When Angeline realized the girl was Floretta, she questioned Jacob with an anxious look on her face, âWhatâs going on?â
With a hand in his pocket, Jacob explained flippantly, âThe director mentioned that we still need a young kid who isnât a celebrity, so I nominated Floretta because sheâs both smart and pretty!â
âIâll overlook Florettaâs part because she doesnât know right from wrong, but how could you mess around like this?â
Given how protective Evander was over Floretta, he must have had no idea that Jacob and Floretta had joined the program. Otherwise, he wouldnât have allowed Floretta to tag along.
Angeline couldnât comment on it due to them being filmed by cameras around them.
All the while, the director was ushering them to board the plane. She didnât feel safe leaving Floretta at the airport alone. Out of options, she could only bring Floretta along.
The cameraman followed Angeline as she dragged her luggage behind while on her way to board the plane. Unused to being filmed while not acting, she couldnât help but frown.
At that moment, Jacob approached her and took her luggage with a smug grin on his face.
âThis must be your first time on a variety show, Angie. Calm down. Iâm here for you.â
âMind your own business,â Angeline reminded him in slight exasperation, still angry at him.
Jacob would be in trouble if Evander knew Jacob had signed Floretta up for the show without his consent.
âIâm not scared of him. Everything will already be decided when he finds out about this.â
Jacob huffed and used all his might to stash all the luggage into the container.
Angeline didnât bother with a reply. Youâre still too young. The folly of youth!
While she regretted what happened, what was done was done, so she could only text their whereabouts to Evander before their flight took off.
He seemed busy somehow, for Angeline didnât get a reply from him even after waiting for ten or so minutes.
As the plane picked up speed, Angelineâs ears buzzed with the sounds of gears turning. The uncomfortable sensation made her switch off her phone earlier.
With how things were, she could only go with the flow.
Evander had just finished a meeting about several decisions regarding international trading with his collaborator in Spaunia, Bryce Watson. It was almost midnight when they exited the conference room.
Bryce invited him over for dinner in a hotel with zest despite the quirky Chanaean he spoke.
Evander accepted his invitation. While on their way to the restaurant, Sylas hurried over and whispered into Evanderâs ear, âThings are bad, Mr. Golding. Francesca just called to inform me that Ms. Floretta had snuck out again.â
Evander stopped in his tracks with a solemn expression upon hearing that. âWhy did you only inform me now, given the graveness of the matter?â
âI didnât want to bother you since you seemed to be busy. However, you have nothing to worry about.
Ms. Floretta left with Mr. Zane, so sheâs in safe hands.â
Evander frowned in frustration when he heard Jacobâs name being mentioned.
He felt even less assured upon hearing Jacobâs name, for the latter was undependable, and Floretta might get into trouble while following him around.
Evander took out his phone from his pocket and saw the messages Angeline had sent him after switching it on.
Upon getting a grasp on what had happened and of Florettaâs whereabouts, he stopped frowning.
To his surprise, he had begun trusting Angeline a lot, which was a realization that elicited a frown from him.
âMr. Golding, do you need a flight ticket to Summerbank booked to fetch Floretta back home?â Sylas carefully inquired, for he had a hard time reading Evanderâs mood from the impassive look he wore.
Evanderâs face fell as he heard Sylasâ inquiry. âThat wonât be necessary.â
Given Florettaâs personality, he was aware that she might get angry at him if he barged in and dragged her back home.
Besides, they would likely already have landed at Summerbank Airport, so he might exhaust Floretta if his arrival caused even more of an upheaval.
âWould you like to have dinner together, Mr. Golding?â asked Bryce, who was next to him. He couldnât understand Chanaean much, so he was filled with curiosity.
âIâm sorry.â
Evander had an apologetic look as he briefed Bryce about the situation. After that, he delayed all his work abroad and dialed a number after taking out his phone.
Angeline and the rest finally landed at Summerbank after a lengthy flight of more than ten hours. She handed her luggage to the staff and left the airport holding Florettaâs hand.
As soon as they stepped out of the airport, they noticed flowers blooming by the road. The air smelled of the ocean, but it wasnât gross at all.
Floretta hadnât slept and had chatted away with Jacob instead while on her way there, so she was feeling drowsy after getting off the plane.
She yawned with bleary eyes as she lay on Angelineâs lap.
âAngel, Iâm hungryâ¦â
She was still looking forward to her meal despite feeling exhausted.
Angeline couldnât bring herself to chide Floretta upon taking in her adorable face. While caressing her head, Angeline coaxed gently, âOkay, Iâm taking you to where weâll be staying for a meal now. Lean on me and take a nap.â
As she spoke, she lifted Floretta from the ground and into the car while the cameras filmed her.
At the same time, Jacob was taken aback by how well-received he was overseas. He had just gotten rid of his fans and told the driver to leave the airport immediately after he got into the car.
Their lodging wasnât far from the airport. The crew rented a three-story guesthouse, which theyâll be sharing with two other groups.
They arrived first, so they got to pick where they would be staying at. Angeline chose the room on the second floor near the window and had Floretta stay with her.
Jacob helped carry Floretta off the car upon their arrival at the guesthouse. As they entered the room, he watched Angeline in amusement.
âAngie, you settled into your role as a mother unexpectedly fast.â
âCut the nonsense.â
Angeline glowered at him, obviously showing more restraint in her movements.
She was doing so for Jacobâs sake, worried that Evander might lash out at him after rushing his way to them.
Upon entering the room, Jacob tucked Floretta in and put their luggage down before reminding Angeline thoughtfully, âFilming starts tomorrow. Get plenty of rest tonight. Iâll inform the director of our arrival.â
Angeline felt warmth course through her heart. Noticing the sweat on Jacobâs forehead, she handed him some tissue.
âThanks for your hard work. You should get some rest too.â
Elated, Jacob stared at her with an excited smile on his face.
âYou donât have to be so polite with me, Angie. You helped me out before, so I can protect you now that Iâve grown up.â
Angeline pursed her lips while checking him out with a complex look in her eyes. Jacob was good in the sense that he was straightforward.
However, he had been keeping close contact with her. While it was understandable when they were filming together, she couldnât help but wonder if, by planning and taking both Floretta and her to Summerbank, he was merely trying to repay her kindness.
After Jacob left, Angeline glanced around at the cameras set up in every corner of the house. There was another cameraman in a small tent trying his best to hide his presence. She couldnât help but raise her hand to rub between her brows in exhaustion.
She figured she had done her best by keeping her sanity while under constant scrutiny.
Fortunately, the footage would undergo postproduction editing, so she figured she could have Nancy inform the film crew to keep Florettaâs identity a secret.
The little girl slept soundly in bed. Angeline walked up to her and draped a small blanket over her before strolling to the balcony.
The setting sun dyed the sky crimson.
From where she stood at the guesthouse, she could see that it was located halfway up the mountain.
Underneath her was a running river, while the rolling hills spread out afar, seemingly without an end.
Angeline raised her head and inhaled deeply while looking at the sky.
Throughout the years, she had been busy seeking revenge and searching for her children. It had been a while since she got time to relax.
Although Angeline liked the environment there, she wouldnât stay for long because she knew better than anybody else that she shouldnât be distracted by the beauty before her. She had to complete a far more important mission.
Ding!
Her phone in her pocket rang at that moment.