Side Story 5: Paul VS Daryl (2)
Daryl took his hand, turned her face aside, and lightly kissed the corner of his lips. When she shot a rare gentle glance at him, his heart skipped a beat. And then, he pushed her onto the bed, intending to continue making love.
But the nightmare-like cry sounded again. As soon as the baby began to cry, Paul expressionlessly picked it up before Daryl could get up. He patted its back to coax it, but it did not stop crying. After Daryl took it over and coaxed it for a long time, it was still crying. It didn't want milk, and its diaper was clean. Daryl felt so anxious that she even wanted to call the hospital to ask about what was going on.
Paul silently took the baby from her arms. When she asked him what he intended to do in shock, he entered the study without answering. He held the crying baby in one hand, opened a cabinet with the other, and took out a cardboard box.
Daryl behind him was startled and asked, "What are you doing? Why are you taking it out in the middle of the night?"
Paul replied, "I want to abandon the baby."
Daryl was shocked.
The baby was crying so hard that it turned red all over. Seeing tears streaming down its wrinkled face, Daryl felt distressed. There were newspapers and towels in the cardboard box, so Paul pressed on them with one hand and then put the crying baby inside.
Unexpectedly, a miracle happened. The baby instantly stopped crying, contentedly smashed its lips, and then fell asleep.
Daryl was dumbfounded, wondering why it had suddenly stopped crying. This was too weird. When she tentatively picked it up, it instantly pursed its lips as if intending to cry. So, she quickly put it back. Immediately, it quietly fell asleep again.
The study fell into an eerie silence.
After a long while, Daryl said in disbelief, "Does it like the cardboard box?"
Paul calmly replied, Maybe.”
Daryl was speechless, wondering whether letting a baby sleep in a cardboard box would be regarded as child abuse. Fortunately, it was spacious enough. After putting several soft cushions and a small pillow in it, she placed the baby back inside, tucked it in, and moved the cardboard box next to the cradle.
Confirming the baby was sleeping comfortably, she sat on the edge of the bed in depression, wondering why her husband and son were both so weird. If outsiders saw the baby sleeping comfortably in a cardboard box, they might blame her for being ruthless. At the thought of this, she felt even more depressed.
Paul didn't think much. He sat down next to her and rubbed his chin against her neck. When she felt itchy and couldn't help laughing, he kissed her soft lips.
In order not to wake up the baby, Daryl held back her voice during the entire process with difficulty. And she could only hear them breathing heavily in the bedroom. Daryl felt soft all over her body, letting him do whatever he wanted to do to her. Her body was extremely sensitive, so she soon began to beg for mercy after failing to push him away.
They had finally had sex after a long time, so it lasted until midnight. But Paul was still full of energy and wanted more. After Daryl begged for mercy and ratified many unequal treaties, he finally let go of her, kissed the tip of her nose, and closed his eyes with her in his arms.
The next day, Paul asked the nanny to come over in the afternoon so that Daryl wouldn't be embarrassed. The baby was awake during the day but no longer cried in the cradle. Its eyes were shining like jewels. When Daryl teased it with a toy, it giggled.
Seeing the mother and son getting along so intimately and harmoniously, Paul unconsciously showed a gentle smile and suddenly felt having a child was not a bad thing.
Daryl said," Paul, come here. Look how happy your son is now."
Paul walked over and leaned over to look at the tender baby in the cradle. Its facial features gradually became more exquisite. Its parents were Daryl and Paul, so it would definitely grow up into a pretty man in the future.
When the baby giggled at Paul, its curved eyes immediately reminded him of Daryl's charming smile. So, he reached out to touch its soft little face. But the baby instantly curled its lips and burst into tears.
Paul was speechless.
Seeing him pick up the cardboard box, Daryl asked, "What are you doing?"
Paul replied, "Abandon the baby."
Although she knew he was joking, she was afraid he would really send the baby away in a fit of anger one day. The father and son seemed to be born at odds. The baby always grinned at her. But when seeing Paul, it always began to cry within a few seconds. She even suspected they had been enemies in their previous lives.
