Debbie interrupted Hayden. "Hayden, I know what you mean, but I can't." 'I love Carlos. I know he's dead, but I can't fall in love with anyone else, ' she thought to herself.
Actually, Hayden had already steeled himself for this. Every time he tried to get back with Debbie, she would turn him down. After so many times, you just expect it. But you can't blame a guy for trying, right?
For the last few years, Hayden had traveled to and fro between his home city and this country, and Piggy had grown up calling him "Daddy Hayden."
Of course, he hadn't told anyone about Debbie and Piggy. That was her secret to reveal, if she chose to. After all, he was Debbie's ex-boyfriend, and if anyone found out, the rumors would start up again. And the last thing he wanted to do was ruin her reputation.
The next day, Debbie swung by Curtis' house.
She picked up Piggy and then drove to the Alioth Building.
She had asked Hayden whether he could book another restaurant instead. After all, the Shining International Plaza was owned by the ZL Group. But Hayden told her that he planned to buy some things for Piggy in the Shining International Plaza after lunch. So she didn't turn him down out of hand. Hayden was a good guy, and it was not like Debbie was made out of money.
As usual, Debbie wore sunglasses and a hat for her disguise.
At the underground car park, she got out of the car, scooped a sleepy Piggy up in her arms, and entered the elevator.
When she entered the private booth, Hayden was already there, waiting for them. And so were various cold dishes. The smell made her quite hungry.
Upon seeing mother and daughter, Hayden put the documents in his hands aside, stood up and took Piggy from her arms so that Debbie could get situated. "You miss me, Evelyn?"
Hayden believed that the nickname "Piggy" didn't suit the aloof girl at all, so he insisted on calling her "Evelyn" whenever he saw her.
When she saw Hayden, Piggy's eyes snapped open and she gave him a broad smile. "Daddy Hayden! It's been forever!"
Hayden was pretty amazed at Piggy's words. He looked at the little girl and said, "Wow, Evelyn. You're smart! You remember how long it's been?"
She formed a three with her fingers. He knew that meant three months. He had to admit that Piggy was far more intelligent than other children her age—thanks to Carlos' genes.
"Yeah. Daddy Hayden, where?" Piggy blinked her round doe eyes as she looked at Hayden.
Putting her on his lap, Hayden picked up a dessert he had specially ordered for her and put it to her mouth. "I've been busy working. But not today. Today I'm all yours."
Piggy took a small bite of the dessert and said, "Daddy Hayden, Grandma Colleen said...we're moving. With you?"
Hayden gave her a smile and patted her head. Then he turned to Debbie and asked, "Sure you're going back? After what happened last time..."
If Hayden had asked her the same question two days ago, Debbie would have nodded without hesitation. But after recalling Carlos' attitude, she was not so sure anymore. She shook her head and said, "I really don't know. It depends."
Hayden knew what she meant. They had gotten closer since she left the city three years ago. He asked a waiter to serve the main dishes and kept chatting with Debbie's charming daughter.
At lunch, Debbie received a phone call from the private detective she hired. "Miss Nian, I've got some news about James Huo. You free to talk now?"
Debbie cast a glance at Hayden, who was feeding Piggy, and waved her phone. "I have to take this."
"Sure."
Debbie left the room. Piggy was almost full, so she asked Hayden to take her out of the baby chair. He did as he was bidden, and started to eat his own meal.
Just at that moment, his phone rang. It was from his assistant. "Hello? What?!" It was rather shocking news, and commanded his full attention.
And since Hayden was distracted, Piggy was out of the door. Debbie had forgotten to shut it, and Piggy was curious to explore the outside world. She left Hayden there, engrossed in his phone call.
The moment she left the room, a familiar figure came into view. It was the uncle she missed a lot.
Carlos was saying his goodbyes to his clients. "Everything's settled then. As for the contract, we'll find another—" He suddenly stopped as he felt tiny arms encircling his leg.
He lowered his head, and to his intense surprise, he saw the little girl he had met before.
Piggy held onto his leg, raised her head and called out, "Uncle."
But she didn't receive the warm welcome she was expecting. The man talking to Carlos frowned and asked a nearby waiter, "Whose kid is that? Get her out of here!" He was afraid Carlos would get annoyed. He needed this deal.
Carlos, however, gestured for him to stop and bent over to pick Piggy up. Once she was in his arms, he told the man, "Mr. Lin, we'll pick this up later. Goodbye!"
Piggy hung on to his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. She loved being held by him.
Embarrassed, Mr. Lin looked at the little girl. 'Weird. Mr. Huo likes her a lot. They seem like father and daughter. But I never heard that Carlos had a kid. Wait...she just called him Uncle. I wonder why?'
Ignoring his confused client, Carlos went back to his private booth, Piggy in his arms.
This was Carlos' exclusive private booth. There was even a bedroom inside. He entered the bedroom with Piggy.
Putting her on the bed, he squatted down on the floor so he could look her straight in the eye. "Why are you here? Who brought you?" he asked.
"Daddy, Mommy," Piggy answered briefly.
'I see, ' Carlos thought. "Where are your daddy and mommy? Why aren't you with them?"
"Daddy's eating. Mommy went out. She's on the phone." Piggy didn't know where Debbie went.
"Did you have lunch? Are you hungry?" Carlos asked patiently.
"I'm full. Daddy fed me. I also had milk. Not hungry."
Carlos stroked her hair and coaxed, "How about I take you to your daddy and mommy? They must be scared, not knowing where you are."
Just then, they could hear voices outside the room. Carlos heard the waiter say, "Mr. Gu, this is Mr. Huo's private booth. You can't just barge in like this."
Carlos picked Piggy up and opened the door to the bedroom. Hayden was standing right outside, anxiety written on his handsome features.
When he saw Piggy, he heaved a sigh of relief. He said helplessly, "Evelyn, you scared me half to death!"
When he finally hung up, he looked around for Piggy. She was nowhere to be found. His heart started racing and he bolted from one area to the next, looking for her everywhere. Finally, a waiter got his attention, and told him that Piggy had entered this room.
Piggy blinked and said, "I met Uncle Carlos. Daddy Hayden, don't worry. Uncle Carlos is nice."
Hayden looked at Carlos with mixed feelings. He was not sure whether Carlos knew she was his daughter.
They were both famous businessmen in the city they shared, so he offered his hand for Carlos to shake. "Mr. Huo! Good to see you! You know Evelyn?" he asked curiously.
"Mmm hmm," Carlos simply answered and set her gently on the floor. 'So Hayden is Piggy's dad? Or...?' Staring at her tiny figure, he asked, "Is Evelyn your daughter, Mr. Gu?"