Melissa, as expected, gently patted Jessieâs shoulder, warning, âYou really shouldnât drink.
We donât want you ending up sick or back in the hospital.
â
Jessie nodded in agreement at Melissaâs words.
Eventually, the kidsâ banters brightened the mood.
During the meal, Marcus and Albert delved into some business talk.
Meanwhile, Melissa and Jessie had their own catch-up.
Out of the blue, Albert softly inquired, âHow have you been all these years?â
Jessie was taken aback by the question.
At the table with seven, six pairs of eyes were trained on her.
Feeling a touch shy, Jessie answered softly, âPretty good.
Iâve taken up a new language Latelyâ Hungarian, to be exact.
â
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Throughout, Albert gazed at her with unwavering focus.
Pulling back, he offered a smile.
âImpressive! Iâm quite envious.
Youâve got freedom, no ties to restrict you-must be nice to travel the globe as you wish.
â
Jessie averted her eyes, murmuring with a slight smile, âAnd Iâm envious of you, Mr.
Waston.
A charming wife, and an adorable daughter, it seems idyllic⦠Oh, my apologies.
I didnât mean any offense.
â
Albert remained silent, his look at Jessie laden with unspoken thoughts.
Then Jeslyn drew near, resting her head on Albertâs arm before whispering, âDad, I donât know much about my mom.
â She then turned to Jessie and asked, âHave you ever met her? Iâve heard she was stunning.
Is that right?â
Indeed, Jessie had met Jeslynâs mother firsthand.
Moreover, she had even received a slap from her!
Yet, all that was in the past, and she couldnât take out her frustration on such a sweet child, who bore a resemblance to Albert.
Nevertheless, Jessie wasnât keen on Jeslyn getting too close.
Hence, Jessie asserted with a firm expression, âNo, Iâve never met her.
â
Jeslynâs face fell with disappointment at this.
Later, she voiced with a tinge of sorrow.
âMy momâs gone, so you wonât get the chance to meet her.
â
Jessie was left speechless by her words.
Then, Jeslyn looked up at Jessie once more, tears brimming in her innocent eyes.
To Jessie, the little girl seemed so delicate and endearing.
Thus, they locked gazes for an extended moment.