Chapter 328: Please, Be My Girlfriend
"Are you okay?" Todd looked concerned.
He took a closer look at Wendy’s ankle carefully. She was wearing heels. The sudden twist might have caused minor or severe injury.
Wendy stood up straight. She felt that her ankle was indeed aching. The ache made her frown.
"I’ll send you to the hospital for a quick check," Todd said, wanting to hold Wendy again.
Wendy made a gesture, refusing. She then lifted her foot and tried to walk a few steps. It was her two children’s birthday banquet. Wouldn’t she be a party pooper if she were to go to the hospital then?
"I can still walk. I’m fine," Wendy said.
Todd watched as she walked with a stagger. He was worried, saying, "I think it’d be better if we get it checked at the hospital. If you really twisted your ankle and you left it untreated, it would become worse."
Wendy smiled, saying, "I’m really fine. Don’t worry." She continued walking. The pain was bearable for her.
"Mommy..." Jake approached her, squatting down to check her ankle.
Michael, carrying Leah in his arms, walked over to them. It felt inappropriate for Michael to make any comment then but his gaze was fixed upon Wendy’s ankle. He pursed his lips and kept quiet for a while. Finally, he asked, "Why not go and get it checked?"
As expected, everyone ignored him. Michael felt awkward. He couldn’t say anything else.
"If you don’t want to go to the hospital now, go and sit over there. Take a rest," Todd suggested, supporting Wendy. He helped her sit down and said, "I will take care of the guests for you."
Michael was a bit upset when he heard what Todd said. He should be the one taking care of the guests; he was the children’s father after all. But he knew that he wasn’t welcome then. If he were to offer his help, he reckoned everyone would ignore him again.
Michael watched as Todd got busy, hosting the party guests. He didn’t feel good about it, but he had no choice. He could only play with Leah for the time being. As for Jake, he didn’t even approach him at all.
After a short while, Wendy spotted a familiar face. It was Zen Tanner! Wendy was surprised to see Zen. Although they had once been really close friends, it was in the past after all.
"Happy Birthday, cutie pies," Zen greeted the children with a wide smile as she handed them the two presents she’d prepared.
Jake and Leah accepted their gifts and thanked Zen politely.
Then, Zen walked over to Wendy who remained seated. She smiled, asking, "Am I not welcome here?"
Looking at Zen’s outstretched hand, Wendy smiled faintly. She stood up and shook Zen’s hand. "Are we so distant that we have to act so courteously?" Wendy replied.
Zen pulled her hand back when she heard Wendy’s comment. She then hugged Wendy and asked, "Are we still distant now?"
Wendy smiled but didn’t respond.
Their current relationship couldn’t be summed up with the word ’distant’. A hug couldn’t change anything, but anyone attending the party was a guest. Wendy made a gesture, leading Zen to her seat as she walked unsteadily. Because of her hurt ankle, she didn’t attend to the other guests.
She took a seat next to Zen and chatted with her, "How did you find out that it’s their birthday today?"
Zen started to reminisce and smiled, saying, "We made a promise that we would be godmothers to each other’s children no matter who gave birth first. As they are my godson and goddaughter, how can I not know when their birthday is?"
Zen’s response did not answer Wendy’s question. Wendy looked down. She seemed to be thinking about something.
It was normal for Michael to know; Leah had told him about it before. But it was unlikely that Michael would tell Zen about it.
In the few months that Wendy had been in Lake City, she hadn’t been close to Zen. Zen was on Christian’s side after all. By right, Zen shouldn’t have known about Jake and Leah’s birthday. It was impossible that Zen would have gone to find out when their birthday was out of the blue either. It was most likely Christian who had told her.
Just as she thought of Christian, Wendy heard a commotion happening nearby.
"Christian, we do not welcome you here."
"I’m afraid I’m not the only one unwelcome here."
There were two voices. One was Christian’s and the other one was Michael’s.
Zen saw Christian and she gripped Wendy’s wrist tightly. It was so forceful that Wendy felt her wrist aching.
"What’s wrong?" Wendy asked, looking at Zen who looked terrified.
