Chapter 208 Her Heart Flutters
Hayden glared at Ambrose, who was about to come in, then buried himself in Scarlett's arms, mumbling in protest, "I want Scarlett to rub it for me."
Scarlett held his small body, so soft, her heart melted completely.
"I'll rub it for you."
Seeing this, Yara, on the side, didn't want to be left out and also snuggled into her embrace, "Mommy, I want a rub too."
"Okay."
The mother and two children cuddled together.
Ignored, Ambrose watched with displeasure. During this time, Scarlett had been completely cold to him, even disgusted by him, but she treated Hayden the same as always, even better. If she knew Hayden was her long-lost son, wouldn't she spoil him even more?
Perhaps sensing Ambrose's gaze, Scarlett gave him a bit of attention. Seeing his frowning, unhappy expression, she ordered, "You go start the car."
Ambrose suddenly leaned his face over, shamelessly seeking attention, "I want a rub too."
Scarlett fell silent.
He was so childish, competing with kids.
Seeing Ambrose's persistent look, she frowned, "Have some shame!"
Seeing this, Yara climbed up using both hands and said in a sweet childlike voice, "Ambrose, I'll rub it for you."
Yara stood on the seat, covering his face with his little hands, kneading it as if he were kneading dough, kneading and kneading, and after that, she puffed out a breath like Scarlett.
"Ambrose, all done."
Though Ambrose didn't get Scarlett's affection, he got Yara's, which was some consolation. With a smile on his lips, he hugged Yara.
"Yara's the best. Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you."
Yara's eyes immediately lit up, and she said right away, "I want to buy pretty clothes, like the ones on TV."
Though Ambrose didn't know what kind, whatever it was, he could afford it. He agreed generously.
"Done."
The car headed toward Lakeside Garden. The car was lively, with the two kids chattering away, Scarlett sitting in the middle, occasionally responding to the little ones.
"Ambrose, let's go buy clothes in a bit." Yara was eager, wanting to buy things immediately.
"Yara, what kind of clothes do you want to buy?" Scarlett, seeing Yara so keen on buying clothes, wanted to know what she had in mind.
Yara gestured, "Mommy, those pretty dresses on TV."
Scarlett understood that Yara wanted to buy a formal dress. Formal dresses were indeed beautiful, and Yara was so cute, she'd definitely look good in one.
"Mommy will buy one too. I'll be a pretty little girl, and Mommy will be a pretty lady." Yara said happily.
"Okay." Scarlett played along.
Scarlett buying a formal dress to wear matching outfits with Yara should be quite nice.
Ambrose, driving, glanced at the rearview mirror, "Alright, I'll buy for both of you."
"I want one too." The overlooked Hayden mumbled.
"What's a boy doing joining in?" Ambrose now found everything about Hayden annoying.
Hayden, having cold water thrown on him, lowered his head disappointedly, unhappy.
Scarlett pulled him into her arms, "I'll buy for you. All three of us will get one."
Hayden's eyes also lit up, nodding happily.
In the end, all three got one each, only Ambrose didn't have one. He felt left out again.
The car stopped in a busy downtown area. Ambrose first took the mother and two children to eat, then would take them shopping for clothes after.
The restaurant was a hidden private kitchen. Scarlett had been there before, that time after visiting Owen, Ambrose had brought her. The food was excellent.
It was Yara's first time, so she was very curious, looking around everywhere. Hayden had been there before, and before the food arrived, he took Yara around like he knew the place well.
In the private room, Scarlett and Ambrose sat facing each other. He stared at her, his gaze seeming to want to pull her in.
Scarlett felt embarrassed under his gaze, lowering her head slightly, shyly turning away to look out the window. Outside were expensive plants, very pleasing to the eye.
Her gaze was on the scenery outside, but her mind was still on Ambrose's stare. Seeing he wasn't restraining himself at all, she turned back and said coyly, "Why are you staring at me?"
Ambrose leaned back leisurely in his chair, his expression lazy, but his gaze burning like fire, "It seems we've never had a meal alone like this."
Scarlett thought, indeed, they hadn't eaten alone, because there was no opportunity.
But even if there had been an opportunity, she wouldn't necessarily have gone out with him.
"From now on, let's go out alone once a week, okay?" Ambrose's tone was almost coaxing.
Scarlett's heart stirred. Her eyes were watery and alluring, hard to refuse, but thinking of their situation, she felt a bit confused. After a few seconds' pause, she said.
"Let's talk about the future later. You're still dealing with the Mitchell family now. It's better if we have less contact."
Seeing she was still hung up on this, Ambrose guessed she hadn't calmed down yet. He got up, walked over to sit beside her, and coaxed gently.
"Dealing with them is one thing, dating is another. They don't conflict."
Scarlett glanced at him sideways, pretending to be tough, "Who wants to date you?"
But her voice was soft, so even though she tried to sound tough, it came out somewhat petulant, making Ambrose's tailbone tingle. He couldn't help but take her hand - the soft, smooth touch made his voice husky.
"You still don't trust me?"
Scarlett wanted to pull her hand back, but he held it too tightly. Unable to pull free, she could only prop her other elbow on the table, resting her face on her arm, looking at him lazily, questioning.
"Should I trust you?"
Words were too pale. Ambrose didn't make verbal promises. With a smile, he brought her hand to his lips, kissed it lightly, and said.
"Time will tell."
The brief words actually fit Ambrose's style, making her feel they were believable. She also liked this approach, and the knot in her heart loosened a bit.
Sitting close, Ambrose's scent kept wafting into her nose. With him staring at her so directly, Scarlett's face grew hot. Steadying herself, she said.
"Sit farther away."
He didn't move away, but instead sat even closer, "Let me look at the injury on your neck."
Without waiting for her to refuse, he leaned over, his slender fingers tilting her slender neck, "There's still some bruising. Keep using the ointment Dr. Watson gave you."
As Ambrose spoke, his breath fell on her ear, tickling and stirring her mind. She shrank her neck, wanting to push him away.
But he lowered his head and kissed her injury. The tingling sensation spread throughout her body, her mind went blank.
Scarlett had no experience with intimate matters. Before, with Wesley, apart from holding hands, there were no intimate gestures.
Unlike Ambrose, whose little moves were impossible to guard against. She froze.
"From now on, even if you want to scheme against the Mitchell family, don't bet with your life." Ambrose's low voice, carrying barely detectable heartache, drilled bit by bit into her eardrums.
Making her heart flutter.