Every time seeing him picking up the cardboard box with a gloomy face, she was both amused and helpless. But the baby was always excited when seeing the box as if it were its best friend, making Paul even more unhappy.
And this almost made the couple forget about naming their son.
Daryl listed the names she had thought of before and asked Paul to think of a few more. While eating grapes on the sofa, he slowly said, "I think...’
Don't you dare to talk about Lily!'
Paul replied, "Fine."
Daryl thought the names she had listed were all too elegant and delicate. Paul was too quiet, so she hoped their son to be more active, gregarious, and outgoing.
Paul glanced at the names on the paper and suggested, "What about we draw lots?’
Daryl said, "Please don't be so casual."
No parent but Paul would name their child by drawing lots.
After they meditated for a moment on the sofa, Paul snapped his fingers and said, I got one."
Daryl's eyes lit up when she asked, "What?"
"Joy! I wish him a lot of happiness."
Seeing her speechless look, Paul was confused.
She sullenly stared at him and said in a gloomy voice, "I told you not to be so casual. It's your son instead of a pet! How can you give him such a name? Why don't you directly name him Happy? It sounds even happier."
Paul replied with a calm face, "Happy sounds like a good name."
She was so angry that she was at a loss for words.
After thinking for a long time, they couldn't think of a satisfactory name. So, they decided to choose one from Daryl’s list.
Daryl did not want other kids to laugh at her son's name after he went to school. When she had been a student, her classmates had given her a lot of nicknames because of her real name. The maliciousness had made her sad, so she suddenly realized a common name would be better.
After another discussion, they finally decided to name the baby Charles. It was a good name that was easy to remember. And they hoped their son to be strong and upright.
Then, Charles Thomas gradually grew up in the careful care of his parents.
###Sweet Extra Wedding (1)
Paula returned to the Thomas family's villa on the day before her wedding because she wanted to spend the last night at her natal home.
At 4:30 in the morning, Nico went out of her bedroom with a cosmetics case, knocked on the doors of Lucia's, Daryl's, and Sophie's bedrooms in turn, and then went to Paula's bedroom.
She would have a lot of things to do today. She had to do makeup for Paula and her friends and be her bridesmaid. But this was a happy event for her family, and she respected Burton the most, so she was walking at a brisk pace full of energy and joy although she knew she would be extremely busy today.
Paula was fast asleep, so she did not wake up after Nico knocked on the door for a long time. When Lucia came over with Daryl and Sophie, they saw her blankly waiting at the door with her cosmetics case. Daryl directly pushed the door open and led the others inside.
Paula on the bed was annoyed by the noise, so she turned over with a deep frown, covered half her head with the quilt, and continued to sleep.
Daryl understood the drowsiness of pregnant women but must wake her up. So, she lay on Paula's big bed, patted her, and repeatedly called her name.
Paula ignored her words and muttered with her eyes closed, "Burton, be quiet."
She had not sobered up, so she mistakenly thought that she was still in the Harris family's house and that it was Burton who was trying to wake her up.
Hearing this, Sophie helplessly smiled, pulled her up, and said, "Burton is dressing up now. Hurry up and get up. After you wash up and have breakfast, you will put on makeup. Don't you know it will take a long time to do makeup for a bride?"
Hearing this, Paula finally realized she would get married today, so she immediately sat up, blinked, and continuously rubbed her eyes. When she saw the people around her bed, she completely woke up and pounced to get the mobile phone on the bedside table. When she looked at the time, she found it was 4:50 in the morning.
She needed to have breakfast and dress up, so it was indeed late now. Paula scratched her head, threw back the quilt, got out of bed, and went into the bathroom.
When Dianna brought the breakfast upstairs, Lucia distributed the food to everyone, Daryl helped Paula make the bed, and Nico fiddled with her cosmetics and various hair accessories.
To save time, they started having breakfast without waiting for Paula who was still in the bathroom. While eating, they conspired about how to make things difficult for the groom later.
When Nico excitedly said she had a good idea, Lucia urged her to tell them about it. But before the former could continue, Paula came out of the bathroom. Seeing her, the others tacitly shut their mouths up and concentrated on eating.
