As soon as she reached home Owen and Olivia ran toward her.
:Mommy!!! You're late today!!
Cindy:Sorry, I slept too long..
Cindy made a sad face which they bought it real fast.
:we've been waiting for you for sooo long!
Cindy: I'm home now! I'll cook your favorite food!
She looked at Matthew who was smiling faintly at kids.
Cindy: Matthew..
Matthew: hmm
Cindy: stay here for lunch? I wanna thank you for yesterday.
Matthew: there's no need, I was planning on staying anyway. I like Owen and Olivia.
He smiled gently at the kids.
Cindy: hmm then you'll have to help me out!
Cindy looked at Matthew excitedly.
Cindy: And you'll have to wear apron!
Matthew was quick to reject the idea.
Matthew: nooo
Cindy: in my kitchen you'll have to listen to my command.
She gave an evil laugh, Owen and Olivia followed it and imitated her. Seeing this happy atmosphere Matthew couldn't hold his laugh.
Matthew: ok fine!
:yayyy!!
Cindy took out a white apron and gave it to Matthew.
Cindy: here I'll tie it up.
Cindy made a flower knot, and tried to hold her laugh.
Matthew: How is it?
Cindy: looking like a kawaii maid-sama
Matthew sulked, "I won't wear this."
Cindy: no no! You look great.
They looked like a happy family but it soon got shattered. Cindy's phone rang, it was from hospital where her mother was admitted.
Cindy picked it up hastily, "Hello? Dr.Albert, is everything alright?"
Dr.Albert specialized in Neurology, after Mr.Anderson's death, Cindy's mother had a brain stroke and since then she couldn't recover. Later she was diagnosed with brain tumor. She was sent home few times, but was admitted in hospital again.
Dr.Albert: Miss Anderson, you should come to hospital immediately.
Hearing it Cindy's phone fell from her hand, her eyes filled with tear. She couldn't talk.
Matthew got worried, "Cindy? What happened? What did he say?
Cindy stood there silently, tears kept flowing.
Matthew held her shoulders tightly and shook her few times to snap her out of it.
Matthew: will you talk!?
Cindy: Mom...
Matthew: what happened to Mom?
Cindy: Dr.Albert asked me to go to hospital immediately... maybe she isn't alright...
Matthew untied his and Cindy's apron and kept it on the kitchen counter, he then held her hands and took the keys.
Matthew: kids, be good and stay at home. Uncle Charles will bring your lunch and take care of you two. Mom and I will visit grandma ok?
Owen and Olivia nodded obediently and looked at each other in worry.
Matthew and Cindy went to the garage and got in the car. Matthew quickly called his Assistant Charles.
Matthew: Charles, come to Cindy's place with Aunt Rhodey. Make lunch for kids and take care of them, I'll be in Neuro Hospital.
Charles: okay president, rest assured.
After hanging up Matthew looked at Cindy's depressed face, his heart ached for her.