Chapter 73
Chapter 73
The word "Daddy" attracted onlookers' attention towards a figure standing nearby.
Adrienne had almost bounced up from her bench and dashed towards the figure who was standing behind Alastair. The person acted naturally by crouching down and welcomed the little girl in his embrace.
"Daddy, why are you here?"
Theodore was about to ask Adrienne the same question, but when he raised his head and saw no traces of any adult guardian around, he picked her up instead. "Are you only with Alastair?"
Theodore was a guest at the university's foreign language department. He had just wrapped up his speech when he and his assistant passed by the backstreet.
People at the fruit stall did not doubt Theodore's relationship with the children. Perhaps it was due to his smooth actions with Adrienne and his good looks resembled very much Alastair's.
The owner of the fruit stall couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder the kids are so adorable. It runs in their blood."
"Mommy asked me to wait for her here with Alastair," Adrienne said while she was being held in Theodore's arms. Sunlight bathed on her small and pink face, making her look even more lovable.
Upon hearing this, Theodore's brows furrowed slightly.
How careless of Everleigh to leave her children alone!
Not long after that, Alastair walked towards Theodore from the fruit stall and greeted him politely, "Theodore."
Theodore nodded and asked, "How long have you been waiting here?"
"Half an hour."
"Half an hour?" Theodore's frown deepened.
Moses, the assistant next to him, said in surprise, "Dr. Trevino is too careless. How could she leave her children here for half an hour? What if someone were to kidnap them?"
Theodore raised his wrist and looked at his watch. It was almost 12 o'clock. He then asked the two children, "Are you hungry? I'll take you two for lunch."
"Okay! I want ice cream! Blueberry flavor!" Adrienne's eyes were burning with excitement.
"No, we shouldn't do that. Mommy's almost here. She told us to wait for her here," Alastair's expression was that of a serious adult as he spoke.
"But I'm hungry!" Adrienne looked aggrieved. "And it's so hot here! There are so many people!"
Alastair could not be bothered to expose the fact that Adriene had gobbled down a bunch of fruits just a moment ago, or that she was already full, as evident when she was rubbing her tummy. He also did not show any hint of agreeing to have lunch with Theodore.
Moses checked the time and reminded, "Mr. Godfrey, the headmaster is waiting for you."
Days during August were long and hot, with the sun emanating its unforgiving and scorching sunlight. Theodore was still worried about leaving the children alone at the backstreet.
He turned to his Moses and instructed, "I'll go and look for the headmaster. You should take them both for lunch."
Moses was dumbstruck for a moment before he replied with a nod, "Yes."
After that, Theodore turned towards Alastair and explained, "I'll give your mother a call and send her the address of the restaurant. Don't worry, she will find you there."
Alastair was more mature when compared to his innocent sister, Adrienne. He was not a child who could be easily fooled.
If he had not already known Theodore, he would never agree to the man's suggestion. Even if Theodore was well- acquainted with Everleigh, he wasn't pleased to let the man have a further connection with Madison.
Alastair was about to turn down Theodore's offer again when Adrienne was already happily following Moses away.
"Adrienne!" Alastair could not stop her, so he decided to go after her.
Theodore walked in the opposite direction towards the headmaster's office. Along the way, he took out his phone and called Everleigh.
Everleigh came out of the conference room of the university. The sun overhead was merciless as its sunlight shone so brightly that it made her difficult to open her eyes properly. She remembered every corner of the university despite the fact that she had not returned there for the last seven years. Every student in the university knew which shortcut was the fastest to reach the backstreet, herself included.
The old Block A of Ocpeace Medical University was among the first dorms built, but now it was recommissioned as a student lounge. Cracks were visible everywhere on its ivy- covered walls.
As Everleigh went down the stairs of Block A towards the entrance, she was greeted by a path bordered by willow trees on each side. The trees even had little yellow flowers in full blossom.
Everleigh's footsteps slowed down unconsciously as she stared at the empty path in front of her. Nostalgia took over her mind.
The place had been one of the few secluded places in the university where she could spend time with Theodore. Back then their relationship had to be kept a secret, so they had to find places hidden from the lectures and fellow students' eyes.
The medical department was close to the foreign language department. Whenever she walked down the stairs from Block A, a few steps were all she needed before she could see a familiar figure waiting for her, his eyes focused on her.
"Evie, you're late again. Dinner's on you."
"Why? Dr. Harrison refused to let us go on time. Can you really blame me for that?"
"I've waited for you for almost half an hour. Combined with the last half an hour that you were late, I guess you owe me two meals of barbeque!"
"Theodore! Is this how you treat your girlfriend?
I want to back out!"
"That option is unavailable."
"Shame on you."
Memories of the past lived on vividly in Everleigh's mind.
She had always thought that time would heal everything, but she was wrong. Seven years was a very long period of time, long enough for her to forget someone and everything associated with that
person. However, to her dismay, she recalled every minute detail of the things that had happened at the place she was at right now. Scenes of the past intruded her mind.
She even remembered clearly when Theodore had first held her hand. It was summer and their hands were sweaty. Hand in hand, it felt warm, but it also felt sticky.
At that moment, she was taken over by her feelings. Two more steps and someone would be waiting for her. He would be waiting for her...
"Everleigh."
When Everleigh suddenly heard someone calling her name, her face turned stiff. She looked at the spot where she was hoping someone would appear. Her palms were sweating uncontrollably.
"Everleigh."
The figure who was standing at the end of the path was different from the one whom Everleigh had hoped for, letting her down. She asked, "William? Why are you here?"
William's forehead was coated with sweat. It took him a few steps before he was able to catch up with Everleigh. At this time, his breathing was uneven as he spoke, "Everleigh, I'm here to apologize to you. I didn't know that Erica would do that. I'm really sorry."
Facing Everleigh, William was obviously a little nervous.
This was someone who had gone through many problems in life.
Everleigh, who was initially a little annoyed, gradually calmed down at this moment. "It's okay, William. I've found them. They're at the backstreet. I'll go to pick them up now."
William breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. I'll go with you. I think... I think I owe you a meal after everything that has happened."
"No, William. There's no need for that."
Everleigh refused to have anything more to do with William. She said curtly, "I'll take my leave then."
"Everleigh." William raised his hand and blocked her way. The path was narrow and could barely cover two people. With his arm stretched out, William had stopped Everleigh from leaving the pathway.
Everleigh's face tensed. "William, what are you doing?"