Carla, Irene, and Ike played in the entertainment room while the party is still going on at their sala.
As usual, only close friends and relatives were invited. Especially, Annalisa.
Carla's mood was gloomy as she wanted to have at least one birthday without Annalisa there. She hopes on her 2nd birthday, she won't see that face.
It was because Carla knew that Annalisa will be here too on her 3rd birthday, to announce Alicia as her child, as far as Carla knows.
However, fate didn't let her have a stress-free-no-ugly-bitch on her 2nd birthday, which is today. She was irritated.
"Are you okay, Carla?" Irene poke her while holding a pillow.
They got tired of playing and watch a movie called Baymax.
Carla went back to reality after Irene called her. "Yesh, I'm fine, thank yoo."
Ike stood up and grabbed popcorn and shared it with them.
The three toddlers laughed and cried together while watching. Never caring about what's happening with the adults.
Ever since Ike and Irene friends with Ivy and Sherry, they never got physically hurt anymore. When they made a mistake, the butterflies protected them without anyone noticing.
Although it wouldn't help them receiving trauma from verbally abused by their mother, the butterflies did their best to teach academics to the toddlers to decrease the abuse they got.
Fortunately, Ike and Irene were handily taught by the butterflies. After what they've been through, they had to focused on studying at home. It became easy as with Ivy and Sherry.
As for their mother, Rosella, she has been in a good mood for months now. Her children were more intelligent day by day and they could even self-study now!
She received praise from her friends, her husband, and mostly, her sister-in-law!
Rosella found out that every time her kids played with Carla, they also 'teach' her talking. Carla could talk much better now thanks to her kids!
That is why she put her kids in school and compete for grades, then every weekend, she let them visit their relatives and play with Carla.
Lately, her kids rarely make faults, when she asks them something, they could answer correctly. Thus, she couldn't help boast it to others and 'reward' her kids.
Rosella let them play with other kids in a neighborhood for an hour or give them toys and gifts as a reward.
Rosella thought what she did was called 'tough love' and didn't do anything wrong.
She believed that she is teaching her kids to survive in this world full of shits. The way to success is for them to be smart and had endurance.
She thought she was right as her kids getting better and better every day!
Little did she know that every time the twins didn't know the answer to her question, the butterflies helped them through their minds.
And every time they self-study, that's when Ivy and Sherry patiently teach them until they understood.
Ike and Irene love to self-study with the butterflies as they finally enjoyed studying! Unlike with their strict mother, they learned how to stu-DYING with her.
And as for teaching Carla, they know Carla was already smart, however, it was hard for her to speak.
Thus, the twins talk to her and let her have a fluent conversation with them, and it worked! Carla's speaking comprehension was much better and clearer than before!
Although, most of the time, Carla was lazy to talk, still, she practiced a lot with them.
And, it was not in vain.
Knock knock
Aunt Katrina went inside and saw how toddlers were focused on the movie. She sat behind Carla and greeted them.
Carla was enthusiastic about seeing her. "Hewo Auntie!" She grinned and called Berry to her right palm.
Katrina hugged Carla and gave her a chance to put a mark on her nape without her knowing.
Ike and Irene then switch turns to hugged her too. They didn't notice the small light earlier as Ivy and Sherry took their attention.
Katrina then joined the kids on their movie marathon. She would rather be with the kids than socializing with the adults. She felt exhausted talking with the adults, unlike here with the kids, it's full of joy.
....
Annalisa gave a toast to Leila.
"I'm glad you made it. Did your mom forbid you to come again?" Leila asked.
"Who knows..." Annalisa sips in her glass with juice on it, "Hey, Lei, I just want to apologize to you."
Leila frowned, "Why? You didn't do anything wrong."
"...not yet," Annalisa mumbled.
Leila couldn't hear what she said and invited her to the garden for a walk.
Annalisa put down her drink and followed her. Just as they were taking a walk, she couldn't help mesmerized by it.
Would she be happy if she could live peacefully here too?
Annalisa shook her head and erase that thought, she knew it would be impossible. She knew she would only bring disaster.
"So, would you like to tell me what's going on?" Leila abruptly asked and wake her up from her thoughts.
Annalisa looked at her with a bitter smile, "Mom sold me out."
Leila was speechless for a moment and stutter, "Wha-why? You mean, arrange marriage?"
"It's somehow like that," Annalisa replied.
Leila shook her head from disagreement, "You don't have to! You can stay here Anna! Find someone you like in this city or you could travel the world! I'll help you with it!"
"... I have no choice." Annalisa looked down.
Leila hugged her, "You have a choice! It'll be okay Anna, stay here if you want."
Annalisa didn't say anything, she truly didn't have a choice but to stay here.
She had to get it by any means.
'I'm sorry Lei, between you and my family, I will choose them. It was fun being with you all these years...'
'now, you can hate me.'
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Author's note:
Anna! Char, feeling Elsa si Leila LoL
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Written by KircheLeaf
Cover Designed by CxlxrGreg
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~End of Chapter 19~