Chapter 20
"Maybe I need some time to take it easy. Besides, I'm pretty much done with my current work anyway. I want to travel and see different places."
Lily took another big gulp of her drink.
I nodded gently. "Getting out and seeing the world sounds good."
"Sue." Lily suddenly called my name very seriously.
She hugged me tight. "I might have still had some feelings for him before, but now they're completely gone. From now on, I'm going to live for myself!"
I hugged her back firmly. "I believe in you."
Lily got drunk pretty quickly, and I helped her to the bedroom to rest.
After closing the door, I did a quick wash-up and got into bed.
Before falling asleep, Jason's image kept popping into my mind uncontrollably.
I let out a soft sigh, which sounded especially obvious in the quiet night.
Lily had let go, but I still couldn't.
Hugging my little dolphin, I slowly closed my eyes.
Early the next morning, I got up and did some simple exercise, then prepared breakfast for the three of us.
Lily wasn't awake yet, so I left her a note and took Jessica out.
I spent the whole day out with Jessica.
We didn't come back until the evening.
On Monday, I went to work at the company as usual.
As soon as Brian got to the office, he tapped on my desk and said, "Come to my office for a minute."
I got up and followed him.
After closing the office door, Brian got straight to the point. "Get ready, you're coming with me on a business trip tomorrow."
I was speechless.
From the very beginning, I'd told Brian that I could do anything except business trips.
There was no one to take care of my child at home. Brian was well aware of my situation.
Back when we were abroad, Brian didn't need to travel for business. He'd just assign subordinates to handle tasks.
But now that we were back at headquarters, with Terry watching his every move, things were different.
"Mr. Ethan, could you send someone else on the trip? Jessica will be home alone, and I'm worried."
Brian looked at me deeply and said, "Ms. Wilson, you're the only one who knows my business. I don't feel comfortable taking anyone else."
I was slightly stunned.
Seeing my silence, Brian continued, "Jessica can stay at my place. I have a nanny who can take care of the children."
With him putting it that way, I hesitated for a moment but could only agree.
Company arrangements weren't something regular employees could refuse, unless I didn't want this job anymore.
Brian patted my shoulder and said, "Take the day off today. Go home and pack, and talk to Jessica about it."
"Okay." When I got home, I was heavy with worry.
Jessica was surprised I came back early, but still happily came up to me. "Mom! Welcome home!"
I forced a smile, ruffled Jessica's hair, and told her about the business trip and Brian's suggestion.
"Jessica, would you be willing to stay at the Ethan Mansion for a few days?" I asked.
Jessica nodded, showing no reluctance at all. "Sure, Mom, don't worry about me. I'll take good care of myself."
I smiled and said, "Then you can think about what things you want to bring."
In the afternoon, I took Jessica shopping and bought quite a few things. That evening, while I was taking a shower in the bathroom, I heard Jessica calling from outside the door, "Mom, your phone is ringing."
"Can you answer it for me?"
"Okay."
Who would be calling me this late?
Did Brian have new work arrangements?
Thinking about this, I sped up my shower.
When I came out of the bathroom, I happened to see Jessica hanging up the phone.
"Who was it?" I asked.
Jessica smiled and handed my phone back to me. "Just a spam call. I already deleted it."
I didn't doubt her. I took the phone and confirmed tomorrow's schedule with Brian, then started packing my luggage.
Jessica also dragged over her little suitcase and copied what I was doing.
Jessica is very smart and independent.
Watching her carefully fold her clothes and put them in her suitcase, quietly muttering to herself about what else she needed to pack, I couldn't help but smile.
After we were pretty much done packing, I took Jessica back to her room and told her a bedtime story to help her fall asleep.
After Jessica fell asleep, I carefully checked the luggage she had packed herself.
I wasn't completely at ease, so I added a few more clothes and some small toys Jessica usually used.
I hoped the business trip would end soon so I could come back quickly.
Every day Jessica wasn't by my side, my heart wouldn't be at peace.
After closing the suitcase, I still felt somewhat worried.
Since Jessica was born until now, she has never been away from me.
Although Brian said there would be a nanny to take care of her, I still wasn't completely comfortable.
But there was no better option right now.
I also lay down to sleep.
Early the next morning, I made breakfast and woke Jessica up.
For some reason, I felt like Jessica seemed a bit excited today.
"Jessica, are you happy about staying at the Ethan Mansion for a few days?" I asked, feeling a bit puzzled.
Jessica tilted her head, biting her spoon. "Not really."
I didn't think much of it, just assuming it was a child's excitement about going to a new environment.
Before eight o'clock, I took Jessica out.
Jessica was still being vain with her star-shaped sunglasses. I found it a bit funny. "There's no sun right now. Don't you think it's too dark with sunglasses on?"
Jessica said proudly, "This is part of my outfit today. I put a lot of thought into it!"
"Our Jessica has her own sense of style now. That's amazing." I pinched her chubby little cheeks, holding her hand with one hand and dragging the luggage with the other as we walked toward the neighborhood entrance.
The flight was also in the morning, so I needed to take a cab to drop Jessica off at Brian's place now.
Just as we reached the neighborhood entrance, I froze in my tracks, looking in disbelief at Jason leaning against his Alfa Romeo in the distance.
Jason was wearing a trench coat, arms crossed as he leaned against the car door, making his legs look even longer and more slender.
Jason, what was he doing here?
Before I could pull Jessica away to hide, Jason's gaze had already found us.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and strode over.
"Mr. Cooper, what a coincidence." I forced myself to speak.
"Not a coincidence. I came here specifically to see you." Jason was straightforward.
He narrowed his eyes, looking at me dangerously. "You didn't expect to be found out, did you? Didn't you say you lived in the neighborhood next door?"
"This..." I hadn't expected Jason to actually investigate me.
And we clearly had nothing to do with each other anymore, so why was he still watching me? Could he be looking for a chance to get revenge?
He knew I had lied to him, so now he must think I'm a woman who loves to lie.
While I was thinking, I didn't notice the eye contact between Jessica and Jason.
Jessica even secretly gave Jason a peace sign.
"Where are you taking the kid?" Jason didn't give me time to make excuses, his gaze falling on our suitcases.
I explained, "The company arranged a business trip for me, so I need to drop Jessica off at someone else's place for a few days."
Considering Jason's unpredictable temper, I didn't mention it was Brian's place.
But Jason glanced down at Jessica and said coldly, "Someone else's place? You mean Brian's? You two are that close - you can even leave your kid at his house?"