A trip to the kitchen

The little guy wiggled out of my arms after the hug and said," Are you feeling better?"

I shook my head and made a sad face. He frowned and said," One more hug?" and I immediately nodded my head.

He drew closer and hugged me once more.

Okay, I was tricking a 4-year-old, but I just could not help it. I really missed him and this made have been the last time I would see him because I might not marry his father again, because one of my options involved giving up the marriage to my step-sister that way i would change the narrative.

He left my arms again and then asked, "Now?" I wanted to say no again, but I decided against it. When I nodded, he looked relieved and happy.

"Usually with father, it works the first time. I thought my hugs lost their magic." he said, his face instantly becoming sad.

Seeing this, my heart broke. " No little Jack, your hugs are the best." I said, smiling and giving him a thumbs up.

"Really?" he asked, his face brightening up again.

" Really." I affirmed

" Then will you ask for a reward from my father now?" he asked. He seemed a bit nervous playing with his little index fingers. was he scared something would happen?

I shook my head and said," I received the best reward in my whole life." This was partly true.

" Really? What's that?" he asked curiously, opening his round, big eyes even wider.

" Yes, little Jack made me feel better when I was sad, and I saved little Jack, so we don't owe each other. So I won't ask your father for a reward. It's a fair trade, right?" I told the little kid.

He looked at me with narrow eyes and seemed like he was actually figuring out if this was a fair trade or not, then he said

"I will ask father. He knows more about trades. "

"I don't want you to lose." he said this earnestly, and I did not know whether to cry or laugh because the last I needed was Ryan's attention.

"Thank you, Little Jack, but you don't have to do that." I said, praying that he would drop the case, he didn't.

"No, I want it to be fair." he said stubbornly.

Sigh," Alright, if little Jack wants to, then fine." I hope he will forget this soon.

(Little Jack's tummy growls)

He turned pink from embarrassment and touched his tummy frowning.

" Is little Jack hungry?" I asked with an amused smile, and he shyly nodded his head.

" Alright, let me get you something to eat. Stay here, okay?" I told him and moved towards the door but stopped when I felt him pulling my dress.

" What's the matter?" I said as I knelt to face him

" What if mean lady comes back." he said, pouting his small mouth.

" Then do you want to go with me?" I asked

He hesitated at first and then asked," Can I trust you?" His cute innocent eyes looked at me expectantly, and I nodded. I felt amused by hIs relieved expression afterward.

"Okay, we can go. Father said to only go with people I trust." My mouth twitched at this statement, I wanted to facepalm at the little guy's straightforwardness not that I blame him, his father should have explained the meaning of the word to him before sending him out to the world.

Sigh

" Little Jackie, asking people if you can trust them does not make them trustworthy, okay?" I said

" Why not?"

" Because they could be lying to you."

" Are you lying?" he said, looking like he would cry at any moment

"No, I am not."

" That's what matters. Let's go!" he said with a cute sheepish smile. I must really have a word with Ryan or send him an anonymous letter.

* The kitchen*

I took him to the kitchen because the banquet was loud, and I remembered that Jay Jay was not a fan of loud places, and may be that is why I found him outside on the balcony.

When we got there, the head chef did not look happy at all that I wanted to borrow her kitchen, but she still let me use it after all because I am the new daughter of the marquess.

I whipped up quick simple dishes for Jay Jay because I did not want him to wait too long with his hunger.

When I was done, I found him standing behind me, almost drooling just by looking at the food.

" I am done. You can go eat." I said to him

"For me?" he asked

" Yes, little Jackie." I nodded with a smile

He said okay but did not move, and I finally realized why he did not move, just like he didn't eat anything from the banquet.

In my past life, I went to Ryan's house months after the banquet because it was said he and his father were not home at the time, so no one would welcome me as his bride. This also meant that little Jack was alone with his nanny and other workers. When I finally went there, I heard that one of the maids tried poisoning the little guy's food because of Ryan's enemies.

So I guess this had just happened, which is why he was now hesitant to eat. It also explains why Ryan attended this banquet when he did not in my past life.

" Jay Jay, I mean little Jack, come and join me. I made food for us." I said, changing my approach.

" You are hungry too?" he asked suspiciously

" Very hungry." I said, smiling, rubbing my tummy.

" Come on." I urged him with my hand reaching out to him. He stood there for a long time before taking my hand.

We sat down on a bench with a small table in the kitchen where the dishes were, and we started eating.

Jay Jay had the cutest reactions each time he tried out the dishes. I couldn't help but ask him," Are they good?" and he vigorously nodded his head and kept munching.

"Here, have more veggies. They will make you strong and big." I said to him because he was removing them from his plate

" Strong like my father?" he asked

I did not want to make that comparison, but he forced my hand," Yes, strong like... your father." He then nodded and ate happily, but(kitchen door suddenly bangs open!)

The little guy was so shocked that he almost choked on his food, and I hurriedly gave me a glass of milk and patted his back.

" Can you guys be careful?! You scared little Jack." I shouted out of anger.

I did not even turn to face the culprit, but I hoped they got the message. I went back to focusing on Jay Jay when I heard my step-sister's voice,

" Sister, you already won the marriage with master Ryan Evans. Why did you have to take it to the extremes and kidnap young master Jack?"

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