Chapter 493 Go Get the Birthday Present
Josephine prepared a gift for Gerald, which was a coffee equipment set she had asked a friend to buy. It was quite expensive.
The friend happened to pass by Stuart's company and delivered it to Stuart.
Stuart took out the wrapped gift box and said, "Here, take it. Do you want to check it?"
"No need to check," Josephine said. "It's already wrapped."
"To the bed?"
Josephine asked him, "No, it's time for lunch."
"Then let's have lunch first and then sleep."
After lunch, Josephine felt uneasy and called Gerald. "Gerald, don't forget to go to the restaurant tonight. I've already sent you the location."
"Got it," Gerald said, rubbing his temples. "Why celebrate a birthday? I'm neither old nor young."
"Don't say that. Just think of it as making Mom happy."
"Okay," Gerald said. "I'll try to be there by six."
"Why do you have to try?" Josephine said. "Finish your work quickly this afternoon!"
"The main thing is there's a meeting that starts at four."
"Can't it be moved up a bit?"
"This was scheduled a long time ago. I can't change it just for personal reasons."
"Alright, just try to be on time and don't be too late."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Josephine sighed.
Gerald was really too busy.
He rarely came home for dinner.
People who didn't know might think he earned a lot from the government.
But in reality, his salary wasn't even enough to cover the monthly yard maintenance fee at home.
But Josephine knew he was a good official who genuinely worked for the people's welfare.
So many corrupt officials failed because they couldn't stick to their principles.
Or they were tempted by material things.
But what good things hadn't Gerald seen?
So many officials were dismissed because of women.
However, Gerald wasn't interested in any of the women introduced to him by the family.
Anyway, Josephine felt that Gerald was truly born to be an official.
After the meeting, Gerald was held up by a few subordinates reporting on various matters. By the time they all left, it was already 6:30.
There were some messages on his phone, but Gerald didn't have time to check them. He went straight downstairs, got in the car, and left.
He told the driver the restaurant location, and the driver started the car.
As they left the government building, Gerald saw a somewhat familiar figure by the roadside.
But the car quickly passed by, and the figure disappeared.
Gerald didn't think much of it, assuming it was a colleague.
When he arrived at the restaurant, the whole family was already there, just waiting for the birthday person.
"Today is your birthday, and you still came late," Nicole said with a smile. "Shouldn't you punish yourself with a drink?"
"Then I'll use coffee instead of alcohol," Gerald said. "I'll punish myself and also thank the family for celebrating my birthday."
The birthday celebration was really just an excuse for the family to get together and have some fun.
But everyone still prepared gifts.
Even Jeffery gave a painting he made himself.
Ulysses used his part-time job money to buy Gerald a thermos.
Gerald's old thermos had been used for many years.
Seeing the coffee equipment Josephine gave, he said, "Why buy such an expensive thing?"
Josephine said, "Gerald, you rarely have a hobby."
Gerald said, "I don't even have time to fiddle with these now."
"Then wait until you retire," Josephine said. "I'll drink coffee with you then."
"Okay."
The family had a great time, but no one drank alcohol, and the dinner ended around 8 PM.
Nicole asked Josephine, "Are you going home?"
Josephine said, "No, Grandpa has a bit of a cold these days. I'll go back."
Nicole quickly asked, "Is it serious?"
"Just a bit of a cough," Josephine said. "I wanted to bring Grandpa tonight, but he doesn't like to move around."
Nicole said, "You should pay more attention to the elderly's health, especially at night. Visit more often."
"Got it."
Stuart went to pay the bill, and Nicole was helped by the two kids.
Josephine ran over to Gerald and asked, "Gerald, it's your birthday. Did you receive any special wishes?"
Gerald was puzzled. "What do you mean by special wishes?"
"Like someone wishing you a happy birthday and remembering your birthday."
Gerald said, "Besides our family, who else remembers my birthday?"
"No one?" Josephine was surprised. "That's impossible."
Just a few days ago, Kathy had asked her if Gerald's birthday was coming up.
Josephine thought Kathy would definitely send Gerald a birthday message.
"What's impossible?" Gerald tapped her forehead. "I don't care about those things. No one knows my birthday."
Just then, his phone rang. It was an old leader calling, probably about a recent project.
Gerald walked away while talking on the phone.
After a few minutes, worried about keeping the family waiting, he arranged a time with the caller and hung up.
There were many unread messages on his phone. He casually opened them and saw a message from Kathy.
She had just sent it, saying: [Then happy birthday to you.]
Scrolling up, Gerald frowned.
Kathy had been sending him messages since the morning.
[Happy birthday!]
[It's your birthday today, remember to eat cake!]
[Stay healthy!]
Then in the afternoon:
[I'm outside your office. Can you come out for a bit?]
[I'm waiting outside. What time do you get off work?]
Gerald remembered the figure he saw when leaving work.
Now he realized it was Kathy.
He continued reading.
Kathy had just sent: [Are you still working overtime?]
[I just asked the guard, and he said you left a while ago.]
[I prepared a small gift for you and left it at the reception.]
[Hope you like it.]
[Although I didn't get to see you, I'm still happy because today is your birthday.]
[Then, happy birthday to you.]
"Gerald?" Josephine called him, bringing him back to reality.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Josephine said. "Let's go!"
Gerald put away his phone. "Okay."
Gerald had already sent the driver home, so he drove the family back himself.
When they got home, he parked the car and was about to get out, but then stopped.
Nicole, supported by Ulysses, saw him not moving and asked, "What's wrong? Get out of the car."
"Mom, you all go inside first," Gerald said. "I left a document at the office. I need to go back and get it."
"What document do you need to see tonight?" Nicole waved dismissively. "Go on, drive safely."
Gerald nodded. After they went inside, he sat silently for a moment before starting the car again.
When he arrived at the office gate, he got out. Seeing him, the reception staff quickly came out to greet him.
"I have a friend who said they left something here. Is that right?" He asked.
The staff quickly said, "Yes, yes, I'll get it for you."
The staff soon brought out a black tote bag and handed it to Gerald.
Gerald took it, thanked them, and then returned to his car.
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