Chapter 282
Chapter 282: I Want A Daddy
At the airport exit, an indifferent man furrowed his brow. Upon seeing a little girl blocking Mitchel's path, Matteo, who stood behind Mitchel, quickly moved forward.
Matteo crouched down and asked the little girl gently, "Are you searching for your mother?"
The little girl had large eyes with thick eyelashes and wore a cherry dress. She looked like a little princess. Clearly, she was a child well-protected by her family.
Upon hearing Matteo's words, she nodded in agreement. Her hair was tied in two buns, giving her an innocent and obedient appearance that melted Matteo's heart.
"Let me take you to someone who works at the airport, and they will help you find your mother, okay?" Matteo said gently.NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.
However, the little girl shook her head and stood on tiptoe, reaching for Mitchel's fingers with her chubby little hand. She asked in a sweet voice, "Mr. Handsome, can I borrow your phone to call my mommy?"
Matteo was taken aback when he was ignored. Who would have thought that such a young child would already be drawn to a handsome man?
Clearing his throat to hide his embarrassment, Matteo suggested, "How about I take you to the front desk? They can broadcast a message for you. That way, your mother will locate you faster."
When the little girl heard his words, she lowered her head and gave a disappointed nod.
Mitchel's heart softened. Her expression reminded him of someone else. At that moment, Mitchel felt a pang in his heart. It was as if a needle had pricked it.
As Matteo prepared to escort the little girl to the airport staff, Mitchel's deep voice halted him, "Hold on a second."
Mitchel bent down, peering into the little girl's beautiful eyes, and asked, "You want to use my phone to call your mother?"
"Yes, Mr. Handsome," the little girl replied, nodding vigorously. Her crystal-clear eyes caused Mitchel's heart to skip a beat.
Unexpectedly, a warmth enveloped Mitchel's heart. He retrieved his phone and handed it to the little girl.
Matteo's eyes widened in surprise when he saw this. As far as he knew, Mitchel had dedicated himself solely to work, paying little attention to anything else over the past few years. Yet, here Mitchel was, lending his phone to a little girl he had just met for the first time. It was truly astonishing for Matteo.
The little girl dialed a number with her small hand, and the call was promptly answered.
"Mommy," the little girl exclaimed excitedly.
"Where are you, Janey?"
The voice on the other end was so familiar that it left Mitchel momentarily stunned as soon as he heard it.
"Mommy, I'm next to the yellow sign," Janey replied.
"Okay, stay put. Mommy will pick you up right now," the voice reassured, laden with anxiety.
In the exclusive VIP lounge, Raegan hastily hung up the phone, her anxiety causing her to jump up from her seat in a rush. The sudden movement left her feeling dizzy, and she struggled to maintain her balance.
"Raegan!" A handsome man behind Raegan released his grip on the luggage trunk and swiftly caught her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Worried about Raegan's well-being, Erick Foster pulled Raegan into his embrace.
Raegan still felt a bit woozy as she responded, "Maybe I stood up too quickly."
Holding her securely, Erick gently settled her back into the seat. After ensuring she was fine, he told her, "Wait here. I'll go get Janey for you."
Meanwhile, Mitchel stood statuesque in a high-end suit, radiating a blend of handsomeness and arrogance. The female voice was still echoing in his mind. He couldn't help but feel that it sounded similar to Raegan's.
Noticing the impending delay in their meeting, Matteo said, "Mr. Dixon, why don't you go ahead? I'll stay here with the little girl and catch up with you later."
However, Mitchel retorted coldly, "What's the hurry?"
This unexpected intervention surprised Matteo. It never crossed Matteo's mind that Mitchel would one day pry into other people's business.
Disregarding Matteo's bewildered expression, Mitchel composed himself and asked in a softer tone, "Is your name Janey?"
"Yes," Janey replied.
"How old are you?" Mitchel asked.
"I'll be four in a few months." Janey gazed up at Mitchel with her big, watery eyes, answering every question with earnest innocence. She found Mitchel exceptionally good-looking and secretly wished he could be her father.
Under Janey's adoring gaze, Mitchel felt a warmth in his heart. However, a realization struck him. Her age didn't align with Raegan's baby.
Attempting to uncover the truth, Mitchel coaxed patiently, "Can you tell me your mother's name?"
Janey's eyes widened with excitement the moment Mitchel posed the question. Janey couldn't help but think Mitchel must have sensed her desire for him to be her daddy, prompting him to ask about her mommy's name.
"My mommy's name is..." Janey was on the verge of blurting it out.
Yet, before she could finish, a deep male voice intervened. "Janey Foster!"
Upon hearing her full name, Janey shivered and instinctively covered her mouth.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter," Erick said, pulling Janey into his arms as he addressed Mitchel.
However, as Erick's eyes landed on Mitchel's face, his expression suddenly changed, tension settling on his face.
The subtle change in Erick's expression wasn't lost on Mitchel. A frown creased his brow as he looked at Erick from head to toe.
However, Erick swiftly regained his composure. Just then, airport staff approached and asked, "Mr. Foster, is this the young girl you were searching for?"
Erick affirmed, "Yes, it is."
A palpable sigh of relief escaped the staff as they exclaimed, "That's great!"
After the airport's staff departure, Erick nodded appreciatively at Mitchel and left.
As Erick's figure retreated, Mitchel found himself immersed in contemplation. Janey Foster... Mr. Foster... The little girl was the man's daughter?
As Janey was led away, Matteo reminded Mitchel, "Mr. Dixon, the meeting is about to commence."
...
On the other side, Erick asked with a stern expression, "Did you deliberately run away, Janey?"
Janey lowered her head, displaying guilt. However, she remained silent.
Feeling the need to impart a lesson, Erick addressed her sternly, "Janey, do you know how worried your mother was? She was nearly on the verge of fainting. With so many people at the airport, what if you had been taken by someone with ill intentions?"
"Well, it's my fault," Janey admitted.
"Then tell me why you ran away?" Erick pressed.
Janey's voice took on a sudden hush, and her tiny frame trembled with sobs. She expressed with hurt, "Other kids in kindergarten said that I was left behind by my dad and that I should drink the milk they left behind. That's why I really want a daddy."
Erick's gaze immediately turned cold. He never expected such a thing to happen to Janey.
Gently caressing Janey's face, he asked with concern, "Someone bullied you at school. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because I didn't want my mommy to be sad," Janey replied. "Moreover, I'm a brave girl. I won't be defeated by those mean kids."
Rubbing Janey's head, Erick reassured her, "If they dare to bully you again, you must tell me, okay?"
"Okay, I will," Janey promised enthusiastically.
"Erick, please don't let mommy know anything about it, okay? Mommy loves me so much, and so do you. That's why I'm the happiest girl in the world," Janey pleaded.
Hearing her words, Erick felt a pang of sympathy and said, "Alright, I won't tell your mom. But you have to promise not to run around again. And don't share your mommy's phone number and name with strangers, okay?"
"Alright, I promise." Janey nodded obediently.
Yet, Janey's determination to find herself a father remained unwavering. Her mind raced. If only that handsome gentleman had met her beautiful mommy!