Simon Hunter had discussed with Rebecca the details of her taking over Toby-Freeman Publications. With that he had also signed her up for three months of therapy and counselling, in order for her to be able to overcome her addiction completely. He still wasn"t sure what had pa.s.sed between Rebecca and Miya, and why the latter had rushed out of the other room looking like a haunted woman. When the Chairman himself had gone in, he had found Rebecca standing there still, with a shocked expression on her face. It had taken him quite a while to coax her back into her normal self. He hadn"t asked her what had happened, but had been pleased instead to find out that Ms. Storm had stuck to her decision of wanting to inherit the company. Her decision had lifted off a huge burden from him.
What he had not expected, all in all, was the sudden entry of Jimmy while the two girls had been inside the other hall. The son had come in looking for answers – very specifically, the answer to a single question: why he, Simon Hunter, had not told Jim of Kang Sung being Kasu, Ben"s father, when they both knew it was the Kang family who was behind the entire cartel.
The words had made Simon want to roll his eyes multiple times.
Why he hadn"t told him?
Because the brat was too close to the matter! The Chairman was not sure how Jimmy would have reacted to that little piece of information – granted that Jimmy hated Kang Sheng, even more pa.s.sionately than the Chairman himself did, and he loved Miya to an alarming degree. The fact that the woman he liked had a child with the enemy"s son – Simon Hunter was no fool to relate that piece of information to the Junior Hunter.
Heaven knew how volatile the situation would have been then.
Because Jimmy could get too emotional. Simon had witnessed that when he had seen Jim shoot after years – at the car that had Thad Carver in it, just to have his little revenge for Miya.
No. Jim would think with his heart.
And currently, Ben was too important to be left at his disposal.
But, Jimmy had taken one good decision. He had discussed with Senior Hunter about enrolling Ben in school, and the old man had heartily allowed it. It was time that was done. The child"s talent could not be wasted. He was too bright to be left out of school.
Meanwhile Jim had come back to Ben, his mood dark.
Garret and Shekhar had discussed the final plans for the takeover with the Chairman and Ms. Storm and had informed him that they were leaving. He had bid the two goodbye, somewhat dissatisfied that they hadn"t been able to spend a fun night together. Also, the matter of Hartley had to be resolved. Jim had to contact the punk.
Hence, his mood was even more unpleasant than it had been after his chat with Miya.
When Jim saw Ben hurriedly dressing up though, his temper lightened. The child looked so dedicated right then, he was the image of responsibility and precision. His hair was neatly done, and he had b.u.t.toned his white shirt well. Somehow, the boy stood in stark contrast with his mother, whose image flashed in Jim"s mind immediately – Miya, wearing her baggy pants and a pink t-shirt that had "Everybody Eats" written on it.
The thought made Jim sigh, and chuckle at the same time.
Ben was such a fine young boy at only five. And he was mischievous too! Jim smiled after recalling the small trick they had played on his friends and scared them all. Quietly, he walked to the kid.
"Ready?" Jim asked.
Ben looked up at him with a smile, then shook his head.
"Not fully! I need to wear the tie, Jimmy, like you asked. Where is mommy?"
"She"s getting ready. Why?"
"I don"t know how to put the tie."
The words made Jim smile. He motioned the kid to come closer, then adjusted the light pink tie carefully. Jim gave the kid one final glance, then nodded approvingly.
"You look good," he grinned. Ben smiled back.
The two had initially decided to surprise mommy Miya. They only knew one way by which she fawned over them both – and that was when they wore similar clothes. And considering that Jim was taking Ben to school, it was even more perfect an occasion. They had decided to wear the suit that Miya had picked out for Jimmy at the store "Handwritten", while he and the Chairman had been competing for her attention. Later, Jim had got a similar suit packed that would fit Ben.
Jim himself dressed quickly and came back to Ben.
The two boys stood side by side, glancing at their reflection in the mirror. The suit was a dusky grey in colour, that had faint shades of pink in it. They had both matched it with light pink ties. Jimmy personally hated pink, but the tie complimented the suit well, so they went for it.
Now that they looked at each other, they were both fascinated.
Ben was too cute! Jim exclaimed in his head.
Jimmy is so cool! Ben admired.
Mommy sure knew how to pick out clothes.
Jimmy gave required final touches to their appearance and beamed in satisfaction. He had earlier wanted to ask for Park"s help with the kid, but considering how angry the butler had been about Miya and him because of the drinking event – Jim had shrugged off the idea. Now, he was glad he did.
He was so handsome, and the boy so cute, it was worth dressing up with Ben.
Not to mention, Jim had to give the child a few pointers.
"Ben," Jim turned around, his expression light, "You know what a school is, right?"
Ben frowned. He wasn"t stupid. Of course he knew!
Jimmy smiled, and understood. Without waiting for response, he said, "I"m taking you to school today."
At once, a huge smile spread on the kid"s face. Ben"s little body filled with excitement and his face glowed like the shining sun. "School?" he repeated.
Jim shook his head, chuckling. This brat… He was so excited at the sound of going to school! Jim himself had never liked the whole ordeal when he was a kid. He did it because he was told it was necessary.
Grinning, Jim confirmed, "Yes, I and your mommy are going to get you admitted in school. It"s the same one from where I finished my senior year in high school. It"s called Raven International School."
The news made Ben smile wider, pump his fists and cheer out loud.
Yay!
He was going to Jimmy"s school! And Jimmy knew a lot of things that Ben didn"t! He would be able to learn them too. And be like Jimmy someday!
So cool!
Jimmy actually laughed out loud.
This child was so easy to handle. He almost never gave trouble! Except for that one time of course, when he had punched Jim…
Jimmy shrugged uncomfortably at the memory, and focussed on the discussion at hand instead.
"Yes, but Ben, let me tell you. Children your age get admitted to kindergarten. I"ll be putting you up in grade 3 though. You"re smart enough to clear 10, but that is a lot of pressure. 3 should be alright, and that way you"d graduate at 15. Same as me. Do you understand?"
The little guy frowned. He didn"t get all of it, but he nodded.
Grade 3 was good! He would learn faster that way. And…
He wasn"t afraid of bigger boys!
Seeing the determined expression on Ben"s face, Jim nodded and smirked, somehow excited to visit his old school himself again. This time of course, he had a surprise for the teachers too. Another genius for Raven High.
Just like Jim himself had been.
The thought got him strangely excited.