Chapter 97 Not Coming

Chapter 97 Not Coming

“Ms. Crawford, It's okay to go alone. Matt's parents will soon come for him… I heard your parents are here.”

The teacher tried as best as she could to coax the girl gently. 

Wondering what was happening, Clyde stepped inside the classroom with Violet.

Yet, Mimi didn't notice them.

She appeared to be engrossed in her sadness, and her attention was on the kid sitting beside her.

Pursing her lips, she stared at the teacher. “I'm not complaining, Miss. Joseph. I'll wait until Matt’s parents are here.”

Clyde exchanged glances with Violet, his confusion reflecting in her eyes.

It appeared Mimi had already made a friend on her first day.

While other kids were excited to meet their parents and go home, she was only eager to accompany this kid.

“Mimi, just go home. I'll be fine by myself,” said the boy who appeared a little bit more mature than his age.

He held Mimi's hand, giving her a resolute look. 

“I can't leave you by yourself, Matt,” Mimi protested.

But the boy reached out and patted her hair. “Be good. Miss. Joseph will be here with me until the Butler arrives.”

“Are you sure, Matt?” Mimi asked, concerned.

The boy nodded. “Now go and meet your parents before they begin to get worried.”

Mimi bobbed her head and stood up with her bag. “Well, see you tomorrow, Matt.”

She scurried towards the door, bumping into Clyde and Violet.

Speechless from watching the kid’s interaction, Clyde couldn't react on time. 

He returned to his senses and picked her up. “Who's that kid, Mimi?”

“That's Matt, Daddy.” Mimi giggled, glancing at the boy.

Was that a dreamy look on her face? 

Narrowing his eyes at the boy who didn't even glance their way, Clyde’s protective instincts kicked in and he found himself holding her a little too close. 

“I can see you've already made friends.” Violet smiled. “Way to go, Baby.”

“Matt is my only friend so far, Mummy. He's brilliant and nice. Wanna say hi to him?”

“Of course.” Mimi jumped out of his embrace and led Violet to meet the boy. 

Clyde didn't move an inch.

Aside from looking familiar, the boy appeared distant and unperturbed by the people around him. 

Mimi was literally fussing over him, yet, he didn't spare a smile. 

“He's just a kid.” Violet returned with Mimi after saying hi to the boy. “Why that expression, Clyde?”

What expression?

Clyde didn't even know he'd been staring too long at the boy. 

“Daddy, why didn't you say Hi to Matt? Don't you like him?”

Clyde couldn't admit that.

There's no point in not liking the boy. They were just meeting for the first time.

“I don't dislike him.” He picked her up once again, holding her steadily so she wouldn't jump from his arms. “You can also make friends with girls, you know.”

“Matt is brilliant, Daddy. He lets only me sit with him. I'm happy to have him as my only friend.”

Clyde frowned. 

He needed to look into this boy's background.

He wouldn't have his daughter being infatuated with just any kid.

Or was he being paranoid? 

They left the school’s premises, and as Mimi sat between them in the backseat of the car, she spoke nonstop.

The only topic in her mouth was about that boy. 

“My crayons fell on the floor and Matt said it's unhygienic to pick them up. He let me use his crayons, Mummy. He promised to buy me new ones also.”

“Mm, that's so sweet of him-”

“Uhuh! Matt stopped a kid from bullying me. He said I shouldn't tolerate bullies. You told me the same thing, right, Mummy?”

“He has a point.”

“Mm. I can't wait to see Matt again. He promised to help me catch up with the lessons I've missed. Can I bring a gift for him tomorrow?”

“That's so thoughtful of you, Baby. I bet Matt will love it.”

Even after they got home, she never stopped speaking about the boy.

Clyde could return to the company, but the work hours were almost over. 

While Violet accompanied Mimi in her room, probably listening to more stories about that boy, he stayed inside his study room to do some research. 

Bringing out his phone, he dialed a number. “There's a boy named Matt in Mimi's classroom. Get me his details.”

Violet walked in to find him making the phone call.

Before he hung up, she'd heard his last statement. 

Giving him a look of disbelief, she folded her hands. “I never knew Mr. Crawford was so protective.”

“When it comes to my daughter, I need to be cautious,” Clyde replied, putting his phone away.

She came into his study room uninvited. Violet would usually avoid him in the house. 

“To what do I owe this honor?” He asked, walking forward to close the distance between them. 

Violet lifted her chin, giving him a resolute look.

The cold look in her eyes was a sign that she wasn't here for peace. 

Did he do something wrong again? 

“You told Cora that I'll be your plus one. Hope that's a joke.”

Of course, it wasn't.

“What made you think so?”

“You're on bad terms with your mistress, I guess. But don't drag me into your drama.”

Clyde frowned.

For how long did he have to keep reminding her that Cora wasn't his mistress until she believed him? 

Snaking his arm around her waist, he pulled her close, staring down gently. “You're Mrs. Crawford. It's only normal that we attend the gala together.”

“Why?” A conflicted emotion flashed in her eyes. “You never let me attend those parties with you in the past.”

“You've said it yourself that the past is in the past.” Clyde sighed. “My past actions must have hurt you. I'm sorry. From now on, I'll give you everything you deserve as Mrs. Crawford.”

She tilted her head to the side, neither smiling nor angry.

Then she pulled out of his embrace, taking a step backward. “I'm not coming.”