"Tell , mother. Did your chauffeur go missing that you'd need to pick you up?"
"It's a family event, Yan. And you're family," Avery reasoned over the phone. She walked behind a few kiosks at the park. "I didn't even force you to attend. This is the least you could do."
Silence flowed from the other line and into her ear. Children's laughter and giggled filled her other one. She stopped in her tracks, scratching the back of her neck. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Mikael and Eve with the twins. They strolled around to showcase the other attractions like food, goods and fortune telling.
The madam bit her lip. "I also know the twins want to see you. Drop by. Say hi. Then, we go."
Ambryan gritted his teeth. The traffic was terrible at this hour. It would be faster to take a longer route to the park. That was only if there weren't other variables that could get in the waylike accidents.
So far, he hadn't encountered one yet.
"Well, if you'll be asking this favor," he replied. His eyes flickered to the GPS. There was less than two kiloters left before he reached the park. "Then, can I have one in return?"
"Would it still be called favors if it's an exchange?"
"I could always say it's for family."
Avery clicked her tongue. "What is it?"
Pulling the steering wheel to the left, Ambryan started it off gently. "I know that you're not an official mber of the board but there is this project with a marketing company"
"It's that bitch, isn't it?" His mother cut him off. The hint was in the word, 'marketing', and this person ca at the top of her mind. Avery didn't expect that she'd be brought up again.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
She scoffed, slling the lie. Her rapid fire mories shut it down imdiately. "The one you spook your father with into taking that bowling bet."
"Oh, that one," Ambyran feigned innocence. "Then, yes."
Avery frowned and shook her head, gripping her phone tight. If she had superhuman strength, it would have been crushed into dust. "Are you sure you want to ask this favor? It could ruin everything."
Except on occasion, the madam acted like that woman didn't exist. It's been years since they both retired from acting. One would think their rivalry ended there. But, as won are generally known, their grudges ran deeper than that.
For Avery, it was justified.
The woman still coveted her husband after all these years!
"I'm sure you'll be at your best behavior," Ambryan coaxed. He sped down a narrow road up ahead, noticing that it was empty. "You wouldn't want the family na to be tarnished."
His mother wasn't convinced. "Explain to why I'm to handle this and not you?"
"Because I also can't stand her." The woman's intentions weren't unknown to him but because he was his father's son, she acted like a doting mother whenever he was around. It was sickening but her skills had to be acknowledged.
"And you think I can?!" Avery exasperated. Among the three of them, she should be the last person to interact with that woman. Her mind would spend the ti imagining how to torture her.
"You certainly have more patience."
"... I don't know if I should take that as a complint or not." She took a deep breath. It was annoying but her boys didn't possess the best composure when provoked. Unconsciously, her gaze went towards Eve.
'Now, that's another girl that had patience.'
"I have to go. Call when you get here."
Avery stalked back towards the action. Along the way, she greeted a few familiar faces and stopped for autographs and selfies. It was surreal to see her fans to be parents like her. So were even grandparents already. She envied them for a second.
'Yan, give a grandchild soon!' Her mind begged as imaginary tears from her eyes.
She composed herself before resuming her walk. Then, she snatched a teenager trying to escape. He stiffened as soon as her arm wrapped around his shoulders.
"And where do you think you're going, Gin?"
"M-Mrs. Hathaway!" He stamred, locking his phone and tucking it in his pocket. "I just needed to stretch my legs. They had gone stiff."
The truth was he wanted to look for a place they couldn't find him.
Avery pulled him closer and headed for the food stalls. "Then, you can keep company. I'm famished and I want to try sothing new."
"Ah, w-would that be okay? Don't you have a bodyguard?"
She halted in her steps, forcing him to do the sa. Her head lowered until they had the sa eye levelviolet against stormy blue ones. "Listen, Gin. Always rember this. Never let a woman walk unaccompanied. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." He nodded vigorously.
"Good!" The madam approved. Then, she dragged him to where her nose led them. "Soon, you'll be able to find a girlfriend, get married and have kids. I'm sure your mother would love that."
