"Mommy, hold Louie's hands too?" He's eyes were again watery but now with a tinge of fury in them as he stare at his father's wrist being held by his mother! The little man was obviously getting jealous! He found her first! He wants the beauty's attention all to himself. He likes it when she cuddle with him and she wanted those small and smooth hands of hers touching his face especially. She was so warm. He let go of his hands attached to his father's neck and was leaning forward.
No one knew if this spectacle were all show fabricated by the little guy himself. They were strangers to each other! Everything's getting out of the adult's control.
Laurice finally snapped. She realized she did something she shouldn't do. She stopped on her tracks and looked at where she was feeling the warmth on her palm. She widened eyes and immediately let go off the man. After which she took a few steps backwards and did a 90 degree bow before the tall handsome creature before her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Her head stooped low missing the frown appearing to the man's godly sculpted face at the moment.
Little Louie struggled to let himself slid down from his father's embrace and went straight to Laurice. The little guy was now holding her waist. Laurice lifter her head back and tilted towards Louie. She was staring at those little beautiful eyes and she was squeaking inwardly. So cute!
She couldn't hold the pretense any longer. She chuckles. Eyes narrowing into slits. Dimples showing on her plump rosy cheeks. Unaware of the duo's reaction, she was now pressing her stomach laughing. This is just absurd. She accidentally found herself a son and a husband (Husband?! Laurice reminded herseld not to be too greedy!) and was about to do something for them, not knowing their real intentions which she firmly believed she might regret in the end. Not again Laurice! You're being too carefree. This is crazy!
"Sorry about that. Wanna hold mommy's hand, darling?" Still with her bright cheery eyes, she tried her best to hold her giggles and regain composure and told the little man. Fine! I'm gonna play house with these two. But only for today. Laurice promised herself.
"Off we go!" Laurice marched back to where they were heading.
Sid who was a bit hunged up with that he witnessed followed suit. What was that? She looks charming. He had just saw her smile, laugh even. Her laugh sounds so hearty and a bit frantic. She seems to have finally come up with a resolve.
Hmm.
He thought she was going to change her mind for one second there and turn her back on them. That made him feel a bit anxious for some inexplicable reason. Does he not want her to leave? What is he waiting for exactly? More importantly, what is he going to do when his son throws a tantrum then? No, he have no right to impose on her.
But why did he feel heavy when her hands let go of his wrist at that moment. Like something precious was taken away from him. He doesn't like that feeling at all. He was never lacking in any way. He can always have what he desires. Looking at the woman's back, a glint past Sid's eyes and sighed in relief.
Thankfully, Laurice continued with the act.
At the grocery store.
"Sweetie, what do you want to eat?"
"Anything is fine mommy."
Didn't you say you like meat? Sid couldn't help but stare intently at his son who was now smiling, obviously enjoying the pampering he was receiving from his newly found mother.
"Anything is fine as long it is mommy's cooking."
"Does he have any food allergies?" Laurice asked Sid.
"No." Sid was busy looking around and was taken aback but still replied. At least, she seems thoughtful. Other women who flock to his side tried all their might to please the young master but no one truly cared to get to know he's precious son's likes and dislikes.
"How about you?" Laurice thought if she was going to feed the little one, the big one would probably eat too. She might as well cater to their preferences and appetite. And besides, she doesn't want to be accused of possible food poisoning. Sid might as well serve as his taste test subject. Hmp! But considering that this odd pair seems pretty well off, she doesn't want to feed them just any food.
"None." Sid cleared his throat. He have never eaten someone else's cooking besides her mom's and their cooks at home. Whenever he eat outside, he was always cautious despite it being class restaurants and hotels. But this woman was kind enough to ask him still, so he can't refuse. Is she a good cook? Sid wondered.
"That's great! Let's have some pasta. Do you like seafood .. "
Sid was about to respond when he realizes her attention was back to his son.
" ... sweetie? Do you like fish? Clams? How about vegetables? Can you handle bitter and sourness?" Laurice ranted as she was thinking of making provencal sauce and vongole pasta for the two masters. Too bad she couldn't buy the freshest ones at the local market. If it's seafood, she would rather shop around that area surrounded by the river and multiple farm-raised fish ponds.
Their shopping went on and ended shortly after buying some fresh halibut, clams, garlic, tomatoes, olives, capers, basil leaves and linguine pasta. Laurice was about to pay the bill when Sid stuffed his credit card to the cash register staff's hands instead.
"Atleast let me pay the bill." Sid said with a poker face plastered. She could not ever guess that he was bit furious that she was actually offering to pay this measly amount of puchase. Sid doesn't like owing others. Especially women. And especially so it was for them to eat.
Laurice could not reject him since he was looking quite intimidating but from the back of her mind, she already hates the idea of owing him. She doesn't feel good when others pay for her bill no matter how little. She was just too prideful about money.
Brushing the matter off, the three of them walked together to leave the mall and head towards the parking lot.
"You go on ahead, i'll drive my car and follow your route from behind." Laurice drove her newly bought small fj cruiser with her here so she will travel with them in convoy.
"I'll drive."
"Sure. Don't go driving fast so i won't lose you."
... won't lose you? That seems to have struck his heartstrings for some good reason.
"I mean, i'll drive you. Louie's worried you might lose us."
A certain little Louie was now staring suspectingly at his father and turn to look at his mother.
"Mommy come with us."
"I'll call someone to send your car." Sid interjected.
Not caring anymore how she will get her car back from where they were going and staying for awhile, she nods in acceptance. Fine. She was really getting hungry anyway. Any more delay and she might collapse from hunger and exhaustion. Today has been a roller-coaster ride for her. And her energy is draining. She still need to save some for the cook later. Luckily her quick recipe can feed them in fifteen minutes.
She sat beside Louie at the back of the jeep while Sid placed their purchase at the trunk. His mood lifted. Sid took the driver's seat and drove away.
While on their way home, there was a serene air in the vehicle. The awkwardness from today's encounter seems to have vanished. He glanced through the rear view mirror to check the two and found his son on her lap, arms wrapped around her torso, his left cheek resting on her chest, eyes shut. Their chair was reclined to a comfortable position. His son's peaceful state always calms his weary heart. Whenever he gets off work, he would uniquely bond with this son of his. From his son, he shifted his gaze towards the woman who was also now sleeping peacefully. She seems tired but still looks beautiful and serene.
Hmm.
Beside his son's, he found out today she likes her sleeping face, too.