Willard had clearly made an effort to dress up, choosing a casual yet refined outfit that complemented his polished demeanor. His eyes sparkled with a warm smile as he held several gift boxes in his hands.
"What's this?"
"Gifts for the little guy."
Willard and Daniel exchanged greetings. "Hello, I'm Willard."
Daniel wasn't fond of Willard; he only had eyes for Daddy!
But Mom was there, and she had taught him that kids need to be polite.
With a crisp voice, Daniel called him "Uncle."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Willard, my dad is tied up with work, and he's home alone. I just couldn't leave him by himself," Brittany apologized once again for impulsively bringing Daniel along.
"It's alright. We were bound to meet sooner or later."
Willard seemed genuinely fond of Daniel, handing over the thoughtfully prepared gifts. "This is a little something for our first meeting."
Daniel didn't want it.
But Brittany was watching.
He reached out, accepted the gift box, and thanked "Uncle."
Willard could sense his resistance but didn't take it to heart, assuming it was just a child's natural reaction to a new adult in his life.
He was quite smitten with Brittany and was fully prepared to embrace her child as well.
Temporary resistance would eventually melt away.
"Let's go."
The trio made their way to the exhibition hall.
Willard had really done his homework; this exclusive jewelry exhibition was open only to a select crowd, showcasing pieces of considerable value.
Willard's knowledge of jewelry impressed Brittany, a professional in the field. She could tell he had made an effort to cater to her interests, warming up to him even more.
Daniel followed closely behind.
By the time the exhibition ended, it was already noon.
Seizing the opportunity, Willard invited them to join him for lunch. He had made reservations at a restaurant, originally planning for two but was more than happy to accommodate the addition of a child after consulting with the establishment.
Willard, having dined with Brittany before, had a rough idea of her tastes but still gave her plenty of choices.
After ordering, Brittany excused herself to visit the restroom.
Daniel finally saw his chance, swallowing his milk before asking, "Do you like my mom?"
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