Novel Square
Chapter 162
Chapter 162
Louis Frost from the Frost family was treating them today, and he specifically asked Daniel and Patricia to come over for a bite. He wanted Brandon to join too, but Brandon turned him down, saying he was slammed with work.
Patricia had just settled into her seat at the restaurant where Louis was picking up the tab when she got hit with a layoff email from HR. And it wasn’t the usual pink slip – they straight-up gave her the boot.
When Patricia saw the email, she spaced out for a good while. Losing a job was small potatoes compared to the embarrassment of getting axed like that.
Patricia didn’t know if the email was blasted company-wide or if it was just a personal slap in the face.
The thought of the whole company knowing made her scalp tingle with dread.
Louis, seeing something was off, asked with concern, “What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Daniel, already seated, looked up too, wondering what was going on.
Patricia squashed the butterflies in her stomach, forced a smile, and said, “It’s nothing.”
Then she casually stashed her phone away as if it was all cool.
Louis, relieved to see her looking normal again, chuckled, “As long as you’re good.”
Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but crane his neck toward the door, “What’s up with Brandon lately? Every time I call, he’s busy. Can’t seem to spare a day.”
Daniel laughed, “Just the usual company grind. You know him. The kid’s all work and no play. It’s not just you. Even trying to get him home for dinner is like pulling teeth.”
“Yolanda’s just the same,” Louis said, looking at Martin’s dad, Gary, “Isn’t she coming over?”
Gary nodded, “Yeah, busy with work, so she’s not coming.”
Louis couldn’t help but shake his head, then his gaze drifted to Marian, who was happily engrossed in her phone, “That’s why girls are better. They actually spend time with their old folks.”
Marian, sensing she was the center of attention again, looked up, bewildered, “What? Why’s everyone staring at me?”
“Just singing your praises,” Louis laughed, not minding her lack of manners one bit.
He doted on his granddaughter who was willing to come home.
Marian offered a lukewarm smile and dove back into her phone, oblivious to the others still watching her.
Daniel glanced at Marian.
It had been a while since Marian returned, but Daniel hadn’t had a chance to meet her. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Two years back, when they all visited Wye City with the Frost family, Marian was resistant and there was no chance to chat.
She was willing to return this time, but whenever Daniel dropped by to visit the Frost family, either she wasn’t home or she wasn’t in the mood to meet anyone, so he never got the chance.
Now that he finally saw her in person, Daniel felt a mix of gratitude and relief, like the universe was finally paying off for his patience.
He always had a soft spot and gratitude for the little girl who kept Brandon company in his childhood.
Back then, after the death of his mother, Brandon turned into a loner, shunning everyone, even his beloved grandpa couldn’t coax him out of it – only Yolanda managed to.
She’d stick to him like glue, never complaining, barely talking, just quietly keeping him company.
She’d sit with him on the rooftop, staring at the night sky when he needed to zone out, or she’d skip meals with him when he refused to eat; when he’d cry secretly, she’d be right there, tearing up alongside him. And when he finally felt like eating, she’d quietly bring him food, her eyes sparkling with joy and surprise as she watched him eat.
The adults were all too busy to tend to Brandon’s emotional needs.
Daniel was grateful to Yolanda for being there quietly beside Brandon during that tough year-plus when he was mourning his mother.
It’s a shame such a sweet girl didn’t get the kindness she deserved from fate, getting separated from her family so young.
Who knows if she was treated well all these years.
Looking at the indifferent face of Marian, Daniel felt a pang of sorrow and couldn’t help but crack a smile, asking her.
“Yolanda, do you still remember me?”