Chapter 53 Becca or Wolf Granny
The master bedroom on the first floor had been tidied up and turned into Alex's room.
The bookshelf against the wall was packed full of books that Alex loved to read.
On the table on the other side sat the latest unopened LEGO sets.
At a glance, the space by the floor-to-ceiling window was divided in two—half for reading and drawing, half for LEGO and puzzles.
Alex looked up and gave Frederick a nod, showing his satisfaction.
"I'll change and come down to play with you."
After ruffling his hair, Frederick headed upstairs to change.
"Um, Alexander..."
Seeing from the corner of her eye that Frederick had left, Rebecca walked over to Alex, crouched down to his level and said, "I know that in your mind, I'm the bad woman who stole your dad away, and you definitely don't like me."
His small face was filled with big confusion. Alex blinked but said nothing.
Rebecca continued, "How about we make a deal?"
"Neither of us knows what happened between the adults, but adult stuff—let's leave that for the adults to worry about. Us kids, we just need to focus on having fun."
Us kids?
Alex pressed his lips together.
Rebecca smiled brightly, her tone coaxing, "I'll take you to eat, drink, and have fun. And you, don't be hostile toward me, just cooperate a little, so I can keep my boss happy. When he's happy, life gets easier for both of us, and we can have even more fun eating, drinking, and playing. What do you think?"
With that, Rebecca raised her hand toward Alex with a grin, "So, deal?"
A pretty girl.
Last time, she'd introduced herself as Becca with lively charm.
This time, her face wore the kind smile only a wolf in grandma's clothing would have.
His instinct told him there was a trap ahead.
But Alex only hesitated for a moment before reaching out to high-five Rebecca.
Rebecca was satisfied and reached over to ruffle his hair, "That's more like it!"
Alex's hair had been styled nicely, but after her ruffling, it was a complete mess.
Alex's eyebrows had just started to furrow.
But Rebecca had already moved in.
With both hands gripping his little face, she gave it a good squeeze, then used her finger to pull the corners of his mouth upward. Rebecca broke into a bright smile, "Kids should smile and be happy. Walking around all day with that gloomy face, just like your dad—it's no fun at all!"
"Go take a bath now."
With that, Rebecca turned and headed out.
Behind her, Alex blinked.
Even just her back view radiated the relaxed satisfaction of someone who'd successfully handled a kid.
She seemed able to understand what he was saying.
Even though she guessed wrong every time.
She wouldn't be all careful and cautious like everyone else.
But when others were careful and cautious, it was because of the Windsor family, because of Elizabeth, or because of the famous Frederick.
Her caution, though, was simply because she didn't know him well, didn't know how to treat him.
But only she didn't have that pity and sympathy in her eyes that everyone else had.
It was as if he were just a normal kid, no different from any other kid she'd met outside.
She even dared to bully him.
Touching the face that Rebecca had squeezed, Alex stood silent for a long moment, then turned and went into the bathroom.
Rebecca was in a great mood.
Although on the way back she'd felt she'd been impulsive, Alex's cooperation gave her tremendous courage.
Sleep in tomorrow morning.
Play with him during the day.
That way, except for those brief moments before bed when she'd have to face Frederick alone.
The rest of the time would be practically stress-free.
Perfect!
In high spirits, cheerful notes nearly escaped her lips.
The moment she pushed open the door, she ran right into Frederick coming out of the bathroom.
Their eyes met, then her gaze dropped.
Her mind went completely blank as Rebecca froze mid-step, standing there in the doorway.