"Mommy, we won't go if you don't want us to dine out, but shouldn't you at least inform Mr. Jombo about it?" Randy thoughtfully suggested. "After all, he's still our guest, and we can't ignore him now that he's already here."
"Yup, he's right, " Josh nodded profusely. He was so worried that beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.
"That was not what I meant… "
"Miss Wigston, Mr. Giblo is here."
Before Carla could complete her sentence, a paramedic outside announced Jombo's arrival.
"Randy, why don't you go and receive him?" Carla lowered her voice and instructed her son, "Just tell him that I'm not feeling well and won't be able to entertain guests. Also, don't let Mr. Jombo come in. Ask him to wait outside instead. You kids get changed, then go ahead and have dinner with him."
"Huh?" Randy was confused and asked with a frown, " Mommy, but why? It doesn't seem very nice to keep our guests waiting outside."
"Exactly!" Josh and Venus agreed.
"Truthfully speaking, I met Mr. Jombo before, but there were some misunderstandings between us…" Carla explained tactfully. "That's why I don't want him to know that I'm your Mommy."
"Oh!" Josh and Venus did not fully understand the situation but nodded anyway.
"I understand now, " Randy was the one who truly understood what Carla meant and said, "Don't worry, Mommy. We'll keep it a secret for you."
"Yup, we won't tell, " Josh and Venus echoed after their brother once more.
"That's good to know." Carla could finally heave a sigh of relief. "So, if Mr. Jombo asks who your parents are, try to dodge his question, okay?"
"Yes, Mommy, " the three kids answered in unison.
"Josh and Venus, if you two don't know what to say, just keep quiet and let Randy answer, alright?" Carla reminded the two younger kids.
"Okay, get going now, " Carla said as she let go of Venus.
"Yay! Thanks, Mommy!" Venus immediately sprinted out and called out to Jombo affectionately, "Mr. Jombo, Mr. Jombo!"
"Ah! My good girl is here!" Jombo replied happily, excited to see the children.
Josh was anxious to go outside as well and was about to wheel himself out.
"Slow down, " Randy helped to wheel Josh at once and closed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, Carla remained in the room and did not dare to go out. She stuck her ear to the wall while trying to hear what was going on outside.
"Mr. Jombo, we're so sorry, our Mommy is not feeling well, so she's not able to meet you, " Randy said obediently, as Carla taught him to. "Our house is quite messy too. Do you mind waiting at our neighbor's house for a while? We'll be there right after we get dressed."
"Of course, that's fine, " Jombo answered immediately before continuing, "By the way, kids, do you know what your Mommy is down with? Do we need to get her the doctor?"
"Nah… Mommy just got back from the hospital, " Randy made sure that his explanation was flawless. The boy even said to the pediatrician, "Dr. Howard, please help to entertain Mr. Jombo while we get changed!"
"Sure, that's not a problem at all, " Dr. Howard invited Jombo and his subordinate to his house opposite at once. "Mr. Giblo, this way please."
"Take your time, kids. Mr. Jombo can wait, " Jombo said to the three kids affectionately.
"Yup, Okay. Thanks, Mr. Jombo." The three children nodded politely.
"This is for your Mommy and Mrs. Borah."
As Jombo spoke, Thompson tried to enter the house with gifts for Carla, but Randy intercepted the butler immediately and said, "Just pass it to me, thank you. Thanks again, Mr. Jombo!"
"You're welcome!" Thompson tried to look into the house without saying anything.
"Mr. Jombo, please give us ten minutes."
Randy then hurriedly closed the door after waving to Jombo politely.
The three kids went back to their rooms to get dressed while Carla took out their clothes and passed them to the paramedic before reminding them again, "Randy, remember what I told you, yeah?"
"I know. Don't worry, mommy, " Randy reassured his mom.
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