The Disparate One

Chapter 27 - Yes

"We forgot to bring ice-cream...", said the mother when she remembered that they were supposed to bring ice-cream when he sat down on the sofa, next to their daughter.

"There's an ice-cream shop nearby, the two of us can go there.", Oxford said as he was standing next to Ray.

"How about we all go there and maybe walk around the park after.", Ray suggested.

Oxford looked at the man who was also looking at him but quickly looked away when he caught his head turned to face him. The mother lets out a smile when he stood up and approached her husband.

"Let's go.", said Azalea with a smile who was standing near the kitchen, waiting for them.

Oxford was the first one to walked out of the penthouse to hold the door open for them. Ray was the last one who walked out of the penthouse and he felt a hand placed on his right shoulder, it was Oxford's who just closed and locked the door. The two men walked side by side to the elevator where the two ladies are, waiting for them. They arrived at the shop called 'nice cream shop' minutes later and found out that it is filled with customers, there is even a line to the cashier starting from near the entrance. Oxford told his family to look for a place to seat while Ray asked them of what kind of ice-cream that they want. Ray and Oxford then stood in a line to the cashier.

"What are you trying to do?", Oxford let out a question as he looked down at Ray who is standing next to him.

"What do you mean?", Ray replied with a question too.

"You know what I meant.", said Oxford.

"I just want you to bond with your family.", answered Ray after he looked up at him for a second.

Oxford didn't talk after that, at that moment he already knew that Ray is a caring person.

"Two number twos, one number five and one number one.", Oxford told the cashier their order after minutes of waiting in the line.

They received their order and gave the two to Zinnia and Azalea who were standing near the exit. They didn't stay in the shop due to the number of people, so they head to the central park as they eat their ice-cream.

"Honey, why is he wearing a general uniform by the way?", questioned the mother to her husband as they walked together.

"It's a tradition in the company, everyone who are new needs to wear that for a few months.", said Oxford as he watched Ray have a conversation with her daughter in front of them, getting closer to the central park.

"I see...", said the mother in a low tone as she finished her ice-cream. "Have Azalea told you about prom night?", she looked up at the man.

"What about it?", questioned Oxford.

"She couldn't find a partner.", answered the mother.

"Why, what's wrong with her?", Oxford gave the woman with a weird look as he licked his ice-cream.

"I don't even know, she doesn't want to talk about it when I ask her that.", said Zinnia.

Oxford stared at the two who were having a conversation just two meters in front of them.

"You look really young to have a job.", said Azalea to Ray.

"People always tell me that, and they still do.", replied Ray with a chuckle at the end.

"Why are you wearing that by the way?", questioned the girl.

"What? This?", Ray pointed at his uniform while staring at the girl, and she nodded at him.

"Oh. Sorry but I am not allowed to say it without your dad's permission.", said Ray before he started to eat the cone.

"Ok... what do you contribute to the company then?", she changed the question.

"I really sorry, but I am not allowed to answer that question too without your dad's permission.", Ray refused to answer her question.

When they arrived at the park, Oxford approached Ray from behind and excused him to her daughter to have a conversation with him. The daughter went to her mother who is still following them from behind, finishing her ice-cream. Ray moved both of his hands into the side pockets of his white slacks when Oxford walked next to him.

"What were you two talking about?", questioned the man who is wearing a black suit.

"She just asked about my uniform and about my job.", answered Ray while starring at the group of pigeons on the pavement that they just walked pass then back to the man next to him.

"What did you answer?", Oxford glanced at him.

"I said that I can't answer that question without your permission.", replied Ray.

Ray heard Oxford sighed while strolling around the park, enjoying the view, the fresh air, and the sounds of nature. The two men can hear the two ladies having a chat behind them, one of them even giggled so loud that Oxford glanced at them just to check.

"She told me about prom night.", Ray spoke.

"My wife told me too...", said Oxford.

"You should do something about it.", said Ray to Oxford when he looked up at him.

"Do you really love my daughter?", Oxford asked a question out of nowhere and changing the topic.

Ray hesitated to answer the question while also trying to avoid eye contact with him.

"Yes.", answered Ray in a low tone, but still enough for Oxford to hear it.