Annabelle's POV:
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JUaaRnfIb
For the nth time, I looked at the bustling road with sleepy eyes and a bored mind.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxSzEzGUk8
“You gotta be kidding me, Anna.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwbeT81Dg3
Ignoring the little boyish voice, I continued.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0HGJJ8J4e
“Go away, Jerry, I am not in the mood for a fight,” I said dryly and placed my foot on the stool in front of me.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUavELZ28
“Uh… fine. I'll give you three more toffees if you come for the match,” he got up and came forward with the toffees.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq1qdcwNyH
“Nope, I ain't coming… I have a lot of work to be done before closing,” I straightened my posture and stared at the toffees.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKFc2AmIU2
They are super soft and delicious, the best toffees his mom bought from Scotland, but I wasn't in the mood to have them or to play our regular match.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKh1Zt2Hmq
He scoffed and tugged back the toffees to his pants pocket and took his backpack on the coffee table.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqeomW7sRu
“I'll ask Uncle Jacson to play with us.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ4gb2FvBJ
As if he is in town by now.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXyS71c3Yi
“Kay,” I muttered.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iHcmsxKAm
The little seven-year-old boy scooted out after mumbling a few inaudible things which I hadn't paid attention to.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoqIMjgP0C
It's a usual thing for me, Jerry, and a few of his friends to play cricket and soccer at the ground near our flat.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYden5aSFXV
Mom enters the room wearing a chocolate brown flock.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCPZcdNeP6
“Anna… why did you leave the party without even giving a proper goodbye to Blakes?” She was angry.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPhY3MiFaI
Sure, Aunty Aleena has given a vivid description of what happened last night except my collision with the strange lady.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhB4orpKxQ
“I… uh… it was boring…” I lied.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7vXIcKcxO
She had an expression of not going buy my pathetic lies.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXf3ukKAQc
“Ah, Mom, haven't I told you I am not interested in their fancy party? It was super annoying, after the cake cutting, Jackson left me to drink like a fish and rocked on the floor with chicks… when I felt sleepy I left the mansion and took a cab.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ku377oc0w
I brilliantly erased the little shower I have given to the kids and the later incident.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1xnt58fQ8
“But still, you could have informed Jackson or Aleena… they panicked once they found out you were missing.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k8bwhwUME
“I tried to find them…” I said plainly and sunk deeper into the cushioned sofa, super comfortable.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN6esQ9b9Z
She is always a loyal and dedicated friend to Aleena, but I wonder why she missed her anniversary… Wait a minute
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA07zvnKI5
“Where were you till 12 yesterday?” My eyes shot up.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQtzELrx1i
“Ummm Mrs. Brown's home… haven't I told you there were a few more things to be done?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3OxQLWZb
“You had work to be done till midnight?” I questioned doubtfully.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQSsKtLiyh
“Kind of… she is so picky thus I was forced to be more creative.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AdhY2M0HQ
My tiredness and boredom flee out through the window.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsYxgmhqcU
I moved forward, straightened my posture, and gazed at my mom, now struggling to have better eye contact.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxX7STo0WD
“Can I ask you something?” I tried to sound casual.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8VbEij7ok
“Sure…”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI0fHhQ5a2
“Do you have a secret boyfriend?” My question made her off-guard.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkVoGYYbYw
“What?!”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7LH1scF5N
“I know you are lonely, probably done with me and my behavior and would like to have a partner to light up…it's okay mom I am more than happy to see you having a happy life…tell me who is it?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC4Jum8yHe
“Anna, you are fu- Uh, my God, I am already done with you, Dad!” She was astonished by my exaggerated statement, which I made to make her spill the truth.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo3zoR0V7a
For the last three months, she would leave the house early, most of the weekends in the morning, and would be back at late nights… saying she had met her old friends or went to Orphanage or some other excuse which won't be questioned by me.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRVV1JAO8D
“Then explain to me why you leave the home early in the morning without a proper explanation?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ycJAdrJgu
“When did you become my Mom, young lady?” She crossed her arms.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAorSxv3Iw
“Well, the situation demands Mama, so tell me do you have any secret business outside the town?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe2bPMtDSZ
“I am glad my daughter is so cool and broad-minded to discuss the love relationship of her Mom, but sweetie nope… I am more than happy with this single life with my doubting child.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMTPfaoWE3
“I am not doubting you… just wish to see you happy.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGcOJ9hz08
“I am happy with this life, sweetie… and I'll be the happiest person in the world if my daughter finally finds her sweetheart.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTqfRDtCNc
Not again…
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh3DX3mjZw
“I think we have talked about this earlier.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtill4ycmH
