Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas) novel Chapter 454

Chapter 454 Tessa’s Surprise (1)
Nero easily calmed Hayley down just when she was at a loss.
It was indeed true that her ultimate goal was to get closer to Nicholas.
However, she also knew that approaching Nicholas head-on would only cause him to view her in a negative light, which was why she decided to use a different tactic—visiting Stefania in the Sawyer Residence.
Coincidentally, Gregory had been spending his time in the residence as well. Hayley could show off the maternity side of her as a method to become close with Stefania. Moreover, it would serve as a demonstration that she could perfectly take care of Gregory. This was truly what one would call a ‘two birds with one stone’ maneuver.
However, the reality was often a cruel mistress.
“This is the latest AI robot that has its own voice. I know that Greg here likes these kinds of things, which was why I’ve asked a friend to get one for me. Greg, do you like it?”
After a brief greeting, Hayley gave the gift she prepared to Gregory.
Stefania’s impression of Hayley grew several levels higher as she watched how attentive Hayley was toward Gregory. With a slight turn of her head toward Gregory, she said softly, “What should you say to Miss Hayley when receiving your gift?”
“Thank you, Miss Hayley,” Gregory obediently thanked Hayley. However, if one looked closely, they would find that the boy had no interest in the gift he received.
After all, the boy already had the world’s most advanced AI robot by his side. In comparison to Shadow, a robot of this kind that only had a voice function was just too low of a standard for him.
Regrettably, neither Stefania nor Hayley was aware of his inner thoughts.
With the intention for the two people to spend time together, Stefania conjured an excuse. “Hayley, I have an appointment for my beauty treatment soon. Can I trouble you to take care of Greg for me?”
“Of course.” Naturally, Hayley would not reject an opportunity falling into her lap.
With that, Stefania left the two alone in the living room.
Watching how obedient Gregory was sitting by the sofa, she took the initiative to walk over to him and said in a gentle tone, “Greg, what do you want to do next? Can Miss Hayley play with you too?”
Gregory pursed his lips in response and showed no interest in Hayley. He didn’t like the woman in the least, and was already missing the kind Tessa.
Thinking that, he huffed while jumping off the couch, then politely said a few words to Hayley before running toward the music room on the second floor. “Miss Hayley, I’m going to go practice.”
Whenever he missed Tessa, he would play the violin as a method to relieve himself of such thoughts.
Hayley’s eyes turned dull as she looked at Gregory—who was playing the violin so seriously—in the music room.
It was only at this moment did she realize the reason why this little bend sinister loved playing the violin. It was definitely by the influence of that woman—Tessa Reinhart.
At that moment, her loathing for Tessa grew sharply with her feelings of loathing spilling over to Gregory as well.
Tessa had been missing the two ever since Nicholas and Gregory left Vienna. She wouldn’t have felt this way if she hadn’t tasted what it was like to live together. However, she did, and because she did, she couldn’t resist missing the wonderful times she had with them.
The good thing was that the orchestra was all ready and would leave for Xerthania soon.
However, on the day of her flight, Tessa had not informed anyone of her return yet and followed the orchestra to board the plane back to Xerthania.
Thus, Nicholas was unaware that Tessa was on the way back to the country.
In the evening, the feelings of longing for Tessa grew too much for Nicholas to bear, as it had been a few days since he last contacted her. He gently touched the picture on his phone before finally deciding to give Tessa a call.
“Sorry, the number you’ve dialed is unavailable.”
Frowning, he thought that Tessa had fallen asleep without charging her phone, and decided to contact her a little later.
Later that night, Nicholas had tried contacting Tessa again when he reached home, but he was still greeted by the same mechanical voice message he got during the evening. He immediately felt uneasy about the current situation.
Logically speaking, Tessa should be awake by now at this time. Then why isn’t the call going through?
Nicholas waited for a little longer—namely sweating in anxiety—to call but still could not contact Tessa.
Panic came over him in an instant.
Especially since a night had passed and he still could not contact Tessa. He was beside himself with anxiety at this point.
It was during the first light of the day when he called Timothy in a haste.