Chapter 8

• It was a long, silent drive home.
• The gate opened and Rigel rushed out from the house immediately our car neared the mansion
• "Mommy!"
• My heart flustered seeing him running to hug me while Rhea stood behind with her pink teddy bear.
• I spread my arms and caught him in a warm hug. Gazing over his shoulder, I winked at Rhea. "Come and hug mommy!" I beckoned her.
• She dragged her teddy bear along and hurried over as fast as her tiny legs could go. I lifted her up and nudged my nose playfully on her stomach.
• "That's my girl," I chuckled, seeing her giggle.
• Regardless of whatever happened outside, I was always certain that the both of them would make every unhappiness fade as soon as I saw them.
• My happy pills.
• I patted Rigel on the head as I carried his sister in my arm. "Did you guys have fun today with grandma and grandpa?" I asked.
• "Yes," Rigel answered, "but grandpa doesn't let me have enough time to my computer."
• I placed a palm on his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure grandpa is just so excited to be with you guys. So, just be a cute little pumpkin."
• "Look who's here!" I heard Stefan's voice and I looked up to see him coming out from the entrance.
• He was dressed in a brown t-shirt and black jeans trousers. "Your face looks like the statue of liberty when she has so much weight on her shoulder. Did you have a good day?" he joked, wearing his signature smirk.
• His joke lit my face with a smile and I muttered, "Everyday is a good day for me, Stefan."
• "Lucky you," he said. "Come on in. Your room is ready with a warm bath waiting for you in the bathroom."
• "Now, that's so thoughtful of you, big man." I punched him on the shoulder.
• "Ouch." He rubbed his shoulder. "Your punches are getting more manlike these days. Hope you're not attending a secret judo class."
• I laughed. There was nothing in the world that Stefan wouldn't make humour from. And I guess I always had the right response for him.
• "If I attended a judo class, trust me, you wouldn't be bold enough to sleep in this house."
• I greeted mum and dad warmly as I got to the living room, then I went on to my room. Dropping Rhea, I sank into my bed and let out an exasperated breath.
• "What a day," I mumbled, turning over to my side and gazing at the bed stand that was finished with expensive mahogany.
• "Mommy? Are you hungry?" Rhea asked me and I couldn't help the warmth the simple question made me feel.
• "No. Mommy just wants to take her bath now," I said, forcing myself up from the bed and stretching my arms. "But mommy's too lazy to do that now."
• "You said a lazy woman can't eat. Is that why you don't wanna eat?" She asked, cracking me up.
• "No, Rhea."
• I pulled her closer. Her adorable green eyes often made me wonder how beautiful I must have been when I was little. She was my carbon copy and the feeling of having her by my side was something I couldn't trade for anything.
• "Rhea, go listen to Grandma's stories," I said. "Mommy wants to have her bath."
• She nodded and picked up her teddy which had dropped on my bed, then she left the room.
• Hours later, I strolled down to the dining room to have dinner with the rest of the family.
• I'd been on a mini conference call with two of the IT guys who were proposing an update to our company's AI. Ted and Jimmy.
• I wasn't surprised how brilliant their ideas were. AI technology still had a giant room for development and almost everyone was eager to contribute to that development.
• My stomach purred when I got halfway down the stairs and perceived the aroma of mum's signature pasta.
• I swallowed a lump in my throat. Over the years, that woman's kitchen skills had never dropped one bit. I wish I could cook like her.
• The sizzling sound of the frying pan welcomed me into the kitchen and I kissed mum from behind.
• "You're the best cook, mum," I whispered.
• "And you're the best daughter in the world, darling." She smiled.
• "Go join the others at the dinning. I'm almost done with this."
• "I can help." I offered, my eyes scouting the cabinet for any tiny job I could do.
• "Darling," she stressed. "You know I love it when you help out. But tonight's dinner… It's a special one."
• My brows rose curiously. "Is anything happening tonight?"
• "You don't like surprises ruined for you, do you?" She asked, while stirring some chicken sauce.
• I shot a gaze at the ceramic plate where she placed the chicken that was already cooked. Snatching one swiftly, I stuffed it into my mouth and ran off.
• "I knew it!"
• I took one of the vacant seats at our massive dining table. Mum and Dad always sat opposite each other at the longer ends of the table.
• My seat had been reserved right beside dad's and, trust me, I already expected that.
• Seeing the whole family eating together like we did in past times made my heart warm, especially with my children around to make their grandparents happy.
• Still, something felt missing. Like there was a gap in my soul, yearning to be closed up.
• I heaved off a sigh and made up my mind to focus on the things that mattered to me.
• Just then, one of the maids came into the room. "Excuse me, sir. Mr Lockhart has arrived."
• The name painted a smile on my dad's face and I glanced at mum only to see her smiling too.
• Lockhart? The name didn't ring a bell.
• "Bring him in," Father said to the maid.
• However, the moment she turned around, there's a masculine figure right behind her.
• "Right here," a baritone voice resonates from the door, causing the maid to shudder.
• A tall figure stepped into the room with a smile on his face as he threw casual steps.
• My jaw touched my chest as I gazed at him with an arched brow. "Who is that?"