Chapter 63 Jack
Sophia asked, puzzled, "Ethan, why'd you hang up so fast? I didn't even get to talk to Mom."
Ethan winked mysteriously. "Sophia, you don't get it. I think Mom's not alone right now. Someone's with her."
Sophia's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh, you mean Uncle Jack is with Mom?"
Ethan puffed out his chest confidently. "Silly, when Mom's not around, we call him Dad. What Uncle Jack? Mom must be tricking us. He's definitely our dad!"
"Then when Mom and Dad come back, let's figure out a way to meet him, okay?" Sophia asked excitedly.
"Of course!" Ethan and Sophia sat on the bed, hugging their knees, and started daydreaming...
Meanwhile, Alison drew the curtains, turned off the light, and lay down on the soft, comfortable bed. She closed her eyes, ready to sleep, when the phone on the bedside table rang.
It was the hotel's internal line. Alison turned on the bedside lamp and glanced at the number, thinking it must be Aidan. After all, Jack was busy with Aimée and his mother, so he wouldn't be calling her.
"Aidan, I'm feeling much better, just tired, and my head still hurts a bit," Alison said, feeling warm inside. If only his leg wasn't injured, he could come see her directly.
"Then get some sleep. No need to wake up early tomorrow. Plan your day however you like," Aidan said gently.
"Thanks, Mr. President," Alison replied instinctively.
"Hey, didn't I tell you to call me Aidan when no one's around?" Aidan pretended to be angry.
Alison laughed, "Thanks, Aidan."
"That's better. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
After saying goodnight, Alison fell into a deep sleep. The time difference didn't seem to affect her, and she felt like she was still on the plane.
As the night deepened, the Parisian nightscape became even more enchanting and dreamlike.
Thinking about her kids waiting up until midnight for her call, Alison smiled contentedly. Her children always brought her joy.
...
In the next room, Jack came out of the shower, wrapped only in a towel.
"Jack, Aimée's still here. Why are you being so casual?" Isabella said.
"Mom, it's late. Why don't you stay the night and sleep with Aimée? I'll go to the lobby and get another room," Jack suggested.
"No need. I can't sleep well in a different bed. Seeing you is enough. When you have time, come over, and I'll cook something delicious for you," Isabella said.
"I want some too. Isabella's cooking is the best," Aimée chimed in.
"Alright, alright. I'm leaving now. The driver is waiting outside. Aimée, you stay here, and Jack will get another room," Isabella said.
"Isabella..." Aimée held Isabella's hand. "If you leave, I want to leave too."
Isabella smiled at Aimée, then at Jack, and patted Aimée's hand. "Stay. Jack only comes to Paris once a year. You should show him around. When Aidan's business is done, take Jack out and let him relax."
"Isabella said so, so Jack will definitely want me as his temporary tour guide," Aimée said with a smile.
Isabella stood up, her eyes full of meaning. Jack understood his mother's intention—she wanted him to be with Aimée and maybe even give her a grandchild.
Looking at Aimée, she was still so delicate, but when Jack imagined her as his wife, he didn't feel that rush of excitement.
After seeing his mother off, he and Aimée walked back to the hotel.
"Jack, let's go for a drink," Aimée said, taking his hand in the dazzling Parisian night.
Though his mind was a bit muddled, he nodded lightly, thinking it was part of his mother's plan.
He was tall, with striking features, wearing linen pants and a shirt. Walking through the streets of Paris, he caught the eyes of many young women. Luckily, Aimée was with him, or he would have been approached by women.
To him, women were just for fulfilling physical needs.
He didn't want to love, nor could he.
Aimée led him into a bar, and they sipped on authentic brandy and wine.
"Jack, how long are you planning to stay in Paris?" Aimée asked.
"About two weeks," he replied, taking a sip of his drink, the sharp taste making him more alert.
Aimée gently swirled her glass, watching the ripples in the liquid, and smiled. "If you don't want me around, just tell me. I won't make things difficult for you."
Aimée's honesty every time they met made it hard for Jack to say no to her. His mother was particularly fond of Aimée, and she really had no faults.
Jack thought, a man needs a home. Now that his career was successful, his mother's biggest wish was to have a grandchild. Thinking of his mother's lonely figure, Jack felt full of guilt.
He was thirty-three. Time flew by so fast, and suddenly, he felt old.
To make up for not being able to spend more time with his mother, he decided to fulfill her wish as much as possible.