Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 31

In the car, the little boy, who had just been picked up from school, sat rather ungracefully on the child safety seat in the back.

Kieran, beside him, looked at the boy’s test paper, took a deep breath, and turned to ask, “Ivan Hernandez, spill it, how did you do on your test?”

“I got an “E.” Ivan, seated proudly in his car seat, announced his test score.

Karl, riding shotgun, struggled to contain his laughter.

One thing Karl had learned from the little boy was that there was always someone out there who could do better.

Kieran’s serious gaze was fixed on Ivan, this little boy looked just like him except for his mouth and his attitude.

You came in last in the class; have you got any self–respect left? Tell me, how did you manage to get an ‘E‘?” Kieran asked, resisting the urge to chuck the little boy out of the car.

Ivan pouted and then broke into a grin, saying, “I got one multiple–choice question right; that’s how I got an ‘E.”

again and saw the answer spaces, all of them

only answer written on the whole test paper was

anger faded after a moment. After all, it was not the first

this stunt.

to the words ‘not a human‘ on the paper and

at his father, “You’re always hiring nannies, don’t you

Kieran a contemptuous look with

boy. “What’s wrong with the nannies? Don’t they meet your aesthetic standards?”

shot a meaningful look

belt, looked seriously at Kieran, and said, “Kerry, I’m only five! You should be finding me a

Kieran was speechless.

his dad was not looking pleased, Ivan licked his lips nervously and

out a cigarette

boy next to him, he decided to

I’m afraid if you don’t smoke, you might start hitting me. So, please smoke!” Kieran tossed the cigarette into the bin,