Chapter 270
Tavon sought out Salma, and from the get-go, his intentions werenât exactly pure as the driven snow. Ashley had already put her foot down, demanding that Salma and Anastasia be lured to Willowbrook ASAP.
Tavon took Salma and Pattie to McDonaldâs, ordered a burger for Pattie and with great enthusiasm, poured Salma a cup of milk from a meal deal.
Salma sneezed and Tavon promptly whipped off his jacket and draped it over her, saying, âSalma, itâs getting chilly in Riverdale. You gotta watch out for your health. Keep warm next time youâre out.â
Tavonâs actions were indeed attention-grabbing. Even though he was over fifty, he was still a looker, dressed sharp and exuding a masculine charm. With a watch and designer clothes worth a small fortune, his vibe was off the charts.
Salma was a bit flustered, âThanks.â
Tavon laughed it off, âNo need for formalities.â
Then he turned to Pattie, âPattie, eat up. Iâll buy you more if thatâs not enoughâ¦
Pattie wasnât too keen on Tavon. Kids were sharp; they could sniff out a phony y from a mile away. Pattie stayed silent and just quietly munched on her fries.
Tavon laid it on thick with Salma, âSalma, my vineyardâs not doing so hot lately, and itâs been a real headache. I canât stick around Riverdale much longer. Iâll be heading back to Willowbrook in a few days. Have you and Ana thought about coming with me?â
âUhâ¦â Salma stuttered, âAnaâs not home. I havenât mentioned this to her yet.â
âWell, you better get on it. You know the Morton family values blood ties. Iâve already told the family I want to acknowledge Ana as my daughter, have her return to her roots.â Tavon added, âThe dateâs already set, and itâs the third of next month. Itâs a good date.â
Seeing Tavonâs regard for Anastasia, Salma felt reassured. She replied, âIâll talk to Ana önce sheâs back tomorrow.â
âBack tomorrow? Whereâs Ana?â Tavon asked.
âAnaâs on a business trip with her husband in Crescent Bay.â Salma grinned, âThose two are thick as thieves. Even on business trips theyâre inseparable.â
Tavon played along, âWhat does he do?â
âAccording to Ana, heâs a programmer.â Salma replied, âI donât really get it, but heâs really ambitious and a good guy. Just had a rough hand dealt to him, lost his parents early and heâs the only one left in his family.â
Hearing that Anastasiaâs husband had such circumstances, Tavon felt relieved. A poor orphan with no connections, even if he did get a bone marrow transplant from Anastasia, it wouldnât cause a big fuss.
On the surface, Tavon seemed unfazed, âIf the son-in-law is that capable, I, as his father-in-law, will definitely give him a leg up. There are plenty of IT companies in Willowbrook, and I know lots of big wigs. I can easily hook him up with a better job, with a salary of a couple million a year. And even better if heâs willing to help out at my vineyard.â
Seeing Tavonâs offer to help her son-in-law, Salma felt pleased, âDoes Ashley have any objections?â
âI call the shots in this house. I owe you, and Iâll make it up to you. Ashley wonât have anything to say.â Tavon was spinning tales left and right, âYouâre the one whoâs actually my wife. If it werenât for Ashleyâs meddling and our familyâs objections, we would have been together long ago.â His words were full of regret.
Salma was completely taken in by Tavonâs dramatic performance.
Tavon seized the opportunity, âSalma, come back to Willowbrook with me first.â Once Salma was in Willowbrook, Anastasia would have to follow.
âUh, I, uhâ¦â Salma hesitated, âI need to ask Ana about this decision.â
âDonât you want to see me every day?â Tavon held Salmaâs hand tightly, âWeâre not getting any younger. How many years do we have left? Youâve sacrificed so much for Ana. Now, itâs time you lived for yourself. Come back to Willowbrook with me. Ana will understand. Sheâll accept us.â