“You can't be single forever.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAgLpLOq4u
“Well, I can, Mom…”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc98lfqtaS
I got up, tucked in my check shirt, and straightened my black trousers.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBEjGr4TPi
Now she would point out the poetic phases of Love, romance, and blah which are least pleasing to my ears.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs0QntoXdB
Maybe I have trust issues with men, from my Dad to Jackson, every man I met in my life is selfish and self-centered, they never had empathy for what their partners would feel.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2P6kGLcJ9
Men like Uncle Joseph, completely dedicated to his wife and family, are just rarest of the rare.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOGvDhCY61
“Anna, listen to…”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7pJN4YI75
“Mom please, if you wish me to be happy and cheerful don't force me to find a partner for myself… I want to be with you Mom… I want to protect and help you… why can't you just let me be a single soul?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31WCukdRW2
“Mom never said you can't stay with me, sweetie, of course after your marriage you and your husband can live with me, we can go for vacation to Hawaii, Amalfi Coast, and wherever you want… It's a beautiful thing, my girl.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EEN3OfzHY
See… her imagination skill is beyond my imagination.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAfW9o4sCG
“Actually… I have booked two tickets at The National Theatre… the show will begin by 7…”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Yj4VgnTW
“You just can't escape from this Anna… I am getting old and sick… I need you to be cherished and protected by someone,” she said in a cracky voice and dashed out of the room without waiting for a reply.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerJk7XTFqR
Evening
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l9vj3AjLD
“Mom… Mom… okay, I'm sorry… uh please just talk to me!” I tugged her sleeves and said softly.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLol8vHzvZ
“Tasha…it's getting late… did you ask someone to pick up the kids from the daycare,” she acted like I never existed.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQOrfwbXeS
“Tony has just gone to pick the babies, Mom.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGKxGiJNzl
“I have made oatmeal cereal and supplements for babies… it's inside my purple bag, dear… take it when you are prepared to leave.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMtJtSSkCm
“Sure, Mom.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92Nh4gx1vb
Tasha is like a member of our family, in fact, a substitute for Isabelle. Mom adores her humbleness and intelligence, which I lack mostly.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp2enB4j78
She left to the counter area leaving me and Mom alone in the kitchen.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4QTitzRYF
“Uh… come on, Mom… this is too much… okay I'll find a boyfriend and will marry him soon and get babies within one year… happy?” I waited for her reply.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTSzd9h8jK
“When?” She asked, making me dumbfounded.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DvinMMbpu
“Uh… what?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXAyonpu4u
“Your marriage… I need you to find a man by yourself.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvzWzfMd09
“Three?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrQd9sgVj2
“Is three months enough for you?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR7d2wSVe5
“Three months?! I said three years.” I cried out.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM62JhUxDRb
“Anna, I need you to be settled within one year or you need to marry the one I ask you to.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRUEipo10h
And that would be her best friend's son Jackson.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTThUpOR5Au
“How is it ever possible for me to find someone within a year?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU1s1A74bP
“It is easy to find your soulmate, just be dedicated.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrgKu98KAs
Here we go again. It's impossible to win an argument with your mom.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqgrLYAHET
“Okay fine, I'll work from tomorrow to find my soulmate…but what if he is out of the country?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBr9ilrQf2
“Don't worry, my girl. God would bring you close no matter where you two live…“
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2XcDB4vcI
“Deal, so can we go to the theater now? It's already 6.” I was excited.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAAn4LtYB8
“Sorry Anna, Mom has promised to meet the kids at the orphanage by evening.” She grabbed her black coat from the hanger on the left wall and slipped into it smoothly.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnkFcMw2aL
“You aren't generous to your own child, Mom. It's been weeks since you have spent a sleepover with me and Tasha.”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdG1pwlDkq
“Sorry sweetie… Mom has to…” She said softly.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WlJbwrkBO
“Fine, don't be late like last time…”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBycWyzLuk
Tasha and the rest of the staff left the bakery. I closed the bakery and switched on the security system and left for the car parking lot.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVhIXmcV75
“Mom… can I drop you?”
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjwRZx5pFe
“Ummm, it's an orphanage on the right side, Anna, a new one… I'll get a cab.” She insisted.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhKPPbjf05
“Now I really doubt your explanation…” I said playfully.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EfCqTjGA3
She made a pouty face and crossed the path and stood on the right side of the street for a cab.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFxvA5vmsL
Soon I started the engine. Before I could take a turn to the left, I checked Mom through the rearview mirror to see her making a call animatedly from the left side of the street.
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xCmCj6Y4S
Sure, Mom is hiding something from me.
ns3.145.77.247da2
然後按「加至主畫面」