It was a long, silent drive home.
The gate opened and Rigel rushed out from the house immediately our car neared the mansion
"Mommy!"
My heart flustered seeing him running to hug me while Rhea stood behind with her pink teddy bear.
I spread my arms and caught him in a warm hug. Gazing over his shoulder, I winked at Rhea. "Come and hug mommy!" I beckoned her.
She dragged her teddy bear along and hurried over as fast as her tiny legs could go. I lifted her up and nudged my nose playfully on her stomach.
"That's my girl," I chuckled, seeing her giggle.
Regardless of whatever happened outside, I was always certain that the both of them would make every unhappiness fade as soon as I saw them.
My happy pills.
I patted Rigel on the head as I carried his sister in my arm. "Did you guys have fun today with grandma and grandpa?" I asked.
"Yes," Rigel answered, "but grandpa doesn't let me have enough time to my computer."
I placed a palm on his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure grandpa is just so excited to be with you guys. So, just be a cute little pumpkin."
"Look who's here!" I heard Stefan's voice and I looked up to see him coming out from the entrance.
He was dressed in a brown t-shirt and black jeans trousers. "Your face looks like the statue of liberty when she has so much weight on her shoulder. Did you have a good day?" he joked, wearing his signature smirk.
His joke lit my face with a smile and I muttered, "Everyday is a good day for me, Stefan."
"Lucky you," he said. "Come on in. Your room is ready with a warm bath waiting for you in the bathroom."
"Now, that's so thoughtful of you, big man." I punched him on the shoulder.
"Ouch." He rubbed his shoulder. "Your punches are getting more manlike these days. Hope you're not attending a secret judo class."
I laughed. There was nothing in the world that Stefan wouldn't make humour from. And I guess I always had the right response for him.
"If I attended a judo class, trust me, you wouldn't be bold enough to sleep in this house."
I greeted mum and dad warmly as I got to the living room, then I went on to my room. Dropping Rhea, I sank into my bed and let out an exasperated breath.
"What a day," I mumbled, turning over to my side and gazing at the bed stand that was finished with expensive mahogany.
"Mommy? Are you hungry?" Rhea asked me and I couldn't help the warmth the simple question made me feel.
"No. Mommy just wants to take her bath now," I said, forcing myself up from the bed and stretching my arms. "But mommy's too lazy to do that now."
"You said a lazy woman can't eat. Is that why you don't wanna eat?" She asked, cracking me up.
"No, Rhea."
I pulled her closer. Her adorable green eyes often made me wonder how beautiful I must have been when I was little. She was my carbon copy and the feeling of having her by my side was something I couldn't trade for anything.
"Rhea, go listen to Grandma's stories," I said. "Mommy wants to have her bath."
She nodded and picked up her teddy which had dropped on my bed, then she left the room.
Hours later, I strolled down to the dining room to have dinner with the rest of the family.
I'd been on a mini conference call with two of the IT guys who were proposing an update to our company's AI. Ted and Jimmy.
I wasn't surprised how brilliant their ideas were. AI technology still had a giant room for development and almost everyone was eager to contribute to that development.
My stomach purred when I got halfway down the stairs and perceived the aroma of mum's signature pasta.
I swallowed a lump in my throat. Over the years, that woman's kitchen skills had never dropped one bit. I wish I could cook like her.
The sizzling sound of the frying pan welcomed me into the kitchen and I kissed mum from behind.
"You're the best cook, mum," I whispered.
"And you're the best daughter in the world, darling." She smiled.
"Go join the others at the dinning. I'm almost done with this."
"I can help." I offered, my eyes scouting the cabinet for any tiny job I could do.
"Darling," she stressed. "You know I love it when you help out. But tonight's dinner… It's a special one."
My brows rose curiously. "Is anything happening tonight?"
"You don't like surprises ruined for you, do you?" She asked, while stirring some chicken sauce.
I shot a gaze at the ceramic plate where she placed the chicken that was already cooked. Snatching one swiftly, I stuffed it into my mouth and ran off.
"I knew it!"
I took one of the vacant seats at our massive dining table. Mum and Dad always sat opposite each other at the longer ends of the table.
My seat had been reserved right beside dad's and, trust me, I already expected that.
Seeing the whole family eating together like we did in past times made my heart warm, especially with my children around to make their grandparents happy.
Still, something felt missing. Like there was a gap in my soul, yearning to be closed up.
I heaved off a sigh and made up my mind to focus on the things that mattered to me.
Just then, one of the maids came into the room. "Excuse me, sir. Mr Lockhart has arrived."
The name painted a smile on my dad's face and I glanced at mum only to see her smiling too.
Lockhart? The name didn't ring a bell.
"Bring him in," Father said to the maid.
However, the moment she turned around, there's a masculine figure right behind her.
"Right here," a baritone voice resonates from the door, causing the maid to shudder.
A tall figure stepped into the room with a smile on his face as he threw casual steps.
My jaw touched my chest as I gazed at him with an arched brow. "Who is that?"