Infinity

CHAPTER 7 Paulo's Visit

While Ariane is busy preparing for a sumptuous dinner, Jude is busy preparing lots of questionnaires for Paulo too. This mother and son pair is quite busy with their preparations.

Ariane prepared Chicken Satay Noodle Bowl, Cheesy Potato and Zucchini Bake, Braised Steak and Onions, and Beef Wellington. For beverage, she prepared Cucumber Juice. After cooking all the dishes, she set the table with very creative platings for each menu. Ariane has a talent in Food Platings and Table setting. Since her guest is her long-lost childhood friend, she made this dinner very special.

When Jude smelled the delicious aroma of what Ariane is preparing, he immediately goes down the stairs and proceeds to their dinner table. "Wow, Mommy it seems that you almost consumed all our money for this dinner," Jude innocently said. He inspects one by one the menu set by her mom on their table.

Ariane was stupefied by what Jude said."Haha, I just prepared these dishes son especially for him since we haven't seen each other for a very long time, and besides, he just came from abroad. Don't worry I didn't consume all our savings here." She then thought that was her preparation over or what. She was so excited that's why.

"I will just fix myself, son," Ariane said to her son then she went to her room.

"Hmmn, You are so excited, Mommy. Do you think you are just a high school student," Jude said to her mother while laughing.

Ding.....

Until the doorbell rings.....

Ding...

"Just a second," Jude said and hurriedly went to the door to check if this is her mother's visitor. "He opened the door and asked, "Hi. Are you Tito Paulo?" he politely said to the tall man in front of him. Paulo is holding a bouquet and gifts for them while smiling at Jude.

"Yes, good evening. So you are Jude? Nice meeting you," he messed up Jude's hair and gave boxes of chocolates and a gift to him.

"Yes, I am her one and only son, I am Jude Vicente. Please come in," Jude said excitedly while reaching for gifts from Paulo."Thank you so much, Tito Paulo. Please wait for Mommy she is just upstairs."

While waiting for her mother, Jude gets his notebook and his pencil.

"Well while waiting for Mommy, have a sit, Tito Paulo. I will just ask few questions from you," Jude then started to have an interrogation with Paulo.

Paulo was amazed by this cute smart kid in front of him. It seems that he will be under his assessment first.

"Question number one: Mommy said you are childhood friends before. How old are you both when you met each other?" Jude asked him smartly.

Paulo smiles. He likes this kid. "We were 6 years old then." Jude nodded then write his answer in his notebook.

"Okay. Question number two: Have you ever have a girlfriend before or do still have a girlfriend as of the moment?" Jude stares at Paulo's eyes to check his sincerity while answering him.

Cough! Cough! Paulo almost laughs out loud and coughs at this kid's straightforward question...

"Haha. Okay. Before I had a girlfriend but that was long ago already. I am a free man now and ready to mingle," Paulo said. He is quite enjoying what they are doing right now.

Ariane's kid is smart and bright.

While Jude is writing Paulo's answer, Ariane is now heading to them.

When Jude saw her mother coming, he rushed his last question to Paulo, "Lastly, are you free this Saturday to accompany Mommy and me in our school activity?" Jude doesn't want to waste this time helping her mother in preparation for their Family Day.

"Yes, I am free. I can accompany you both," Paulo answered happily to him. He messed up Jude's hair once again.

"Okay, congratulations you have passed from my initial assessment. Thank you, Tito Paulo," Jude then shook hands with him.

Ariane approached the two of them, "Hmmn, it seems you interrogate your Tito Paulo already," she said to her son.

Paulo sets his eyes on Ariane when she is coming. "Hi Ariane, good evening!" he said and handed a bouquet plus 3 paper bags with gifts inside to Ariane. "These are all for you Ariane. I hope you will like them," he said to Ariane while smiling at her.

Ariane received those gifts and bouquets from Paulo and said," Thank you so much. I know you are starving already. Let's have our dinner," she invited him to dine already.

"Come on Tito Paulo, let's eat," Jude stands up and gets Paulo's hand to accompany him to their dining table. "You will love my Mommy's menu. She almost spends all our savings to prepare those sumptuous meals," Jude innocently said to him.

Ariane widened her eyes to Jude and said, "Jude!!!"

"My apology Paulo, just ignored what he said hehe," Ariane shyly apologize to Paulo.

Paulo smiled and said, "Never mind, Jude is such a smart kid. I am enjoying talking to him."

Paulo sat in front of Ariane while Jude sat beside him.

"I will sit beside you Tito Paulo," Jude excitedly said to them and sat.

Paulo appreciates the table setting. It is as though they are dining in a fine dining restaurant.

"Wow, Ariane you actually did this table set up? It's sumptuously amazing. I thought we are in a hotel!" Paulo exasperatedly said. He is so proud of Ariane.

Ariane blushed with Paulo's compliment. She can't actually explain why she is behaving this way. She feels like a teenager complimented by her crush.

"Yes. It's my passion for food plating and table grazing. Thank you for the compliment. Enjoy your dinner with us." Ariane said.

Paulo's POV:

"This girl is really amazing. Besides I can still recall she is creative ever since we were young. She always participates in Arts and LIterature school activities then.

Her son is as smart as she is as well. I am really really proud of her. I like her son so much.

