Chapter 55: Play Together
The Ceo’s Ex-Wife Can’t Escape
Chapter 55: Play Together Airina, lost for words to say, had to stare at her in both shock and amusement. It was never in her motive to actually like or marry, even more to date him, and what’s more, to actually be hooked up by his mother. This cannot be done. She was here to express her gratitude to them, she was here merely to say that her gratification is far more than any words could express.
“… I… Auntie, that… we…”
His mother laughed, clearing her throat shyly. “Why are you so timid this time? Besides, Matthew is a very good man thus I am sure you’ll need time to think this over,” she then hurriedly placed her hand over hers, “But do know that I want no other woman for Matthew. You enough is more than good for him so I want you to think this thoroughly.”
Airina frowned, alternately looking between this Auntie and her grandpa who seemed to know well this plan. She finally understood that this idea was not simply given out as bait but was actually deliberately arranged by the Halton family. But what she was wondering was the fact why her mother hid it from her when she should have done so.
Airina lowered her head and gaze, trying to consider that this was just a starstruck. She doesn’t like Matthew in every way as a man, she likes him as a cousin and as her friend, but not as a man – in any way it was possible.
“Auntie, Matthew, and I…”
“No need, dear,” Grandpa grinned at her with a nod, “Just think of this through. We never meant any harm or pressure coming at you.”
He cut her off thus Airina couldn’t say anything more, seemingly unable to refute or revoke as she felt that her emotions had just been struck by such strong words.
*
After spending the whole morning and afternoon with them, the Halton family didn’t stop her from leaving as they knew that she must be quite occupied with the idea they had just thrown at her – date Matthew.
Airina drove herself but then stopped since she was feeling unsettled at everything occurring. Maybe it was because of Jackson, could be the issue with Daniel, Linda, and Nicole, even her father was also in her mind lately. Not to mention the fact that Evan had also returned and decided to live with his partner in one of the condominiums he liked using his own money by selling his portraits or art.
“… Every time I see you, you have this gloomy expression on your face.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Daniel chuckled, glancing at her way which surprised Airina. She almost hurriedly turned around to face him with a shocked demeanor.
“Y-you’re here?”
“Mhm, I’ve been looking around and found something to entertain me.”
She tilted her head, “You have a job?”
Daniel shook his head, “I’ve so much money, I don’t need a job. But I could call it a small side hustle as they say.”
She laughed, “Oh, a side hustle. What kind of?”
He leaned forward, causing her to unconsciously step back. “Would you… accompany me?”
“Is it far from here?” She straightened her posture, attempting to put a proper distance between them.
Daniel pointed across the road, “No, not really. Across that road is where I do my side hustle,” he offered his hand, “Would you give me the honor?”
She gazed down at his hand, simply giving a smile and not accepting his outstretched hand.
“Sure, I want to know.”
Daniel disappointedly clicked his tongue, regrettably shaking his hand himself as he formed a thin line on his lips. He thought that maybe he needed to approach her little by little – perhaps he seemed to be leaning her way hastily.
As such, he led her to where he spends his time mostly. Airina thought his side hustle was the café he pointed at earlier, but it turned out that on the right side was a descending stair to where they went before Daniel opened the door and allowed her to step inside first.
Unexpectedly, what he was busy with was actually about music.
“… You have bunches of instrumental here. Is that a real piano?” curiously, and surprised at what she had seen, she faced him who agreed with her.
“Yeah, all of this is real. You want to try the piano?”
Airina’s eyes sparkled, “C-can I?”
“Of course. That is why I asked you to come here,” he urged, “Come and have a seat beside me. Let’s play together.”
Suddenly excited, she didn’t complain or disapprove, she readily agreed with him, pressing a familiar key ‘D’, then she shifted it to ‘C’. Daniel tilted his head, asking.
“… I feel like what you’re playing is ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’?”
“… Mhm, I used to play this with my dad. It feels nostalgic.”
Daniel smiled, grabbed her hand, and pressed ‘G’ which he accompanied with another press of the same key.
Understanding his intentions, she asked.
“You want to play it together?”
“Yes.”