Chapter 57: The Jerk Sent Her a Dress
As soon as Alijah heard Mabel, his head whipped in that direction.
He blurted out.
“M–Mom?”
His voice started strong but trailed off so faintly he could barely hear himself.
The clown…. was that really his mom?
He glanced around at the other moms
Some had dressed as Elsa from Frozen, others as fairies, and at the most outrageous, a glamorous witch.
But Gemma? She looked so embarrassingly ridiculous that he couldn’t even lift his head around his classmates.
If he ran over to talk to Gemma now, they’d laugh him out of the room.
He couldn’t bear being labeled “the clown’s kid.” If that happened, school would be over for him,
The excitement on his face vanished. He clamped his mouth shut and quietly stood beside the dazzling Mabel
Gemma, oblivious to the father–son duo, was entirely focused on Noah’s clown magic.
She watched as Noah pulled out a balloon and patiently instructed him.
“You need to pull your hand back at the right moment. That makes it look like the balloon appeared from your sleeve.”
Noah’s eyes sparkled as he watched her demonstration, his chubby hands clapping enthusiastically
“Gemma, you’re amazing!”
Gemma felt guilty. She’d learned the trick at the last minute by watching online tutorials.
Being praised so earnestly made her blush.
Noah leaned against her and mumbled.
“Weird. Why isn’t Uncle Cassius here?”
Gemma thought about it. Asking the powerful Mr. Cassius to dress as a clown was asking too much
She
reassured Noah, “Wouldn’t you rather have fun with me? Do you really want Uncle Cassius hovering over us?
Noah’s eyes widened in realization.
“You’re right! This is awesome–I can play all I want!”
After his excitement, a wistful look crossed his little face
“I just wish Uncle Cassius would hurry up and get married so I’d finally be free!”
Gemma raised an eyebrow. “What does him getting married have to do with your freedom?”
Noah giggled, then whispered in her ear.
“If Uncle Cassius has a wife to manage, he won’t have time to boss me around.”
Excuse me?
“That… doesn’t really conflict, does it?” said Gemma
“Think about it,” she teased. “Your Uncle Cassius manages tons of companies. Adding a wife to the list won’t change much.”
Noah froze.
Wait
Why hadn’t he thought of that?!
It hit him like a bolt of lightning
Even the tuft of hair on his head seemed to droop
Chapter 57: The Jerk Sene Hera Dress
Gemma ruffled his hair, trying to comfort him. “I was just joking. Or maybe
“Maybe you could marry him, Gemmal” Noah’s face lit up again. “Then I’d really be free!”
What???
Her checks turned beet red
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“I’m serious!” Noah started dreaming out loud. “If you marry Uncle Cassius, you can cover for me whenever I sneak out to play. You could even take me with you!”
The more he said, the more excited he got.
“Gemma, please! Be my aunt!”
He clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, looking like a pitiful puppy.
You’re daydreaming,” said Gemma.
“Wait Uncle Cassius?
Gemma turned around, sensing someone behind her.
Cassius stood there, dressed in a casual suit with a clown mask covering his entire face.
If not for the commanding aura that instantly silenced the room, she wouldn’t have recognized him.
“Hehe,” Noah giggled. “Uncle Cassius, I want her as my aunt! Please!”
Gemma nearly choked on her own spit
This was the second time Noah had blurted out something ridiculous.
People might start thinking she was using the kid as a pawn to marry into wealth.
“1. uh…”
She stammered, scrambling to explain
Cassius, however, calmly walked over, sat next to her, and nodded at Noah.
“Alright. I’ll consider it.”
Five simple words hit Gemma like a landslide.
“You–you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for my sake!”
The mask obscured Cassius’s face, but his ears seemed a bit red.
“No need to worry,” he said curdy.
His cryptic tone left Gemma guessing,
Was he telling her not to worry about Noah’s wild remarks or his own self–sacrifice!
Whatever.
As long as he wasn’t angry, she’d count it as a win.
Just as she felt she’d dodged a bullet, a stranger approached her. “Excuse me, are you Ms. Gemma Kelestine?”
Gemma nodded. “Yes, and you are!”
The woman held up a shopping bag. “I’m from the GS boutique. Someone ordered this dress for you.”
The bag was opaque, so Gemma couldn’t see what was inside.
She frowned.
“Im sorry, but I don’t need it.”
The store assistant smiled politely. The gentleman already paid, and it’s non–refundable. Please at least take a look.”
Noah’s mind raced.
“Oh no! Someone else wants Gemma to be their wife!”
He tugged on Cassius’s sleeve. “Uncle Cassius, buy her dresses too! A hundred–no, a thousand.”
Chapter 38: A Heartless Son’s Breakilown–You’re My Momi
Chapter 58: A Heartless Son’s Breakdown–You’re My Mom!
Gemma thought to herself, “I am literally the kindest in the world.”
Marcus messed up and sent the dress to the wrong person. She was just fixing the mistake in time.
Whether Marcus would feel embarrassed or angry about Mabel wearing it wasn’t her concern.
Soon, the ball began.
Parents and kids took turns performing dances or walking the runway, and applause filled the room.
She pulled herself out of her thoughts and focused on the performances.
She had to admit–these parents were pros. She was completely hooked.
Meanwhile, Marcus wasn’t paying any attention to the show.
His gaze was fixed on his watch, glancing frequently at Gemma sitting diagonally in front of him
Why hadn’t she changed yet?
Was she planning to wait until the very end?
By then everyone would be off eating cake. No one would even notice them.
But on second thought-
Gemma was from a small town. She might not understand how these events worked.
Besides
If she waited until later, there’d be fewer people around. They might even get a moment to talk privately.
That thought actually relaxed him a little.
But the next second-
A tap on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts
Turning around, his face instantly froze in shock.
“Do you like it?”
Mabel had changed into a fishtail gown that hugged her curves, twirling in front of him. Her hair was styled in elegant waves, making her look like a mermaid stepping out of the sea
“The dress is a bit tight, though,” she teased, running her fingers along the fabric. “Guess I’ve been filling out lately.”
Mabel mistook his stunned expression for admiration. She spun around again and smiled. “So, which dance should we do?”
The floor was open now–everyone was moving around freely.
No one would notice them, so there was no reason to feel awkward.
Alijah’s eyes lit up with admiration. “Mabel, you look stunning!”
Good thing Mabel showed up.
If she hadn’t, his only option would’ve been the clown
Mabel laughed, clearly pleased. “Marcus, kids don’t lie. You’re just too shy to compliment me, aren’t you?”
Marcus snapped out of it, his usual calm mask sliding back into place. But deep down, anger was simmering.
“Where’d you get that dress?”
He distinctly remembered the saleswoman heading toward Gemma.
He had only looked away for a moment.
How had things spiraled so out of control?
Oh, right.
A waiter had approached earlier, and Mabel had run off after that.
