It'll Come Naturally
Chapter 1790 No Longer Young (Part Two)

mind. Having dinner together was going to be better. After all, the more, the merrier.

"Anyway, I heard Eden is due back today. Why don't we take this opportunity to have dinner together? I haven't seen him in a long time," Edward said, taking another sip of coffee. Initially, he only planned to have a drink with his buddies tonight, but quickly changed his "Sounds good. I'll inform Annie about it later. But you call Leena and Duke, okay? Between the two of us, you have more time. You handle the invitation." Rain stood up and got ready to head back to his office. There was a ton of work waiting for him.

"Who told you I had plenty of time? Justin's assigned more tasks for me than before. I don't know what he's thinking about," Edward complained. Although Justin was now the CEO of the FX International Group, Edward decided to help his son in managing the company. If he didn't, Justin would be exhausted.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Rain chided Edward. "I suspect you haven't been to the company today, huh? It's already afternoon!" Rain scoffed. He knew Edward so well that he could tell when he was lying.

"Well, I got up late this morning. Then my father asked me to play chess with him. So, you know..." It was a perfect excuse, and most people would probably buy it if they didn't know Edward as well as Rain did.

"Stop talking nonsense. I really have to go now, because unlike you, I really am busy," Rain declared. If Rain didn't leave, he knew the whole afternoon would be a waste. So, he fished out his car keys and turned to leave.

Breathing deeply, Edward stood up as well. He was planning to play golf with his daughter, but Jasmine left the house early that morning, so he ended up hanging out with Rain. "All right. I'll head out to the office, too. Otherwise, Justin would get mad at me. Can you imagine that? My son mad at me because I'm not working?" he sneered.

When Rain returned to his office, he was surprised to see Joyce sleeping on the couch. She hadn't slept well last night, so she quickly fell asleep not long after slumping on Rain's office couch.

"Joyce," Rain called her name softly and shook her on the shoulders. "What are you doing here? Have you been waiting here for a long time?" he asked. He was aware that Joyce had slept very late last night. When he got up to get a drink of water in the wee hours of the morning, the light in Joyce's room was still on.

Rubbing her eyes, Joyce recognized her father's voice and sat up.

"Dad! Finally, you're back," she yawned and finger-combed her hair.

Grumbling a little, she rubbed her eyes again to focus on her father's face.

"Why are you sleeping here? You might catch a cold. Have you eaten yet? Why didn't you call me?" he fired a series of questions. It was obvious how much he cared for his daughter, and that he was still worried about her welfare.

She rubbed his arm and replied, "Don't worry, Dad. I've already eaten. I had lunch with Justin and Jasmine. It's my turn to ask. Have you eaten? Where did you go and what took you so long?" Since Rain wasn't in his office, Joyce asked her father's whereabouts. William, his assistant, told her Rain was out for lunch. Joyce assumed he wouldn't be out very long, so she decided not to call him.

"I had lunch with your Uncle Edward.

We were talking about business," Rain answered.

He plopped down on the couch beside his daughter and wondered why she dropped by his office.

"How's Uncle Edward?" Joyce inquired politely. She heard about Edward being sick and was worried about him like his family was.

Rain was quick to assure his daughter about Edward's health. "Don't worry. Your Uncle Edward is in good health. And he has many, many more years to live." In so saying, he didn't realize that he had given away Edward's secret.

His daughter sighed in relief. "Well, that's good to know." Nodding slightly, Joyce leaned towards her father and rested her head on his shoulder.

"What's the matter? You seem unhappy. Is your mother nagging you again?" Rain asked with a tinge of concern. He turned around to hug his daughter and sighed deeply to express his profound love for her. Annie was his beloved wife, and Joyce was his little girl, so being caught between them was very difficult for him.

Smiling at her father, Joyce said, "No, it's nothing. I guess I just missed you so much." While she resented the endless nagging by her mother, she vowed not to share her sentiments with Rain. She knew it would put him in a very awkward position.

"Is that so? You missed me? Hmmm. I think you're just trying to make me happy," he said. Teasingly, he pinched her nose and thought, 'If you really missed me, why didn't you choose to attend a local university?'

She pretended to be hurt by his doubting her. "Dad! How can you not believe me? Look into my eyes. They're so pure and innocent," she remarked. As she grew older, she went through many changes. However, what didn't change was her behaving like a spoiled brat whenever she was with her father.

"Joyce, I know your mom likes to nag, and that annoys you. But sometimes, you need to put yourself in her shoes. She had a career as a jewelry designer. But she gave it up. She decided to make family her priority and took care of you and your brother, Huey. But since you two are grown up and not home most of the time, she always looks forward to you coming back for the holidays. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Rain tried to explain. Rain totally understood Annie. He was always busy working, while Huey and Joyce were out of the house most of the time. His wife must be very lonely. So he made up his mind to travel around the world with Annie once Huey took over the company.

Running her hand through her hair, Joyce inhaled. "I know what you mean, Dad. I don't blame her. But sometimes, I only want to be someplace that's peaceful and quiet." With an embarrassed smile, Joyce realized how well her father knew her and cared for her. He looked at his daughter with pride. "Ah, I see." He nodded. "Well, don't let your mom replace out, because otherwise, she'll likely feel dejected." Annie devoted all her time and energy on the twins, and Rain believed this was largely due to the fact that he was always away. Being the VP of FX International Group and CEO of CY Technology, he only had a little time to devote to his family.

"Dad, do you think I'm foolish?" the girl protested. To emphasize her dismay, she pouted her lips.

"Hey, your Uncle Edward just asked me if you were dating anyone. I told him I don't know. Honey, is there a secret you'd like to share with your old man?" He wanted to probe lightly.

Eyes wide, Joyce gasped at her father's question. "What? Why were you discussing those things about me? So you're thinking there are no boys interested in me?" Joyce asked. Joyce suddenly turned shy and bit her lip. she did have a thing for a certain boy but was aware he didn't feel the same way about her.

Her father pretended to be shocked. "You're my daughter! How is it possible that boys aren't lining up for you? I'm only concerned that they might hurt you," Rain said. He continued to hug Joyce and thought, 'Even if you decide to be alone and never marry, I will always be here for you.'

She looked at her father and was pleased with his words. "Don't worry, Dad. I'm a tough girl and no one is going to hurt me." Joyce smiled at her father reassuringly.

"That'll be great! Hey, will you be home soon? If you are, please tell your mother that Edward has invited us to have dinner together this evening. I'll pick you both up after work," Rain related the plans. He was going to call Annie, but since his daughter was here, she could inform her mother for him.

"Okay, no problem," Joyce said. "I'm leaving now. If I don't, Mom would be worried about me," she told her father. Surprisingly, she calmed down considerably after her talk with Rain. She even felt a little guilty for her mother.

"I understand. Please keep your Mom company for me," he requested. "And thank you, Joyce, for dropping by." Father and daughter both stood up, and Rain smoothed Joyce's messy hair. He was so proud to have a daughter like her, one who was pretty and with great character.

Eyes twinkling, Joyce said, "I don't think I'd be able to keep her company for you. Don't you know that no one can replace you in her heart?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Joyce grabbed her backpack and put it on.

Rain laughed before he said, "That is so true! Let me tell you, I am the one and only in your mother's heart." He raised his chin proudly as a smile lit his eyes.

"Don't bet on it! Bye, Dad!" Joyce called out. She walked out of his office, waved her hand without a backward glance and disappeared.

"What? Wait! What did you mean by that?" Rain yelled. He watched his daughter's departing back, but Joyce ignored him and hastened her steps. Rain shook his head and went back to work.000☐☐☐☐☐