Chapter 112: Daisy Kennedy
Sophie Kennedy stood just over 5 feet tall, her figure petite and delicately built. Yet her skin was as smooth as polished jade, flawless like fresh cream.
What truly captivated people, however, was her porcelain doll-like face, so exquisitely beautiful that it was almost unreal.
People often said that when God closed one door, He opened another. Was Sophie stunning? Without question. Did she have a strikingly voluptuous figure? Not exactly. Her beauty lay in her dainty frame and gentle elegance instead.
Wrapped in Luca Hale’s embrace, she felt incredibly soft. A faint fragrance, sweet and comforting like baby lotion, lingered around her, making it impossible not to breathe in just a little deeper.
After holding her for a long moment, Luca gently took Sophie’s hand and led her toward the entrance of the convenience store.
"Uncle Max, thanks for looking after Sophie while I was on my way over," Luca said with a warm smile.
Old Man Max chuckled, adjusting the pipe in his hand. His weathered eyes remained surprisingly sharp beneath the wrinkles.
"Young Master Hale, this young lady is not only beautiful, she’s exceptionally polite too." He nodded approvingly. "You’ve got yourself a good one."
Luca smiled, tightening his grip around Sophie’s fingers until their hands were completely intertwined.
"Sophie really is the best girl in the world."
’...One of them.’
He silently added the last part in his heart.
There was nothing he could do. He had already stepped onto the path of being a shameless charmer. Once your fishpond grows this big, every sentence has to be carefully chosen.
’It’s exhausting...’
’If situations like this happen again in the future...’
’...Please let them happen more often.’
Watching the proud satisfaction written all over Luca’s face, Old Man Max laughed softly. For just a moment, nostalgia flickered across his eyes. He seemed to be remembering the day, decades ago, when he first held his own wife’s hand and nervously brought her home to meet his parents.
Standing beside Luca, Sophie was so embarrassed that her cheeks had turned pink. Her eyes stayed fixed on the toes of her canvas shoes, as though she had suddenly discovered something endlessly fascinating there.
After chatting with Uncle Max for a few more minutes, Luca bought two cold drinks. The moment he paid, the familiar notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[The host spent 9 dollars.]
[Cashback triggered.]
[Reward: 45 dollars.]
At the very least, tonight’s late-night snack had already paid for itself.
"Sophie, are you hungry?" Luca asked. "Let’s grab something to eat."
The words had barely left his mouth before he realized something himself.
’Wait...’
’I only had Mom’s dumplings this afternoon.’
’I haven’t eaten anything since.’
Meanwhile, his parents had happily gone out for a romantic drive and dinner together, leaving their own son behind.
’Seriously... am I even part of this family anymore?’
Sophie smiled sweetly.
"Let’s go. I’m actually a little hungry too."
In truth, she wasn’t starving. She naturally ate very little. But seeing the hopeful look in Luca’s eyes, she couldn’t help smiling and agreeing.
"Then let’s get some barbecue. I know a place by the riverside that’s really good."
"Okay."
The moment barbecue was mentioned, Sophie’s bright eyes sparkled.
She had always loved good food.
Back when she first entered university, she had managed to visit nearly every snack stall and restaurant around campus within a single semester.
Once, she had even traveled to another district all by herself just because she’d heard a bread truck sold amazing hot baguettes.
By now, the giant advertising screens overlooking downtown had already gone dark, while most of the city’s neon signs had been switched off.
Yet the riverside was only beginning to come alive.
Food stalls lined both sides of the walkway, their grills sending smoky aromas drifting into the night air. Groups of friends laughed over skewers and drinks, while conversations blended with the sizzling sounds of meat roasting over charcoal.
Sophie sat sideways on the back of Luca’s electric scooter, wrapping both arms tightly around his waist. She leaned against his back without the slightest intention of letting go.
The soft pressure against him was almost feather-light.
Well...
Compared to Naomi or Vivienne, it was admittedly...
...quite the contrast.
Still, Luca didn’t mind in the slightest.
Sophie didn’t need a glamorous figure.
Her greatest charm had always been her delicate, doll-like cuteness. Combined with her petite frame, she possessed a uniquely gentle beauty that no one else could replicate.
After parking beside the river, Luca found an empty table overlooking the water. He ordered a generous assortment of skewers before handing the list to the owner.
While waiting, Sophie watched the bustling couple running the barbecue stall.
The husband stood over the smoking grill, turning skewers nonstop, while his wife hurried between tables taking orders and serving food. Every now and then, she would stop just long enough to wipe the sweat from her husband’s forehead before rushing off again.
Watching the two work together so naturally, Sophie couldn’t help smiling.
"Pretty big sister!"
A tiny voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Sophie lowered her head and found herself looking at an adorable little girl of four or five with two playful pigtails.
Although her complexion was slightly tanned, her enormous sparkling eyes and chubby cheeks made her irresistibly cute.
Sophie’s heart melted instantly.
"Hehe... thank you."
She crouched slightly so they were at eye level.
"You’re adorable too. What’s your name? How old are you? Where are your mommy and daddy?"
"My name is Daisy Kennedy! I’m four years old!"
The little girl proudly puffed out her tiny chest before pointing toward the busy barbecue stall.
"My mommy and daddy are working over there to make money."
Sophie’s eyes widened.
"What a coincidence!"
She gently held Daisy’s tiny hand.
"We even have the same surname. We’re both Kennedys."
At that moment, the owner’s wife hurried over carrying a tray piled high with freshly grilled skewers.
"Daisy."
Her expression became slightly stern.
"Didn’t Mommy tell you not to run around bothering customers? What if you bump into someone’s table?"
She placed the barbecue in front of Luca before turning apologetically toward the couple.
"I’m so sorry. She’s always running everywhere."
Luca waved his hand with a laugh.
"It’s really fine. Children should be energetic."
Sophie nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly! Daisy is incredibly cute. I like her very much."
She gently patted the little girl’s head.
"And we even share the same family name, don’t we, Daisy?"
"Ma’am! Is our barbecue ready yet?"
A customer from another table suddenly shouted.
"Coming!"
The owner answered quickly before looking back at her daughter.
"Daisy, come back with Mommy."
The little girl lowered her head pitifully.
"Mom... I want to stay with the handsome big brother and the pretty big sister."
"You can’t. They’re trying to enjoy their meal..."
Before she could continue, Luca smiled reassuringly.
"It’s honestly no trouble."
He looked at Daisy before turning back to her mother.
"Let her stay with us for a while. You two are busy enough already. We’ll keep her company until things calm down."