Zen gulped and said softly, "I... I am going to sit somewhere less conspicuous. And if Christian asks about me, don’t tell him I’m here."
Then, Zen stood up and walked to another table. Wendy watched Zen’s back as she left. She frowned, knitting her eyebrows together.
Todd looked at the person who’d just arrived, putting him in a difficult position. Just as he was thinking of not letting Christian in, Wendy walked over.
"I never expected Jake and Leah to be so lucky. They made the two Mr. Lucases come all the way here," Wendy said, smiling courteously.
"Jake and Leah are my niece and nephew. I should attend their birthday party," Christian said. He wasn’t the slightest bit ashamed.
Todd stood by the side in silence. It was a complicated relationship. Wendy had to take care of it herself.
"Happy Birthday," Christian greeted, handing over two presents.
However, neither Jake nor Leah accepted the presents. Christian didn’t blink at this. Instead, he walked into the hall, carrying the presents.
He saw a corner where the presents were piled up and went to put his presents there.
"Why not ask him to leave?" Todd asked Wendy softly.
"Forget it," Wendy replied, shaking her head. He’d already arrived, so she would let him stay.
The last time during Wendy’s birthday, he’d even snuck into the elevator in her house. If she were to ask him to leave, it would not be a pretty sight. She was also worried that he might pull other tricks beyond her imagination.
Todd watched Christian’s back anxiously. Christian had already found himself a seat.
Almost all the guests had arrived. It was almost seven at night too. As the host, Wendy gave a short speech politely and everyone began eating.
According to the programme, there would be some activities after dinner. There were many children from the kindergarten attending the party. Many of them were competing to perform first. The children could still have fun after the dinner.
Wendy and Todd were seated at the same table as Timothy. Wendy had initially arranged Zen to be seated at the same table but Zen had left on her own. Wendy didn’t intend to seat Michael at the same table but Leah wanted to sit with her dad.
Wendy had no choice. She couldn’t just chase Michael away.
As for Christian, he was insensible. He sat at the same table too.
There were supposed to be two other people from the company sharing the table with them.
But upon seeing Michael and Christian sitting at the table, they didn’t dare to join them and left instead. Hence, the mood at the table was exceptionally awkward.
"Go ahead and eat. Why aren’t you eating?" Christian asked, smiling faintly. He took the initiative to get some food for both Jake and Leah, saying, "Birthday boy and birthday girl, you have to eat more today."
"My dear brother, you should eat more too," Christian said, looking at Michael next to him and picking some food for him.
In the past, Michael would have stood up and fought with Christian. But he was no longer the same impulsive and reckless man.
Michael smiled and took some food for Christian in return. He said, "My dear brother, you should have some too."
Wendy watched them pretending to be nice to each other. She couldn’t help but find it funny.
Suddenly, there was food on Wendy’s plate too, courtesy of Todd. Both Christian and Michael saw Todd’s actions.
Christian smiled, saying, "It seems that my sister-in-law has found a suitable man for herself."
He added after a short pause, "Oh, no. I should say ’ex sister-in-law’."
Wendy’s fork hovered in mid-air. She lifted her head and stared into Christian’s eyes, saying coldly, "If you do not want to enjoy the meal in peace, the door is that way."
"Of course I want to. Why wouldn’t I want to eat in peace?" Christian picked up his utensils and started eating. He changed the topic and commented, "Tastes good."
After Christian stopped talking, the mood at the table eased up. However, their table was the earliest to finish with dinner. Nobody ate much.
Wendy noticed that some of the kids were done eating. So, she started making arrangements for them to perform their talent show. The other guests gradually left their tables after they were done with their dinner. They surrounded the children and watched them perform in excitement.
Leah liked to dance and had a solo dance performance prepared. Jake didn’t have any performing talent so he could only stand by the side and watch.
Halfway through, someone pushed a big cake into the room. There was an image printed on the cake. It was a family of four, in cartoon characters. No one else recognized the image but Wendy did. Because it was the image she’d drawn at the beach during her wedding photoshoot with Michael.
Wendy knew who’d given the cake in an instant.
