Upon arriving upstairs, Kenneth went straight to Anthony's room.
The door opened the instant he knocked. Anthony was already standing there as if he waiting for him.
“Are you still awake?” Kenneth asked.
Anthony nodded.
“Can we have a chat inside?” Kenneth suggested, to which Anthony widened the door and invited him in.
Previously, the room was prepared by Liam to serve as Kenneth and Natasha's matrimonial room. However, Kenneth never stayed in it. It wasn't until two days ago when Liam wanted to renovate Kenneth's room for Anthony did he move Kenneth's things over.
In response to his father's silence, Anthony inquired, “Does this room fill you with melancholy?”
Kenneth lowered his gaze, cognizant of what Anthony was implying. As he looked in the latter's direction, Anthony was unfazed as he stared back at Kenneth.
“More than that, it also fills me with immense regret,” Kenneth admitted candidly.
With a slight cock of his brow, Anthony sat on his bed.
In the meantime, Kenneth approached him but quickly realized all the words he had mentally prepared on the way back were useless.
“I know you still blame me, but I would still like to declare that I want to pursue your mommy again. This is not an impulsive decision made on a whim, but one for the rest of my life. I want to make it up to her by loving and protecting her for eternity.”
In contrast to his ambivalence the last time, Kenneth's tone this time was resolute.
“So?” Anthony raised his brow.
“You have to help me. Or at the very least, don't get in my way,” Kenneth revealed honestly.
He noticed that it was more effective and efficient to go straight to the point when speaking to Anthony.
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because, as your daddy, I won't lie to you.” Kenneth continued, “I vow upon my integrity that what you're worried about won't happen.”
Anthony stared at him with glistening eyes.
Even though Kenneth outdid himself recently, Anthony felt that he couldn't easily forgive the former, for fear that Kenneth would take it for granted.
After pondering a moment, Anthony replied, “Fine, I agree not to get in your way. However, if you hurt Nat, I will make sure you'll never see her again regardless of who you are.”
Despite the bombastic claim coming out of a child, Kenneth didn't doubt his words one bit.
Looking at Anthony, he was reminded of his younger self.
Kenneth curled his lips. “Don't worry. You won't have the chance to do that.”
“I sure hope so,” Anthony answered.
“In that case, won't you consider helping me?” Kenneth gave him a look.
“Isn't it more sincere for you to clear up your own mess?” Anthony threw the question back at him.
From his words and the look in his eyes, one couldn't tell that he was a child.
Sometimes, Kenneth even felt as if he was facing a rival that was his equal.
Kenneth nodded. “You're right. I should.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Without a doubt.” Kenneth beamed.
“It's getting late, so I'm going to bed now. Good night.” The young boy implied for him to leave.
Just when Kenneth was about to go, something occurred to him, causing him to turn around. “There's one more thing.”
“What is it?” “Your mommy... What was she working as overseas?” Kenneth inquired.
Anthony narrowed his gaze and resembled Kenneth while doing so. “Why are you asking about that?”
“She seems... rich?”
A glint flashed in Anthony's eye which he quickly hid. Looking at Kenneth, he threw the question back with a smile. “Is it because a woman who has no interest in your money will be difficult?”
“I have never thought of using money to buy her love. I was just curious about it.”
“That's a wise decision.”
“You're avoiding my question.” Kenneth continued to stare at him.
Anthony quipped, “There's no need to be so direct.”
His response ended up intensifying Kenneth's curiosity as to what Natasha's real job was.
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