"Um, Mrs. Hathaway, I don't think"
"Look at that potato skewer! Co on, move your legs!"
At the other side of the park, a party of four finished touring half of the event. There was only another half to go. It didn't help that the place had the size of a football field. They paid attention to every display, posing and interacting with the vendors.
A few offered free sampleswhich both Mikael and Eve assigned the twins to decide whether to take them or not. Otherwise, their stomachs would burst if they ate them all.
"How much longer do we need to walk?" Eve whined. Dull pain ached her ankles.
"I'm guessing we'll circle the entire park." Mikael craned his neck, checking their location. The stage lood at the end of their path. Except, he couldn't tell just how far it was because of the crowd. "Are your legs tired?"
"Tell about it. We already did our stroll earlier. This is torture now." Eve snorted. Then, she turned to her younger sister, tugging her hand. "How are you holding up, Ede?"
"I'm alright."
Her head snapped in the opposite direction and tilted up. "Eri?"
"Can I be this tall when I grow up?!" The older twin exclaid with a giggle. She had her arms spread wide, one hand holding up the bunny plush. Mikael grasped her legs, careful not to let her fall off his shoulders.
Eve considered the question for a mont. "You can try."
"How?"
She pointed a finger at her younger sister, narrowing her gaze. "By eating your vegetables, drinking milk and getting at least 8 hours of sleep."
"Okay!"
"And jump at New Year's," Mikael added. "Heard that's a thing sowhere in the world."
Eri suddenly bounced on his shoulders. "Oh, it's Runaway Boyfriend!"
"Sir Hathaway?" Eve blinked, raising her eyebrows.
Her, Mikael and Ede stopped walking.
Breezing through the crowd was none other than Ambryan Hathaway. The people around him parted and let him pass. It seed to happen against their knowledge. They'd only truly notice him after he strolled by.
Thus, wherever he went, he left a trail of whispers.
"Amphibreevian!" Eri yelled.
Ambryan shifted his attention towards her. His infamous scowl deepened.
Eve slapped her hand over her mouth. Beside her, Ede pressed her lips together. Mikael hid his reaction with a cough. Only Eri remained enthusiastic to see the CEO head their way. A fit of giggles flowed out of her lips. She had wanted for him to co along the most!
"Ah, Mr. Hathaway!" Jordan greeted, intercepting Ambryan halfway. They shook hands and he proceeded to explain the situation. "We're surprised to see you. The school hired Mikael for an ad campaign and your mother spoke highly about Ms. Hart and her siblings that they decided to let them join the promotional shoot."
"I see" Ambryan cleared his throat and faced the others. "I'm here to pick up my mother. I presud she'd be with you but that doesn't seem to be the case."
"Oh," Eve muttered. She traced her ear with her hand. Her heart weighed a little heavier. "Mrs. Hathaway didn't join us when we strolled around the park. Have you tried to call her?"
"I did. She wasn't answering."
"I see."
Mikael frowned at the atmosphere. Did he miss sothing? Were they in a fight? They usually conversed with ease. His radiant blue eyes looked up. It seed like the twins were also familiar with the CEO. There had been a news article about it if he wasn't mistaken.
Then, what could be the problem?
"That ga seems cool." Ede suddenly spoke.
They followed her line of sight. A booth had double the space of the ones beside it. Toy rifles sat on its counter. Large prizes hung on its walls and food items filled up the table behind the keeper.
"I'm not really a sharp shooter," Eve huffed, placing a hand on her hip.
Ambryan approached the booth. Then, he looked at Ede. "Is there a prize you like?"
She let go of her sister's hand and joined him. "That cat looks like Kiri."
"And that chocolate bar is so big!" Eri gushed. At her words, Mikael headed for the ga booth. Eve had no choice but to also follow. Her gaze swept across the display. A funny-looking monkey caught her eye, chuckling at its heart-shaped eyes.
"Would the gentlen like to give it a try?"
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