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The Lovely Loner
The Lovely Loner
Penulis: Amy Tetteh

1. The Return

Penulis: Amy Tetteh
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2021-07-07 23:23:38

There was a commotion at the international airport in the early hours of Monday morning. The usual hustle of travelers paused, phones were raised, and curious glances turned toward the source of the disturbance.

Then, the gasps began.

Cameras flashed. Voices rose in awe.

“Isn’t that Ann Yin?”

“Is she married?”

“Are those her children?”

“All these years… she’s finally back in her birth country!”

The crowd surged, forming a loose circle of awe and excitement around the woman at the center of it all.

“She’s actually here,” a teen girl squealed to her friends, barely able to contain her joy. “I saw the rumors online, but I didn’t believe them! Oh my God—this is real!”

There she was—Ann Yin, the multi-billion award-winning actress, effortlessly graceful even as bodyguards pushed back against the growing throng. She moved with the same poise that had graced red carpets around the world. Her name had become legend, her image revered. And now, after so many years, she was back where it all began.

“They say she left after some huge betrayal,” a woman murmured to the crowd beside her. “Struggled alone in Las Vegas until a top director discovered her. Took her in, gave her his name. That’s why she’s Yin now.”

She leaned closer, dropping her voice, “But no one ever mentioned children. And look at those two—adorable! But… doesn’t that boy look just like Rex Radford?”

At that, all eyes turned to the boy. His sharp features, deep dimples, and intense eyes immediately drew whispers.

“He really does!” another woman exclaimed. “And the girl—she’s the spitting image of Ann Yin!”

The crowd buzzed louder. Fans and paparazzi fought for a glimpse, only to be blocked by the tight perimeter of security surrounding the trio.

The two children—twins—walked a few paces behind their mother. Their charm was undeniable even in silence, but the crowd’s intensity was clearly overwhelming.

Rosy pouted, clinging to her brother’s arm. “Mother’s not even looking at us,” she whispered with an exaggerated frown. “And everyone is staring like we’re aliens from space. I don’t like it.”

Bryan ran a gentle hand through her hair to soothe her. “You’re being dramatic again,” he muttered. “You should be used to the stares by now. They just like our looks. I mean—clearly we got it from Mum.”

He glanced around, face thoughtful. “We don’t even know what our dad looks like. It’s kind of sad, isn’t it? She said he died before we were born, but she never shows us any pictures.”

“That’s what I’ve been thinking too,” Rosy agreed with a frown. “Not even one picture. Don’t you think that’s a little fishy?”

Bryan nodded slowly. “Very. She won’t even tell us his name. Always just says, ‘You’ve got me and that’s more than enough.’ Humph.”

Their hushed conversation pulled them into their own little world, completely unaware of the eyes still watching them and the chaos around.

Up ahead, Ann strode with confident purpose, flanked by her assistants. Her sleek sunglasses didn’t hide the intensity in her gaze as she peppered them with questions.

“Mark, how’s the construction on the mini-mall for the clothing line progressing?”

“Mina, are all the scripts printed and waiting for review?”

“Disney,” she called, glancing over her shoulder, “are the kids okay back there? You know how much they hate this kind of crowd. And please remind the guards—eyes on them at all times.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Disney said, peeling off from the group to head to the back.

She found the twins frowning, deep in their own little debate as they walked with their guards.

Disney smiled and approached them gently. “Hey sweethearts, your mom asked me to check on you two. How are you feeling? First time in her home country! Pretty exciting, right?”

Rosy rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. She turned her face away.

Bryan didn’t even glance at Disney. His voice was flat and slightly cold. “Why won’t your ma’am check on her children herself? We got off the jet minutes ago, and she just left us with you and your minions.”

Disney smiled tightly. She was used to their cold reception. They were rarely warm to anyone outside their mother.

“She loves you two more than anything in the world,” Disney said gently. “But she’s got a lot to handle right now. Everything you’re seeing—your home, your school, your schedule—it’s all being set up to be perfect for you. She’s just making sure it’s ready so she can spend time with you without distractions. Give her a little time, okay?”

Both children pouted, but the tension in their shoulders eased.

Moments later, they stomped their tiny feet dramatically and hurried toward their mother. Disney followed, grinning. Mission accomplished.

She watched them walk hand in hand—always in sync, even when annoyed. “Such cuties,” she muttered to herself. “Rude little royals—but still cuties.”

Just as she caught up with them, Rosy launched into full dramatics.

“Mummy! Mummy!” she cried. “Why are you ignoring us? You abandoned us to the guards! You left us for the vultures!”

Bryan groaned. “Drama queen,” he muttered under his breath.

Rosy ignored him and widened her eyes, hoping for sympathy.

Ann chuckled softly and bent down to her daughter’s level. “Baby, don’t be a drama queen,” she said gently, brushing Rosy’s hair from her face. “We just got off the plane, and you already feel abandoned? Sweetheart, we played games and watched movies the entire flight.”

She kissed her daughter’s nose, then turned to Bryan and did the same.

“I needed to talk to them about the details—our stay, your new school, and the projects I’m working on. I’m only trying to make sure everything runs smoothly for all of us. I need a little time, okay?”

Bryan’s frown faded, visibly comforted. Rosy’s expression softened too—but there was something mischievous about it.

She was already planning her next move.

If I make her feel guilty enough, Rosy thought slyly, I might finally get that bar of chocolate I’ve been eyeing all trip.

Ann stood up and returned to her team, but there was a visible tenderness in her expression now. She was soft only when it came to them.

The actress. The icon. The mogul.

To the world, she was icy and untouchable.

But to those two children—she was simply “Mummy.”

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