Mummy’s Mum and Dad?
Adair is still a little confused regarding these two titles. ''Are they Mummy’s parents?''
''Correct.'' Lily beckons the child into her tender embrace. ''Do you want to return home to see them?''
she asks.
''Yes!'' Adair replies cheerfully. ''My classmate’s grandparents would pick them up when classes are
over, but I’ve never seen my grandparents. I really want to see them, Mamma.''
The little boy raises his head and looks at her, as if he’s trying to recall something. His brow furrows
and with the greatest of care he asks, ''Will I get to see my Dad when I go back?''
Adair never took it upon himself to bring this subject up with his Mother, so much so that hearing him
speak in this manner brings Lily to the verge of tears.
''You want to see your Dad?'' asks Lily.
''No,'' Adair speaks quietly, constraining ardent expectation deep within his heart. ''I’m just curious,
that’s all.''
How could Lily not understand it? If he didn’t want to see his Dad, Adair wouldn’t have asked. Lily
knows him well. His has a stoic temperament, similar to Rex’s. He keeps everything inside. When it’s
time to let it all out, it’s probably because he cannot bear it any more.
As it turns out, the child does know everything, it’s just that he didn’t know how to raise the subject with
his Mother. Now he has the opportunity to discuss these things which he has kept hidden inside.
She is not qualified to be a mother. The child has grown up with only two people in his world, namely
her and Ryan. Although she has given him everything she can, even much more than other mothers,
there is still something missing – fatherly love.
Lily decides there and then, that no matter what will happen, this time she really must return.
…
After making her mind up, Lily tells Ryan about her decision. He doesn't say anything; instead, he just
lets Lily take care of Adair and herself.
Lily goes to school to request leave from school for Adair. When everything is arranged, she sends Rex
a message. Soon after, the staff from Bit Inc. calls. They say, with regards to her compensation claim
and apology, they hope the matter can be settled in private.
Lawyers have already contacted Davy to discuss the matter. That same afternoon Bit. Inc’s apology is
posted online and published in the papers. Davy receives exactly what he most wants and the matter is
settled seamlessly.
Both praise from countless peers and a handsome fee are imminently heading Lily’s way, but she is still
far from content. The resolution of the matter is mainly down to Rex, not she herself.
Lily suddenly thinks about when she first entered the industry - it was no wonder that some female
lawyers were eager to sell themselves to settle a case.
For influential public figures such as Rex, those complex matters that can often break others down, are
a piece of cake.
But she is still a little surprised. The man had made such as choice. Even he himself was unsure if he
would go back to China. He had just pointed out an issue. Wasn’t he scared she was lying to him?
After considering the issue, Lily concludes Rex knows her well enough. If she says she’ll do something,
she’ll defiantly stick to her word.
Lily spends the day packing her things. She also cleans the house from top to bottom. In the evening,
she wants to share a meal with Ryan, but he tells her that he’ll not comeback tonight.
Lily knows that he doesn’t want to face the sadness of separation. She never insists on anything and
simply leaves a voice message.
“Mamma, aren’t you happy we’re returning home?'' While they are eating, Adair looks at his mother
sitting next to him. He is slightly confused. They will soon be meeting Daddy, but why does mummy
have such as forlorn expression?
Adair is good at reading other’s expression, but Lily feels extremely sorry for this. He is only four or five
but he has matured early. ''Mummy, it doesn’t matter. Just eat your food and try not to worry about it. ''
says Adair.
''Tomorrow I will go on a big plane, oh yeah!'' Adair couldn’t conceal his sheer delight at this thought.
Besides the UK, Adair hasn’t travelled elsewhere. Lily didn’t have the time to take him for a travel
before, while Ryan thought that he had so many dangerous enemies therefore didn't allow them to
travel alone.
However, upon seeing the child being so gleeful, Lily feels somewhat comforted.
Being accompanied by Adair on this trip may make the journey more bearable.
…
Lily brings two economy tickets for Monday. The two only carry only one suitcase. When they receive
their ticket at the check-in gate, the staff informs them that their tickets have been upgraded from
economy class to business class.
Lily frowns and thinks the staff has made a mistake. ''Sorry, we bought two economy tickets. Could you
please have another look?''
''Miss Lily, it’s true that your tickets have been upgraded.'' says the man.
''But we didn’t pay for this ourselves.'' declared Lily.
''Okay. I’ll give you tickets, and you can sort out the situation late. We have a large queue of other
customers behind you.'' The staff politely draws Lily’s attention to the passengers behind her. Some
have already begun whispering impatiently.
Having no other choice, Lily accepts the tickets and then checks in their luggage. They now have
Business Class tickets, which allow entry into the VIP lounge. It isn’t until they enter the lounge that Lily
finds out who provides them with the upgrade.
In the tranquil VIP lounge, there are rows of clean and tidy sofas and there’s a man in a black trench
coat drinking coffee.
The man simply sits there not doing anything, but he has the magic to attract everyone’s attention.
Lily grips Adair’s hand tightly. She is a little surprised, but it’s not totally inconceivable.
''Mummy, isn’t that Uncle?'' asks Adair. Clearly, Adair has identified him too.
Covertly inspecting their flight time and then upgrading them without a mention – these are the things
that Rex would do. No other man beside this man could have done so.
It is unfortunate that Lily can’t blame him in front of the child. She merely grits her teeth and says ''Yes,
what a coincidence. How unpredictable!''
He is unpredictable indeed.
Rex notices the motions in his vicinity. He turns his face slightly and smiles at the child with great
affection. “We meet again Adair. '' says Rex.
''Ahh.'' Lily takes a deep breath. She has to hold back. She mustn’t curse or do anything untoward in
front of the child.
''Uncle, how’re you? I’m so happy to see you!'' Adair has received a Western education, which is
somewhat reflected in his behaviour.
What else could she do? Lily leads Adair to the sofa and sits beside Rex. Adair takes the seat in the
middle, separating the adults on either side of him.
''Uncle is very happy too.'' When he faces the child, Rex no longer has that imposing manner. He puts
away anything in his persona that might repel the child and wholeheartedly tries to connect with him.
Lily grits her teeth, ''Ha-ha, it’s such a coincidence that we should run into you here.''
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