Chapter 7

The four of them sat together in a booth. Since little Gretel told Abigail she had never had a hotpot, she decided to be magnanimous and get themselves a large table.

The four of them had a good time talking whilst dipping their forks and spoons into the large pot.

As she ate, she turned to her brother, Hansel and said, “Hansel! I’d have never thought hotpot could be this good!”

Hansel nodded and replied, “Indeed. They are nice.”

Gretel continued eating happily.

Abigail was talking with Lyla. Throughout the years, Lyla had only briefly talked about herself. However, they had been in constant communication and thus, Abigail could understand her well enough. However, seeing with her own eyes was an entirely different experience.

“Enough about that sob story. I want to know about now. Are you going to leave again now that you’ve returned?" Abigail asked.

“Unlikely,” Lyla said, nodding away.

“What about work?”

“I’ve already found a job. After a few days, I’d be going into the office to hand in my details,” said Lyla. This matter was nothing big for her.

“Which company?” Abigail asked.

“It’s RM.”

The piece of meat that she wanted to eat fell off her fork and onto her plate.

“What did you say?” Abigail asked.

“RM!” Lyla replied as if it was nothing.

“Did you know that only a handful of people managed to get in each year? How… How in the hell could you just join the company that easily?” Abigail asked.

Lyla nodded before she started to explain.

“We have already been talking to each other when I was still in London. That is why I could report in easily!”

“Lyla! You’ve got me once again!”

“Mummy was excellent when we were all in London! They should be proud that mummy’s working for them!” Gretel said, could not help but to praise her mummy.

Lyla turned to her and smiled immediately at Gretel.

“My sweet little darling. Be more humble!”

“Ok!” said little Gretel as she gestured an okay hand-sign before she returned to enjoying the hotpot.

Abigail smiled. She was admiring Lyla a little, about her lifestyle. Even though her kids were born out of wedlock, and the identity of their father was unknown, the kids were just too cute to behold that even Abigail felt like she wanted to have her own kids.

“I’m going to the washroom for a bit!” said Lyla all of the sudden. She wiped her mouth and got up before heading to the washroom.

Abigail continued to bond with Hansel and Gretel.

“Come, my darlings! Enjoy this! And this as well! Dip it in that dressing and it will become even more delicious!”

Abigail continued to fish out pieces of food from the hotpot and placed them into their plates. Both Hansel and Gretel enjoyed their meal.

Meanwhile…

Lyla got out of the washroom. After she washed her hands, she turned around and accidentally bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry!” she cried out of habit.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you blind?!” the other person shouted rudely, her clothes mildly damp.

Lyla frowned immediately. She had always been the kind of person not to cause trouble. She had already apologized. The other person was just too rude.

Lyla glared at her and used the same words against her.

“Right back at you! What the hell are you doing? Miss? Are you blind!?”

“You---”

She was not expecting Lyla to change into another attitude so quickly right after she apologized. Kathleen frowned and she glared at the woman in front of her.

“What did you say?”

“You heard what I said. What you said, is what I said!” Lyla Lowe said plainly.

“You---”

Lyla was not angry as she glared at her.

“It takes two to clap. I might have bumped into you but you did bump into me as well! To be polite, I apologize first but that doesn’t mean that I was the one at fault!”

Witty. That was the word she would use to describe the woman in front of her. The way she talked only made Kathleen unable to retort.

Kathleen Turner smirked and said, “Witty one, you are.”

“When the situation calls for it!”

“Okay! Fine! I’m letting this slide. However, you best not let me see you another time!” warned Kathleen as she glared at her.

Lyla Lowe stiffened up in response. She had always chosen what to listen and what not to. Those she would not want to hear, she would just block them out. She had it with her and decided to just turn away. She still had two little darlings waiting for her.