Chapter 975: Time Paradise
Oscar, bundled in a duckbill hat and mask, arrived at the amusement park with Salem and Una. His casual attire was a stark contrast to his usual public appearances; he was nearly unrecognizable. Salem and Una, having never been publicly exposed, needed no disguise.
The bustling amusement park was a novel experience for the children. Their excitement was palpable; even the usually reserved Salem couldn't contain his joy.
"Daddy, I want to ride the carousel!" Una tugged excitedly at Oscar's hand.
"Okay," Oscar replied, holding both children's hands as they joined the queue.
The line was long, but the children waited patiently, their anticipation growing. Oscar, meanwhile, subtly observed his surroundings, noting the presence of several individuals blending in with the staff and the crowd – his security detail. However, his attention wasn't on them; he was searching for someone else.
"Daddy! It's our turn!" Una announced.
Oscar lifted Una onto a carousel horse, then saw Salem already mounted on an adjacent one.
"Aren't you going to play with us?" Una asked curiously.
"I'll just watch," Oscar replied.
"But Daddy should ride too!" Una whined, her lip trembling.
Unable to resist, Oscar mounted a horse behind them, feeling slightly awkward. His childhood lacked such outings, and later, he'd simply lacked interest. The childishness of the situation made him uncomfortable; he anxiously awaited its conclusion.
The line behind them buzzed with conversation. "Wow! Those two kids are so cute!" one girl exclaimed. Her friend agreed, commenting on the boy's handsomeness and speculating about the masked man behind them being a celebrity trying to avoid public attention. One girl even attempted to take a photo, but a nearby man swiftly intervened, forbidding it with a quiet threat. Satisfied the picture wouldn't be taken, he returned the phone.
Their carousel ride ended. Una, clinging to her horse, cried, "Daddy! I want another round!"
"We can only ride once," Salem explained patiently. "To ride again, we'd have to get back in line."
Una reluctantly agreed. Oscar carried Una away, patting Salem's head in appreciation for his care. They spent the rest of the morning enjoying the park's attractions. Lunch at a theme park restaurant followed.
While the children ate, Oscar seemed distracted, glued to his phone.
"Daddy, can you please not look at your phone?" Una complained.
"Dad's probably dealing with work," Salem interjected.
"But does Dad have to work when he's playing with us?" Una persisted, pointing out his constant phone use.
Oscar was startled. He'd been looking at vacation photos of Besse and Doyle – they should be nearby. He put away his phone. "Sorry, I won't anymore," he said.
"Promise!" Una insisted.
He promised. "Daddy, I love you!" she exclaimed, kissing his cheek.
After lunch, Una's energy was boundless, and they returned to the park. "Daddy, I want to ride that!" she pointed to a Ferris wheel.
"Okay."
But soon Una complained of tired legs. She wanted to keep playing but was too weary to walk, clinging to Oscar in a spoiled display of affection. He lifted her, checking on Salem.
"Can you still walk?"
"Yeah," Salem assured him. "Don't worry."
Oscar smiled, carrying Una as they approached the Ferris wheel, where only two people waited.
Then, a familiar female voice called from behind. Oscar stiffened. He knew they were nearby, but he hadn't anticipated this encounter in such a vast park.