After divorce I am a billionaire novel Chapter 1042

He was stunned for several seconds before his brain finally kicked into gear, but he couldn't remember anything. "What day?"
Alistair was not pleased at all and pouted, crossing his arms and turning away. "Daddy, you said just a few days ago that this weekend we would take a break from math homework and go to the amusement park together."
Anthony suddenly realized what he had forgotten. Callahan Group had been busy with projects lately, so it slipped his mind. He rubbed Alistair's head and said, "I remember now. We'll go after breakfast."
"Yay!" Children's emotions always come quickly and leave quickly too.
"Daddy hurry up and get ready! I can't wait anymore!" With agile short legs, Alistair jumped off the bed happily like a playful little puppy running downstairs.
Anthony watched the small figure disappear down the stairs with a sigh.
His son lacked ambition. All he ever wanted to do was play games. It made him feel uneasy inside, but since he had promised Alistair beforehand, he didn't say anything about it as he got out of bed to wash up.
An hour and a half later...
After finishing breakfast alone with Alistair in tow, Anthony left home.
"Alistair slow down! Save some energy for when we get to the amusement park," Paloma beamed happily while looking back at Anthony.
"It's rare for father-son duo to have fun outside together like this. Consider today as your own vacation day instead of thinking about work."
Anthony nodded in agreement, "I understand."
He sat in the back seat with Alistair buckled up safely, while giving their driver an approving nod before their luxury car drove away from Callahan Residence.
The amusement park on weekends was always bustling with parents bringing their children over for playtime. Laughter filled every corner of it.
Alistair also caught onto this atmosphere immediately. Grabbing onto his daddy's big hand, he dashed towards the amusement park entrance without hesitation!
There were cotton candy stands along the way as well as ice cream vendors. Alistair pointed excitedly towards them shouting, "Daddy! I want some too!"
Anthony silently calculated how much food his little stomach could handle. "You can only have one small cotton candy because eating too many will rot your teeth. The ice cream is also off-limits because cold foods are bad for your stomach. You can't drink milk tea or eat chocolate either since they're high in sugar. Finally, the hot dogs are unhealthy..."
He went on explaining everything until finally Alistair pouted angrily asking, "Then what can I eat?!"
Anthony took a look around at the street vendors. "You can eat hawthorn slices. They're refreshing and appetizing."
"I'm tired of eating hawthorn slices at home. I don't want to eat them outside," Alistair pouted.
"Okay then, how about some fruit? Do you like strawberries?" Anthony suggested.
Alistair pursed his lips and didn't say anything. He had been looking forward to this day with his dad for so long, but now he couldn't even eat anything.
Going out with dad was boring.
Without waiting for Alistair's response, Anthony took charge and bought him a small cotton candy and a box of strawberries. Alistair could only watch as all the tempting snacks in the amusement park passed him by while he nibbled on one small strawberry.
Anthony planned to take him on the carousel next. But just as they arrived at the entrance without buying tickets yet, Anthony's phone rang in his pocket.
Looking up at his father expectantly with big eyes blinking rapidly, Alistair heard him say, "Wait here for me for a moment. I have to take this call."
It was Zack calling. It must be something important since he called during their outing time.
"Mr. Callahan," Zack sounded anxious over the phone. "Our project with RU International Trading Company has fallen through."
"What happened?" furrowed brow appeared on Anthony's face as he asked urgently.
"I'm not sure what exactly went wrong either," Zack replied quickly. "We were supposed to sign contracts today but RU suddenly backed out, saying that Callahan Group lacks business ethics and it refused cooperation with us anymore! Besides that... there is also an issue regarding construction work on South City land. There was apparently a murder case reported from there, causing chaos among workers..."
Zack continued reporting non-stop over the phone while Alistair stood beside him, staring blankly at his father who seemed preoccupied dealing with something beyond his understanding or interest right now...
Hurry up! He really wanted to ride on that carousel! Come on, Dad, finish your call so we can buy our tickets!
The conversation lasted two minutes which felt like forever for little Alistair who couldn't comprehend any of it anyway...
Finally when it ended, Anthony slowly crouched down next to him apologizing, "Alistair... something came up unexpectedly regarding Callahan Group today... I won't be able accompany you anymore today... we'll come back again another time okay?"
Although spoken lightly by his father's tone of voice - those words felt like cold water being poured onto hot embers inside young boy's heart - extinguishing all excitement within seconds...
"Daddy, you have promised me..." he protested, feeling a bit resentful.
Anthony tried to offer an alternative, "Okay, today is still your day off. I can have the driver or bodyguard accompany you if you want to do something fun while I'm away. But don't eat too much or you'll get a stomachache later."
Alistair hung his head and lost all interest in the idea.
The driver and bodyguard weren't his father. They were more like surveillance cameras than companions. What was the point? All he wanted was for his dad to spend time with him.
Anthony felt sorry for him and ruffled his short hair as he emphasized, "There really is an urgent matter that needs my attention, Alistair. Can you be a good boy and understand?"
He had already said enough. There was no room left for refusal now.
Dejectedly nodding his head, Alistair replied, "Okay then, Daddy, you can go take care of business since I don't feel like playing anymore."
"Alright then," Anthony agreed before adding after checking his watch,"There's still plenty of time left this afternoon, so if you're bored, just work on your math homework instead. We'll come back here another time."
"I understand," replied Alistair as Anthony helped him into the car where he buckled up again before leaving the amusement park behind.
When they arrived earlier that day, Alistair had been excited beyond measure but now as they drove away from it all, his spirits were crushed by disappointment.
In silence, the only sounds came from their breathing until finally, the driver spoke up through the rearview mirror trying to comfort him, "Don't be sad, Alistair. Mr. Callahan must have had some very important business matters to attend to which is why we had to cancel our plans today."
Alistair didn't respond but instead fidgeted with his clothes out of boredom while thinking about what Spencer had told him earlier.
For his Daddy, the Callahan Group seemed more important than anything else in life.
The driver continued trying to console him further, "It's because Mr. Callahan works tirelessly guarding over both the Callahan family and their industries that allows you all this comfortable lifestyle. Alistair, you should try understanding things from your father's perspective."
Feeling downcast, Alistair suddenly blurted out everything on his mind, "Everyone thinks that since birth, I've been blessed with privilege, luxury living, best education, mansions, cars, and designer clothes. I should be grateful. I should behave myself, and become an excellent child. But none of them ever considered whether or not I wanted any of these things. Why doesn't anyone ask me whether or not I'm happy?"
The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror with some surprise. He couldn't believe that a five-year-old child could have such understanding. He asked, "So what do you want?"