This is a blessing. For once I will not run all around the place chasing them," she said. As if the twins heard her, they squirmed in my lap then slid down. Even before I could reach for their hands, they grabbed mine and pulled me behind them to a display counter that showcased all sorts of colorful dessert, pies and sandwiches.They put their tiny hands on the glass. Their large green eyes scanned the sweets.They wanted something. A feeling of frustration bubbled up in my chest. I wanted to talk to them, ask them if they wanted anything. Before I could wonder what to do, the twins both pointed to tiny chocolate cheesecakes with cream and strawberry on top.They looked back at me, their mouths moving in child talk that, to them, was perfectly understandable.A worker was already waiting for us. I pointed to the same cake the twins did and held up two fingers.

"Since when do you know sign language?" Lydia asked, looking between Irene and I and fighting back a smile."She taught me some signs." I replied, serving myself."She taught you?" Jayden asked, surprised, "when?""Lunch break", I replied."So that's where you rush to everyday." he shot back with a grin that matched my sister's.5I ignored them and cut into my teak.2"So what does she do?" mom asked looking between Grayson and Irene.Grayson signed then waited as Irene signed back, "she works as a cleaning staff". He said looking at my mom. Irene followed his gaze, watching mom's reaction.Mom smiled nodding in understanding, "must be a tiring job", she said to Irene who shrugged with a small smil

Irene.We were going to pick up Jim from his friend's place before dinner. Then we planned to go to our favourite pizza place, like we did every Friday ever since I could remember.These last couple of years had been tough, though. The company in which my dad had been working for over fifteen years had gone bankrupt. Right now, he was doing odd jobs.         He took to alcohol after losing his post. Being drunk half the time didn't help in looking for a proper job. My mom used to be a stay at home wife and mother, and she wasn't used to working. But after despairing of dad's state, she took on a part time job. It didn't help. These days, we were always tight on budget.They had tried to keep it from me and Jim, but I knew. It wa

Leo."Stop!"My hands froze on her waist. I blinked down at her, holding my breath. She just... spoke.         I had managed to stop myself from reacting when she laughed out loud, knowing that she was probably self conscious about it. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I had seen her laugh, but it was the first time I had ever heard her laugh.Squirming and giggling while she tried to dodge my hands, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.But when she spoke, I couldn't control my reaction. Her voice was a little raspy, most likely from lack of use. But it was soft and silvery under the hoarseness. I wanted to hear more of it.Her eyes met m

IreneIt had been almost a month since the meeting. I was back to being the cleaning lady pretty much the next day, but it had been a nice pause from the dull blue uniform and the mindless tasks.The chinese CEO, Mr. Heng, was a lovely man. At first, when he had given me his contact information, I thought that he was simply being courteous. Yet much to my surprise, he had responded to my message.         We both found a common interest in art, as we had discovered when we conversed after the meeting. His drug of choice was painting. He sent me some of his works, on the phone, and we discussed them. He seemed to enjoy my amateurish yet enthusiastic opinions.Readying myself for another day of work, my eyes wandered to the suit I