Chapter 144 The Child Is Missing
"Luca! Where did you take Leo? I warn you, give him back to me right now!"
Luca's voice came through the phone, sounding a bit confused. "What are you talking about? I didn't pick up Leo. I'm in a meeting at the company right now. I haven't even been to kindergarten."
Olivia froze for a second, not believing her ears. "What? It wasn't you? The kindergarten teacher said his dad picked him up!"
"It really wasn't me." Luca's tone got serious. "Olivia, don't panic yet. Maybe the teacher got it wrong. Leo's smart. He wouldn't go off with a stranger. It could be someone you know."
Olivia calmed down and thought about it carefully.
Yeah, Leo was sensible. He wouldn't go with a stranger just like that.
Besides Luca, the only ones who knew Leo was her son and could pick him up were Jason and her best friend Emma.
Emma was out of town on a business trip today. She couldn't have come back.
Could it be Jason?
But why didn't he tell her first?
Olivia quickly called Jason, her heart pounding.
The phone rang a long time before he picked up. Jason's voice sounded a little slurred.
"Olivia, what's up?"
"Jason, did you pick up Leo?" Olivia asked anxiously. "The kindergarten teacher said his dad took him. I thought it was Luca, but he said it wasn't."
Jason paused, then said slowly, "Yeah, it was me. I saw you've been super busy with work lately, so I wanted to help out. I picked him up early. I was planning to surprise you by taking you and Leo out to dinner. Didn't mean to worry you."
Olivia let out a sigh of relief, but she still felt uneasy. "You picked up Leo without telling me? I thought something had happened. You scared me to death."
"Sorry, I didn't think it through." Jason sounded apologetic. "I'm at the mall with Leo right now. I bought him a couple of new outfits. Come find us when you're done with work."
Olivia hesitated but agreed.
She hung up, but something still felt off.
Jason wasn't usually this thoughtless. Why would he suddenly pick up Leo without a heads-up today?
She was about to drive to the mall when Luca called again. "Olivia, did you find Leo?"
"Yeah, Jason picked him up." Olivia's tone was flat, no extra emotion.
"Jason?" Luca sounded wary. "Why did he suddenly pick up Leo?"
"He said he wanted to help me out and give me a surprise."
"I'll go with you." Luca's tone left no room for argument. "I'm a little worried."
"No need. I can go by myself." Olivia didn't want more involvement with him and refused outright. "Jason wouldn't hurt Leo."
"I know he wouldn't, but it's better with an extra person watching out." Luca was firm. "I'm already on my way to the mall. I'll call when I get there."
Olivia wanted to say more, but Luca had hung up.
She shook her head helplessly and drove to the mall.
At the mall, Olivia quickly spotted Jason and Leo.
Jason was with Leo in the toy section, picking out toys, a gentle smile on his face.
Leo looked happy, holding a Transformers toy and chatting with Jason.
Seeing this, Olivia felt a bit better.
Maybe she was overthinking it. Jason just wanted to be nice to Leo.
"Mommy!" Leo saw her and ran over excitedly, holding up the Transformers. "Mommy, look! Uncle Jason bought this for me!"
"Did you say thank you to Uncle Jason?" Olivia ruffled his hair and looked at Jason. "Thanks for picking up Leo and buying him a toy."
"No problem." Jason smiled, his eyes soft. "I really like Leo. It's fun hanging out with him. I saw his clothes were getting small, so I got him a couple of new ones. They're in the car."
Olivia felt warm inside, a bit guilty too.
She'd suspected Jason had bad intentions earlier, but now it seemed she was too sensitive.
"Thanks so much. How much? I'll transfer you the money."
"No need. It's just clothes. Don't be so polite." Jason waved it off. "I booked a restaurant. Let's go eat dinner together."
Olivia hesitated. She really didn't want to be alone with Jason.
Plus, Luca was on his way.
"No, I have work to do. I can't join you." She made an excuse. "I'm taking Leo home now."
Leo's smile faded right away. "Mommy, can't we eat with Uncle Jason? I want to play with him more."
"Sweetie, Mommy really has to work." Olivia knelt down and coaxed him patiently. "When I'm done, I'll take you to play with Uncle Jason, okay?"
Leo nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
A flash of disappointment crossed Jason's face, but he hid it quickly.
"No worries. Work comes first." He smiled. "I'll walk you out."
"No need. We can go by ourselves." Olivia didn't want to bother him anymore. "You go do your thing."
She took Leo's hand and headed to the elevator.
After a few steps, Leo looked back at Jason and said softly, "Bye, Uncle Jason. Let's play again next time."
"Bye, Leo." Jason waved, watching their backs disappear into the elevator. His smile vanished, and his eyes turned dark.
Olivia and Leo walked out of the mall and saw Luca's car parked right at the entrance.
Luca got out as soon as he saw them and walked over.
"Leo, you okay?" He ruffled Leo's hair, his eyes full of concern.
Leo froze when he saw him and instinctively hid behind Olivia.
He still remembered Mommy and Uncle Luca fighting at lunch. It scared him a little.
Luca's eyes darkened, but he didn't say anything. He turned to Olivia. "Good that you're safe. I'll drive you home."
"No need. We can get back on our own." Olivia held Leo's hand, just wanting to leave quickly.
"It's dark out. Not safe for a woman alone with a kid." Luca insisted. "I'll drop you at the neighborhood entrance. Won't bother you."
Olivia hesitated, then nodded.
She was tired and didn't want to drive anymore.
The car ride was quiet.
Leo leaned against Olivia, playing with his Transformers, not saying a word.
Luca glanced at them in the rearview mirror now and then, his expression complicated.
At the neighborhood entrance, Olivia got out with Leo.
"Thanks for the ride." Her tone was flat, no extra feeling.
"Leo, say bye to Uncle."
Leo mumbled, "Bye, Uncle," and followed Olivia inside.
Luca watched their backs, feeling lost and unwilling.
He knew winning back Olivia and Leo would take a long road.
Back home, Leo washed up and went to bed.
Olivia sat on the sofa, staring out at the night, her mind a mess.