Chapter 20: Chapter 20

"Are you happy?"

Greyson genuinely smiled. "I always dream that dad will cook for me someday. I thought that would just be a castle in the air forever, but it is happening now, and I couldn't be happier. "

Although I despise his father, I still feel happy for him. I've never seen him this happy.

"I'm happy for you too, then."

"Thank you, Cleo."

"You're welcome." I ruffled his hair.

"I think you're right," he blurted out of the blue.

"Right about what?" I gave him a questioning look.

"I think I shouldn't forgive dad for the mean time. I still enjoy his pampering towards me." There's a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

I chuckled. "We're now in the same boat now, then."

Good luck to his dad, indeed. I just hope that he won't know that I was the one who influenced his son. I'll be doomed if he does.

Starting that day, the changes in Garren's behavior towards his son are really noticeable . He has never left the mansion since then and often cooks for him. He always visits his room as well to check on him.

In fact, two days ago, the kid was just surprised when he saw a life-sized SpongeBob toy in his room. It turned out that Garren had bought it for him.

Although Greyson just lets him do whatever he wants, he maintains the austere treatment he's giving him. But that was just a facade, because every time his father is not around, the smile on his face appears.

"You're excited to go back to school, aren't you?"

It's been a week since he was hospitalized. His wounds are now healed. They left scars on his body, but Garren bought creams to get rid of them.

He nodded fervently. "Yes! I really miss listening to classroom discussions and doing math activities."

He's one of a million students who enjoys going to school and answering math problems. Back when I was studying, I always hated weekday mornings because of school. The day hadn't started yet, and I already wanted it to end.

He put his backpack on and we went out of his room. I was surprised to see Garren waiting for us downstairs.

"Good morning, son."

That's one of the major changes in him. He used to address Greyson by his name, but now he calls him "son." It might be a simple and shallow thing to others, but it's a dream come true for Greyson.

"Morning, dad."

I internally laughed when Greyson used that monotonous tone when he greeted his father back.

He walked towards us. Something stirred in me when his woody scent pervaded my nose, but I brushed that sensation off.

"I'll drive you to school today," he announced.

The two of us were confounded! Greyson didn't speak, as if he was still processing the bombshell his father had dropped. I can't blame him, though. This is probably the first time after many years that Garren will drive him to school.

"You're going to drive us to school, sir?" I asked.

He turned to me, and the enthusiasm on his face disappeared.

"That's exactly what I said, unless you have hearing problems."

I clenched my fist. Why does he need to be so freaking sarcastic? I asked nicely!

I forced a smile.

"Stop fighting with Cleo, dad."

He returned his attention at him. "But-"

"No buts," he cuts him off. "If you don't stop, I won't talk to you ever again."

He heaved out a sigh. "Fine. I won't do that again."

The corner of my mouth tugged upward. I have the upper hand. Greyson is on my side.

"Let's go now. I don't want to be late."

Garren's car was already waiting for us when we stepped outside.

"What are you doing?"

I was about to follow Greyson to the back seat when Garren asked that question.

"Uh, I'll sit beside Greyson, sir."

He rolled his eyes. "I know, dummy."

"Then why did you even ask?" I murmured.

"Are you saying something, Cleo?"

I put on a smile. "Nothing, sir."

He scoffed. "Whatever. Just get inside."

I remained petrified on the spot. What is this man on?! I'm seriously lost as to what he wants me to do.

He puffed out a heavy breath, as if calming himself. "Sit beside me on the back seat."

My eyebrows knitted. "But why?"

He gave me a blank look. "Because I will look like your driver if I sit here alone. That will be humiliating on my part, isn't it?"

I just shook my head and didn't make a fuss about it. I suddenly remember the first time I rode Xavier's car. That was the same thing he said. I unconsciously smiled. I found one similarity between them now.

"What are you smiling at?" Garren asked all of a sudden.

I cleared my throat. "Nothing, sir."

He didn't reply and started the engine of the car. Not so long after, we took the way out of the village.

From the rear-view mirror, I looked at Greyson. There's a faint smile drawn across his face while he's peeking through the open window. He looks genuinely happy.

We reached Ridley Academy in less than thirty minutes. Garren assisted his son by going out of the car to the requisite gate check. He's really serious about amending their relationship.

I smiled while watching them from behind. Greyson lets his father hold his right hand while they're walking. The people around us are giving them curious stares. Garren doesn't seem to mind them.But I do, because hearing them gawk over him is hilarious.

"Hurry up and stop laughing alone, weirdo."

The hair on my neck stood on its end when Garren whispered to me. Before I could even say anything, he left and walked towards Greyson who's talking to some of his classmates.

