CHAPTER FORTY-ONE;Ice Cream--“Good morning, Althea,” an old lady greeted with a big and bright smile that was stretched from ear to ear.The smile was contagious, Althea smiled back. “Good morning Mrs. Goodman. What flowers are you looking for today?”“Oh, I want those pink roses over there,” she pointed out the vase which contains the flowers. “It’s lovely.”“Sure,” she said. “For what are you going to do with this?”Mrs. Goodman snorted, “I am giving to my good husband, I’m pretty sure he forgot that it’s our wedding anniversary right now, boys- old men- they are all the same! They always forget things such as this! I’ll give him flowers instead- and shock him until his grey hairs fall off!” With that, she laughed.Althea laughed as well while cutting off the rose's inappropriate length for the bouquet. “Men are sure forgetful…”“Hmm?” Mrs. Goodman said, “Seems like you know it yourself.”Althea said, “Yes, it's common knowledge.”The older woman gave off a burst of laughter.“Goo

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE;A piece of truth and a lie--His stares were penetrating and were heated as the sun as if they were trying to melt her along the floor. The usual cold and stoic he always wears was gone, it was broken with only two emotions; shock and disbelief.His green eyes were trying to focus on her and Kai but they kept on wandering whenever his mind entered that scene again and again. That was 7 years ago, he believed that he could vaguely remember the things that happened during those times considering it was already too long- but by the mere mention of her pregnancy- his memories that were locked and buried deep in his mind came rushing in like a broken dam.Sheryl finally noticed his reaction and when she deciphered and understood them—she was instantly engulfed with one strong emotion; regret. She bit her lips and cursed her loose mouth. If only she knew how to read the atmosphere and how to hold back and use her brain amidst anger and panic, she would have not slipped

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

"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-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