She couldn’t help but glance in Michael’s direction. Michael happened to be looking at Wendy then too. Wendy quickly averted her gaze.
Although it’d happened in a split second, Christian saw it all.
Leah liked the cake very much. She exclaimed in excitement when her eyes landed on the cake. "This cake is so big and so beautiful."
They lit the number candles on the cake and everyone around them started singing a birthday song. When the lights dimmed, Wendy walked up to Michael who was standing nearby. She lowered her voice, asking softly, "Michael Lucas, what are you trying to do?
It was an image she’d drawn when their relationship was at its best. But now, the situation was different. Michael had made the image into a cake. If there wasn’t the issue of Yonina Collins, Wendy would have been thrilled. Now, she only found it laughable.
Michael was going to get engaged with Yonina, yet he’d used the image of their cartoonized family portrait as a birthday present.
"I..." Michael didn’t know what to say..
"Are you trying to show how affectionate and sentimental you are? Or are you trying to be sarcastic? Or maybe, you are trying to be a two-timer? Michael, you’ve already made me hate you. Don’t make me look down on you."
Both Todd and Christian witnessed the scene.
Todd didn’t understand what Wendy meant, nor did he know what she was referring to. But he wasn’t stupid. He could guess what it was.
The image on the cake wasn’t one commonly found on any cake. Wendy had only responded after seeing the cake, so whatever Wendy she’d said earlier must be related to the cake.
In the dim lighting, Todd’s gaze was fixed upon Wendy. His hands, resting at his sides, slowly clenched tight. Maybe it was time for him to do something.
"Mommy, Mommy, let’s blow the candles together..." Leah called out, looking for Wendy.
Wendy walked back when she heard Leah. The cake was too huge while the two children were too small. Wendy carried Leah while Todd carried Jake. Then, the two children blew out the candles in one puff.
When the candles went off, the lights were turned on again.
It was as though nothing had happened.
The waiters cut the cake and Jake and Leah dutifully passed them to their guests. The first slice of cake was given to Wendy. Wendy accepted it happily, stroking their heads.
Then, Leah gave the second slice of cake to Michael while Jake gave the second slice of cake to Timothy. Just as Jake wanted to give the third slice of cake to Todd, he couldn’t find him.
Moments later, Todd walked through the crowd, carrying a big bouquet of roses. He walked to Wendy, blushing. He was shy.
Even so, Todd plucked up the courage to stand in front of her and said, "Corrine, we have known each other for almost six years now. We share the same mentor. I’ve watched you grow from an inexperienced designer to a top designer. I am proud of you and I am..."
Wendy didn’t have the nerve to listen further. Todd was holding a bouquet of roses, making such a speech. Wendy could guess what he was about to say next.
She smiled awkwardly, cutting him off. She said, "My dear senior, I’m proud of you too. I’m glad to have you as my senior, assisting me along the way. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thank you so much..."
Wendy had never called Todd her senior but she kept emphasizing it now. Todd understood what Wendy was trying to imply, but he couldn’t just let it be. Not when he’d finally plucked up the courage to confess his feelings.
Todd initially hadn’t planned on confessing his feelings tonight. But Michael had sent the cake as a present.
No one could blame Todd for taking advantage of the situation. He’d backed out on his initiative back then. It was Michael who fell short of Wendy’s expectations.
Of course, Todd had a secret intention in mind. Michael and Christian were both here tonight. On top of that, there were many other people at the party. Wendy was likely to accept him, whether it be to spare his feelings or to intentionally irritate Michael. Todd intended to drive her into a corner.
It was Todd’s first time thinking of forcing her hand. If he were to stop right here, without pushing to the very end, it would seem like nothing had happened. He didn’t want to give another chance for Michael and Wendy to patch up. Michael would only hurt Wendy.
For once, Todd wanted to fight for himself. For once, he wanted to go all out.
"Corrine, you should know what I’m about to say next..." Todd took a deep breath and continued with a smile, "I’m a coward. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a very long time but I never had the courage. Today, I have to say it out loud. I like you, Corrine. Please, be my girlfriend?"
