Chapter 53
Several school buses were parked outside Salmade Primary School.
Following the class arrangement, Valeria and Selena were already seated on the bus.
At 8:10 am, the teacher took attendance and gave out some reminders.
It was 8:15 am when Sebastian finally showed up with Leo. They were the last to arrive.
The bus had a few empty seats since some kids were absent.
Sebastian headed straight for the seats behind Valeria and sat down with Leo.
“Ms. Neal,” Leo greeted Valeria, unable to hold back. “Selena, I brought something for you guys. And I brought a lot of fun stuff, too. Do you want to play together?”
Selena looked at Valeria. “Mommy, can I sit with Leo?”
Valeria pressed her lips together. Seeing the excitement in Selena’s eyes, she stood up.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Sebastian, who very cooperatively shifted his long legs to let Leo out. She also caught a glimpse of his face at that moment.
Valeria didn’t take Leo’s empty seat. The bus wasn’t full anyway. She found an empty row and
sat down there instead.
She was aware that her decision felt a little forced and stiff. However, she could only sigh quietly to herself.
The bus departed at 8:30 am. By 9:20 am, they arrived at Slate City Cultural Park.
The school had purchased the tickets in advance. Everyone got off the bus and lined enter the park.
up to
Leo scratched his head. “Ms. Neal, didn’t you sit next to my uncle just now?”
Valeria froze slightly. “Well, I…”
She hadn’t expected Leo to suddenly bring it up.
Children saw the world differently from adults after all. Leo was just curious and had asked casually,
Valeria responded, “Your uncle didn’t make room, and I didn’t want to disturb him.”
A light chuckle sounded above Valeria’s head. She instinctively tensed her neck and closed her
eyes in embarrassment.
“Uncle Sebastian, why didn’t you let Ms. Neal sit next to you?” Leo kept asking, curious as ever.
Valeria wished she could cover his mouth. Her fingers clenched in embarrassment.
Without saying a word, Sebastian fished a piece of candy from his pocket, peeled off the wrapper, and gave it to Leo.
Leo was still chewing his candy when he suddenly grabbed Valeria’s hand. “Ms. Neal, don’t be mad at my uncle. Grandma says he’s always like this, but he’s actually a really good person.”
Valeria was momentarily speechless.
Selena tilted her head and looked at her too.
Neither of the children could understand the complexities of the adult world.
Valeria forced a small smile. “I’m not mad.”
Yet she could feel that gaze behind her. It was so close that it made her neck feel hot.
“Then you should make up!” Leo said brightly.
“What?” Valeria nearly fainted.
Leo grabbed Valeria’s hand and placed Sebastian’s hand over hers. Playing the little grown-up mediator, he said earnestly, “My daddy says boys should be responsible and take care of girls. Uncle Sebastian, you have to make up with Ms. Neal.”
Valeria felt her hand grow warm under Sebastian’s dry palm.
His expression, carried a faint smile, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted. When he spoke, there was a soft, amused rasp in his voice. “So, that’s what Zayn taught you? Then, did he ever tell you what to do if the girl is being unreasonable?”
At that, Valeria instinctively lowered her head.
The sunlight was unusually lovely that day.
Valeria wore a light beige trench coat over a pale blue knit top, paired with light brown
trousers. Her legs were long and slender, and she wore flat shoes.
As she lowered her head, her neck flushed red. She finally understood why Taylor, the kindergarten teacher, often came to her with funny and ridiculous stories about the kids. This was exactly one of those moments.
Valeria was eager to treat the whole thing like air, something to forget the moment it passed. Meanwhile, the little chubby peacemaker in front of her was taking the role very seriously.
