Chapter 395 Meeting Tony
Amelia stayed at the hospital for a couple more days so James could perform a final health check. It was vital to ensure that her body was not rejecting the transplanted cornea.
Oscar took it upon himself to pack Amelia’s luggage while Tiffany stood to the side with her arm linked through Amelia’s. “Babe, how do you feel about leaving the hospital?” she asked with a grin.
Amelia mirrored her elated expression. “My heart is pounding with excitement. I never thought this day would come so quickly. I can finally see again!”
“People say that after a storm comes a calm. Things will only get better from here onward. Now that your eyes are completely healed, your next blessing will be your children. They’ll grow up to be successful people, so you’ll get to sit back and bask in their filial affection.”
Amused by her friend’s words, Amelia shook her head.
“My only wish for them is to be safe and sound—protected from diseases and shielded from disasters. The amount of money we earn now is more than enough to sustain them for their entire lives even if they don’t work at all. As long as they’re healthy and well, I’m contented. I don’t need my children to be outstanding to be happy,” Amelia said lightly. These were her innermost thoughts. Perhaps she had been deprived of attention when she was young, but her only goal as a mother was to shower her children with unconditional love and educate them to be cultured people. Raising her children to be successful entrepreneurs was never on her list.
“Babe, you’re a great mother, and I think you’ve made a wise decision. Let’s visit Tony now. He misses you badly. After all, you’ve been away for quite a few days. He calls me daily to ask about when you can go home. From the looks of it, he’ll charge through the hospital doors to see you if you don’t go back to him right now,” Tiffany joked as she tugged Amelia’s arm playfully.
A giggle escaped Amelia’s lips. She, too, yearned to go home. She had pictured her son’s grown features countless times in her mind, but she was still eager to see how her imagination differed from the real thing.
“Getting discharged, Amelia?” James greeted Amelia with a warm smile as he entered the hospital. His white lab coat flapped behind him as he strode over.
Amelia returned his smile. “James, you were the one who approved of my discharge papers. Why are you asking the obvious?”
“To fit in with you Chanaeans,” he quipped.
Both women burst into laughter when they heard his witty remark.
With both hands in his pockets, James shrugged nonchalantly and commented, “Amelia, you’re a natural beauty, and your charm has elevated ever since you regained your eyesight. A hint of allure under your purity, and yet a tinge of innocence within that allure—a masterpiece! Surely a wonderful being like you has a sister?”
Amelia could not contain her mirth as laughter bubbled up inside her.
Tiffany gave him a side-eye. “James, are you laying it on thick in hopes that Amelia will introduce you to a beauty?”
“I’m planning to move to Chanaea for good. Can’t I find myself a good Chanaean girl beforehand? Besides, the two of you promised to find me a girlfriend two years ago, and yet here I am with none! You liars,” James retorted. It was hard to tell if his complaints were genuine.
“James, are you serious? With the qualities you possess, you can get any woman you want! Why would you need us to introduce you to anyone? Don’t tell me that you’re aiming for a sham marriage,” Tiffany rebutted after giving him a once-over.
“It’s precisely because I’m overwhelmed by all the options I have! It’ll be better if someone could introduce me to a nice lady,” James replied with a casual shrug.
“When you find a woman who can hold you down, you’ll know that she’s the one. I hope that she appears sooner than later,” Tiffany muttered.
James chortled at her words.
After some more friendly banter, the group took the elevator downstairs, got into the car, and headed for James’ villa.
Amelia exited the vehicle the moment the car pulled to a stop. She immediately caught sight of a tiny figure barreling toward her, his arms flailing in excitement. The young boy’s high-pitched voice pierced the air as he called out, “Mommy!”
Amelia reflexively caught him in her arms as her eyes reddened with emotion.
With her hands on Tony’s shoulders, Amelia bent down to observe his face. Tears spilled over as she lamented the time she lost with her son.
“Tony, my dear son. You’re already two years old, and yet this is the first time I’m seeing you. You’ve grown up so well. Look at you, you’re such a handsome boy,” Amelia said. Her tears trickled down to her smiling lips.
Amelia carefully caressed Tony’s face. She marveled over how her son’s features were a wonderful marriage of hers and Oscar’s. With his doe-like eyes and upturned nose, Tony resembled a doll. She wanted to envelop the toddler in her embrace and never let go. A surge of pride coursed through her as she registered that the adorable child was her and Oscar’s son.
A tiny hand clumsily wiped the tears on Amelia’s face. “Mommy, why are you crying? Are you sad to see me?” Tony asked, confusion coloring his sweet voice.
