Chapter 38: Who Does Ava Like?
Gilbert was driving, with Ava sitting in the car, watching the scenery constantly receding outside the window. Despite her dry eyes, tears still didn't fall in the end.
Finn and Cleo were sharp kids - if they noticed something was wrong, they'd start worrying again.
After a while, Ava calmed down. Though her mood was still gloomy, her delicate face had returned to its usual calm, except for her small nose which was still slightly red.
"Gilbert, I'm sorry for troubling you today."
"Ava!" Gilbert turned his head to look at her. "He's Finn and Cleo's father, isn't he?"
Ava lowered her eyes and responded glumly, "Yes, but he's not a qualified father."
Gilbert's eyes deepened. Driving with one hand, he picked up a cartoon eye mask from the car and handed it to Ava.
Ava looked puzzled.
"Close your eyes, clear your mind, rest for a few minutes. You don't want Finn and Cleo to notice anything's wrong, do you?" Gilbert's voice was as gentle as always, with a tender lilt at the end.
Ava reached out and gently took the eye mask, looking up at Gilbert with a faint smile. "Thank you."
The car stopped steadily at the school entrance.
Finn and Cleo were being held by a teacher, one on each side. Most of the other children had already been picked up by their parents, and the two kids were clearly getting anxious from waiting.
Ava quickly jogged over. When Finn and Cleo saw Ava, their unhappy little faces immediately brightened up, sweetly calling out, "Mommy."
Seeing this, Ava felt a sharp pain in her heart and quickly pulled both children into her arms.
"Mommy, why did you come so late? All the other kids are gone. Cleo almost thought Mommy didn't want Finn and me anymore." Cleo's little expression was extremely aggrieved.
"How could I not want my two treasures?" Ava apologized softly. "But I'm sorry, babies. I came late. I apologize."
"Mommy, how did you hurt your hand?" Cleo carefully noticed the slight redness on Ava's elbow.
"Mommy, why do you keep getting hurt lately? First a dog bit your mouth, now you're hurt again. Can you be more careful?" Finn held Ava's hand, blowing on her wound while scolding her with concern like a little adult.
"Mommy must be in so much pain." Seeing Ava's injury, Cleo couldn't help but shed tears of distress.
"...I'm fine, Cleo, don't cry, don't cry. I'm really okay. I just scraped it accidentally. Some ointment will fix it. Can you help me apply medicine when we get home?" Ava busied herself comforting the two children.
"Okay." Both children answered in unison.
"Bitten on the mouth by a mean dog? Ava, you were bitten by a dog?" Gilbert, who had parked the car and stopped by the pharmacy to buy medicine, walked over just in time to hear about Ava being bitten by a dog. He became completely tense, staring at her intently.
Ava unconsciously bit her lip lightly, a trace of embarrassment crossing her delicate face.
"It's a long story. It's over now, I'm already... fine." Ava wanted to quickly escape this topic.
Gilbert watched Ava's evasive eyes and vague words, suddenly feeling confused. What kind of dog bites someone on the mouth?
"Hello, Mr. Harvey." Finn and Cleo politely greeted Gilbert when they saw him.
"Mr. Harvey, when did you come back to the country?"
Gilbert crouched down, gently rubbing the tops of Finn and Cleo's heads, his handsome face breaking into a gentle smile. "I came back because I hadn't seen Finn and Cleo in so long. Look at you both - you've grown taller."
"Did Mr. Harvey miss us when he was abroad?"
"Of course I did."
"Did Mr. Harvey miss us more, or miss Mommy more?"
What?
Ava, who had been quietly listening on the side with a sweet smile, suddenly froze.
"Cleo..."
What kind of question was that!
Ava looked at Cleo and gave her a couple of meaningful looks, but Cleo looked back at Ava and also gave her a couple of strange looks.
What was going on here?
Gilbert chuckled softly, his gentle and earnest voice following.
"I missed both."
Ava laughed dryly and quickly changed the subject. "Let's talk in the car. Finn, Cleo..."
"Wait." Gilbert raised his hand and grasped Ava's wrist.
The sudden warm touch startled Ava, who had been turning to get in the car. Her beautiful eyes looked back at him with confusion. "What's wrong?"
Gilbert lifted the medicine bottle in his hand, his voice gentle. "Your wound needs medicine first."
Ava looked around. "Here?"
"Yes. If I leave, you definitely won't apply the medicine properly."
Ava smiled awkwardly. "It's not necessary, right? This little injury will be fine soon."
"What do you mean not necessary? Mommy will get busy with work as soon as she gets home and will definitely forget to apply medicine." Finn said seriously.
"Right, Mommy must apply medicine properly." Cleo chimed in. "Mr. Harvey, please help our mommy apply the medicine. Mommy, we're all watching you."
Ava was amused by the two children's serious voices.
Gilbert poured some medicine into his palm and rubbed it. "Ava, the kids are more sensible than you."
Ava smiled helplessly. "Thank you, Gilbert."
"It's nothing. It might hurt a bit, bear with it."
His warm large hand wrapped around her fair wrist, while his other hand covered her elbow. Afraid of hurting her, he rubbed extra carefully.
It was very quiet all around, as if only the sound of wind could be heard.
Ava instinctively pulled her hand back slightly, not because it hurt, but because she inexplicably felt a bit awkward.
"Ava."
"What?"
Gilbert lifted his lowered head, his gentle eyes looking at her with particular seriousness. He sighed softly. "You need to learn to love yourself better."
Ava's eyelashes trembled slightly.
After treating the wound, Ava suddenly remembered that she had originally planned to invite Gilbert to dinner at home today. Now that her hand was injured and she couldn't cook well, Ava suggested, "Let's eat out. I'll treat you to dinner, as I promised."
Gilbert understood Ava's nature of not wanting to owe anyone favors. If he didn't let her treat tonight, she would definitely feel very uneasy. "Okay."
After choosing a restaurant, Gilbert drove them there.
"By the way, Gilbert, I haven't asked you yet - why did you suddenly come back to the country? Weren't you always planning to develop your career abroad?"
Gilbert's handsome face still wore a gentle smile. He exuded the air of a refined gentleman, gentle as jade, from his very bones. "Yes, that was the original plan, but there's someone important here that I missed."
Ava had a gossipy expression. "So you came back for someone you like?"
"Yes." Gilbert chuckled softly, his eyes looking at Ava, full of affection.
Ava was focused on gossiping and didn't notice at all.
...
After dinner, Gilbert drove Ava and the kids home.
"Mommy, do you like Mr. Harvey or Mr. Martin?" Finn and Cleo leaned against Ava, one on each side.
Ava had originally wanted to tell them a bedtime story but was completely stunned by this question.
"Finn thinks both Mr. Harvey and Mr. Martin are very nice."
"Cleo thinks Mr. Harvey is better. Mr. Harvey really cares about Mommy, while Mr. Martin is always so fierce."
"Anyway, they both like Mommy. Mommy, who do you like?"