Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Timothy glanced at Ginger and instructed, “Please go shower and change into fresh clothing.”
Blushing, Ginger climbed off the bed, her feet barely grazing the floor, her toes hanging in the air.
Unable to resist her cuteness any longer, Timothy reached out and lifted Ginger off the bed.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Ginger, can you shower by yourself?”
“Hmph, I’m a big girl, of course I can,” Ginger replied confidently, grabbing her clothes and dashing off to the bathroom.
Caleb chuckled in response, finding it hard to suppress his laughter. “Tim, this kid is hilarious.”
Timothy shot Caleb a cold glance. “Instead of laughing, why don’t you check your own clothes? They’re just as dirty.”
“Oh, shit, when did this happen?”
Caleb promptly rose from the bed and cast a glance at Timothy opposite him. “You’re pointing fingers at me, but check the back of your shirt—it’s dirtier than mine. Seems like our little friend here had a mishap next to you!”
Timothy’s expression darkened as he quickly removed his shirt, revealing faint yellow stains on it.
Caleb couldn’t resist teasing, “Tim, this just proves that Ginger likes you more. These are all signs of her affection.”
“Enough with the jokes,” Timothy snapped, tossing the shirt aside.
Glancing out the window, he remarked, “Looks like the rain has eased up. Has the airport reopened yet?”
“Not yet. It appears this storm will persist for several days,” Caleb replied.
Timothy couldn’t help but rub his temples. “It looks like Ginger won’t be able to leave Xanier Island anytime soon.”
Caleb spoke up, “Tim, the auction is this afternoon. What do you plan to do about Ginger?”
“She came to find you, so you should figure it out yourself.”
Timothy, too, found himself at a loss for what to do!
After a while, Ginger emerged from the bathroom, skipping toward him.
As she approached, Timothy couldn’t help but notice her bright yellow outfit.
Ginger stood before him in yellow overalls and a small hat. She bashfully covered her face with her hands. “Mister, you’re not wearing a shirt. How embarrassing!”
Timothy was momentarily speechless. He quickly picked up a nearby robe and draped it over himself.
Looking down at Ginger, he spoke up. “The heavy rain hasn’t stopped yet. Looks like you won’t be able to leave Xanier Island for the time being.”
“Oh, I see. So that means people from outside can’t come here either?”
Ginger let out a relieved sigh, knowing Mia couldn’t come. At least for now, she wouldn’t have to worry about getting in trouble.
Looking up at Timothy, Ginger pleaded, “Tim, can I stay for one more day? I’ll ask my mommy to give you money later.”
Timothy couldn’t resist pinching her chubby cheeks affectionately. “I have some business to attend to later. You stay in the room and behave yourself. If you need anything to eat, just let the hotel staff know, and they’ll bring it to you. And don’t go running around.”
“But Tim, can’t I go with you? I promise to behave,” Ginger pleaded.
“No.” Timothy replied firmly. After all, the casino was not a suitable place for children.
Ginger rolled her eyes in response. “Can I go to the amusement park then?”
“Sure,” Timothy agreed:
He then pulled out a wad of bills from his wallet and placed them in Ginger’s small backpack. “Buy”
whatever you like. But remember to take Joe with you to the amusement park. And no running around!”
“Got it,” Ginger replied.
Taking her backpack, Ginger suddenly remembered something and retrieved her Apple watch. “It’s out of battery.”
Timothy glanced at the watch and instructed, “Charge it for her.”
Heath promptly brought over the charger. Ginger obediently waited by the Apple watch, her feet swinging in the air as she sat in her yellow overalls.
“Tim!”
Just then, Luna entered the room, her surprise evident upon seeing Ginger on the sofa. “Who’s this?”
She couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between Ginger and Mia.
Timothy elanced at Caleb. “You explain.”
Caleb cleared his throat awkwardly and replied, “She might, uh, possibly be my daughter.”
Luna’s confusion deepened upon hearing Caleb’s words. Ginger looked so much like Mia, how could she be Caleb’s daughter? She seemed more like Timothy’s child.
Lunt fet perplexed. Caleb, are you sure she’s your daughter? She doesn’t seem to resemble you at all.
And why haven’t you mentioned her before?”
“Believe it or not, I only just found out myself,”
“Caleb, are you sure you’re not being deceived?”
At these words. Ginger shot a look at Luna and spat out angrily, “You’re the liar, and so is your entire
Upon hearing Ginger’s accusation, Luna looked at her with a frown. “Why are you so upset, young lady?
Where are your parents?”
Tm not telling you!” Ginger snapped, turning her back on them.
Aware of Ginger’s temper, Caleb intervened, “Ginger, we have to attend to some important matters.
Please stay here and don’t wander around.”
With that. Timothy and Caleb exited the room together.
Luna couldn’t help but trail behind them. “Seriously, are you just leaving her here like this? Where exactly are you guys going, anyway?”
Caleb turned to her, saying, “Luna, we’re heading to the casino on the first floor. Could you keep an eye on Ginger and make sure she doesn’t wander off?”
Luna was taken aback. “But I don’t even know her,” she retorted.
Timothy glanced over. “You have some experience with children.”
“Yeah, Luna, Ginger is around the same age as your son, so just help us out for now. Once the airport is operational again, we’ll arrange for her to go home.”
Reluctantly, Luna consented. She asked cautiously, “Caleb, is Ginger really your daughter?”
As Luna posed the question, she cast a meaningful glance at Timothy. In truth, she still harbored. suspicions that Ginger might be somehow related to Mia.
Caleb hesitated momentarily before responding. “To be honest, it’s uncertain at this point. Let’s discuss it after the auction,”
Glancing at Luna. Timothy instructed, “Make sure she doesn’t wander off.”
“Don’t worry, Tim, I’ll keep a close eye on her,” Luna reassured.
Standing by the doorway, Luna observed Timothy and Caleb leaving, her smile vanishing instantly.
It Ginger was indeed Timothy’s daughter, what would become of her son?
Regardless, Luna was determined to uncover Ginger’s true background.
As Luna stepped into the hotel suite, she found Ginger seated on the sofa.
Luna greeted her with a smile. “Hello there, sweetheart. Can you tell me who your mommy is?”
Ginger replied. “My mommy is Little Fairy.”
Luna persisted, “No, I mean, what’s her name?”
Ginger turned her head away, pouting. “You’re mean!”
Luna struggled to maintain her composure, but seeing the presence of the bodyguard, Joe Hart, she had to keep herself in check.
“Sweetie, I’m asking for her name so we can find your family. You can’t keep relying on others. Asking for your mommy’s name doesn’t make me a bad person, does it?”
While depending on Caleb might not have been an issue, relying on Timothy was out of the question.
Undoubtedly, Ginger’s appearance was causing quite a stir.
“My mommy said asking other kids¡® names randomly is impolite. Only human traffickers do that,” Ginger retorted sharply.
Luna was taken aback by her response. It seemed Ginger was quite quick¨Cwitted.