CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE;
Kai's Father
--
Althea wondered what is it that she did wrong this day. She wants to know and keeps on visiting her
memories and she found that she did nothing bad to get a bad karma.
She was just having a peaceful morning; cooked their breakfast, watered their flowers, opened the
shop- so she directly assumed that this day, like the other days, will pass peacefully.
Who could have thought that the woman, who she met just a week ago, the one who shouted to Kai
because of a very, very immature reason (she asked him what happened after they got home), told her
that she, herself, do not wish for their paths to meet again, will have the guts to appear in front of her
doorsteps?
Althea can't help but question the rationality of Sheryl. She also can't help but shake her head because
of disappointment.
When they were still highschool, she viewed Sheryl as a righteous, decent woman. After all, she was
raised in a wealthy household, where female is raised to be decent for their husband.
Who could have thought that beneath that beautiful clothing she has, hides the skin of her snake.
People should really quit judging people from their appearance.
Althea, once again, sighed and her mood dropped drastically. Her eyes constantly wanders towards the
corner where Sheryl was standing and 'admiring' the flowers they have.
Sheryl decided to 'postponed' their 'heart-to-heart' talk since it was morning and many people are
rushing in to buy. Althea also has to personally attend their contracted buyer so she doesn't have the
time to entertain her.
So Sheryl decided give her time.
Does she wants Althea's thanks? Yes.
Does Althea wants to thank her? In her dreams!
Melanie can't bear to see her boss sighing anymore. She can also feel helplessness each time she
sighs like she was carrying the whole world on her back. It also dampen her mood and it could ruin the
mood of their customers too.
So, she went to rescue her boss and the shop. Or so she thought.
Just before she can drop the flowers she was trimming back to it's vase, someone 'rescued' her boss
for her.
"Mom," Kai entered, carrying a phone in his hand. Althea turned to look at him. "It's Charlotte."
Althea almost sighed in relief. She took the phone and excused herself, letting Kai to man in her place.
When she entered the backyard, she answered the call, sighing.
"Hello!" Charlotte paused. "What's the matter Althea?"
She sighed again before shaking her head, upon remembering that Charlotte can't see her, she
laughed. "Nothing! Just getting off the bad air inside me."
"Really?" Charlotte asked.
"Yep." She simply replied. "So, why did you called?"
"Oh!" She exclaimed. Suddenly, her voice was filled with excitement. Althea can even feel it even
though their far away. "Are you free this weekend?"
Weekend? Althea started to visit her mental calendar. "Hmm, no, I don't think so."
"That's great!" Charlotte said. "Actually, we're having a party that time. Uh, for the business. But we-
Augustine and I- have a trip that time, so..."
Althea gave a cold smile towards nowhere, "So...?"
"I want you to attend for us...?" Her voice was unsure and hesitating. "Pleaseeeeeee!"
Althea faced palm. She lisened silently to her blabbering and persuasion. When words aren't escaping
from her lips anymore, Althea finally talked. "No."
"Althea- just this once!" Charlotte helplessly said. "Please! Just this once."
"Charlotte," Althea said slowly. "I'm very thankful that you're already calling me with my correct name,
but no."
"Why?!" She exclaimed.
"Charlotte," Althea called her with a sigh. "First of all, this isn't the first time you made me attend parties
for you and your husband. Second, you know I hate parties with lots of people, right? Also, you know I
don't like the atmosphere there. It irks me."
"Althea," she plead. "Please? This will be the first time that Aug have his break! We haven't bonded for
months now... Pity please?"
"..." Althea listened to her pitiful cry and reason, she hesitated before groaning internally. "I'll think
about it."
"Yey!"
"Don't get your hopes up," Althea stopped her before she thinks that she'll absolutely go. "I'll tell you my
decision by tonight- or tommorow. I mean, there's still 2 days before the weekend."
"Okay!" Charlotte said in delight. "I'll send you the address later! Also- your dress!"
"Okay," Althea simply answered.
"Thank you Althea! Consider it carefully okay! I'll owe you one again! Bye!" She ended her sentence
with a laugh.
Althea wondered why, but considering how idiotic and childish Charlotte is, she won't understand her.
"Bye." Was all she can say, and with that, their call ended.
Althea turned her phone off before leaning on the door, sighing all over again.
-
Sheryl looked at the counter and saw that Althea was missing. She raised her elegant brows before
looking around and still, she can't find her.
'Did she just ditch me?' She thought.
When she was dwelling on that small little thought, her eyes caught the small figure that was sitting on
the chair next to the counter with calm expression on his face.
Sheryl's brows raised even higher.
That kid, he really catches her attention.
Ever since she saw him that time, her curiosity was perked. She's been wondering why is his attitude's
like that. It made her question how Althea raised him. They said, if the kid is matured for his age, it was
a sign that the kid didn't experience comfort during his childhood.
To solve her questions, she decided to talk to the kid herself.
She walked towards the counter and opened her mouth after reaching him, "Hi there."
Kai raised his small head and blinked at her, he replied, "Hello."
Sheryl paused, unsure what to say. She leaned on the table and shifted her whole weight on one foot.
She stared at him. "How old are you."
"..." Kai stared before answering plainly. "Five."
'Five?' Sheryl asked herself. 'He really isn't Tyler's son. Because if he is, he should be 7 or 6 by now.'
With that thought, a smile spreaded on her face. "You're mature for your age."
Kai didn't answer. Not that he doesn't want to but he doesn't know how and what to say. He plainly
didn't understood her words.
Sheryl didn't mind. She as bottling the happiness of her confirmation about him being not the son of her
fiance. She can finally relaxed about the matter.
Truth to be told, she wasn't sure about Althea said. She doesn't trust her. So she came here for
confirmation and of course, her heart-to-heart talk. She knew that she shouldn't trust a word of a kid,
but- why would he lie to her?
Unless he was told to, but that's near to impossible. Considering Althea's attitude and personality,
there's no way she'll make her own kid to lie for her sake.
Since it was, more or less confirmed that he really isn't his son, something's bothering her. She
pondered over the question first before finally asking the silent kid. "Hey, do you know who's your
father?"
Kai pursed his lips and wondered why is it that people keeps on asking him about his father. Does he
looks like he doesn't have one? "I do."
This made Sheryl even more curious. "Then did you already met your father?"
"I did."
"Do you know his name?" Kai nodded. "Can you tell me?"
Kai was confused but he didn't ask why. He was asked about this twice in less than month already. But
the old woman, Mrs. Goodman, didn't receive his answer, so he told the second person about it, "His
name is Augustine."
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