Amelia laughed through her tears when she heard her son’s words. “Of course not! Mommy is very happy to see you. Now that my eyes are healed, I can see you clearly. When you’re old enough to go to kindergarten, I’ll be able to bring you myself. I’ll always be with you, even when you attend elementary school and high school. I’m delighted that I can see you,” she assured.
Tony cocked his head as he processed her words. He then threw his arms around Amelia and patted her back while consoling her, “There, there, Mommy. When I grow up, I’ll protect you. Now, you can see me, and I can see you. All right now, stop crying. You’ll become ugly if you cry.” He mimicked the way adults comforted him.
Charmed by her son’s endearing antics, Amelia laughed.
The sound of Tony’s silvery voice chased away any lingering sorrow or remorse.
Tiffany approached them and reminded Amelia gently, “Amelia, don’t get too emotional. Your eyes are still healing, so crying too much may aggravate them.”
Amelia dabbed at the corners of the eyes and scooped Tony up in one swift motion.
“All right, let’s head in,” she said.
As Amelia passed by Oscar with Tony in her arms, the young boy shot his father a taunting look.
Derrick, who was walking next to Oscar, noticed Tony’s sassy attitude and teased, “Mr. Clinton, it seems like Tony is out to get you. He’s only two, and yet he’s already mocking you. It’s unbelievable!”
Oscar glowered at Derrick.
Chuckling at Oscar’s sullen expression, Derrick continued, “Mr. Clinton, you’ll have to work hard to earn Tony’s approval. He’s a sharp one, that boy. You can’t fool him like other kids, so you better watch yourself.”
“I would believe that you mean well if it weren’t for that obnoxious grin on your face,” Oscar grumbled.
Derrick guffawed, his boisterous laughter garnering the attention of others.
“Mr. Pretty, what are you laughing at?” Tony asked curiously.
Derrick’s face fell. “Tony, I’m your godmother’s boyfriend, and I’ll become her husband once we get married. So, you should start calling me Godpa instead of Mr. Pretty, all right?” he corrected.
Tony pouted and whined, “But you’re so pretty. Why can’t I call you Mr. Pretty?”
Derrick felt defeated. This kid here is the bane of my existence.
Pretty, pretty, pretty.
The word echoed in Derrick’s head, taunting him. He detested it when people described him as pretty.
Oscar patted his back and chuckled. “Seems like we’re in the same boat, Mr. Pretty, though I think that the name is extremely befitting. You are quite pretty.”
Derrick’s features twisted into a scowl.
Oscar, on the other hand, had brightened up significantly.
Derrick felt miserable. Under normal circumstances, if someone were to mock his appearances, he would have a million ways to shut them up. Unfortunately, when it came to Oscar, Derrick fell short in both physical strength and work capability. He had no choice but to bite his tongue as he was not Oscar’s rival at the moment.
Once they entered the house, Derrick made a beeline for Tony and started to negotiate. “Tony, if you call me “Godpa,” I’ll give you the limited edition Ultraman figurine I just bought. What do you think? You see, the word ‘pretty’ is usually meant for women, so it doesn’t quite suit me. Will you be a good boy and stop calling me that?”
Tony cocked his head and extended a hand, palm facing up. “Mr. Pretty, I want the Ultraman,” he said.
Derrick had to muster every ounce of his self-control to stop himself from strangling the boy.
“Tony, you must learn to be grateful. If I give you a present, you should give me something in return. I just want you to call me ‘Godpa.’ It’s not difficult, is it? Just one word and the Ultraman is all yours,” Derrick coaxed.
Scrunching his nose, Tony insisted, “Mr. Pretty, I want the Ultraman.”
Derrick sighed in resignation.
Just then, Tiffany walked over and reprimanded jokingly, “Derrick, you’re in your thirties, and yet you’re quarreling with a toddler about such a trivial matter. He’s been calling you “Mr. Pretty” for the past two years. He has determined that you are pretty, and I think that you should just accept your fate.”
Derrick eventually caved in. He stood up and hugged Tiffany from behind. “Tiff, my heart is bleeding. You’ll have to compensate me for the hurt I’ve received, or my heart will be scarred forever,” he mumbled childishly.
Squirming in his arms, Tiffany scolded, “Let me go! Tony is watching us. This behavior is not acceptable in front of a child!”
“Well, then. You’ll have to make it up to me when we’re alone.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes at him, but a blush rose to her cheeks. She scurried away from Derrick to hide her embarrassment.
