Bonnie gave him a sidelong glance and got into the car. “Drive.”
“Y-Yes, Ms. Bonnie!” Floyd stuttered and sighed in relief.
‘She so imposing and frightening! I should watch my mouth and refrain from teasing her next time. Ms. Bonnie’s demeanor resembles Mr. Ivor’s. I’ll struggle to continue working for them.’
An hour later, Bonnie reached the Knights’ villa and entered the living room. She saw Ivor and asked, “Floyd told me you were busy today. How are you home before me?”
“I quickly finished my work to have dinner with you,” Ivor responded warmly. Then he turned and told the housekeepers to take something off the wall.
Bonnie was curious about what it was. She approached Ivor and saw the housekeepers removing Kieran’s painting from the wall.
Ivor watched them take down the painting and reminded them, “Be careful packing it up, and don’t bump it into anything.”
“Understood, Mr. Ivor,” one of the housekeepers responded respectfully before packing the painting into a box. He was cautious with it, too.
Bonnie asked, “Why are you taking it down and keeping it?”
“The university is hosting an exhibition soon, right? Someone informed me to contribute part of my collection. I chose Master Kieran’s painting because I thought it fits perfectly.” “Oh, so that’s what you’re doing,” Bonnie said nothing further, but her gaze lingered on the painting.
Ivor noticed it and asked, “What’ is it? Do you like the painting?”
“Uh, it’s not about the painting so much as the tabby cat in it. It reminds me of the one I used to have when I was a child.” Bonnie’s eyes showed a hint of uncharacteristic warmth when she mentioned the cat. “I had a tabby cat throughout my childhood and considered her family. I know cats don’t live forever. I was a teenager when she passed away. I couldn’t help thinking about her when I saw the painting. “I’ve always thought about how wonderful it would be if cats could live longer. That way, I’ll always have company.”
“Oh, that’s why you look like that.” After some thought, Ivor said, “If the cat in this painting means much to you, I’ll give you the painting once the exhibition ends.”
Floyd was standing on the sidelines when he heard his boss’s words. His eyes widened in shock as he said, “I thought you loved that painting, Mr. Ivor. It’s also precious to Mr. Sigmund. He has only ever loved the clay teapot and this painting.
“I fear he’ll raise hell if he finds out you’re giving it to Ms. Bonnie. I understand you dote on her, but isn’t this a little too-“
Before he could finish, Ivor interjected, “Bonnie’s a part of the family. It wouldn’t make a difference which one of us has the painting. Does it matter who it belongs to? I think Grandpa will see reason once he learns why I did it. He won’t complain.”
Floyd thought it made perfect sense. “Pardon me for speaking out of turn, Mr. Ivor.”
“It’s okay.” Ivor waved before turning to Bonnie, saying, “I’ll give you the painting soon. Don’t worry about Grandpa. I’ll talk to him.”
‘It’s my painting, so he doesn’t need to give it to me. I can always make another one for myself. Still, it’s Ivor’s way of showing his love for me. I guess I should turn him down in a nicer, more roundabout way.’
“I don’t need it. I just thought the tabby cat looked nice, and it reminded me of my cat when I was little. That’s all. You can put it back on the wall after the exhibition. I’ll look at it whenever I feel like it. You don’t have to give it to me.”
Ivor leaned closer to Bonnie and whispered flirtatiously, “What will you do if I still want to give it to you, Bonnie? You must take it, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
