Carlos' brow furrowed in a display of deep concentration and contemplation. The lines on his forehead formed a subtle pattern, reflecting the intricate workings of his thoughts and the weight of the matters at hand.
It was a gesture that hinted at the complexities hidden beneath his stoic exterior, a silent expression of the challenges and decisions that occupied his mind.
In the room, Angela had packed her belongings, changed Eddie's clothes, and they came downstairs. She saw Carlos had returned and turned her face, ignoring him as if he were air.
Suddenly, Sidney was nowhere to be found.
Angela asked, "Where's Sidney?" She wanted to say a proper goodbye before she left.
Sophia was puzzled, "Sidney was just in the living room."
Angela followed the sound and saw Sidney, dressed in an adorable little suit and a cute sailor cap, struggling with a hefty suitcase down the stairs.
The luggage was nearly as tall as he was, big, heavy, and difficult to carry, making Sidney take short breaks as he descended, his little bottom sticking out as he gingerly found his footing on the marble steps with his small legs.
Despite the apparent mismatch in his self-dressed attire—illustrated by one sock being longer than the other and a slightly askew hat—there was a semblance of neatness about him. His efforts were evident in the carefully combed bangs, suggesting a deliberate attempt to present himself in a relatively put-together manner.
Angela was both amused and baffled by his antics and couldn't figure out what he was up to.
Where did this suitcase come from?
Sophia was taken aback. "Sidney, what are you doing?"
She hurried over, and the servant rushed to help, "Madam Murphy, be careful!"
Carlos asked, "Sidney, what's this about?"
Sidney was behaving as if he was preparing to run away from home with such a large suitcase.
Carlos looked at Angela suspiciously. "What did you tell him?"
Angela was equally confused, "I didn't say anything."
Carlos said, "You insist you didn't lure my son away, yet why else would he follow you willingly?"
Sidney cast a brief glance at Carlos before turning his attention to Angela, inching closer to her side. The air grew tense for a moment. As Angela approached the door, Sidney trailed behind her closely, as if afraid of being left behind, expressing a clear desire to return home with her.
Eddie was a bit angry, “You can’t come home with us.”
Sidney directed a perplexed gaze at Eddie, his expression conveying a sense of bewilderment, as if silently questioning the reasons behind the situation.
Eddie felt this guy had surely latched onto mom.
Angela crouched down and gently steadied Sidney's shoulders, speaking in soothing tones, "Sidney, you can't go with me. Can you be good?"
Sidney pouted, his eyes flickering briefly, as if asking her why she was rejecting him.
Carlos crouched down and tousled the child's hair, "Sidney, are you not listening to me anymore?"
Sidney shifted unwillingly, ignoring Carlos's stern words completely.
"Sidney?" Carlos's voice grew colder.
Sidney, with his back turned, twitched his ear but remained indifferent.
Carlos called out his full name, "Sidney Murphy!"
Startled, Sidney trembled, quickly hiding behind Angela, clearly not wanting to be separated from her for even a day.
Eddie tugged at Angela's sleeve, "Mommy, let's go!"
He pulled on Angela's hand, ready to leave. Sidney panicked, hurried forward, and spread his arms, blocking their path.
Eddie asked with disdain, "What's up?"
Sidney approached and clung to his hand tightly. Eddie's face flushed with a hint of shyness, attempting to wriggle free but Sidney hugged him tighter, his expression begging, as if saying, "We're friends, so please don't leave me behind."
Eddie wasn’t heartless; seeing Sidney's earnest plea, he couldn't push him away. Seeing he might have won Eddie over, Sidney tugged at his hand, rummaged in his pocket for a while, and brought out two beautifully wrapped candies in his open palm.
Eddie stared blankly at Sidney, seeing unabashed hope in his eyes.
For a moment Eddie's heart softened, and he looked at Angela, "Mommy, can we take Sidney with us?"
"No way!" Madam Murphy felt it was absurd, "Where do you plan to take my precious one?"
"It's him who insists on coming with us!" Eddie protested.
"Carlos!" Sophia looked anxiously at Carlos, "If it comes to it, let Angela stay!"
She couldn’t be without Sidney.
Carlos raised an eyebrow, but saw Eddie blurt out, "I don’t want to stay here."
Sophia felt he was being unreasonable. "Has the Murphy family treated you poorly? For so long, the Murphys have hosted you and your mom, catering to all your comforts, what’s there to be dissatisfied with?"
"This isn't my home," Eddie said plainly.
Carlos turned to Angela, "Let's talk in the study."
Angela retorted, "What is there to talk about?"
Carlos had already started walking upstairs.
Upon Angela's entrance into the study, Carlos swiftly turned and asserted, "Regardless of how you've managed to win over Sidney, he is not going to be separated from you. Therefore, you will remain with the Murphys and not go anywhere else."
"Are you planning to detain with force?" Angela challenged.
"Detain?" Carlos said, "I’m asking you to look after Sidney. You can name your terms in exchange."
"You want me to be Sidney’s nanny?"