"That’s why your father needs many bodyguards to protect him. As a business owner, many bad people want to harm him. Isn’t that right, Tristan?" Bella turned her gaze to Tristan.
"Yes, my dear, that’s right." Tristan smiled at her. Satisfied hearing her explanation.
Bella smiled again and focused back on the road ahead. However, not even a minute later, Dax asked another question that almost choked her.
"Mom, why do you still call my dad by his name?"
Bella was stunned to hear that. Hearing his question instantly makes her feel awkward. She feels weird calling Tristan him with my husband, darling, or something similar. This is why she preferred to call Tristan by his name.
After thinking momentarily, Bella pretended she hadn’t heard Dax’s question. However, Tristan added fuel to the fire, causing her to roll her eyes at him.
"My dear wife, you should start calling me Hubby or Honey. I don’t mind which one you prefer. You can choose whatever you like." Tristan grinned at her before turning his gaze back to the road. He avoids her glare.
Bella secretly let out a deep breath, venting her frustration inwardly,
’Oh my, this guy! He can’t miss the opportunity to tease me, huh!’
She turned her gaze outside, trying to ignore them, but once again, her son joined forces with his father.
"Yes, Mom, you should. If someone hears you, I am afraid they might think my father is not your husband."
’Unbelievable! How could this four-and-a-half-year-old child say such words?’
Bella looked back to see Dax. Seeing how adorable his expression was now amused her. But she maintained her curious expression, "Baby, where did you hear such words!?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
Dax paused for a moment as if thinking about something. Then, he gave an ambiguous answer. "Mom, I guess... I heard someone say that."
Bella didn’t need to ask anymore; she simply turned her gaze to Tristan. She knew the person who had told Dax about it—the person who now smiled widely while focusing on the road ahead.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Hubby, which restaurant are we going to for lunch?"
Tristan smiled in amusement at her words. "We’ll be there in a few minutes," he said, glancing at her.
She ignored him and looked out the window again.
...
Before long, their car finally arrived at the beachside restaurant. The restaurant looked busy despite being far from the main street.
The parking lot appeared almost full, but Tristan didn’t even look at the packed parking lot. He stopped his car in front of the main entrance. When they exited the car, one of Tristan’s bodyguards suddenly appeared and immediately parked the vehicle.
Even though the restaurant seemed full with every table occupied, a waiter promptly greeted them and escorted them to the VIP room. It appeared Tristan had already reserved their VIP room.
The room was clean, with a modern interior and a large long table in the middle. This was the typical VIP restaurant Bella usually saw. However, what surprised her was the wide glass window, which offered a stunning view of the blue sea stretching as far as the eye could see.
Several couples and families strolled on the white sandy beach despite the sun shining.
Seeing their happy faces, Bella felt a twinge of envy.
Bella wished she could freely walk to the beach without anyone recognizing them. But it seemed she couldn’t take that risk, worried that someone might snap a photo of them if they stayed outside for too long.
The breathtaking view captivated not only her but also Dax. He even asked his father if they could walk to the beach.
While Tristan and Dax chatted and enjoyed the view near the glass wall, Bella ordered their food from the waiter.
Finishing the order, Bella sat in her chair overlooking the beach view, listening to Dax and Tristan’s conversation.
"Why do you like the sea so much, Buddy?" Tristan asked. Ever since Tristan first met Dax, his eyes sparkled whenever he talked about the sea or the beach.
Dax was silent for a moment. His gaze remained fixed on the blue sea in the distance.
Not long after, he looked up to meet his father’s eyes.
"Maybe it’s because I like warm places... that’s why I like the sea."
"I see," Tristan smiled at him. He ruffled Dax’s hair before continuing, "We can go to the beach anytime. I have an island near the capital, only an hour from the pier. We can go there every weekend if you want."
"Wow! Really..." Dax was excited.
"Yes..."
Hearing Tristan and Dax’s conversation made Bella’s heart ache slightly. She knew her son didn’t like cold places.
She felt sorry for Dax because she had been so selfish in choosing a remote place like Northern Sweden, where the temperature was always cold, as their place to live.
...
Not long after, the food was served.
A variety of grilled seafood was placed on the table. They enjoyed lunch while chatting, mostly Tristan conversing with Dax. Meanwhile, Bella only occasionally joined in their conversation.
Bella ate slowly. When Tristan and Dax finished, she only ate half of her lunch. She looked at her son, who was already standing by the glass wall, gazing at the sea; instantly, she felt sorry for him.
"Tristan, you two can go for a walk outside. I’ll wait here."
Hearing Bella’s words, Tristan was reluctant to leave her alone.
"Go. It’s okay. I will enjoy this food without rushing..." Bella smiled at him and then looked at Dax.
"Baby, you can go out with your dad. You can get ice cream there..." Bella pointed to one of the stalls a few meters away from where they were.
A few minutes after Tristan and Dax left her alone in the VIP room, Bella finally finished her lunch.
Bella stood against the glass wall, looking at the beach, trying to spot Tristan and Dax. Before she could find them, her cell phone rang.
"Unknown number?"
No one else knew her phone number besides the contacts in her phonebook.
Except...
"SEAN!?"