Chapter 74 Frederick: Isn't Being Nice Just Flirting?
Meanwhile, over in Sunnyvale Community, Frederick was hanging out by Dennis's bed, just chatting.
"You saw Isabella this morning. Not a fan, huh?"
"Nope!"
"But Elijah brought her here. He really went out of his way to find her. You know he cares about you. Can you let her stay a few more days for his sake?"
"No way!"
"If you send her packing, Elijah's gonna be bummed."
Dennis frowned. "Is it Elijah or you who's gonna be upset?"
"What?"
"Did Elijah find her, or did you?"
Frederick went quiet.
Dennis suddenly asked, "Do you like Isabella?"
Frederick's face darkened. "No, I don't!"
"Then why are you being so nice to her?"
"I'm nice to her?"
"This morning, you even saw her off. Alison saved my life, but you never see her off."
After calming Dennis down earlier, Frederick had taken Isabella downstairs to talk about Dennis's issues. Dennis got the wrong idea.
Frederick explained, "We were talking about you."
"What's wrong with me?"
Frederick frowned, not wanting to say Dennis was sick. Dennis never admitted it, and saying it would just tick him off.
Frederick said, "You threw the breakfast she made and scared her. I went to explain."
"Explain what?"
"That you didn't do it on purpose."
"You're lying. I did it on purpose."
Frederick stayed silent.
Dennis frowned. "You said you only like my mom."
"Yes!"
"Then stay away from other women."
"Dennis, you got it wrong. I don't like her. I just don't want you alone at home. We need someone to help. John is busy, so I arranged for her."
Dennis asked, "Did you pick her, or did Elijah?"
"Elijah."
"Call Elijah. I'll tell him I don't like her and don't need her."
Frederick was annoyed. "No need. I'll tell him."
Dennis asked, "How's my mom? Have you talked to her? When can I see her?"
Frederick's lips moved. "Still working on it."
Dennis frowned and ignored him. Frederick sighed and left the room.
Back in the study, Frederick lit a cigarette, feeling frustrated. The first meeting between Isabella and Dennis was a total flop, but he didn't want to give up.
Dennis and Albert's conditions were different but had some similarities. If Isabella could help Albert, maybe she could help Dennis. Maybe more time would help.
But Dennis didn't want to see her again. Frederick even once suspected Isabella was Dennis's biological mother. Ridiculous. If she were, their meeting wouldn't have gone like this.
Frederick looked at Isabella's number, tempted to call her to come over the next morning. But thinking of Dennis's determined eyes, he hesitated and didn't call.
The next day, at the crack of dawn—5:30 AM—Frederick's phone buzzed, jolting him awake.
Frederick frowned, reaching for his phone on the bedside table, thinking it was a work call. But nope, it was Isabella.
His sleepiness vanished. He sat up, leaned against the headboard, and stared at the screen, puzzled.
Was she sleepwalking or did she dial the wrong number?
The phone stopped ringing, then started again immediately. Okay, she wasn't sleepwalking or dialing wrong.
Frederick answered, staying silent. Isabella spoke first, "Come downstairs."
"What?"
"I'm outside your house. Come down. Don't let Dennis find out."
Frederick got out of bed, peeked out the window, and saw Isabella in a thick down jacket, standing in the snow, stomping her feet, and looking up. Her face was red from the cold.
Confused, he hesitated but went out.
Seeing him, Isabella quickly approached. "It's freezing, and you're dressed like that. Aren't you cold?"
Her concern made Frederick uncomfortable. "What do you want?"
Isabella pulled out a thermos box from her coat. "Take this to Dennis."
Frederick was suspicious. "What's in it?"
"Breakfast for Dennis. Don't tell him I made it, or he won't eat it."
Frederick stayed silent.
Isabella explained, "I thought about it after I left yesterday. Dennis might have freaked out because I showed up out of the blue. He has bipolar disorder and is sensitive. Plus, I'm a woman. His attachment to his mom makes him reject other women. He might think you want to find him a stepmother. So I can't meet him again right now. If I show up today, his reaction will be worse. You should give him the food and see if he likes it."
Frederick asked, "Why are you doing this?"
"Trying to make amends."
Frederick's expression changed. Isabella quickly added, "Don't overthink. I'm not seducing you. This is for Dennis. I made the food for him!"
"Yesterday, you were reluctant. Why the change?"
Isabella sighed, "I feel for him."
Frederick replied, "Dennis has nothing to do with you. Why feel sorry for him? Do you feel sorry for every child you see?"
"Not really. Don't ask. I just want to help Dennis, no strings attached. If you don't believe me, that's on you. But Dennis's condition is serious. If you don't find a way to treat it soon, something big will happen!"
Isabella looked up at him, then turned and left.
Frederick watched her thin figure disappear, his expression complex. He looked down at the thermos box in his hand, then went back inside.
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