Chapter 29
After showing Zayn and Vanessa into the office, Lucy stepped out, leaving them alone.
Emma spotted Zayn and skipped toward him, her face lighting up. “Zayn, you’re here! Dad just treated me to some strawberry cupcakes. They were super yummy! I ate them all by accident, but I saved you some candy.” With that, Emma fished out two pieces of candy from her pocket and handed one to Zayn.
“Vanessa, I saved one for you, too,” she added, offering a piece to Vanessa as well.
Shawn looked up at Vanessa, the only adult among the three people, and he asked, “Are you their babysitter?”
“Y–Yes,” Vanessa stammered, feeling a bit intimidated by Shawn’s imposing presence.
At that moment, Zayn turned to face Shawn, and Shawn got a good look at him. There was something undeniably familiar to Shawn about Zayn’s features, just like Emma’s. “What’s your name?” Shawn inquired.
“I’m Zayn,” he replied, deliberately not calling Shawn “Dad” now. He felt he needed to assess Shawn a bit more.
“Since she’s your babysitter, let her take you back,” Shawn advised.
“I don’t wanna go, Dad,” Emma said with a pout, her big, innocent eyes pleading. “I’m hungry. Can we get something to eat?”
If Shawn hadn’t seen with his own eyes that Emma had devoured a plate of cupcakes and drained a glass of orange juice, he might have been deceived by her innocent look.
But he couldn’t help but give in. “Alright, let’s go get something to eat first and then I’ll take you back, okay?”
“Sounds good!” Emma agreed, clapping her hands in delight.
Seeing the delight on Emma’s face, Shawn couldn’t help but smile back, his lips curving upward, seemingly of their own accord.
Vanessa declined the invitation to join Shawn and the twins, finding his aloofness a bit too chilly for her taste.
However, seeing that Shawn was indeed the CEO of Evercrest Group, she felt reassured. She gave Shawn the address of the apartment and left ahead of them.
In no time, Shawn ushered the kids out of the office and into his car.
With a smooth drive, they arrived at the Luxecrest Hotel’s rooftop restaurant, where they settled into a cozy window–side booth.
The hotel manager, well–acquainted with Shawn, approached with a menu in hand.
“Order whatever you’d like,” Shawn told the twins, handing them the menu.
Zayn and Emma peered at the menu, their eyes bulging at the pricey dishes.
Sensing their reluctance, Shawn offered, “Go ahead. Pick what you want. I’ve got a membership that comes with discounts.”
The manager, familiar with Shawn’s usual solo dining, eyed the children with curiosity, trying to figure out their connection to him.
Unconcerned about the price, Emma eagerly pointed to the dishes with the most enticing photos. “I’ll have these,” she declared, her eyes shining with excitement.
Zayn let out a chuckle, shaking his head in playful disbelief at Emma’s appetite. ‘She really knows how to enjoy her food,‘ he thought.
Shawn watched the exchange with a grin, clearly entertained by the twins‘ dynamic.
Once their orders were placed, Emma tried to sneak in a strawberry ice cream, but Zayn put his foot down. “Emma, you’ve already had two today. No more.
Fine, Emma said with a sigh, slightly dejected, though she knew Zayn and Natalie only wanted what was best for her. She had a sweet tooth that she just couldn’t tame.
Shawn, noticing Emma’s disappointment, promised, “We’ll come back for that ice cream another day,”
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Chapter 29
“Yay! Dad, you rock!” Emma’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her affection for Shawn reaching new heights.
As the appetizers were served, Shawn gestured for the twins to dig in and asked casually, “Where’s your mom? How did she let you out on your own?”
“Mom’s swamped with work, so Vanessa’s taking care of us. We didn’t come alone; Vanessa brought us,” Emma explained with clear logic.
Curious about their mother’s busy schedule, Shawn asked, “What does your mom do that has got her so busy?”
“She’s a renowned designer!” Emma beamed with pride.
At that, Shawn’s brow creased, his gaze dropping as if pondering something deeply. He looked at Emma and asked, “What’s your mom’s name?”
Zayn quickly responded, “Sherry. Her name is Sherry. She’s a regular designer, not well–known. Emma’s a bit mixed up.”
Emma gazed at Zayn, puzzled, thinking, ‘You’re the one who’s confused. Mom’s name is Natalie. Sherry is our godmother’s name. Why are you saying Sherry is our mom?”
However, she believed Zayn had his reasons, so she kept her thoughts to herself. A godmother was a “mother” too, in a way, and they weren’t really lying if Shawn found out later.
“Dad,” Emma asked cautiously, “you’ve said you’re not married and don’t have kids, so do you have a girlfriend?”
Zayn also watched Shawn intently, as if this answer was crucial for them.
“No,” Shawn replied, his eyes lowering, feeling that Tracy didn’t truly qualify as his girlfriend.
Emma’s face lit up with joy at his response. “I knew you wouldn’t just abandon Mom and us.”
Shawn gave a slight, helpless smile, feeling like Emma had really latched onto him. He glanced at Zayn, who seemed to have exhaled in relief.
Shawn thought, “This boy hasn’t called me ‘dad‘ since we met, which means he knows I’m not their real father, but he was just as nervous about my answer and clearly relaxed when he heard I don’t have a girlfriend.’
Shawn was baffled by the idea that he could be unaware of having children of his own.
“Our mom is single, too, and she’s very beautiful, with many people pursuing her. You’re handsome as well. You two would be a perfect match,” Zayn suddenly said earnestly.
Shawn nearly choked on the water he’d just sipped, thinking, ‘So these two kids really are from a single–parent family, and they’re actually trying to find a stepdad for themselves.‘
He kept silent and lowered his gaze. He realized Zayn and Emma were indeed attractive, and the woman who had given birth to them must be quite beautiful as well.
Looking at the faces before him, he felt a growing sense of familiarity, especially with Emma’s eyes.
‘Am I starting to think of myself as their father just because Emma called me ‘dad‘ a few times?‘ Shawn thought. Then he shook his head, dismissing the jumbled thoughts.
“Have you had enough to eat? It’s getting late. I’ll take you back. Your mom must be worried,” Shawn said, noticing the time and deciding to take them home.
“Okay, Emma, let’s go,” Zayn said, rising and calling for Emma to follow Shawn out of the hotel.
Soon, Shawn drove them to the Platinum Apartments, using the address provided by Vanessa.
Upon arriving at the door, Zayn announced, “Vanessa, we’re back.”
Vanessa opened the door, relieved to see them. “Thank you for bringing them back, Mr. Guzman.”
You’re welcome. Where’s their mom?” Shawn inquired.
“Oh, she’s not back yet, Vanessa replied.
Shawn didn’t say more, realizing the twins were right about their mother’s busy schedule.
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Chapter 29
“Well, I’ll leave now,” Shawn said, turning to go.
“Dad, can I have your phone number? I’ll come to see you another day.” Emma ran to the door, not wanting Shawn to leave so soon, especially since it was the first day she’d seen her father.
Shawn jotted down a number and handed it to her. “Call me next time, and I’ll have someone pick you up. You can’t run out by yourself.”
“Okay, goodnight, Dad. Emma quickly pecked Shawn on the cheek and dashed back inside.
Shawn stood there, stunned for a moment, before regaining his composure.
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