gentle, deserving someone as perfect as Mr. Dalio. Besides his father was so cold and unengaged. Anna would be heartbroken in the end. He forced a smile and sa
id,"No, I need to use the restroom. You guys continue talking; I'll be right back."
The little guy quickly ran off.
Anna furrowed her brows, sensing that something was off with the little guy's expression.
"Mummy, why did Charlie leave? I wanted to share the food with him," Penny's voice rang out.
Anna looked at the little one, whose mouth and face were smeared in cream. She smiled and said, "Charlie went to the restroom, Penny. You've been doing great recently, deserving a reward. Be good for the next few days, Mummy will be back soon."
Penny nodded softly, her voice filled with pride,"Don't worry, Mummy. I'm not the crybaby anymore. I promise to behave." Even if she felt like crying for Mummy, she would try her best under those circumstances.
Anna's eyes welled up with tears.
She suddenly realized that children are stronger than she had imagined. And perhaps, it's not that children can't live without adults, but rather that adults can't live without children.
She took a deep breath and looked at Simon. "Could you buy a Barbie princess set for Penny?"
"Of course," Simon agreed, looking at her delicate and sweet face. He suddenly called her by her name,"Anna."
His tone was serious and composed.
Anna raised an eyebrow,"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Simon had initially wanted to discuss Mirlinda's pregnancy, but as he looked into her clear and bright eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say it. Opening his mouth would only cause her harm, and it would signify the end of their relationship.
"It's nothing. Let's talk when you come back."
"Okay," Anna didn't dwell on it much. Since Charlie hadn't come out for so long, she was worried.
"In that case, let's leave it here. I'll go check on Charlie and we'll talk later."
The video call ended.
Anna walked up to the bathroom door and gently knocked,"Charlie, are you okay?"
Unexpectedly, there was no response from inside.
Strange, it has been a while. I hope nothing is wrong.
"Charlie, if you don't open the door soon, Anna will come in."
Before the words even finished--
'Click.'
The bathroom door opened from the inside.
Charlie, with his small figure, stood at the doorway, his face expressionless and disinterested.
He said,"Anna, I'm fine. I'm just questioning life."
Questioning life?
A 3-year-old child questioning life!
What on earth?
Though taken aback, Anna wasn't scared or mocking; instead, she squatted down, showing great patience, and gently asked, her voice filled with warmth:
"What's troubling you? Is something making you unhappy?"
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