"Mama! Auntie Amie is here!" Joe jumped up and down while still holding her hands and the other was carrying his present.
"Hello, dear, nice to see you." Aunt Maggie gave her a hug and a peck on her checks.
"Is mom here already?" Her head switched sides, expecting her mother to be there on time.
"She's still on her way, don't worry, she sent me a message."
Aunt Maggie handed her a glass of lemonade with crushed ice. Without hesitating, she sipped on it and it tasted like heaven.
"Thank you, Aunt, for this tastes delicious." She peered at the glass' content to see if there were any special ingredients added, but there's none.
"Why don't you join Jayda in the living room, I let her watch Netflix"
She can hear the familiar soundtrack on the tv, she walked into the living room, even if there were no reaction on Jayda's face but she kept on blinking every time the tv screen change colors.
"Hello Jayda, I'm back can I sit here with you?"
Even if she didn't expect a response, she still asked permission. She wanted to make the girl feel that she's still alive and belonged to this world.
"I don't actually watch that much tv nowadays, But I still love reading books."
She studied Jayda's features, unlike hers, which were slanted Jayda's eyes are deep set. She got an extensive set of eyelashes that are curved at the end.
She wished hers were curved too, but she had straight and boring lashes. She has an oval-shaped face, she's a human doll, honestly.
Oh, I know a hairstyle or two my mom taught me how May I?"
She touched Jayda's golden yellow hair and start braiding it. Hoping that Jayda was not screaming and cursing her inside.
"Wow, Mommy looks beautiful with the braid Auntie Amie."
Joe's voice was still babyish. He walked closer and admired Jayda's look."
"Mommy, can I marry Auntie Amie?"
She giggled at what the boy had said and pulled him closer to her and hugged him.
"Do you know what Aunt means, Joe?"
He nods his head.
"Okay, can you tell me what it means?' She held his cheeks with both her hands.
"It means you're my mommy's sister." He also held on to her hands.
"Yes, that's why you can't marry mommy's sister, right?"
Joe's thick brows twitched.
"But you're not my real auntie and mommy is not your real sister."
His response dumbfounded her.
"Honey, it doesn't mean that we're not blood-related, we're not real sisters. It's what is in here."
She placed her hand on her chest. Her explanation was a little dubious, but she hoped it would come across.
"Do you understand?"
He lowered his head and then nodded, she's glad he understood. He's quite smart.
"Alright! would you like to open your present?"
He lifted his head, and the shine in his eyes was contagious. He gave her a toothy smile.
"Alright."
They took off the seal of the package. His patience as a kid is commendable.
"Woah! a helicopter?" He almost screamed in excitement.
"Thank you, Auntie Amie! I guess if I marry you, I will have to give you, instead of you giving me."
He indeed is a smart boy. Amie laughed at his comment.
"When you have a job in the future, you'll be the one bringing me present."
"What if I won't get a job when I grow old?"
"That's impossible. If you can't find a job, make a job for yourself."
They were reading the manual on how to fly the helicopter.
"That made sense, Auntie can we fly it now?"
She gave him the remote control.
"Of course."
Both of them were enjoying the toy when the invited visitors came. One by one, people occupied Gordon's residence garden.
"I guess you have to get ready for the part."
He nodded.
He went inside, out of her sight.
"Miss Cheng?" The voice of the person who called her sound really familiar.
She turned around.
"Mr. McCord!"
They both laughed at each other.
"So both end up on the same party." He was holding a glass of what seemed like whisky.
"My mom and Aunt Maggie are friends." She can't stop giggling.
"What a small world, indeed. Come, let me introduce you to some of my friends."
Calvin was thankful. That means whatever Amie and Tim got in the past, it didn't work out.
"Oh!" is the only thing she could say, it's hard to say she didn't want to. He's her boss too, and this is a business appointment technically.
"My mom is coming to-"
"Mimi! I'm glad you're here already. Did you meet Aunt Maggie?"
Bern hugged and showered her with kisses like she's still going to her first day in kindergarten.
"Mom!" She stared at Calvin, face distorted.
"Mom, meet my boss, Mr. Calvin McCord." And she made an awkward laugh.
"My mom" still had a subtle grimace on her face.
"Mrs. Cheng, I'm so glad we finally met. I've heard so much of you from Amie."
He offered his hand and smiled brightly.
"Oh, call me Bern, I hope she's telling bad things about me." So her mother knew her.
Did she do it on purpose? Amie didn't want to think anymore.
"No, it's all been good, you being a single parent and your sacrifices."
Bern tilted her head, pleased at what he said.
"Are you guys dating?"
She bounced her eyeballs between Calvin and Amie.
"That's what I'm hoping for," Calvin answered bashfully. He scratched his nape as if caught off guard.
Bern made a high-pitched laugh.
"Of course she will date you. At her age, she's lucky she had someone like you."
Amie wanted to bury her head in the huge purse her mother was holding.
"Mom, aunt Maggie is in the pantry, let's leave Mr. McCord alone." She pulled her mother away and turned her head to Calvin, mouthing the word 'sorry' without a sound.
He just threw his head in the air laughing nonchalantly.