Little Ella continued to chatter as she gobbled the chicken pot pie while the adults ate in silence, chiming in with one word answers when asked. Having forgotten how little children liked the sound of their own voice, Matt felt a little homesick for his own nieces and nephews. He had given up hope of having his own children after Jianan and looking at the little rosy girl, a dull ache started to rise in his chest. The hope and dreams that he had buried with his Jianan, started to throb painfully and his heart started to burn. Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, he was tempted to get up and leave but somehow the little girl kept him seated. But the moment he noticed that the girl had finished her pie, he stood up, ready to excuse himself. He was already planning to pay the bill and leave when a small hand caught his wrist. The disappointed look in the girl's eyes made him feel like a big villain and when she asked him, "Are you leaving already, my prince? You don't want any chocolate cake? Did you not like the pot pie.."
Feeling like Voldemort, Matt breathed deeply and said, "Hey my pixie! I am not going anywhere.. Just to the restroom..."
A big smile on her face, Ella let go of his wrist. Feeling an acute sense of loss, Matt trudged to the restroom.
Once he was gone, Qian Qian took a hold of little Ella's ear, threatening to twist it as Ella squeaked, "Ouchie! Mommy why are you pulling my ear? What if you apply pressure and it comes off! We don't even have any glue to stick them back! Mommy!"
Letting go of the little drama queen, Qian Qian went close to her little daughter with narrowed eyes, and warned," Miss Ella! First you run away from under the baby sitter's watch! Then you climb into a car with stranger and then you have the audacity to sit here and ask for chocolate cake! We are going home right away as soon as Mr. Long comes back! You will apologize to him for the misunderstanding and thank him for bringing you here! And young lady, we will discuss the fine points of talking to strangers when we get home!"
The scolding, however, had no effect on the little girl who was long used to her mother's scolding. All she had to do was pout a little and her mother would melt like snow. Using the tried and tested practice, Ella brought out her bottom lip in a pout and said, "Mommy! I was not escaping! I was hiding! Aunty An is really boring! And I know about your rule about not talking to strangers. I was simply minding my own business when a big fat rat attacked me! I was so scared that I ran out! My prince saved me and I did not talk to him! I simply fainted! I was so scared! And my prince was worried about me and taking me to the hospital! But then I woke up and told him I was hungry! So he brought me here! Because other than telling boring stories, Aunt An is also a boring cook! She only makes healthy things! And never chocolate cake!"
By the time Ella had finished her explanation, Qian Qian had already picked up her daughter and was checking her thoroughly! "You fainted? Are you alright? Why did you not tell me this sooner?"
Ella, satisfied with her mother's response, laid her head on her shoulder and cuddled closer," Because I knew my mommy would worry! And I am perfectly fine! I was just a little scared..."
Qian Qian hugged her daughter closer to her and realized that she needed to really thank Matt Long!
The scene of the mother daughter sheltered in their own world was the scene that Matt came back to! Another arrow seemed to pierce his heart and a scene of Jianan hugging their child seemed to flash across his eyes.. Closing his eyes to chase away the scene, Matt clenched his hands and walked back to the table..."Miss Xue, I have some urgent work and need to leave. Please excuse me.."
Before Qian Qian or Ella could say anything, Big mama brought three servings of chocolate cake and placed them on the table! Ella looked up at her prince but this time did not dare to throw a tantrum since her mother was observing. Inexplicably saddened she looked at her prince and said softly,"Atleast have some cake before you go."
Matt looked down at the cakes and then the girl before he sat down. He did not understand his inability to say no to this little one. But he then turned to the woman and said,"Ma'm I have not paid for the cake.!"
Big Mama nodded before kindly answering, "Yes. This is for you. I would like to apologize for the misunderstanding earlier. Please accept our apology."
Since politeness was ingrained in him since childhood, Matt could do nothing but thank the woman and eat the cake even though he tasted none of it...