chapter1271

Keen didn't just talk to Stella regularly; he often chatted with Joshua as well.

To him, Joshua was the most capable person he'd ever met, second only to his father.

Like most boys, Keen looked up to the strong. In his eyes, Joshua was the ultimate example.

"Keen," Joshua said with a smile, "what are we competing in this time?"

After losing to Joshua in shooting, Keen had challenged him to a horse race, only to be soundly defeated again. He had since taken up basketball, fencing, and rollerblading, but no matter how hard he practiced, he could never beat Mr. Joshua. Instead of feeling discouraged, Keen was thrilled, as if he had discovered a hidden treasure. He was determined to find something Mr. Joshua couldn't do.

Keen tilted his chin up proudly. "Mr. Joshua, this time, I challenge you to a piano duel!"

He reasoned that Mr. Joshua was a natural athlete, so competing in sports was unfair. But talent was a different story. He was Stella's son, after all, and had inherited her musical gifts. Even his piano teacher said he had the potential to become a renowned musician.

Joshua raised an eyebrow and readily accepted. "Alright. But it's been a while since I've played, so I'm a bit rusty. I'll give you a few days to practice."

His response surprised not only Keen but Stella as well. "Joshua, you know how to play the piano?"

"I learned a little in music class when I was a kid," he said casually.

Stella was speechless. Music class when they were kids was nothing like the specialized programs in kindergartens today. It was mostly a way for students to relax, and the teachers rarely took it seriously.

Keen's eyes, however, lit up with admiration. "You're so amazing, Mr. Joshua! You can even play the piano. Is there anything you can't do?"

Joshua laughed. "I'll leave that for you to find out, Keen."

Haynes stood by, watching the three of them laugh and talk, a sour feeling creeping into his stomach.t felt as if Stella, Joshua, and Keen were real family, and he was the outsider. He could see that Keen's for Joshua was different from the way he had felt about

-affect

Rachel.

He couldn't help but interrupt their warm exchange. "Star."

All three of them turned to look at him, reinforcing his feeling of being an intruder.

But Haynes, ever composed, quickly regained his composure.

"Keen and I would like to stay until after your birthday," he said, his voice low. "He's been planning a surprise for you since last month... so please make sure you keep that day free."

The mention of a surprise immediately captured Keen's attention. He looked at Stella with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Mom, we didn't get to celebrate properly last year. This time, Dad and I have planned the perfect birthday for you. Please say you'll come, okay?"

Stella glanced at Haynes, catching the hidden message in Keen's words. She looked down at her son and said gently, "Of course. But Abby and your Uncle Antoney will be celebrating with me too. The more, the merrier, right? You love big parties, don't you?"

Keen hesitated for a moment before nodding. His dad had said it would be just the three of them, but he supposed it was okay if his mom's friends joined.

were diplomatic, but Fresh chapters posted on F ndNovel.net

Stella's words we

Joshua was not so polite. "Mr.

O'Brien, you had your chance to plan

a private birthday for Star, and you

blew it Now that you two du two are

Tonger together, it's a bit much to

expect her to ditch all her friends

just to be with you, don't you think?"

Haynes's jaw tightened. "You're mistaken. She won't be just with me. Keen will be there too."

"Keen can celebrate with everyone else," Joshua countered. "Abby has already planned a party and invited all of Star's friends. As for you..." A smirk played on his lips. "You have no real ties to Star, and your relationship is awkward at best. hardly seems appropriate for you to attend." He paused as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Even Mr. Foreman Richards has more right to be there than you do."

"Joshua is right," Stella added. "On my birthday, I'll take Keen out. You're a busy

man; you don't need to waste your time on me."

Haynes was about to argue when two more people walked in: Aurora and Queenie.