Luna hummed a tune while helping Amber fold her clothes and tidy her toys in a bag. Now that the girl was feeling better without a fever, she could now go home. But her cute face was ruined by a scowl. She didn't want to go home yet! She wanted to stay longer with Miss Luna.
"Are you ready to go home?" Luna asked Amber. Amber shook her head and pulled her favorite teddy bear in a tight hug. She looked upset and irritated, leaving Luna at a loss at what should she do with this child.
"Why? I thought you will be happy now that you're going home. Don't you miss your daddy? I'm sure he's missing you. He's probably waiting for you right now."
Still, Amber refused to move from her seat. Luna folded her arms and leaned against the small headboard of Amber's bed.
"I will miss you," Luna murmured to the little girl, which instantly got Amber's attention. She moved closer and sat on Luna's lap. She let her favorite "Aunty Luna" stroke her head. Luna loved how Amber's dark locks curl on its ends. The little girl was pretty and almost doll-like with her flawless white skin and round expressive eyes. "Will you miss me?"
Amber answered her question with a sob. The little girl wondered if she could ask her father to make Aunty Luna stay with her. Remembering her last fight with him, Amber doubted he would allow Aunty Luna to be with her.
"It's alright, Amber. Your Aunty Joanna can call me anytime. If you want to see me or if you miss me, give me a call, okay?"
At that moment, Joanna arrived and saw the two of them murmuring silently. Luna was telling Amber to listen well to Joanna, which surprised her when Amber easily agreed. There was no coaxing, no pleading to Amber when Luna was involved.
"Okay, I have to go now. Remember what I said. Be a good girl, and don't make problems for your daddy and Aunty Joanna, alright? My mommy is also waiting for me."
Luna ran her fingers on Amber's soft locks before pinching both of her chubby cheeks. She then bid goodbye to Joanna and was about to leave when Joanna called her back.
Joanna took both of Luna's hands and held it tight.
"Miss Jiang. I can't thank you enough for helping me with Amber. Please, if ever you need help, don't hesitate to give me a call. I will do my best to assist you."
"Don't mention it. Amber is a good child. I think she just needs some attention and love. I won't ask you why she refuses to speak, but I can say you need to be patient with her. She's still a child. She should be playing and enjoying her time as a kid."
Joanna groaned, releasing Luna's hands. Her patience with her brother was already at its limit. She didn't even know if he would show up today to see Amber.
"I know. I already talked with her father, but he's such a busy man and couldn't find the will to check on his daughter. Can you believe it? If he isn't my own brother, I will punch him in the face and shake some sense into him."
Luna could suppress her laugh at Joanna's words. She always got this annoyed look whenever she talked about her brother. She already snapped at him when she met him earlier.
"I'm sure he will get over it. Why don't you try to explain it to him?"
"I don't know, Miss Jiang. Would you believe me when I tell you he even said he's planning to get married soon? To a woman he just met? What could happen to our little Amber if he gets married? It was already hard for the girl growing up without a mother. She will surely disapprove whoever woman her father decides to marry."
Luna slightly shrugged. She couldn't comment on that. She just hoped that whoever this stepmother Amber will get would treat her right. Having a child was a big responsibility; let alone taking care of them. She already saw it with her mother when Elaine struggled to raise her and Julian alone. Remembering that useless father of hers irked her.
"I should go. Feel free to give me a call if Amber gives you problems again. I wouldn't mind visiting her in my free time."
"Let me accompany you back to your mother's room. I should also thank her for helping us."
They both walked side by side toward the elevator and waited for it to stop on their floor. Luna was busy listening to Joanna's story about Amber when the elevator door opened. Her eyes widened as she saw the last person she wanted to see.
'What the hell is he doing here?' Luna mentally screamed. The color drained from her face as she met his eyes.