Paulo is so excited to discover more of Ariane's personality and all about her. it seems that she has grown and matured so well. It's quite so sad that they didn't meet when they were teenagers. He hoped that he was the one whom Ariane met before and be the father of Jude then.

Perhaps destiny brought them together now and he is willing to offer Ariane a good family with Jude. He is decided to win Ariane's heart. He feels that Ariane has the same feelings with him as if they have been reconnected from their past to present.

Having dinner with this mother and son pair is really great. Paulo finds himself as the Padre de Familia of this two. He knew that he had become single as of this time for God has plans for him. To wait for Ariane and be with her."

Ariane's POV:

"He is nice. My son likes him a lot. I am just quite curious what are those things my son told and asked him a while ago.

As she was observing the two having their dinner, her heart is overwhelmed. It was the first time we have our dinner like this. we do look like a family. I think Jude is happy too. I can see my son's eyes are sparkling while having company with Paulo.

How I wished it was Paulo then who was my boyfriend and Jude's father.

I am so touched by his presence now. He made my son felt that our family is complete.

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"By the way, Jude asked me if I can accompany you both on his school activity this Saturday. I am free then," Paulo said while putting a slice of Beef Wellington in his mouth. "It tastes really good Ariane. I didn't know you are good at cooking," he compliments her.

Ariane almost chokes after Paulo said that Jude invited him already for their school activity this Saturday.

"Hey, be careful," Paulo gave her a glass of water.

"Well, since Jude invited you already, what else can I say," Ariane look at her son who is quite happy eating Cheesy Potato and Zucchini Bake, oh her little glutton.

"Yes, there's no problem with me. It will be my pleasure joining with you two," Paulo said happily to Ariane.

"Alright then, we will be having our presentation. Do you know how to dance and sing?" Ariane asked Paulo.

"What? I thought I will just accompany you," he said while looking at Jude.

Jude simply put his two hands up in the air and said, "When I've asked you a while ago, you said you are free. Please, we have no time Tito Paulo," the little kiddo pouted his lips and stared at Paulo with his puppy eyes." Please. Please. I beg you, Tito Paulo," as if he will cry already.

Paulo can't help himself but embrace and said to Jude, "Hush. Don't cry. I'm just kidding. It's okay I can perform with you two. Your Mommy and I were partners with our school activities when we are at your age. Remember Ariane?" he looks at Ariane then.

"Really Mommy?" Jude asked her.

Ariane stupefied all of a sudden then replied, "Yes, we are partners before. you know what son, your Tito Paulo is good in making props as well," she looked at Paulo.

They both smiled at each other, seemed as reminiscing their school days.

"Great! I am so excited. Thank you, Lord," Jude almost shouted with excitement.

The three of them enjoy sharing their stories while having their sumptuous dinner. If you will look at them, it is as though they are a happy family having their dinner together.

After having their dinner, Paulo offered to wash the dishes but Ariane refused," You are our visitor here. Jude, please send your Tito Paulo to the living room while I will clean up the table and wash the dishes okay."

"Okay Mom," the little kiddo obediently replied to her mother and started holding Paulo's hand. "Come on Tito Paulo, let's open your gifts to me, I am so excited."

Paulo held the little boy's hand and they both headed to the living room.

While washing the dishes, Ariane told to herself, "Lord thank you for the sign. Please guide me on my decisions. It seems that things are happening so fast."

Paulo opens his gifts to Jude and the little kiddo almost jumps for happiness. It was a Ferrari Car collection with a car race range. Paulo assembles and sets up the car collection in their living room.

"Thank you, Tito Paulo," Jude kissed Paulo's cheeks as a sign of his appreciation. "I love it."

Both of them played while Ariane is still in the kitchen.

Before midnight, Jude is already exhausted playing with his new toy collection with his Tito Paulo.

Ariane then said," Jude your Tito Paulo is late already. He will be going home and you are sleepy already."

Paulo then said "Okay Jude, I'm leaving. You clean yourself first before going to bed," Paulo carried the little boy and kiss his cheeky cheeks. "Good night, you go upstairs okay."

"Thank you Ariane for accommodating me and having s sumptuous dinner with you two. I'm so full," he said to Ariane while touching his belly with a smile.

"Welcome. Thanks also Paulo for the flowers and gifts for Jude and me," she said to Paulo.

Jude then went upstairs to clean up himself and go to bed.

"Good night Mommy, Good night Tito Paulo," he kissed the two of them one by one.

"Good night son. Go ahead and I'll drop by at your bed later okay. I love you," Ariane said to her son

Ariane accompanied Paulo then to their door. "Good night Paulo and Thanks again. Take care," she said.

Paulo held Ariane's hand and said," Thank you Ariane. Good night," he kissed Ariane's forehead and went straight to his car already.

Before opening his car's door, he turned back and wave goodbye to Ariane, "Bye and go inside already. Good night Ariane," Paulo said to her with a smile.

Ariane waved him goodbye also and closed the door while his car is leaving.

Ariane smiled while heading to her son's bedroom. She saw that her son is already asleep. She kissed him and headed to her bed already.

She is happy and she knows that her son feels the same too.

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Will Paulo be the one already? How about Mr. Lee who is going to pursue Ariane as well? Will the two equally handsome men meet?

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