CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE;Kai's Father--Althea wondered what is it that she did wrong that day. She wants to know and keeps on visiting her memories and she found that she did nothing bad to get bad karma.She was just having a peaceful morning; cooked their breakfast, watered their flowers, and opened the shop—so she directly assumed that this day, like the other days, would pass peacefully.Who could have thought that the woman, whom she met just a week ago, the one who shouted at Kai because of a very, very immature reason (she asked him what happened after they got home), would tell her that she, herself, do not wish for their paths to meet again, will have the guts to appear in front of her doorsteps?Althea can't help but question her rationality. She also can't help but shake her head because of disappointment.When they were still in high school, she viewed Sheryl as a righteous, decent woman. After all, she was raised in a wealthy household, where a female is raised to be decent t
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX;Anotherside--Augustine?Sheryl's heart thumped loudly against her chest.Her laid-back posture straightens and her eyes are looking fiercely at the boy.Kaid doesn't know the meaning behind her glare, but he also doesn't care. He calmly shifted his eyes away and looked outside the shop.Sheryl didn't have the time to scrutinize his action as her mind was running at a fast pace to the point that even she couldn't stop it.'Augustine?' She asked herself. 'Is it the Augustine I know? No, that's not possible. There are many Augustine in the world. It's impossible to be him.'But no matter how hard she tries to deny it, a big fat fact is presented in front of her; it isn't impossible no matter how hard she made it sound.Amidst the ruckus inside her mind, she managed to ask Kai. She was low-key panicking and when she was about to ask the kid, she almost dived in front of him and clamped his small shoulders. Good thing she wasn't planning on shaming herself and stopped
"By the way, Althea," Melanie said behind her. "Hmm?" Althea put back her son's ID on the counter and looked back. "What?" "Charlotte..." She hesitated. "Is your friend, right?" Althea laughed and pretended to think while leaning on the counter. "Hmm? Friends?" She turned to Kai and jokingly asked. "Are Mommy and Charlotte friends? What do you think, Kai?" Kai also turned to look at her and thought, his blue eyes were sinking in the depth of the ocean. Then he said truthfully. "No." "What?" Althea dragged on the question in amusement. "Why do you say so?" Kai said with a serious expression. "Charlotte said that you don't have friends. So, I think you're not friends with her too." "..." Both Melanie and Althea stared at him in silence before the former let out laughter that annoyed the latter. "What are you laughing at?" Althea yelled at Melanie in annoyance. Melanie just shook her head and didn't say anything about it. "Ah," Melanie suddenly had a realization that stopped her
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT; Party Night (2) -- A ding rang, indicating that Althea had already arrived. She raised her head and looked at the opening door of the elevator. No one was with her in the elevator, so she fluidly went out from the elevator shaft. After stepping out, the lights of the massive room of the hotel blinded her. She almost squinted her eyes. Soft and small murmurs entered her ears. There was also a clanging of plates and glasses. Althea surveyed the area and noticed that the place wasn't as crowded as she thought it would be. Maybe only selected ones are welcome here. Althea shrugged at the thought. An attendant approached her with a polite smile. "May I see your invitation, ma'am?" Althea halted and opened her purse, then handed the invitation to her. The attendant looked at it briefly before showing another smile. "Thank you. Please have a pleasant evening." Althea watched her walk away and attend to the other guest. No one noticed her arrival, since none of
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE; Party Night (3) -- The three watched them in silence until the lone woman talked. "Hey, you said she's wearing a party gown, right? Since she's not here, there's only one place she's in." "... Where?" Aaron asked. "On the floor directly below us," the woman laughed. "So, who's ready for the show?" 'Show? What show?' Dave asked himself. 'But whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it's not good since April's making it.' Aaron didn't say anything, he just silently watched the two who had just come in and instantly became the center of attraction. April ignored the two after saying that and looked at the two that were sticking together like a goddamn glue. No, it was Sheryl who was sticking at the other like gum. The sight of her clinging to him like how she used to do during their college times makes her blood slowly boil. To think that she saw her as a true friend during their college days, but when she saw her snatching Tyler when Althea and him were still togeth
CHAPTER FIFTY: A familiar face -- Dave leans on the table while looking at the dancing crowd in the center, casually sipping the alcohol he has in his hand. His head was bobbing along to the music that was airing on the air. His eyes caught Aaron who was walking towards him. He straightened his back and placed the glass of alcohol back on the table. He looked behind Aaron and saw that she was not there. He asked curiously asked. “Where is April?” She was with him just a while ago. She dragged Aaron to somewhere Dave knew nothing about and was excluded from the topic they were talking about. Aaron was silent for a moment before opening his mouth. “She ran off after saying she had to prepare for the surprise.” “What surprise?” Dave asked again. The feeling of being left out was suffocating. If only they included him in their discussion, too, he would not be asking questions. Aaron, aware of what was going on inside his mind, shook his head and replied with helplessness in his vo
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE:The Beginning--In this world, many people have similar features as others despite having no blood relation at all, so seeing someone familiar is not uncommon- but it is not common either. So, seeing a person that is oddly familiar to her, Althea was not even disturbed. What disturbs her is the way she looks at her and her smile. She was pretty, she cannot deny that. She has this milky white and as shiny and smooth as crystal ball skin that a renowned dermatologist tended, it even glows since she was wearing a red backless and sleeveless party dress. She had plumped her red lip, giving it a bouncy appearance, and her hair was gorgeously tied with loose strands. She screams the aura of a goddess with wealth.Yes, again, she is pretty. And she looks smart. And feisty. But then again, why is a beauty looking at her like she was a cow who was being guided towards the butchery? Althea had no clue at all.They were just staring at each other in silence until Althea coul
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO:All Eyes---Meanwhile…It was already evening, and the people in the shop were having dinner. It was only Becca, Jack, Kai, and Melanie. The shop was already closed for a while, but Jack did not go home. He decided to stay to eat with them.“Hmm!” He moaned in delight. “Your cooking is superb, Melanie! I would like to stay for dinner again next time.”Melanie almost choked on her food and looked at the guy who was still chowing down the food like a hungry wolf who had not eaten anything for the past few months. Then she shrugged her shoulders and said nonchalantly, “It is just mac and cheese, and some fried chicken, but thank you.”Jack shook his head. “No- don’t ever underestimate the power of cheese and chicken.” Becca nodded at his statement while stuffing herself with Melanie’s fried chicken wings. She just loves the tenderness of the meat and its aroma. Its hunger-inducing and its sweetness with a hint of spiciness was good. Melanie just nodded and said her th