Country X...
Draped in her high-fashion ensemble and sleek sunglasses, Sydney gracefully emerged from the back of her car, looking impeccably polished.
She cast a swift glance around the building before her gaze settled on the entrance.
Taking a few more steps forward, a smile spread across her face as she noticed the little girl sprinting towards her, having just been brought out of the school by her nanny.
"Mummy!" the girl exclaimed with delight, and Sydney bent down to her level, enveloping her in a joyful embrace.
For a moment, Sydney rested her head on the tiny shoulder before pulling back to cradle the girl's cheeks in her hands.
"Did my darling miss me?" she asked warmly, as the girl nodded with glee.
"Really?"
"Yes, Mummy, I missed you."
"How much?"
"This much, Mommy," the girl replied, stretching her arms wide.
Sydney chuckled softly, tenderly caressing the girl's cheek and gazing into her eyes, eyes that carried whispers of the past.
She looked at Anna with admiration, losing herself in those silvery orbs that brought back memories of him.
"My little cottage, guess what?" she said playfully, trying to steer her thoughts away from him.
Anna's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Darling, it's a surprise," Sydney announced, as Anna's eyes dimmed with the realization of her mother's teasing.
Anna pouted slightly, knowing her mother wouldn't easily give in to revealing the surprise.
"Sweetheart, your Aunt Pene is here!" Sydney revealed, and Anna's face lit up with excitement as she bounced on her toes.
"Really, Mummy?"
Sydney affirmed with a nod.
"So come on, we're off to the airport to pick up your aunt. I know you wouldn't want to keep her waiting. Let's go now," Sydney said, watching as Anna's babysitter guided her to the car.
Sydney straightened up, a wave of anxiety washing over her as memories from seven years ago resurfaced. She tried to distract herself from thoughts of Jordan, but her mind kept drifting back.
With a soft sigh, she raised a hand to touch her golden necklace, gently fastening it around the gleaming pendant.
Why did the haunting memories of him resurface after all these years?
"Jordan," she whispered, her voice trembling with trepidation as the floodgates of the past swung open, unleashing a torrent of vivid recollections.
"Mummy!" Anna's joyful call broke through her reverie, bringing warmth and light back to her countenance as a smile graced her lips once more.
"Sweetheart, I'm on my way," she declared, her voice filled with affection and urgency as she rushed towards the car, eager to be with her daughter.
During their journey, Anna nestled her head gently against Sydney's chest, her attention captivated by the colorful animation playing on the device she held.
With a deep sigh, Sydney's mind was clouded with unease. She hesitantly picked up her phone, scrolling through the call list, pondering why he had re-entered her thoughts after such a prolonged silence.
A wave of dread washed over her as she stared at the phone number, untouched and dormant, for so many years.
Would he remember her if she dared to reach out?
Her fingers hovered over the screen, battling an internal storm of emotions that intertwined fear with hope.
Resolutely, she dialed the number.
As it rang, she began to question her actions, her inner voice chiding her decision.
Was this the correct path to take?
Would he welcome her with love or bitterness, given the shadows of their past?
The call lingered in suspense before someone picked up.
"Who is this?" she heard, her heart freezing as a feminine voice echoed from the other side, constricting her throat with tension.
Had he altered his contact details?
Words poised on her lips, she was about to speak when suddenly, Jordan's voice emerged from behind the woman's voice, sending her heart into a frantic rhythm and stealing her breath away.
She ended the call with a heavy sigh.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she laid a trembling hand upon her chest, feeling her heart race beneath her palm.
Had he truly moved on?
"Mummy," came a soft voice, pulling her from her thoughts. Her eyes drifted towards young Anna, who had just slipped off her headset to address her with curious eyes.
The familiar sounds of cartoons still echoed in the background.
Sydney summoned a smile, albeit a strained one.
"Why do you look different, Mummy?" Anna inquired with innocent curiosity, her small hand reaching up to touch Sydney's cheek with gentle concern.
Sydney inhaled sharply, grasping Anna's hand tenderly against her face, her smile more genuine as she did so.
"Does it really look that bad?" she questioned, her features puzzled and uncertain.
"Caught y'all, mummy," Anna teased with a playful grin, though her young mind was lost in thought.
Years had passed since the incident. Did the shadows of the past still linger, or had he truly moved forward?
Anna's excitement was palpable as they arrived at the bustling airport. She eagerly leapt from the car, her eyes darting around in search of Pene.
"Mummy, where is Aunt Penelope?" Anna asked once more, as Sydney held her phone to her ear, attempting to contact Pene.
"Sweetheart, I can't seem to reach your aunt; she's not picking up," Sydney explained, trying again with growing concern.
The look on her face was one of bewilderment; anxiety had gnawed at her all day, and now this? Was it an omen?
She exhaled deeply, pressing her fingers to her forehead, trying to calm the storm within.
"Aunty Pene!" Anna exclaimed with pure joy, releasing her hold on Sydney and sprinting toward Pene, who opened her arms wide to welcome her with a warm embrace.
As Pene caught her, she lifted Anna from the ground and showered her with kisses, her affection palpable.
"My little cupcake," Pene affectionately murmured, as Sydney approached them, her face adorned with a gentle smile.
"Oh dear, Sydney," Pene addressed her, after setting Anna down, pulling her into a heartfelt hug.
"Hi," Sydney replied with a light-hearted chuckle.
"Sydney, you didn't mention that Anna was being so well-fed in my absence; she's grown into such a big girl all of a sudden!" Pene remarked playfully, eliciting laughter from both.
"I understand you must be tired; let's head out now," Sydney proposed, her mind still whirling from the phone call, as Anna eagerly took Pene's bags alongside the driver.
As Anna jauntily walked ahead, leaving them in her wake, Pene noticed Sydney's distraction and gently halted her with a touch on the arm.
Sydney responded with a slight frown.
"Anna just got back from school, hasn't she?" Pene asked with a knowing nod of her head.
"It's been months since I've seen her. I miss her terribly," Pene confessed, though a fleeting thought seemed to pull her away from the present moment.
Sydney noticed the swift shift in Pene's expression, concern creeping into her own demeanor.
"Pene, what's going on?" Sydney inquired gently.
"Well, Sydney," Pene began, her voice wavering slightly, "I happened to see him earlier." As she spoke, a subtle twitch flickered across Sydney's face.
"Who do you mean?" Sydney pressed, curiosity and worry mingling in her eyes.
"Jordan." At the mention of his name, Sydney's eyes narrowed, and her heart gave an unexpected leap.