Chapter 35 TRIP CANCELLED

Chapter 35 TRIP CANCELLED
ZARA'S POV:
Ken stood there in his small pajamas, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and his messy hair stuck out in every direction. 

“I heard shouting,” he mumbled so my anger disappeared instantly. 

I walked toward him and knelt, forcing a smile on my face. “It’s nothing, sweetheart,” I said gently. “Mom and Dad were just talking.” 

Ken looked past me and then his eyes landed on Lucas. “Dad,” he said softly.

Lucas didn’t move for a second and then our son suddenly ran toward him. Lucas caught Ken easily in his arms, and just like that, my son’s small arms wrapped tightly around his father’s neck. 

“I thought you left again,” Ken whispered. “You know what, Dad? Uncle Nick treat us to pancakes yesterday!” 

Lucas clenched his jaw. “Did he?”

“Yes!”

“Would you like to have pancakes again for breakfast?” he asked Ken. 

“Of course!”

“We want pancakes, Mommy,” Lucas said as if he was really trying to annoy me. 

“Mommy, please!” 

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes at Lucas. What’s wrong with him though? 

Lucas’s arms stiffened slightly.

“Did he?” he asked.

His voice sounded calm, but I saw the way his jaw tightened.

“Yes!” Ken beamed. “They were so good! With strawberries and syrup and everything!”

I sighed inwardly and rolled my eyes.

What is wrong with this man today?

First the dramatic argument, then this sudden domestic act like he hadn’t been disappearing for days. I wanted to say no but Ken was already bouncing with excitement. 

“Fine,” I muttered. “Pancakes it is.”

A few minutes later, the kitchen smelled like butter and syrup. He really never got tired of pancakes and fried chicken. 

When the pancakes were ready, I stacked them high on three plates and placed them on the table. Ken clapped his hands. 

“Yayy! Thanks, Mom,” he said. 

I poured syrup over his pancakes and cut them into small pieces. Then I pushed Lucas’ plate toward him without even looking at his face.

“Here,” I told him but he didn’t say anything. He just kept staring at me. 

What the fuck was wrong with him? Earlier, he wanted me to set him free as soon as possible. Anyway, I just ignored him.  

“You pancakes are always better, Zara,” Lucas said later on. 

But I didn’t respond to his statement. I sat down and watched them for a moment. Then I cleared my throat.

“Oh, Ken,” I said casually.

Both of them looked up.

“Your dad actually won’t be staying long,” I added while cutting another piece of pancake. “He has a business trip.”

Lucas’ fork stopped midair. Then, slowly, he turned his head toward me. His eyes narrowed for a moment before he opened his mouth to speak but Ken beat him to it. 

Ken blinked. “A trip?”

“Yes,” I said lightly. “Very important work.”

Lucas’ glare burned into the side of my face but I kept my expression perfectly. However, if looks could kill, I would already be bleeding on the floor. 

“Zara, what are you doing?” he hissed. 

“Eating my breakfast,” I replied. “Focus on your food, Lucas. You will be late for your flight,” I added and he tightened his lip. 

“Let’s talk later,” he declared. 

“No.”

He grunted but that’s all he could do because after breakfast, I literally showed him the door. Ken even waved goodbye to his father. 

Lucas groaned. “This is unbelievable!”

I just winked at him before closing the door. 

As soon as he was gone, Ken and I went upstairs. He went straight to his playroom and I didn’t stop him. 

I was supposed to take a quick shower when I happened to stumble into the mirror. I froze while staring at my reflection because I couldn’t believe what I saw. The woman who was staring at me was a little bit older and haggard.  

Without hesitation, I called Antoinette for a recommendation of a salon that could help me transform to what I was before. She immediately recommended her favorite salon and spa in the city. 

She even suggested that I could leave Ken at their house for a day so that I would have enough time for the makeover but I didn’t like the idea of leaving my son there. Besides, Ken knew how to behave, so I could basically take him everywhere.  

Before heading to the bathroom, I went to inform Ken to get ready because we were going out. When he nodded, I couldn’t help but be proud of him. He was only six years old and yet he was too mature for his age. 

After a quick shower, I immediately put on a black skirt and blouse coordinates, then I paired it with simple shoes. I was about to leave the room when my phone rang. Thinking it was Antoinette, I answered the call right away. 

“Come down here, I bought some snacks.”