You're Out Daddy

It was almost ten at night when Natasha was about to leave Hamilton Corporation.

Ross stretched himself out and lamented, “The old man finally runs out of questions to ask, and it’s all

thanks to you, Ms. Watson.”

Natasha took out her phone and realized that her battery had gone flat.

“Let’s go out for supper. It’ll be my treat. What do you say?” Xavier asked.

“Sure. Let’s go!”

Thomas agreed as well.

“I’m not going,” Natasha said. “I have to go back now to take care of the kids.”

“Your siblings?” Ross asked.

“My children,” Natasha replied.

They did not think much about her reply and said, “They’re all grown up, right? So they should be good

on their own.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong. They’re always going to be kids, no matter how old they are,” Thomas

replied. Then, he turned to Natasha and said, “Ms. Watson, you may head home first. We can have a

meal together any time.”

Natasha nodded. “I’ll get going then.”

The three of them nodded, and Natasha headed for the underground parking right away.

“Why don’t the three of us go instead?”

“Sure. Let’s go!”

The three men headed outside to hail a taxi.

When Thalia reached the parking lot, she realized that the Phantom was already nowhere to be seen.

She could not seem to locate the vehicle no matter where she looked.

She texted Anthony: The car is gone.

Anthony felt his gut wrench.

Meanwhile, Kenneth arrived at Thea’s place.

Before entering her place, he recalled the incident whereby Thea got drunk and hesitated for a

moment. Nevertheless, he pressed the doorbell in the end.

Soon, the door sprung open.

Thea appeared at the door. She was in a racy black dress, looking perfectly like Kenneth’s type.

“You’re here? Come on in.”

Kenneth glanced at her before heading inside. “Why did you ask me to meet you at your place

instead?”

“I had a stomachache when I wanted to head out just now. So I thought it was better to just meet at

home. I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference at my place anyway,” Thea said.

Kenneth strode inside.

The whole house was illuminated with ambient lighting. It was not very bright.

Near the floor-to-ceiling window, candles were lit on the dining table decorated with wine and rose

petals.

“Why are you in such a good mood?” Kenneth asked nonchalantly.

Thea took out steak from the kitchen and served it on the table. “Because it’s an important occasion, of

course.”

Then, she picked up the wine that she had decanted earlier and asked, “You want some?”

“I’m driving.”

“So just have a sip then.” Thea ended up pouring a glass for Kenneth in the end.

Kenneth leaned against the chair and observed her every move. He pursed his lips and said nothing.

After she was done, Thea took a seat opposite Kenneth. The lighting hit just right where she intended

as it perfectly complemented her intricately made-up face.

“What is it?” Kenneth asked.

“Why the rush?” Thea said. “Why don’t you have a taste of the steak first?”

Kenneth spared her no courtesy and started on the steak.

“How is it?”

“Hmm.” Kenneth nodded. “It’s quite good. It looks like you have not lost your touch even after so long.”

Thea smiled. “Well, I haven’t been cooking for a long time now. But if you like it, I can make it for you

every day.”

Kenneth paused and shot her a glance. “You’re going to be so busy then.”

Thea responded with a smile. She raised her glass, and so did he. The two of them started on the

wine.

A subtle, yet noticeable change in the air started to take place.

“My parents told me that they want to bring me to Anglandur. They said that it’s about time I get

married,” she mentioned out of the blue.

Kenneth was stumped. Then, he eyed her and said, “So, what do you think?”

“I’d like to ask what you think about it instead,” Thea said.

“Well, it’s definitely a loss on my part if you leave. But then again, it’s your choice ultimately,” Kenneth

said.

Thea eyed him and her eyes started to redden. “What do you mean when you say it’s a loss on your

part?”

She desperately needed an answer from him.

“I’d lose a good partner, of course.”

Thea felt her heart going cold. She reached for the wine and poured herself another glass. “Is there

nothing else?” she asked as she eyed the man.

Kenneth merely looked at her and said nothing.

“I’ve been together with you for such a long time. Don’t you have anything else to say to me? Actually,

as long as you ask me to stay, I will,” Thea enunciated her every word.

Kenneth lowered his eyes. “I cannot dash your chance at happiness because of my own selfishness.

Besides, it’s your decision to make.”

“But, my happiness…” Just when Thea was about to finally confess, she realized that she still lacked

the courage.

She raised her glass and downed a few more glasses of red wine.

Kenneth looked at her and said, “Don’t drink too much. You’re going to get drunk.”

“But there are things that I just don’t know how to say when I’m sober,” she murmured before downing

another glass.

Kenneth could only raise his glass and drank another glass.

Thea’s face was already tinged red from the aftereffects of the alcohol, and she looked even more

enticing than before.

She got up and staggered along her path as she had no idea where to go. Then, her legs gave way

and she slipped. Kenneth hurriedly stepped forward to steady her. “You’re drunk.”

Right when he touched her, Thea circled her hands around him and slurred, “Kenneth, don’t you know

my happiness is not elsewhere? It’s right in your hands. I could be very happy as long as you’re willing

to say the word.”

Kenneth furrowed his brows. “You’ve had one too many.”

“No, I didn’t. I just didn’t have the courage to say it out loud when I was sober. Kenneth, don’t you

understand the reason I’ve been staying at Hamilton Corporation all along? Do you think I like this job?

I just wanted to stay by your side. I… I want to be able to see you every day and to be together with

you. I want to be your woman. That is what has been making me stay on this path, leading me to where

I am now…” Thea looked at him and asked, “It’s been so many years. Do you really not understand?”

Again, Kenneth said nothing as he looked at the woman before him.

Thea looked into his eyes, and tears trickled down her face. “Kenneth, I like you. No, I love you. Every

single day, I’ve never stopped thinking about being your woman.”

“Thea…”

The next moment, Thea threw all the care out the window and planted a kiss on his lips.

She could leave everything behind for him, even her dignity.

Kenneth was stumped by her kiss for a moment. Then, he pushed her away. “Thea, do you know what

you’re doing?”

“Of course I do. Kenneth, don’t you want me? I know that sometimes you think about wanting me too.

You could try…” Then, she took off her outer dress.

Kenneth frowned.