Carla dialed Alex hurriedly as the kids dressed up in the speed of light.
Alex: yes mom.
Carla: Have lunch with me and kids.
Alex: but it's not lunch time yet.
Carla: meet me at the Japanese restaurant near your office during lunch hour.
Alex: Alright, I'll be there.
Carla: Ask Cindy too.
Alex: it's better if you do.
Carla: I'm too busy with kids, pass my message to her pleaaase.
Alex sighed, "alright".
Carla hung up the phone and shrieked in excitement. Olivia and Owen came running from the room all dressed up, Olivia wore a red kimono style dress while Owen dressed up like a samurai. Carla was awstruck seeing how joyful the kids were, she regretted for not being with them for last 5 years. Her eyes got a little teary from joy.
Olivia noticed and asked in concern, "Grandma are you alright? Why are you crying?"
Carla smiled and replied, "nothing, grandma loves you two a lot."
Owen: we love you too grandma!
Olivia: YES A LOT!
Carla burst into a laugh, " Alright! Alright! Let's go now!"
:yaay!
***
Alex thought few times how to ask her. "Umm hey mom wants to meet us... no... sounds like I'm asking my girlfriend. Hey kids want to go out... no too harsh." He rehearsed few times then took a deep breathe. He picked up his phone, sweat droplets covered his forehead.
Alex called her.
Cindy was still outside the company thinking where to go for lunch when Alex called her.
Cindy: What
Alex: kids wanna go out to eat, mom asked me and you to join.
Alex sighed internally for asking properly without making it awkward.
Cindy: I'll pass, I'm gonna have lunch with Matthew.
Matthew heard Cindy's side of conversation obediently.
Alex: Call mom and tell her.
Cindy: but—
Alex hung up the phone on her face.
-"Did he just!?"
Cindy was furious that Alex hung up abruptly while she was talking.
Matthew: what happened?
Cindy: Olivia and Owen wants to have lunch together.
Matthew: that's great I'll go too!
Cindy: Are you sure? Alex might be there because his mother is taking care of kids..
Matthew: Then I wanna go there more now *winked*
Cindy facepalmed,"ALRIGHT WHATEVER YOU LIKE!"
Cindy took out her phone from her bag," let me call Aunt Carla and tell her".
Matthew nodded.
Cindy: Hey! Aunt Carla, Alex told me about lunch. Where are we going?
Carla: Well I didn't wanna make it hard for you two so I chose the Japanese restaurant near your office.
Cindy: Well I'm quite far from office right now but I'll be there in 40 minutes.
Carla: ok! I'm almost there, I'll keep a seat for you.
Cindy: ok! See ya!
Cindy hung up the phone and looked at Matthew with a big smile.
Matthew: So.. Miss Anderson, where are we going?
Cindy: Your favourite Japanese restaurant near my office!
Matthew's eyes widened from surprise, his cheeks turned red.
Matthew: I didn't go there in a while...
Cindy: I know
Cindy patted his back, "Let's go! Get in the car".
Carla held two kids hand in each of her hand and walked in the restaurant. The atmosphere was cozy and peaceful. There were no chairs, just table and cushions to sit on floor *typical Japanese style*. Alex was already there waiting for her.