Chapter 555: I Want Dad
Levi pursed his lips, a mischievous smile playing on his handsome face. “It’s an honor for me,” he said.
Ivy ran over, grabbing Levi. “Bro,” she explained, “you misunderstood. This uncle is a good person. He helped me put on my shoes and bought me a lollipop.”
Levi realized his mistake, immediately returning his toy gun to his pocket. He looked up at Elvis. “Turns out it was a misunderstanding. I’m sorry.”
Elvis, noting Levi and Ivy were about the same age—likely twins—nodded. “It’s okay.”
Aunty Isla hurried toward them. “Young master, young lady, what are you doing at the airport? Come back with me. I couldn’t find you; I was so scared!”
Levi took Ivy’s hand. “Ivy, let’s go home. Goodbye, Uncle.”
Ivy gave Elvis a wistful look. “See you later.”
The three of them climbed into the luxury nanny car. Ivy turned to Aunty Isla. “Aunty Isla, what’s a Dad?”
Aunty Isla’s heart ached. She stroked Ivy’s soft hair. “Dad and Mom are a couple. They… they gave birth to you…” She hesitated, afraid of upsetting Ivy.
Ivy leaned against Aunty Isla’s shoulder. “Wow, I get it. Our neighbor Riley has a dad and a mom. Every day when her dad comes home, he holds her up so high!”
Ivy, raised solely by her mother, felt no jealousy toward Riley, and loved her home. But the uncle’s hug and help with her shoes felt different from her mother’s embrace. She didn't understand it, but instinctively craved this strength.
Aunty Isla struggled to comfort her. She had cared for Levi and Ivy since birth, but didn't know their father's identity. She thought of the handsome man. She pictured her little princess with him; they'd make a lovely pair.
Turning to Levi, she said, “Young master, we can’t go out alone anymore. I went to the supermarket, leaving your sister with you, and when I returned, you were both gone! Fortunately, nothing happened, or I wouldn't have the face to see the queen and princess.”
Levi’s mind wandered to Nathan, a boy he’d seen at the airport. He hadn’t approached him, unsure if he was a brother. “Aunty Isla, don’t worry. I won’t lose my sister,” he said convincingly, hiding his thoughts and hugging himself.
Aunty Isla found this amusing.
That evening, after showering, Levi went to Ivy’s room. Despite considering his sister less intelligent than himself, he loved her dearly. He found her curled up, the blanket pulled over her face. He sighed—a three-year-old still sleeping like that? He pulled the blanket away, revealing Ivy’s tear-streaked face. He was startled, sitting beside her and wiping her tears. “Ivy, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did someone bully you?”
Ivy cried, “Bro, why don’t we have a dad?”
The word stopped Levi. He didn’t know, he’d never met his father, but suspected he was dead. He feared asking his mother.
“Bro, Riley and the other kids have dads… I want a dad too, I want to be hugged,” Ivy sobbed. “Why don’t we have a dad? We’re good kids, why doesn’t he visit? He doesn’t like us… he doesn’t want us…”
Levi hugged her. “Dad definitely loves us, and wants us. He misses us, but Mom and Dad are both busy with work, so they’re apart.”
“Bro, where is Dad? I miss him so much. Can you help me find him?”
Levi felt embarrassed. Where would he find their father?
“Let’s find Dad and bring him back! Mom had such a hard time alone. If we find Dad, he’ll love her and help her,” Ivy said.
Levi agreed; such a beautiful woman shouldn't be widowed because of their father. He would help.
“Ivy, what kind of dad do you like?”
Ivy thought. “I like the uncle at the airport. I want him to be our dad.”
“Bro, don’t you like that tall uncle at the airport?” Levi considered. He did. “Okay, Ivy, let’s see what he does. He has to be good for Mom, and strong enough to care for us.”
Ivy nodded.
Levi took Ivy to the computer. He sketched Elvis, scanned it, and hacked into a global database, quickly finding Elvis Augustine’s information: CEO of the Augustine Group, the world’s largest corporation.