It had been a long time since the house had heard such joyful laughter, much less the jovial chatter that presided over dinner that evening.
For the past two years, whenever Jombo came over, Zayn would excuse himself for work.
Randy had likewise remained aloof and distant.
Josh and Venus were the only ones who'd consistently remained on good terms with Jombo.
Over time, Jombo had stopped visiting.
Jombo had only flown all the way back from M Nation this time in order to celebrate Josh and Venus starting elementary school.
He'd spent even more effort this time getting to know the children and hoping to resolve the tension between himself and Randy.
Jombo had all but given it up for lost. He definitely hadn't anticipated that this night would come to pass.
He was thus overjoyed. Jombo believed that his efforts had not been in vain. At the same time, he began to harbor hopes for the future.
It was Jombo's wish that Zayn's marriage would stabilize while Jombo was still alive. The three children would acknowledge Selena, and they'd all embark on their new life.
After dinner, when the three children had gone out to the garden, Jombo turned to Zayn, saying, "Selena's awake. Come with me to visit her at the hospital later."
"I'll go. You've been up and about for the whole day. Rest at home, " Zayn replied.
Zayn had no qualms about going but thought it rather awkward to be accompanied by Jombo.
"That's fine too, " Jombo said, exhaling. He didn't want to seem too overbearing to Zayn so soon after the ice between them had thawed. "I'll accompany the children here. You go and visit Selena."
"OK." Zayn waved to the children and set off.
Along the way, Zayn received another call from Lucas. Zayn grimaced when he saw the number flashing luminous across his phone but gritted his teeth and answered. "What is it now?"
"Zayn, I'm just about to meet Carla. I'm so nervous! What should I say if she asks me about what happened last night?" Lucas' anxious voice came from the other end of the line.
Lucas was like a bashful schoolboy who had never been in love, always running to Zayn for the slightest bit of advice.
"Do I have to teach you this as well?" Zayn was speechless. "Why don't you just make up an excuse?"
"I've thought of one. I'm going to say my friends brought me that and forced a woman onto me. I had no choice…" Lucas rattled off his plan.
"Why are you still asking me then?" Zayn said curtly.
"But she asked me yesterday who had brought me there. Should I tell her the truth?" Lucas asked cautiously.
So this was what Lucas was leading up to.
"Up to you. You can tell her if you want, " Zayn said easily.
"I'll be honest with her then, " Lucas decided. "When she was questioning me yesterday, I didn't think that it would be right to sell a brother out behind his back. I had to ask you first."
"So you're going sell me out in my face?" Zayn retorted.
"Uh… well…" Lucas stammered.
"Fine, take care of it yourself, " Zayn replied.
He hung up the phone. There was no discernible expression on his face to indicate that anything was wrong.
"Mr. Giblo, why didn't you ask Sir Lucas to keep it a secret? If Ms. Lierger finds out that you were the one who brought him there, won't she misunderstand you for a player?" Brandy broke in. His reservations were evident.
"She's already misunderstood me enough. Once more won't make a difference, " Zayn scoffed. "Besides, even if Lucas didn't tell her, don't you think Carla wouldn't have found out on her own?"
"She didn't get anything out of Stifling Night, " Brandy said, pondering.
"I'm the only one that Lucas knows in Aymo City. Other than me, who would dare bring him to a nightclub? Who else would be able to persuade Stifling Night to cover up what happened in the private room?" Zayn said evenly. "Carla's smart. She'd surely have thought of that."
"That's true, " Brandy said, nodding. "But aren't you at all worried about Sir Lucas and Ms. Lierger's date tonight?"
"What's there to be worried about?" Zayn rejoined coolly, raising an eyebrow. "That woman's totally intolerant towards straying of any sort in her relationships. Even if I was the one who brought Lucas there: Lucas wouldn't have touched another woman if he had indeed resolved to be loyal. He succumbed to temptation and was ultimately caught by her. That has nothing to do with me."
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