Chapter 9 What Do You Want

Laurie stood up and moved her chair. She had never expected to see Tommy here.

Indeed, Tommy had come to her parents' house, a long time ago, when they had just gotten married.

However, at that time Tommy could not even stay for more than two hours. He was restless all the time, complaining that the house was full of mosquitoes and insects, and the air was too cold.

After that, he always had an excuse every time Laurie tried to invite him there, until he threatened Laurie, not to open the door for her if she dared to leave without his permission.

Tommy made Laurie's relationship with her father worse, to the point of almost breaking up, because she was never allowed to come just to visit even when her father was seriously ill.

That memory made Laurie put on a cold and stiff face in front of Tommy now.

When they met at the consortium event, no matter how much Laurie wanted to mock Tommy and Jenny, she was still able to restrain herself and maintain her attitude.

At that time she was carrying the name of her company and it was not right for her to make professional matters biased because of personal matters.

Now, she was in her own territory, the people around her knew her well, and she was relaxed, as herself and as a mother hanging out with her son, not as a business owner.

"What are you doing here?" Laurie asked in an icy tone.

Tommy did not answer immediately, but continued to stare at Forest who continued to eat his ice cream without feeling disturbed.

He was still a child, but his mature and quick-witted attitude was the result of Laurie's upbringing all this time.

"Tommy?" Laurie scolded him loudly.

Tommy came to his senses and turned to Laurie slowly. He swallowed.

The cool air at the foot of the hill, in the beautiful suburban area, turned out to be suitable for Laurie.

When they met at the consortium event, Laurie looked extraordinary, charming, graceful, and glamorous, with beautiful makeup and a dress.

Now, seeing Laurie in her appearance, made Tommy realize even more that Laurie's beauty was natural and came from within, not just because of makeup and beautiful clothes.

Laurie was wearing a denim jumpsuit, with one strap hanging loosely from her shoulder and underneath she was wearing a light yellow short-sleeved shirt, brown flat sandals and a small brown leather bag slung across her chest.

Her face was completely bare and her wavy hair was tied into a messy bun at the back of her head, with stray hairs around her neck and face.

Her cheeks were naturally pink, due to the wind and the unpolluted sunlight and the sweet scent of peaches emanated from her as Tommy approached.

"I... Wanted to meet you," Tommy said nervously.

He had planned everything he wanted to say when he met Laurie, but when he was face to face like this, he felt afraid and forgot everything he had planned.

"We met at the consortium event, although it wasn't the meeting I wanted," Laurie replied firmly. "We never have any business anymore in any way."

Tommy approached and tried to take Laurie's hand, but his movement was blocked by a small, plump hand.

Tommy looked down and saw the handsome boy now standing beside Laurie and holding her hand tightly. His gaze was as sharp as Laurie's. In fact, if you look closely, the boy looked exactly like Laurie, except his eyes looked narrower and his skin was whiter, like a pearl.

Laurie's skin was not white. She was exotic with skin the color of butter from old yellowish cheese. Tommy's skin was lighter than Laurie's and it seemed, it was passed down to the boy next to Laurie.

"Forest, my dear, would you wait for me for a moment with Uncle Leo? Mommy needs to talk to this person for a moment," Laurie said, shaking Forest's hand that was in her grasp.

Forest stared at Tommy for a moment, then looked up at Laurie with a deep frown. He looked so cute when he was serious like that, with his plump, reddish cheeks and his narrow but sharp eyes.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay, Mommy?" Forest asked, glancing at Tommy.

"Don't worry, baby," Laurie said. She looked down and whispered to Forest. "You know Mommy is good at Muaythai, right?"

Forest smiled and nodded, then he walked over to the counter, where Leo was standing behind it, watching what was going on.

Forest moved two fingers back and forth from his eyes, pointing at Tommy, as he walked past. Leo chuckled at the little boy's behavior and opened the door to the counter to let him in.

"Sit down," Laurie said, still stiff. "Say what you need to say and get lost."

Tommy pulled a chair in front of Laurie, feeling a little optimistic because Laurie didn't immediately throw the ice cream cafe stool at him and instead asked him to sit down.

"How are you, Lau," Tommy said. "You looked charming when we met at the consortium event, but now you look great."

Laurie's lips thinned. She knew Tommy's style when he wanted something. He was generous with compliments and his tone would be very sweet and gentle. That was what made Laurie fall in love with him in the first place.

"Tommy, I don't have much time for your nonsense, so just skip it. My son needs to clean up and rest," Laurie said firmly.

"Do you live in your parents' house? Near the plantation?" Tommy asked.

"Yes. That's my house now, as well as the plantation and the company that my parents founded and you took for granted back then," Laurie said with a hint of sarcasm.

Tommy's face turned bright red. He knew that he often mocked the plantations and small companies founded by Laurie's father, saying that companies in rural areas, with small capital, limited facilities and infrastructure, would produce nothing but fatigue and frustration.

"I'm sorry about that, Laurie. I was wrong," Tommy said humbly. "You're great, because you can make progress in just a few years."

"Tsk! I have to go now," Laurie snapped impatiently and she moved to stand up, but Tommy held her back.

"Wait, wait, Laurie, let me talk a little more."

"I'll wait."

"I want to submit a cooperation proposal with your company."

Laurie's eyebrows rose. "Is your company heading for bankruptcy?"

Tommy was surprised. "Huh? No! Why do you ask that?"

"Because it seems like you don't have any public relations, marketing, or field staff, so you have to take care of it yourself?"

"It's not like that, Laurie, I just wanted to meet and chat with you."

"I don't like to take care of business matters in my personal time, so for any matters, you can contact my staff who specifically handles cooperation and tender matters. You can see it on my company website. Besides, cooperation matters should be discussed at the head office. You don't need to come all the way here."

This time Laurie really stood up. She walked past Tommy, but again her steps were stopped because Tommy held her hand tightly.

"Laurie, you're still single until now, right? Tell me, how old is that kid? His name is Forest? He's my son, right?"

Laurie waved her hand so that it was free from Tommy's hand.

Laurie stared at Tommy coldly, but slowly a smirk appeared on the corner of her lips.

"What do you want, if he's your son?"