Your Old Ex Is In Town

"She's a child! What does she even know?"

Laura remembered her conversation with Leroy earlier. How could she forget it?

"You do not want to create fear for her, it could mess with her sleeping schedule. And I swear it, Laura, rather than letting that happen to the poor kid, I will go out of boundary and research everything I know about that man. Then, take Lia to him. We don't want that to happen now, do we?"

That lunatic had threatened her. Lia waved continuously, hoping her mother would do the same, but she just couldn't get her attention. She ran back to the car, knocking on the window.

Laura blinked suddenly. "My baby," she winded down the glass, "bye honey. I love you so much."

"Are you okay, mommy?" Lia asked.

"Yes! Yes, my baby." She got down from the car and carried Laura up. "I'm fine. Now you take care of yourself, alright? I love you. Muah. It's Monday morning, go ace it! Go easy on your teachers though." Lia shrugged at the last comment but Laura smiled and kissed her on the cheeks.

Lia did the same. "I love you, mommy!"

Laura set her down and watched her run off to meet her tiny little friends. Her phone rang, "Oh hi Jonathan, I was just about to call you--"

"What?" The voice screeched. "Did you not look up at the screen before answering the call, honey?"

It was that annoying voice that always made her insides to burn. "Mother?"

"It's mommy to you. And yes it's me. I'm in town!" Tamara, Laura's mother exclaimed.  "Even though my own daughter banned me from seeing her, you can't stop me from seeing my grandbaby."

"No way. You're still banned. I don't want you coming into my life after what happened the last time."

"It was an honest mistake--"

"--you almost gave Lia alcohol!--"

"--in my defense, it was just vodka. That shit tastes like water."

Laura's breath became heavy. "She was only 3 years old!"

"It's been two years already." Tamara protested. "At least, I didn't hand her my cigarette. I know cigarettes aren't good for kids."

"Oh, and alcohol is?"

"It was vodka. Did you know that vodka is just potato--"

Laura cut the woman off. "Mother, why have you called?"

She started with a heavy sigh. "It's your dumb ex-husband. He's in town, along with that witch wife of his. And I need to be there with you, and my grandbaby. I can't let you be in the same town with that monster, never."

Laura tried to catch her breath. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. You think I flew in for vacation? Thomas is here. And this time he isn’t just visiting. I'm almost at your place...you still live there, right?"

Laura's palm was a ball of rage. "I don’t need you fixing my life."

"You don’t need me. But you need all the protection you can get. Jonathan isn't in town. And your little doctor friend...can we trust him? Cos I don't."

"Mom, are you spying on me now--"

"--I'll be there soon. Wait for me, honey." And with that, she hung up.

Laura arranged the maids in the house, well, two of them; Tania and Ruta, who were also her nanny. "My mother is coming any moment now. Remember her? The one who gave Lia alcohol."

"And also red lipstick." Ruta included.

"And also a bra," said Tania.

"Good, you remember her. I don't want any--" her phone started to ring. "Oh great. I think she's around now. Keep an eye--no, both your eyes on her. And make sure all the CCTV cameras are still working."

"Yes ma'am," they both said as she dismissed them.

Laura frowned to her phone. "What kind of strange number is this? Mom I swear if it's you again..." She rolled her eyes, heaved in a deep sigh and picked up. She was expecting her mother to announce she was outside, but instead, it was a man's voice.

"Laura, it's been ages. When can we meet up for a cup of coffee?"

Laura froze. That voice... Her lips parted open but no words came out.

"Laura? Are you there? Listen, I--"

"T- Thomas?" She almost started crying. After all these years, this lunatic still found a way to reach her. She had prepared herself for when this moment would happen, either curse him till he hung himself, or just ignore him and blocked his number again. However, right now she had no idea what to do.

Thomas sighed. "Laura, are you still mad at me?"

She summoned her confidence. "Thomas, why are you calling?"

"Nothing much. I've missed my ex wife." Thomas said, then laughed a little. "You don't miss me too? That's fine."

Laura cleared her throat. "I have better things to do. I'm being nice even talking to you like this. Hang up now, delete and block my number immediately."

"I promise myself I would never underestimate you again. I remember how last time turned out. How you wiped me clean."

"Wiped you clean? You mean, I took back my life from you?"

"Those watches, they were antique and you took them away from me. Took back your estate, I was wrecked for years. Everybody saw me as the villain."

"And you're not? You think you were the victim?"

"Laura, I need your help. I'm at Willsbury. I wanna meet up with you, and talk. That's all. It's important."

Laura swallowed. He was there in town for real? Her mother had been right.

"It's important. It's about our future." He continued. "I want to invest in Greenwood Estate, can you take my name off the blacklist? Also, I want to buy the estate."

"What?" Laura scoffed. "So you're still a greedy bastard."

"I want to buy it, and turn it into an orphanage home. I know how you love helping the homeless kids, because you were one."

"And I want us to become partners. At least, let me be an investor. I want to prove to you how much of a changed man I've become. I miss you, Laura."