Chapter 5 A Stroll

• THE NEXT MORNING
• Stephanie’s body was fully tucked in her duvet, the cold weather was her favorite.
• Princess hopped into Stephanie’s room. She got to the bed and climbed up carefully. She climbed on top of Stephanie and laid down flat on her.
• "Stephanie, get up!" It's 7:00 a.m. When I arrived in New York, you promised to tour me around the city. I'm here now, and you are still sleeping.”
• She held Stephanie and pouted her lips as she hugged her through the covers.
• “Princess...” Stephanie grumbled. She cautiously turned to lay on her back so as not to toss Princess off the bed.
• She drew a hand from under the duvet and held Princess to herself.
• Princess burst out laughing and kissed Stephanie on the cheek.
• “Good morning Steph! "It's already 7 a.m."
• "Princess, we're on vacation." I don't have to wake up at 7 am.”
• Stephanie gently touched Princess's sparse gold hair. As she did this, her eyes were still closed.
• "Stephanie, you promised to take me out. Open your eyes,” She tapped Stephanie’s cheeks with her small hands and Stephanie exhaled.
• “Fine, you win,” Stephanie's tired eyelids opened to see Princess's face near hers. She had a cute smile on her face, and this made Stephanie smile.
• “Can you get off me now? I'm awake.”
• Princess bounced her head happily and got off. She sat next to Stephanie, her gaze fixed on her. She wasn't going to go out of the room until she saw Stephanie get out of bed.
• Stephanie sat at the edge of the bed, yanking the covers away from her body. She stretched out her body and moved her head sideways.
• She stood up and wore her fluffy slippers. She took Princess' hand in hers and led her to the living room. When they entered the living room, they saw their parents conversing.
• “Good morning, Mom and Dad,” Stephanie greeted.
• Princess pulled her hands away from Stephanie and ran to Sarah.
• “Stephanie would be taking me on a stroll today!” Princess’s excitement made Sarah chuckle.
• “Then you better get your cardigan ready.”
• “How was the night, Stephanie?” Philip asked.
• He had his recommended glasses on, and he had a newspaper in his hand.
• “It was cool, the way I Love it.”
• “That is good.” He responded and kept reading the newspaper.
• “What are your plans today, Stephanie?” Sarah asked with a large grin.
• “Nothing much. I would take Princess on a stroll, and we’d head back to the house.”
• “Sebastian wouldn't be visiting today?”
• Stephanie sighed and rolled her eyes at her.
• “Mom, it is 7 in the morning. You don't want to ruin my day already.” She muttered.
• “C’mon, Stephanie, I am just curious. You refused to tell me about him yesterday night.”
• “There is nothing to talk about, Mom. We met two days ago, and there is nothing that is going to happen between us. I... am... not... giving... any... man... a... chance... again.” Stephanie started looking her Mom in the face.
• “Philip, please talk to your daughter. You can't leave me to do this alone.”
• “Sarah, just let her be. You can't force anyone to fall in love.”
• “But, he is William Coleman’s son. I know he likes her, and we can't let this opportunity slip off our hands.” Sarah disrupted Philip’s statement.
• Stephanie stood up in anger and walked to her room without uttering any words.
• “I will leave the house for you two.” She thought to herself.
• ***
• Stephanie dressed in a yellow shirt and black jeans pants. She wore a puffer jacket and a chook, she let her hair fall freely on her shoulders. She zipped her boot heels up to the upper part of her ankles.
• Princess wore a short gown and a leather boot that extended to her knees. She had a head warmer on too, and she wore cotton gloves on her hands.
• “Are you sure you don't want to join us?” Stephanie asked Mary, who had refused to take a stroll with them. She had told them that she wanted to stay home and continue her new book.
• “I am sure. I don't feel like going out today. We can do this tomorrow again.” Mary uttered, and Stephanie nodded.
• “Bye, Mom!” Princess waved at Sarah as she stood on the porch.
• “Don’t stay out too long, okay? And stick to your sister’s side. You can't get lost.” Sarah warned, and Princess bounced her head in excitement.
• Stephanie and Princess walked out of the compound holding hands. They began to stroll down the streets. Princess pranced and giggled as we strolled.
• After minutes of strolling, they got to the central park, and Princess was happier when she saw a lot of people. They took a stroll along the Reservoir.
• “There are so many children,” Princess uttered as she watched the other children running about. Some of them had water blowing bubbles with them.
• “Do you want one?” Stephanie asked, and Princess nodded in excitement.
• Stephanie smiled widely and took Princess to where the water-blowing bubbles were sold. She bought one and handed it over to Princess. They began to stroll again, and Princess got busy with her toy.
• Suddenly, a small boy ran into Stephanie, and she quickly held him so he wouldn't fall.
• “Watch where you are going, little boy,” She said, and before the boy could apologize, she heard a very familiar voice from afar.
• It was Owen’s.
• “Tyler! Stop running so fast.”
• Stephanie turned away from the little boy immediately and began to walk away very fast. Her heart thumped against her chest, and she became so uncomfortable.
• “He has a son as old as that?” She thought to herself as she kept walking without looking back.
• *What is he doing in New York City?*
• She then realized something was missing. She looked at her side, and her eyes widened in terror.
• Princess was nowhere to be found.
• She turned in circles and called out her name in fear,
• “Princess! Where are you?!”