When plain simple nerdy Emma Cole goes to Hollen Tower for an interview she quickly realizes she is out of her league. The women of Hollen Tower are gorgeous, and their shoes cost more than her entire wardrobe. But an accident, and a talent for coff...
"Baby, listen to me. Your father and I love you so much, but you were being bad again and you should be punished for it."
He nodded.
"You can leave now. I'll come get your things in a bit," Ethan told him.
EJ got up, opened the door and left.
I heaved a sigh. "Weren't we a bit harsh on him? He's still brilliant in his school work and he's learning a lot on his computer. Can we just leave him with his desktop?"
"Arrgggghhh!" Ethan groaned.
"Please, baby. You can take the other things away, but I think we could at least leave him with something."
"Okay, fine. I'll leave him with his desktop. Only."
"Okay."
After half an hour, Ethan came back with EJ's stuff. Security was instructed to air out the bouncing castle and place it into the storeroom.
I was delivering the clean and folded laundry to the bedrooms. I walked passed EJ's room and heard him talking with Evan.
"I'm very sorry for what I did at school. It's just that other kids are teasing me and calling me all sort of names, so I fight back."
"Have you told the teacher?"
"I did but she keeps telling me to ignore them. I can't just ignore them when they get all up in my face and tease me about being rich. Calling me 'Billionaire's King', 'Richy Rich Baby', 'Gold Spoon Head', and all sort of other names. I punched Alex right in his face this morning. He starts the teasing then the others join in."
"EJ, listen to me. Your teacher is right. You should ignore them because they're only looking for attention and you're giving it to them. I had the same experience when I was your age, and you know what I did?"
"What Evs?"
"I made a peace offering , especially to the bullies. I brought them candies."
"So you're telling me I should buy candies for guys?"
"No. I'm telling you that sometimes it's wise to give a peace offering. Kill them with kindness, especially after you punch someone out."
"Not a bad idea. What should I tell Mom?"
"Tell mom that your class is having a fun day and you have to bring two boxes of whatever you chose to the event."
"Okay. I'll go tell her now!"
I ran back to my bedroom. Ethan was signing some papers at his desk. I was putting the clothes away when EJ barged into the room.
"How many times do I have to tell you to knock," Ethan immediately snapped at him, making him freeze where he stood.
"Sorry Dad. I came to tell Mommy something."
I gave him a sly smile. "Yes baby?"
"Mom, the classroom is having a fun day tomorrow and I have to bring two boxes of cupcakes."
"Is that so? How come Mrs. Powells didn't give you a note?" I toyed with him, just to hear the clever excuse he'd come up with.
"Because she didn't have paper, so she said we should just tell our parents."
"Okay. Two boxes of cupcakes you said?"
"Yes."
"I'll drop them off for her tomorrow after I pick them up."
"No! I was hoping I could go get it with you. There's a new flavor out and I wanna try it, but I can't remember the name of it. If I see it, I'll know."
Evan had been coaching my poor child how to lie. I shook my head and gave him a big hug nevertheless. I knew what it was like to be bullied.
The next morning, after he was dressed for school, we headed to the supermarket where I bought two boxes of cupcakes, of his choice, then drove him to school.
"Have a nice day baby," I said, kissing his small cheeks.
"Thanks Mommy, and same to you. I love you," he said, taking off his seat belt and getting out, looking like a little boss.
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I handed him the boxes of cupcakes, which he easily carried to his classroom.
That afternoon, when I picked him up, he had two children by his side.
"Mom, this is Jack and Alex. They're my new friends," he said with a big smile.
