Chapter 65



“Hayden, it’s me.” From the phone came the clear, audible voice of a young man.

“I knew it was you.” Hayden replied in a soft voice quickly, “I saw your name on the incoming call. You said you would return after the performance was over, have you confirmed when to return?”.

“Yes.”

“Then what time is it? I just finished my work here, I can pick you up at the airport if I’m free.”

“No need for that.”

“That’s true.” Hayden smiled. “Why shouldn’t a famous cellist and a popular idol in the country like you have special transportation wherever you go?”

“But now the popular idol is going to sleep on the street, Hayden, what are you going to do about it?”.

“Sleep on the street?”.

“Turn around.”

Hearing that, Hayden turned around in response to her words and looked towards the main entrance of the ST Hotel. With the huge water fountain as a backdrop, a guy was standing in front of the door while pulling a suitcase. He was carrying a huge cello case on his back and staring at her while sketching a big smile. His smile was so pure and innocent.

She spread her arms wide and shouted, “Surprise!”

Hayden was startled, a smile tugged at his lips almost immediately. She ran to him in her ten-centimeter heels and patted him on the shoulder, smiling as she grumbled, “Damn it, when did you get back, why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I’ve flown for over forty hours and now I’m exhausted.”

“Let’s eat together.” Hayden looked at the time and continued, “I just finished my business today, wait here, I’ll leave work after I pick up my stuff.”

“Wait.” He didn’t let her go and suddenly pulled her into his arms.

“What are you doing, I’m all sweaty.” Hayden struggled.

The young man rested his head on her shoulder affectionately and shook her body, he spoke in a coddled tone next to her ear, “Ssh, I’m recharging. I’ve run out of battery and I’m recharging just from a hug.”

Hayden couldn’t help but pat her on the back. “Look how grown up you are now, but you still act like a kid.”

She always gave in whenever Freddie treated her like a sister.

“Ssh, I just got back and I have nowhere to stay.” Freddie made a rueful face as they went to get Stella.

𝔤𝓪𝓵𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓼.𝓬𝓸𝓶 – more stories here “Yeah, nice try, didn’t your music band get you a place already?”.

“I’m not in the band now.” Freddie winked, “The band job is too easy, plus you don’t make much money, so I’ve joined the new company.”

“Your contract with the band has expired?”. Hayden frowned, “That’s not right, didn’t you tell me you were going to plan the concert after you came back?”.

“Yes, the contract has not expired, plus the loss of the gig, plus the penalty payment for breach of contract. Until the new company gives me new job, I won’t even have money to stay in a hotel. Let me stay at your place, sis.”

She didn’t seem to be lying. Freddie was always a person with a mind of his own, something must have been going on in the band for him to refuse to stay there, being even willing to pay such a huge amount of money.

“What happened?” Hayden asked carefully.

“Nothing.” Freddie waved his hand reluctantly and said, “What could have happened to me?”

“Don’t keep things from me.”

“Nothing really, I’m the man who has fought life and death in underground boxing since I was ten years old, what could have happened to me?” Freddie tugged on his arm. He leaned on it and diverted the topic of conversation, “I’ll take a nap first, wake me up when we’ve arrived.”

Watching him actually fall asleep, his exhausted expression made her heart ache. Hayden sighed apologetically and fixed his shirt collar with her other hand.

Freddie was two years younger than her and used to call her little sister. He always had a playful look on his face and liked to attach himself to her affectionately more than any child. However, deep down she knew that, for him, those bloody memories of the past would stay with him forever and he would never be able to shake them off.

The smiles were but a fortress in his heart.

“Mommy!” Classes were soon over, they had barely been waiting outside the Kindergarten for a few minutes. A shadow shot out like a rocket and Hayden felt his legs being hugged the next moment.

Stella wrapped her arms around his legs with a charming look. “Mommy, are you done with work? You look like you’re free enough to come get me.”

Hayden nodded. “Yes, I’m done working. So, starting today, you’re coming home with me.”

“What?” Stella was overcome with a sudden sadness and made a long face. She pouted and asked, “Can’t we still stay at Mr. Beckham’s house?”

“Of course not.”

Joseph had just lifted Noah up as well and Noah was pulling him toward them. Joseph’s expression froze as he heard his words.

“You’re almost ready for the anniversary ceremony, aren’t you?” Joseph asked.

Hayden nodded. “Yeah, I won’t be so busy anymore. I guess I’ll still be able to get to and from work on time; so, I won’t bother you anymore. Thanks for taking care of little Stella this half month, I’ll be over this Saturday to pick up my things that were left at her house.” She had carried some luggage while she had been staying there, so she had to take it back.

Knowing that Hayden was leaving, Noah felt unhappy right away. He tugged at the bottom corner of Joseph’s suit and gave him a withering look.

Stella also looked reluctant and muttered as she grabbed his hand. “I still want to play with Noah.”

Hayden looked at her and frowned, as she pretended to be angry, Freddie’s voice came from behind her. “Stella, long time no see.”

His clear voice was exceptionally pleasant to hear and had reached them through the boisterous noise of the crowd.

Stella’s eyes instantly sparkled and she rushed into Freddie’s arms after letting out a shout. “Freddie!”

“Did you miss me?”

“Yes! I’ve missed you to death!”.

“To death? That’s not right, I brought you some presents; don’t you want to take a look at them?”.

“Yes!”

Freddie laughed and expensive her making her let out a giggle.

Freddie was a young man in his early twenties. The strands of hair on his forehead were blown by the wind. In his casual style clothes, the white t-shirt and black pants, he looked so pure and innocent that he made the young women walking past them couldn’t help but stop. Some even started taking pictures of him with their phones.

Seeing them playing with each other, Hayden was quick to remind him, “Hey, Freddie, it’s dangerous for you to lift it so high, and Stella, how many times do I have to tell you, you should call him uncle.”

“I don’t care. I still love him very much.” With a pleased look, Stella planted a kiss on Freddie’s cheek, “Don’t go away again now that you’re back!”.

“I won’t, your mommy has agreed to let me stay with you!”. Freddie winked at him, “Tomorrow is Saturday, you can tell me whatever you want to play!”.

Seeing that, Noah tugged profusely at Joseph’s clothes with an apprehensive look. However, Joseph only lowered his gaze and gave him a sidelong glance. Then he said in a slightly cold voice, “She obviously likes her uncle better than you, there’s no point in pulling me. Come on, let’s go home.”

Noah was so angry that he blushed.

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