They did not want to hide the plan from Paula, but they were afraid she would inform Burton in advance if she knew about it. If so, things would become much less fun.
Paula had heard Nico was an excellent styling designer. But she did not realize the latter did live up to her good reputation until she styled the four of them.
The bride looked elegant and refined as a hibiscus, Daryl looked bright and radiant, Lucia looked delicate and graceful, and Nico herself looked confident and decent. She had chosen different makeup, hairstyles, and dresses according to the four people's different temperaments.
She had been busy since 5 in the morning until the lazy winter sunlight came in through the window of Paula's bedroom. When the women were working and laughing, the birds in the big tree outside the window occasionally chirped.
When they were ready, it was 8:45 in the morning. Burton would arrive at 9:15. So, Paula still had half an hour to calm herself down. But her three friends still had other things to do.
Paula had always been calmer than Burton, but now, she somehow felt increasingly nervous. However, her three friends had all left. None of them had chosen to stay in her bedroom to talk to her to relieve her boredom or ease her nervousness.
Gail and the butler were busy working downstairs, so they had never come upstairs. Paula was left alone in her bedroom. Sitting in front of the big mirror, she stared at the clock and unconsciously sweated.
Suddenly, she realized she was not calmer than Burton. Her friends had been accompanying her since yesterday, so she had been distracted. Now, when she was alone, all kinds of inexplicable emotions suddenly flooded in.
###Wedding (2)
At 9:13 am, several cars stopped in the yard with roars. Then, Paula heard Daryl and Nico speaking happily but couldn't clearly hear what they were saying.
She subconsciously wanted to go downstairs, but as soon as she got up, Nico rushed back, blocked her way, and quickly locked the door. Then, she pressed Paula back on the stool with a smile and teased, Paula, there is no rush to go downstairs. They will come up to pick you up soon. As your friends, we will help you test the groom."
Nico had never won Burton since childhood. And it was a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to play tricks on him today. So, she must not miss it.
Burton was walking through the courtyard of the Thomas family in a handmade black suit, which set off his slender figure. Under the suit, his white shirt was stiff and smooth, making him look tidy and elegant. There were light-colored prints on the collar of his shirt, a dark red bow tie around his neck, and a huge bouquet in his hand, making him look less indifferent.
Joshua was walking beside him, while Paul and August were behind them. All of them were outstanding and eye-catching. And the courtyard was full of cars.
Sophie and Nico stood at the gate and smiled at the men who were approaching them. Burton was walking in the front, and all of them were striding with long legs, looking imposing.
But no matter how aggressive they looked, Sophie and Nico would stop them.
Sophie folded her arms over her chest, cleared her throat, turned to look at Burton, and said, "Paula and I are good friends. I'm older than her, so she treated me as her elder sister. Since she is getting married today, I must help her test the groom. Burton, you won't mind it, right?"
Her opening remark was a bit long, but Burton patiently listened to her. Then, he smiled, "Sophie, please go ahead."
Sophie cleared her throat again, raised her head, and triumphantly smiled, ’I heard when you proposed to Paula, you moved her by a piece of piano music. As far as I know, it was someone else instead of you who played the piano that day. I think you should show more sincerity today. If you can sing that song now, we will let you pass through this door. Paula liked listening to music very much, so you must be able to do it for her, right?"
It was difficult for Burton to sing in such an environment. He was willing to sing for Paula, but he had no talent for things like singing at all and had barely sung since his childhood.
Burton slightly raised his eyebrows, pondered for a moment, and replied, I can’t remember the lyrics of that song. Can we change the test to painting? I can sketch her."
He was talking to Sophie in a humble and sincere tone, so she felt comfortable
and agreed, ' Fine. But you must complete it within 15 minutes. If you fail, you must sing the song."
Burton agreed readily, so Sophie hurriedly handed him a pen and paper. But unexpectedly, it was Joshua who came forward to take them over. She knew Joshua well, so she was sure he could complete the test easily
When she told Burton he could not break the rule like this, he retorted, "You did not say I must draw it by myself, so it is not a violation.'
Then, Sophie asked several questions, and Burton answered all of them easily. Seeing this, August laughed in the back row. Burton had prepared for almost a whole night, so he could definitely pass their tests with ease.
