Everett didn''t push Kate any further. Instead, he simply asked her to bring over a cup of warm milk. Kate let out a small sigh and quickly returned from the kitchen with a steaming cup in hand. The man extended his arm, nudging the cup gently towards the child, and gave a slight nod, "Here you go, drink up."


    Little Mateo, with his long eyshes casting shadows over his eyes, nced at the milk and then looked up at the tall, strong, and handsome man before him. His mom had always warned him not to take food from strangers, but despite the man''s cool demeanor, Mateo sensed no harm in him.


    Being the little gentleman he was, Mateo first offered a sincere "gracias" in Spanish, and then, with his chubby little hands, carefully lifted the cup and began sipping the milk in small, cautious gulps.


    Spanish, huh? Everett was a bit taken aback. Given his own ck hair and eyes, his look was distinctly local, yet the boy''s Spanish threw him off. Could this child be of Chinese descent living overseas?


    Once Mateo set the cup down, Everett crossed his legs with elegance, resting a hand on his knee and tapping lightly with his fingers. Without much warning, he switched to speaking in Spanish as well. His ent was impable, a charming British lilt that was pleasing to the ear.


    He asked little Mateo why he hade here searching for his mother. Mateo tilted his head slightly, as if trying to figure out what to say.


    The reason he was here was because Ava often spoke of how his mom used to live in a ce called Moon Bay in Newport-a grand, beautiful vi that had everything, even named after his mom. Moon Bay was her home.


    Afternding, Mateo had a VIPpanion ticket that included a flight attendant who arranged a ride from the airport, ensuring he arrived safely at Moon Bay''s doorstep. All of this seemed tooplex to exin, so he simply shook his head and said, "Mom is here!" Kate, who was nearby, chimed in, "Sir, I asked him the same thing today, and that''s all he told me. It''s tough to get more out of him. He''s just a kid, maybe he can''t express it all."


    Everett shrugged it off. He had only


    asked out of idle curiosity; he wasn''t one to dig deep into the lives of those who didn''t concern him. He nced at the boy again and switched topics.  en


    "And what''s your name? You can tell me that, right?"


    Mateo nodded softly. His voice was youthful and sweet, yet his words were clear, "Gift." Gift, what a name. The kid''s parents must be quite romantic to see their child as a gift.


    Everett felt a sudden pang in his heart. Heaven had given him two gifts as well, but he hadn''t been able to keep them. If Mateo and Haley were still around, they''d be about this child''s age, filling Moon Bay withughter instead of this silence and


    solitude.


    He absentmindedly reached for his cigarette pack but remembered the little one was there, so he tossed the cigarettes and lighter back onto the coffee table.


    Pushing aside his own sorrows, he asked, "Do you have a Chinese name?"


    Mateo didn''t respond.


    Everett misunderstood, "You can''t speak Chinese?"


    Mateo shook his head. He did have a


    Chinese name and could speak Chinese. He, his mom, and Ava all spoke it. But his mom had instructed him not to casually share his Chinese name with strangers only to use his Spanish name.


    Yet, something about this uncle made him feel warm and trusting. After a moment''s hesitation, he opened his little mouth and spoke in clear Chinese, "I can speak, my name is..."