After getting off the bus, Luke casually strolled back home.
It wasn’t even five minutes before he heard a police siren blaring behind him. He turned around to see Selina’s smiling face in the car as she said, “Cutie, need a lift?”
Luke replied, “Oh, thank you God, for bestowing this kind angel on me,” as he walked over and tossed his rucksack into the back of the car before getting into the car himself.
As she drove, Selina asked, “Why are you back so soon?”
Luke replied, “I went on this trip to take my mind off the stress. Naturally, I’m back now that my stress is gone. I’m prepared to cut my leave short and get back on the job with you as soon as possible.”
Selina replied, “Sure, sure. By the way, my mom invited you over for a meal.”
Luke asked curiously, “Why?” He was quite close to Selina and had eaten at her place before.
But whenever he did, there was usually a reason for it, and he didn’t frequently eat there either.
Selina shrugged. “She wants to thank you for killing the Carlos Family hitmen.”
Luke was still confused. “Then she should invite Robert, right?” Robert alone killed nearly half the hitmen outside Selina’s house that night.
Selina replied, “Robert’s already been invited. This time, my mom’s inviting you because everyone now knows about the 13 hitmen you killed on your own.”
Luke replied, “Sure. When?”
Selina glanced at him. “You look like you’re feeling alright – how about tonight?”
Luke naturally had no problem with that. After eliminating the Carlos Family, he no longer had any worries. Thus, he was completely at ease, and his mood was excellent.
When he returned home, he found that Catherine was back from work, and Joseph was home as well.
When Joseph saw Luke, he dropped the painting he was carrying and ran over. “Luke, any souvenirs for me?”
That left Luke speechless. He had been too busy killing and had completely forgotten about souvenirs.
He shook his head, “I didn’t find anything interesting, so…”
What could he bring from the Carlos Family anyway? A gun? Or some drugs? He couldn’t give Joseph that stack of cash, right?
Joseph immediately lost interest and walked away, his head bowed listlessly.
Luke stopped him and smiled. “Selina’s mom invited me over for dinner. Do you want to come?”
Joseph still had the same disappointed expression. “What’s so special about a dinner? Look, Catherine is preparing dinner too.”
Luke smiled and squatted down as he put his hands on Joseph’s shoulders. “Selina has two younger sisters, one 10 years old and the other 6. They’re both as pretty as Selina. Don’t you want to see them?”
Joseph then looked at Luke with contempt. “You think I don’t have a girlfriend? Jasmine and Nastia bring me snacks every single day.”
Luke was speechless as he added, “Fine. You can eat ice cream, and you can also get the football you wanted before if you come.”
Joseph replied, “Sure. I’ll go.”
“Good boy.” Luke smiled and patted Joseph’s head before adding, “Alright, go do your stuff. I still need to tell Catherine.”
Joseph returned to his drawing happily while Luke went to the kitchen and informed the busy Catherine about dinner.
Catherine smiled and nodded. “Don’t drink and remember to come back early.”
Luke nodded.
He naturally remembered that he shouldn’t drink.
He never drank at home, but it was actually a different story when he was at Selina’s place. They might not care that much about the minimum age of 21 before one could start drinking.
Luke tossed his rucksack into his room, took a quick shower, and put on a clean outfit before leaving for Selina’s place with Joseph.
On their way, he bought a decent-looking cake from the bakery. He also bought Joseph a small ice cream.
Catherine rarely allowed Joseph to eat ice cream as his digestive system was rather sensitive.
Even Luke would only buy him a small one. Plus, he only gave Joseph the ice cream after finding an excuse to take a big bite out of it, leaving only half the ice cream for Joseph.
Joseph grumbled inwardly, “Is this what you meant about buying me ice cream? The ice cream is already so small, and you still cut it in half with your mouth!”
But he couldn’t do anything about it. It wasn’t like he could complain to Catherine since she would be the first person to teach him a lesson for eating ice cream without her permission.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a sports store. There, Joseph’s mood improved.
He had always wanted a football, but Robert hadn’t gotten the chance to buy him one.
And even if Robert did buy him one, it wouldn’t be the professional football that Joseph wanted. And if Robert did spend several hundred dollars on a professional football, it would only be used as a decoration back home.
As for Luke, he didn’t mind.
He was single, and even after getting a job, he was still eating at home. Thus, he didn’t spend much.
He had only gotten some cash from his Mexican trip.
In any case, he needed to do some tests as well.
After entering the store, Luke greeted the owner, Riste, before buying the football that was placed right below the most expensive ball in the store.
As for the most expensive ball, Luke couldn’t afford it. That was an NFL ball, and a limited edition at that, with a price tag of $8,888.00.
If Luke bought something like this, it would earn him a scolding before Robert confiscated the ball. Joseph might get himself beaten up as well.
As for the ball right below it, it was much cheaper at only 59 dollars. This was a size 7 ball, suitable for Joseph’s age.
After getting the football he had been wanting for many days, Joseph finally smiled happily.
He looked tiny compared with the ball, yet he insisted on carrying it himself.
Luke didn’t mind. The biggest joy a kid could have was to carry their beloved toy around. He didn’t intend to put a damper on that joy.
After leaving the store, they ran into Officer Bob, who gave them a free lift.
When Bob heard that Luke was going to Selina’s place for dinner, an odd smile bloomed on his face.
Luke couldn’t be bothered to explain himself to this fellow. This guy had nothing better to do than let his mind run wild anyway.
When they arrived, he bade Bob goodbye. Even Joseph waved politely. “Goodbye, Uncle Bob.”
Bob waved with a wide smile. “Best of luck to you both!”
That gave Luke the urge to slam Joseph’s new toy into Bob’s face.
It was fine telling him to work hard, but what was the deal with telling a kid like Joseph to work hard? Did he think both Luke and Joseph were really there to pick up girls?
Luke turned and walked to the door before knocking on it.
“Who is it?” a little girl asked.
Luke smiled. “It’s Luke. Open the door, Talia.”
When the door opened, a girl who bore a striking resemblance to Selina appeared as she said, “Luke, you’re here.”
Luke smiled and handed her a pair of sports shoes which he had bought at the store earlier. “A gift for you.”
Glee filled Talia’s face as she asked, “Really?”