Seeing this, Nico knew this barrier could not stop Burton and rushed back to Paula's bedroom. She knew it was unwise to try to outsmart her big brother, so she decided to use other tactics to deal with him.
Seeing her slipping away, Sophie had no choice but to let them pass. When the group of men rushed to the stairs, she suddenly shouted, "Bridegroom, you haven't given me the gift!"
Then, she caught up with them. Burton was generous. After he looked back at Joshua, the latter took out a thick stack of cash from his pocket and put it into Sophie's palm.
Burton had thought they would use some tricky method to stop him, so he had secretly thought about how to deal with it for a long time last night. He had not expected he could go upstairs so easily, thinking he should not have summoned so many helpers.
But when he arrived at the door of Paula's bedroom, a recording unexpectedly came out from the inside.
Do you think everyone is like Burton? Why is he so clingy? He can't bear to part from you for even one day? By the way, haven’t you been using condoms all the time? Why did you suddenly get pregnant? Burton is not only efficient in his work but also in impregnating you!"
The recording Nico had recorded last night was clear. After listening to it, everyone turned to look at Sophie who was following behind them.
Sophie accepted their gazes calmly and said with a smile, "Isn't it the truth?"
Nico said, "Burton, did you hear the recording? She got pregnant not long ago. Think about it carefully. Can you remember when you impregnated her? How long did it take? Where did you do it? What's the frequency?'
Nico, you're an unmarried woman! How could you ask such questions in public?”
Burton showed a slightly sullen face. He was only thick-skinned when facing his beloved woman and had always behaved decently outside. How could he talk about their sex in public?
Burton, have you forgotten I studied and worked abroad? I don't think these questions are sensitive at all! Why are you so old-fashioned? Hurry up and answer my questions! Otherwise, you may miss the auspicious time!"
Burton's face turned sullener when he unconsciously looked back, regretting that he called so many people to help him today. But as soon as he turned his head back, he happened to see Joshua.
Joshua took out some cash from his pocket and stacked them, planning to give them to the girls when the door opened. But he met Burton's eyes when looking up.
He thought Burton was asking for help again, so he said with a frown, "This is different from playing the piano or drawing a sketch. None of us can help you
with it now."
Joshua was speaking with a serious look, but the men behind them all laughed playfully.
###Wedding (3)
August stood straight behind them with his hands in his pant pockets and said with a smile, "Burton, why don't you answer the questions to satisfy everyone's curiosity? If you can't remember it, calculate it based on her pregnancy weeks. You're smart. So, I believe it is a piece of cake for you."
Joshua burst into laughter and kept encouraging Burton. Seeing him remain unmoved, he stretched out his hand to show him his watch, signaling to him that they were running out of time.
Burton stepped back and looked around, wanting to see if he could bypass these women and directly carry the bride into the car.
He had been here several times, so he knew Paula's bedroom and the bedroom next door shared one balcony with only a small gap between them. And
Paula's bedroom was next to the stairs. If Burton wanted to enter her bedroom without going through the door, he could only enter the bedroom next door and go to the balcony.
He then asked Dianna for the key to the bedroom next door, but she said it was in Paula's hands.
When Burton heard this, his smile froze. Seeing him so frustrated, Sophie felt happy. After all, he had passed her test by playing a trick just now.
Nico urged again, Burton, have you remembered it? Paula ate only a little food early in the morning. If you can't figure out a way to open the door as soon as possible, she and the baby may starve. You don't want this to happen, right?"
Hearing her words, Paula rolled her eyes. She had had a bad feeling when Nico had begun to play the recording just now. Hearing her asking those private questions, she had tried to cover her mouth. But she was a pregnant woman, so Nico had easily dodged her.
Paula stood up with arms akimbo, pretended to be angry, and warned in a forceless voice, "Nico, please ask serious questions! There is another girl here. She is not like you, so she may feel shy.’
She was naturally referring to Lucia.
But Lucia didn't plan to cooperate, so she calmly waved her hand and said, "Don't worry, I am not a virgin!”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Submit to the Boss He Rules the Boardroom and the Bedroom