I didn't even notice that we are already in front of his classroom.

"Why the hell does he need to do that?" I groaned.

I can still feel his breath on my neck, and it's stirring an uneasy feeling in me. Curse him.

I shook my head to drive that weird sensation away and walked towards them. Greyson's classmates are interrogating him, while his father is standing beside him with a stoic face

"I'm Greyson's dad," he introduced himself in a monotonous tone.

My face contorted. Can't he at least show a smile to the kids?

"What's your name, sir?" Sophie asked that, smiling sweetly at him.

He looked at her. "You can just call me Uncle Garren instead of sir."

"You are so handsome like your son, Uncle Garren!" she squealed.

I silently giggled when I saw Greyson blushing with what she said. But what really caught my attention was the faint grin that appeared on Garren's face.

"Really? That's so nice of you, young lady."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from cackling. He sounds so formal even with kids.

"Uncle Garren, you need to scold Drake and his friends! He always picks on Greyson for no reason! They are a bunch of bullies!"

The atmosphere turned heavy when Jaden, one of Greyson's friends, said that. Garren's smile also disappeared.

"Kids, you need to get inside your classroom now. The class will start in a few minutes." I smiled to ease the tension in the air.

Fortunately, they all obliged and didn't ask any further questions. Their teacher arrived after a while.

"Who are those kids who bullied Greyson?"

I got cold feet when Garren asked that question. His calm voice kindled more apprehension on me.

I puffed out a heavy breath. "Those three kids who are sitting on the seventh row on the left side. There's also this kid named Chadwick, who was the reason why we were called to the disciplinary office, but he has already transferred school for reasons I don't know," I answered.

He just hummed in response.

"Sir, you're not planning something bad against them, right?" I asked nervously.

He looked at me with knitted eyebrows. "Do you think I'm that evil to lock horns with these kids?"

I averted my gaze. "No, sir. I'm sorry if my statement offended you."

He was silent for a couple of seconds before he said something that gave shivers down my spine.

"I won't mess with them. But that doesn't mean I'll just let them off the hook after what they did to Greyson."

He left before I could even speak and sat on the bench nearby. Instead of following him, I went to the garden behind the elementary building.

His warning troubled me for the rest of the morning. I kept on thinking about it, asking myself if my decision to disclose who Greyson's bullies was right.

When the bell rang, I and Garren waited for Greyson to come out of their classroom. I waved a hand when I saw him. He ran towards our direction while holding a piece of paper.

"Cleo! Look!"

He gave me the paper and held his chin high.

I arched my brows before looking at it. I was in awe after I saw that he got a perfect score on their math test.

I hugged him. "Congratulations, Greyson!"

"Thank you, Cleo."

Garren suddenly coughed. "Aren't you going to show it to me?" he asked, feigning a sulking tone.

Greyson reluctantly gave him the test paper. He's clutching at the hem of his uniform, while waiting for his reaction. It's a habit that he always does when he's nervous.

A smile appeared on Garren's lips, the most genuine I've ever seen.

"I'm so proud of you, son."

I saw tears glimmering in Greyson's eyes after he said those words. I know he's long been yearning to hear them from him.

"T-Thanks, dad."

He temporarily dropped the cold act and smiled at his father.

Garren tousled his hair. "Since you got a perfect score, I'm going to let you eat anything you want."

Greyson raised his eyebrows. "Even fast food?"

"Even fast food!" He nodded.

He sneered. "Alright. I want KFC chicken and zinger."

He actually did that and ordered KFC for lunch. And I'm telling you, my jaw dropped to the floor when his orders arrived. The amount of food that he bought made it seem like we were celebrating a birthday.

"You seemed to eat a lot of rainbows," I teased Greyson, who can't stop smiling while washing his hands. He just finished eating.

He smiled. "I feel so happy, Cleo. All my wishes are slowly coming to life. Dad finally met my friends. Next time, I'll try to ask him if we can hang out at the mansion. I always want to invite them to the house and play."

"I'm sure your dad will agree."

After I wiped his hands dry, we went to the garden where his father was waiting. We found him calling someone on the phone.

"What do you mean there's a minor problem with the company?"

Greyson stopped on his track, and I guess I know why. His grip on my hand tightened. The nervousness in his eyes is crystal clear.

Garren sighed heavily. Although I can't see his face, I can already imagine the deep creases on his forehead.

"I will try to resolve that problem..."

I looked at Greyson. He smiled at me, but it didn't reach his eyes. My heart sank.

"I knew it," he muttered in an almost inaudible voice.

I was ready to console him when Garren once again spoke.

"But not now, Ajax. I'm quite busy with something more important. I want you to handle that problem until I come back."