"Really? That's good news. Am happy for you." Mrs. Roberts was obviously excited. Amanda watched her mother's display with confusion. "Did you hear what I said? Amanda asked. "Yes, I did" she replied. Now calm and worried, seeing Amanda's reaction. "Why aren't you happy? I thought this was something you've been wishing for." "He asked me to act like his girlfriend," Amanda retorted. "Wait? What! He asked you to act like?" Mrs. Roberts asked. "Yes, mother. He wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend to his family. Amanda replied. "I see, so what did you say?" She asked again. "I told him I will have to think about it." Amanda answered tired of the questions. "So you don't want to be his acting girlfriend?" She asked again. "Mother, No. I really like him. I don't want to act as his girlfriend, I want to be his woman." Amanda lamented. Mrs. Roberts leaned closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. "And why do you need to think about it, dear? Don't you have your answer already?" T

"Why? What is going on? Amanda asked hurriedly. "There is someone here. He claims he has a package for you." Mrs. Roberts answered over the phone. "Does he look strange? Or act strange? Amanda asked further. "I would prefer to use the word weird." Her mother responded. A chill ran down Amanda's spine. "Weird?" She asked again, looking at Detective Wills who had been listening intently. She got an affirmative answer. "Listen to me, mother. Here is what you will do for me. Go back inside. Lock the doors and do not open until I get there. I will be there as soon as possible," Amanda instructed, her voice filled with concern.She looked at Detective Wills. "I have to go now." "What is the problem? Is your mother okay?" Wills questioned. "She says there's someone at the door with a package for me, and she's describing him as weird." Amanda explained. Wills nodded in understanding."Alright. Let's bounce. Amanda gave him a look that says really? "There is no way I will let you hand

She hurried over, concerned that the stranger was interacting with her son. "Ryan!" She called out before she reached them. Her heart raced, and her protective instincts kicked in. She pushed the man away and pulled Ryan closer. "What's going on here?" Amanda asked, her voice filled with worry and suspicion. "What is wrong with you?" The man yelled when he recovered from the stagar. He almost fell to the ground with Amanda's unexpected push. The other kids who had gathered around looked at her curiously. "Mummy! What is it?" Tyler asked, worried?'Mummy?" The man asked, surprised. He quickly realized the situation and tried to explain, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just chatting with Ryan here. He is a friend to my daughter." Amanda gazed at Ryan for confirmation. The boy who had been quiet from the shock spoke. "This is Annabel's dad, Mr. Jenkins. He was just asking if I wanted to come over for a playdate with Annabel later"Amanda's initial panic began to fade as

"They are kids!" Her mother exclaimed. "You think it's anyway better for them? They have been good kids, Amanda. Don't forget that. And rants like this? It should be expected. You should understand their intention, not their protest." Amanda nodded. She understood what her mother said perfectly. "What do I do mother? I was harsh. I couldn't get a hold of myself." Amanda asked, sobbing. "First, you need to stop crying." She pats her back. "You have been brave from the beginning, this is not the time to allow fear to eat you up, right?" "Yes, mother." Amanda said, wiping her tears. "Now, you will have to finish what you have started. You will have to make them understand what is going on and why we have to leave here for a while. They are reasonable kids. I am sure they would understand. If they were you, I would have to call a priest." "Mother!" Amanda snapped "don't even start." "What? I am not even lying and you know that. They have nothing compared to your stubbornness. Your f

"Did I hear Xi or I didn't hear right?" Amanda questioned herself. The man who called out to Wilson was putting on Xi's customized shirt. She wondered if that was what confused her and she thought she heard Xi. She watched them closely from where she stood, the man related to Wilson like he was his boss. "Should I ask?" She considered asking Wilson who was still standing with the man. When she made up her mind, she was about to walk to where they were standing when Rowan's call came in. "Right, I called him earlier," she mumbled. "Hey, I am sorry I missed your call. I was occupied." Rowan said, his voice soothing to Amanda. "Rowan," Amanda began. "I can't find your credit card. I think I must have left it somewhere, but I'm not sure where."Rowan's voice was calm and reassuring which caught Amanda by surprise. She thought he would get angry that she was careless so she had panicked earlier. "It's alright, Amanda. We'll figure it out. Where was the last place you remember having i