One might think a single childish sticky note confession would suffice, but Cedric seemed addicted to his madness. He called her daily while standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, arranging for a florist to deliver roses."I can't take it anymore! Cedric sends you huge bouquets of roses every day. My eyes are tired of all the pink and deep red. How am I supposed to design a set of cool jewelry for religious people?" Jeanna complained."Then you should just stay in the design department," Sophie retorted, deliberately countering Jeanna's playful complaints."Hmph! That's not the point. Besties need to spend as much time together as possible every day."Sophie put down the delicate spray bottle, her eyes sparkling with the vibrant beauty of the roses in the glass vase. She teased, "You're about to get married. You should be spending more time with Sean."Jeanna and Sean's wedding was set for the 9th of next month, leaving less than a month. It was time for her to start preparing a
"Charlie is quite the enigma. I can't figure out what's going on in his head," Jeanna remarked with a pout.Sophie laughed. "I can't either."'But since we've signed him, we have to turn him into a money-making star for Paramount,' Sophie thought.-At the Carlson residence, Jeff ended a phone call, looking exceptionally pleased. "Sending flowers now, huh? It seems the days I've been hoping for are finally coming."He muttered to himself for a while before collecting his thoughts. Moving with purpose, he retrieved a thick notebook from a drawer. His aged, rough fingers gently stroked the cover with a nostalgic and wistful look in his eyes."I haven't used you in years, but now it seems you have a purpose again."He placed a pair of reading glasses on his nose, opened the notebook, and began writing slowly but steadily. After some time, he paused, admiring his still-nimble handwriting. A smile crept back onto his face, though he wondered how much longer he could keep writing.Wh
After school, the driver took Tristan and Cherry directly to the taekwondo gym. Once they changed into their uniforms, they entered the classroom, bowing politely to the teacher. "Hello, teacher.""Hello, start with your warm-up," the teacher instructed.Tristan began his warm-up obediently, but Cherry seemed a bit distracted. It wasn't that she was slacking off; she just knew that warming up wouldn't make much difference for her.When Jeff signed them up, he mentioned that his grandson was in third grade and his granddaughter was in first grade. However, he had forgotten to specify that she was a smart kid who had skipped a grade. Consequently, the gym had placed her in the same class as Tristan.She was supposed to be in the preschool group but ended up in the youth group, needing special care. The teacher never asked her to participate in demonstrations, afraid she might get hurt. During sparring practice, her senior classmates always stopped their punches and kicks at least ten
Cherry rubbed her sore bottom, muttering to herself, 'Hmph! At least you have a bit of conscience!'However, the pain had not subsided before Tristan used the over-the-shoulder throw a second time.Cherry didn't even have time to react before she was slammed to the ground again.This time, not only did her bottom and back hurt, but her shoulder was in pain as well."Tristan!" While scrambling to her feet, Cherry’s usually sweet face twisted with anger and frustration. "Picking on someone smaller and a girl, aren't you ashamed?" she shouted."We're in the same class. If you got thrown, it just means you're too weak," Tristan retorted, his tone full of obvious provocation.Cherry couldn't take it. With all her might, she aimed a kick at his stomach.'Calling me weak? I was the one who saved him from those bullies before!'Before her small foot, like a little white bun, could reach his stomach, it was firmly caught. With a slight tug, Tristan pulled her, making her look like a bal
"That jerk Tristan! How could he be so rough!" Cherry flopped onto her bed, her poor little bottom only comfortable when it was sticking up in the air.She had not even finished cursing when she heard a knock on the door."Cherry, can Mommy come in?"'Is that Mommy?' She quickly pulled the blanket over her bottom and answered in a low voice, "Yes."Sophie opened the door and saw her curled up under the blanket, a soft smile appearing on her face. "Did today's class wear you out? Is your bottom sore?""How did you know my bottom hurts?" Cherry was surprised. 'Was it that obvious?'"Silly girl, I'm your mommy."Cherry had always had a quirk since she was little. Whenever her bottom hurt, she would lie on the bed with her bottom sticking up, saying it hurt less that way."My bottom hurts so much, and Mommy is still making fun of me." Cherry pouted unhappily. There was no sign of a little brother or sister yet, and Sophie was not as affectionate as before. It seemed her previous ac
Jeff was getting a bit restless in the living room. When he saw Sophie descending the stairs, he anxiously asked, "Is little Cherry okay?""She's fine, just tired from class. She'll be okay after some rest. Let's eat." Sophie smiled gently, choosing not to mention the incident between Tristan and Cherry."That's good. Mrs. Carrie, save some of her favorite dishes for later. When our little glutton gets hungry, heat them up for her.""Don't worry, sir," Mrs. Carrie replied with a knowing smile, well aware of Cherry's eating habits.Tristan could not help but glance upstairs toward Cherry's room, his delicate brows furrowing slightly. 'She must be really angry.'Sophie noticed his brief look of resignation before he lowered his head again, confirming her suspicions. Setting down her utensils, she said, "Tomorrow is Saturday. I was thinking of taking Cherry and Tristan to the amusement park.""That's a good idea. You and Cedric can take the kids. Children shouldn't be constantly eng
Cedric purchased all-inclusive passes, and they followed the crowd into the amusement park. As soon as Cherry saw the carousel at the entrance and the Ferris wheel turning slowly in the distance, her pent-up frustration from the previous night melted away. She grabbed Sophie's arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Mommy, I want to ride the carousel and the Ferris wheel!"Seeing her daughter's enthusiastic demeanor, Sophie felt a twinge of guilt.Cherry might be more mature and understanding than other kids her age, but she was still a child who deserved a joyful, carefree childhood."Okay, okay," Sophie agreed with a smile, then turned to Tristan, who had been unusually quiet all morning. "Tristan, would you like to join us?""I—""Carousels and Ferris wheels are for girls," Cherry interjected before Tristan could answer, her face pouty. She did not want to ride with him."Ms. Luxford, I won't ride those," Tristan said quietly, bowing his head slightly. He knew Cherry was s
"Let's ride the carousel," Sophie suggested.Cherry, who had been eager to ride the Ferris wheel and carousel just moments ago, now looked hesitant, her voice wavering slightly. "Mommy, how about we try something else first?"She imagined the carousel suddenly stopping while it was spinning. 'Wouldn't I crash into the horse's rear in front of me?'Seeing right through her hesitation, Sophie could not help but smile. "What do you want to do instead?"Cherry glanced around. The roller coaster, drop tower, and pirate ship all looked terrifying, especially with the constant screams coming from every direction. She shuddered and pointed to a claw machine in a quiet corner. "Let's play that.""Are you sure?" Sophie asked."Yes, that's what I want to do," Cherry replied earnestly, tugging at Sophie's arm.Trying not to laugh, Sophie let herself be pulled toward the claw machine, with Cedric and Tristan following close behind."Mommy, see that pink stuffed animal inside? I want that on