Thompson had been recuperating at Garden Villa ever since Jombo's passing and would seldom leave the place unless Zayn summoned him.
When Zayn underwent treatment for those two months, he occasionally took charge.
Although he had no idea what happened to Zayn, he figured the latter had run into some problems.
Since Zayn's return, he had been waiting for the young man to contact him.
After receiving Benard's phone call the night before, Thompson could not sleep a wink, for he could tell that something big was about to happen. That was why he rushed over first thing the next morning.
Coincidentally, he bumped into the three children who had just come back from Northridge and chatted with them for a while. The sight of them zooming upstairs to look for their father made him smile.
Mr. Jombo used to love the kids most when he was still around. It was like he saw a glimpse of hope in his life along with the Giblo family's future whenever he met them.
Soon after, he quickly comforted himself. No, stop thinking such thoughts. Mr. Zayn's just fine, and so are the Giblos. Everything's perfectly fine.
"Mr. Thompson, " greeted Zayn as he walked downstairs in a set of comfortable loungewear.
"Mr. Zayn, " Thompson responded, rising to his feet. However, when he noticed how thin the man had become, he furrowed his brows. "It's only been about two months since we last met; what happened to you?"
"My diet plan was a success, " Zayn joked.
Thompson could not bring himself to laugh, raising the corner of his lips ever so slightly. "I just met the children. They've grown up so much. Such adorable little ones."
"Indeed. They grow up so fast."
As soon as Zayn took his seat, Vela summoned the housemaids to serve breakfast.
Thompson stared at him intently. "I met Jamal a few days ago. He told me you'd been back at work for the past two weeks. How are you? Are you feeling well?"
"I should be asking you that instead." Zayn smiled faintly. "You're not young anymore, so you should take extra care of your health."
"I'm doing pretty swell since I've been recuperating for a long time. My leg's gotten much better now." Thompson chuckled. "You, on the other hand, have lost quite a lot of weight."
Zayn did not respond and drank his coffee in silence.
Just then, Vela and the maids returned with breakfast. "Let's eat, Mr. Thompson. We'll have a talk in the study later, " he proposed.
"All right." Thompson's expression turned grim, and he had lost all his appetite.
The two shared a simple breakfast before heading to the study. By then, Vela had already prepared them some tea and fruits. At the sight of their arrival, she excused herself and left.
Benard wheeled Thompson into the room and stood next to him.
A stack of papers was placed on the coffee table. Passing them to Thompson, Zayn said, "Have a look at these."
"What are these?" Thompson took the documents. Then, his eyes widened in shock as he glanced at them. "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Zayn?"
"I've spoken to your doctor. You're in great health, and you'll live to see another decade as long as nothing major happens to you."
Zayn took a sip of his coffee before continuing, "That's why I've gotten Mr. Williams to draw up a will for me. In the event that something happens to me, you will have the guardianship of my three children. I want you to look after them well."
"Mr. Zayn…" Thompson panicked, his hands beginning to tremble. "What on earth is happening? Don't scare me like this."
"Nothing, " Zayn answered with a faint smile, feigning nonchalance. "This is just a backup plan."
"A backup plan? What for?" Thompson demanded agitatedly. "You're still so young, and Giblo Group's fate rests on your shoulders! You can't go yet…"
While speaking, the older man's breathing grew erratic, and Benard quickly served him his medication.
"What the hell is going on here?" Not daring to lose his temper at Zayn, Thompson proceeded to slap Benard on the back of his head. "You'd better explain everything to me loud and clear."
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