Several minutes later, she came out and carefully dried her hair then changed into her pajamas and picked up the drawing tablet and its pen from the bedside table, and walked out of the room, praying that the guy would soon leave.
_______
After walking back to the bedroom, her gaze landed on the kids who were chatting happily with the guy and she sighed again then frowned slightly as a very enticing aroma suddenly wafted through her nose.
Carl glanced up at the girl who was watching him in a daze and his eyes lingered on her freshly cleaned face, devoid of any makeup and her long black hair which was flowing down her left shoulder.
'Pearl.' A small smile appeared on his lips and he chuckled softly. The name really suited her.
He stood up from the couch and picked the kids up then walked toward her. "Let's go," he muttered softly then turned back and started walking toward the dining area.
"Huh?" Clara broke out of her trance and frowned slightly then slowly followed behind him after dropping the drawing tablet on the couch.
She watched as he carefully drew out a chair for her after placing the kids on separate chairs and she sat down with an awkward smile then her gaze turned to the food and she marveled at its sight.
Sitting down on the opposite chair, Carl silently watched her expression, as she slowly ate from the plate in front of her then he also started eating with a small smile.
The place sank into silence, except for the joyful chatter of the kids as they ate happily.
Clara would glance now and then at the guy whose soft gaze had never left her and she sighed inside for the umpteenth time then her ears parked up as the twins suddenly said,
"Daddy... The food is really delicious."
"Yes, Daddy... You're a really great cook."
"Mm... Thank you, babies." Carl's attention turned to the twins and he beamed then patted their heads and the kids giggled.
He turned his attention to the girl who was staring at the kids in disbelief and he chuckled.
Clara glanced at the guy who was obviously seeking a complement then she smiled slightly and muttered, "The food is really great... thank you."
"Mm... My pleasure." Carl nodded with a small smile then looked down and continued eating his food happily.
They continued eating and after they were done, Clara stood up to take the plates to the kitchen.
Carl also followed her and she shook her head then muttered, "I'll wash them."
Seeing her adamance, Carl nodded with a smile then walked back to the living room with the twins.
After sitting down on the couch, he took out his phone then dialed a number and gave some instructions to the person on the other end.
He dropped it down after some time and turned his attention toward the kids who had resumed playing again. And his soft gaze lingered on them for a while, before picking up the drawing tablet and its pen which was beside him, and then switched it on with a small smile.
When Clara walked out of the kitchen, her gaze landed on the guy who was busily sketching on the tablet and she glanced at the wall clock then sighed inside.
"Big brother, I think you should__"
"Come, take a look." Carl cut her off with a soft smile as he glanced up from the drawing tablet and Clara sighed again then slowly walked toward the couch and sat down beside him while making sure to put a little distance between them.
Glancing at the tablet, her eyes instantly widened and she stared at the comics he had just drawn in a daze.
"B... Big brother? Y... You can also draw comics!"? She exclaimed in shock and Carl slowly nodded with a chuckle.
Apart from business, he had also studied graphic design and animation during university as he loves drawing when he was little and that was why he had also opened the software company.
'Wow.' Clara stared between the comics and the twins and couldn't close her mouth. He had actually drawn their cartoon version.
"Babies, come take a look." She called out to the twins happily and they scurried toward her, leaving their toys behind.
The kid's expressions also brightened after seeing the drawings and they instantly jumped on the couch beside Carl.
"Daddy, you're so amazing," Little Lea exclaimed happily then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the left cheek.
The other twin nodded happily and she also kissed his right cheek.
Clara stared down at the drawings with a fawning look. So he really could draw comics. 'Wow.'
"Daddy... Can you also draw Mummy?" Little Mia suddenly said and Clara snapped out of her thoughts with a slight gasp then glanced between them in shock.
"Mm." Carl nodded with a smile then turned his attention to the dumbfounded girl.
'Argh! This is awkward.' Clara shifted on the couch under his intense gaze and she was about to say something when the doorbell started ringing which made her sigh in relief.
"Lemme get it," She said rapidly and jerked up from the couch then rushed toward the door.
After opening it, a small frown settled on her forehead as she watched the man who was standing in front of her with a briefcase in hand.
"Good evening Ma'am, " David greeted with a huge grin as he watched the girl. It had been so long he last saw her.
"Oh, Good evening..." Clara greeted back with the frown still on her face then glanced back to the living room. "Big brother, are you expecting someone?" She called out to the guy and after hearing his reply turned back to the assistant with a slight smile and opened the door wide.
'Hehe... Big brother. What a beautiful pet name.' David chuckled softly while he followed the girl inside the apartment. He could imagine his wife calling him that name which made him shivered at the thought.