A happy family
Chapter 24 A happy family
LAKE MALL, LOS ANGELES.
Darby chuckled at Zac and Sinclair looking like they are having the best time of their lives running after each other. She was surprised when Zac called to tell her that he was in LA. Being a Sunday, it didn’t seem like a bad idea for a nice outing. He had only come around for the fashion week of a luxurious brand which he had been invited to. In order to catch up with her and Sinclair, he had arrived a day earlier than his schedule.
As she watched her son play heartily with him, Darby wished she had the courage to take a deeper glance at Zac and probably feel something for him. But she couldn’t bring herself to pull him along with no real intentions, unless a situation like that of Leo disturbing her as regards Sinclair come up. And from the look of things, Zac doesn’t seem to have a problem with the new found title.
“Should we visit the pizza parlor?” Zac asked Darby as he lifted Sinclair off the ground.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
She smiled widely. “Whatever you both decide. It’s obvious I am the third wheel here.”
Nodding his head, Zac turned to Sinclair. “You want some pizza?”
“Yay! I want some.” Sinclair replied in delight.
Darby felt pity for herself and Isabella as regards the task they would be subjected to by the end of the day. Sinclair has a sweet tooth but his stomach refuses to harbor his mouth interests which causes a whole lot of eruption later on. If she has a choice, Darby would have found a way to put him on a solid nutritious diet. But he is only just a child and deserves to enjoy every sugary edible put in his way. As a doting mother, all she has to do is put up with the repercussion and take adequate care of her son.
The main space of the pizza parlor was filled up and only the tables arranged outside was free. Darby liked the open space better, she can get to distract herself by staring around the mall. Since their order has been placed, Zac and Sinclair would be lost in their own world and might not pay her any attention. As her mind roamed, she reminded herself to text Chloe about her dress fitting during the week, probably Friday. She would have asked Jenna to do it on her behalf, but Chloe has joined the VIP list just like her godmother, Desire. They all need to know they are quite important. Seems biased, but it’s how the world works.
“You seem deep in thought.” Zac’s voice halted her train of thought.
Darby jolted, she didn’t even realize her mind was far away. Looking towards Sinclair he already got busy with his tablet while eating his pizza with so much happiness.
She huffed. “Oh please just ignore me. You do know how I zone out most times.”
Zac exhaled as he held her gaze. “You can talk to me about anything, Darby. And I am sure you know that. If there is something bothering you, it would be really nice if you tell me about it. I’m your closest friend after all.” He said the last sentence with a bit of restraint. The word friend feels alien, especially since he wants beyond that.
Darby flipped her loose curls to the back. “I am just preoccupied with so many things, don’t mind me.”
“All right then, let’s not get moody today. I just want to have a really good time with you and Sinclair. It’s a shame Isabella couldn’t join us.” He said.
“She had a date. And I feel so excited to know how it went.” She squealed.
Zac made a face. “You both act so girlish it burns the eyes.”
Darby laughed heartily, taking a sip of her drink. “So have you decided to take on that project with Essence brand?”
He shrugged. “If I must be sincere, jetting out here and leaving my home in San Francisco would be a bit of a stretch. But on a second thought, it’s quite rare for major brand to seek the assistant of a stylist without looking to buy me out. Instead they accorded me my deserved respect and pleaded for me to work with them. Who am I not to agree?” Zac stretched out his hand with a wide grin on his face.
Her eyes rounded eagerly. “Does that mean you would stay in LA with us for the next six months?”
“Not exactly with you, I would get my own apartment. So yes.”
“Did you hear that Sinclair? You will be seeing more of Zac.” Darby shook her son by the arm causing the little one to laugh loudly.
“I will love to see you everyday.” Sinclair said to Zac with so much innocence.
Zac’s eyes almost watered, the boy’s innocence makes him want to do whatever he can to make him and his mother happy. Ruffling Sinclair’s hair, he kissed his forehead. “I will also love to my boy.”
“This feels really good. Fate brought us together again.” Darby noted.
Saying a silent prayer within him, Zac hoped fervently that the said fate will actually bring him closer to the woman he desires. “I’m quite excited about it too.”
“When would you be returning to stay?” She asked.
“After this week, I will return to San Francisco to take care of some things and after that I would return here.” He replied.
“I can’t wait.” Darby giggled like a teenager. “Oh my, the pizza seem to be getting soggy. Let’s eat please.” She urged, smiling at Sinclair’s facial expression at the word soggy.
Leo watched from afar biting hard on his lips, he has never felt his heart so torn apart before. It’s all his mother’s fault that he has to see Darby and her happy looking family. Kissing his teeth, he turned around abruptly almost bumping into his mother and Chloe with their filled shopping bags in hand.
“Why did you turn back?” Grace inquired.
“I think you both have had enough. Chloe has a full closet of clothes she hasn’t even worn before. Why are you spending unnecessarily?” He whined, blocking off the view. Leo knows Chloe would rush towards them if she took notice.
Grace scoffed. “Stop trying to bully the poor girl. It’s not your money in the first place, you are only an assistant on this shopping.”
Ignoring his mother, Leo turned to his fiancée with a knowing glare. “Really? You want to do this?”
Chloe smiled shyly, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “It’s a grand gesture from your mom, I can’t turn it down.”
His mother raised her shoulder squarely making a face at him. “Tell him honey, he never seems to understand a thing.”
Biting on his tongue, Leo looked between both women. Finally coming to a decision in his head, he smacked his lips and held up a smirk. “Luckily for you both, there are willing taxis around to pick you up. Or better still you call your drivers. I would be on my way now.” He said, dropping the bags on the floor after looking behind him one more time and the happy family seem to have left.
“You can’t do this, Leo!” Grace stomped her feet.
With a wide grin, he tilted his head at her. “Watch me, mama.” Leo mumbled. He moved to place a kiss on Chloe’s lips hurriedly before walking away. A scoff escaped his lips as he could hear his mother’s dramatic scream as he exited the mall. Getting into the car, he dialed Aaron.
‘I am at the house.’ His friend said into the receiver not waiting for him to say anything.
Leo exhaled. ‘You are the best.’ He muttered.
Ending the call, he kick started the car and like a man on a mission he drove exactly like a member of fast and furious cast.