"Why?"
"Because your dad’s na is Ethan DeLoach," Shikera answered, in a matter of fact tone.
"Why?" This ti around, it was Ethan asking her that.
"Because you are Ethan DeLoach. Do you want everyone to know I am your wife? Parents etings are the best places to spread such news," Shikera replied. Placing her hand on Esther’s shoulder, she explained further, "Your friends mothers’ will know that daddy is married if I go there with you. And even if such news is to spread, I would not want to announce to the public with such thod. I will rather use Elovien’s Spotlight."
"No one knows she is my daughter though. The ga youngsters second generation’s identities are hidden from the public, not excluding the school," Ethan spoke up again.
Shikera raised her brows in confusion.
"That ans the teachers would have suspected sothing when Ruthlyn ca with to Esther’s school."
"True, but the highest they would think of is you being related to The Stones. Only the school director and her personal teachers have access to Esther’s profile."
Shikera sighed. The ga youngsters identities were public in their school, during her ti and she had still felt suffocated. She could only imagine how caged Esther must be feeling at this mont with her identity kept private at ho, private at school and private everywhere she could ever think of.
In a bid to make the little girl feel better, she bent slightly until she was on the sa level as Esther’s.
"Since no one knows who you are, I think we should go. But that’s only if you really wish to go, and not because you feel challenged as a result of losing the argunt between you and your friends," Shikera finally agreed.
"Yes! I really, really, really wanted to go because...they always tell of how much fun they have on such outings and..."
"Alright," Shikera stopped her with a smile. "Let’s get ready after breakfast."
Seeing that they had finalized on going, Ethan took out his phone to text soone.
★★★
Despite feeling uneasy, Shikera tried her best to keep a smile on her face while making sure she kept the conversation with the other won. Esther was with her friends, who happened to be five boys, a table away from the won and were engaged in their own play.
They were at an high end restaurant located at the center of the city, one which had custors streaming in and out at every hour of the day. Apart from the countless eyes that was always on her since she stepped into the restaurant, Shikera detested the location of the table the won chose. It was right at the center of the restaurant, giving countless people access to approach her for an autograph.
Just when Shikera thought it would soon be over, the won started with their gossip and Shikera soon realized what the eting was all about. Esther had only been interested in playing with her friends and as a little girl, was not aware that what kept her friends mothers’ together was the connection they built with each other.
"Mrs Anderson, you look so young...one would think you are Esther’s elder sister instead of her mother. What’s your secret?" One of the won asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Shikera chuckled, just like those actresses she always watched on TV. She never imagined she would be in a situation like this.
"I get that a lot. But them, I’m fortunate to be her mother," Shikera laughed.
"Ahah...you should still tell us your secret though. Except...is it your husband’s money??" the woman’s eyes was widened in mock suprise as she asked.
’Here, this is the real question she has been wanting to ask all this while,’ Shikera noted.
"My husband’s money? I work too you know," Shikera tried to twist the conversation in another direction. Of course, they were bound to be captivated by her job.
She was right, as the won fell montarily distracted and fell into talking about Elovien’s Spotlight.
"That’s true! We should take a group picture before leaving!"
Shikera nodded politely, agreeing with the won.
"Esther told you did not believe I was her mother and that was why I ca. Now that you have seen and..." she trailed off, giving a subtle hint that she was about to leave. But she was very wrong if she thought the won would allow her leave like this.
"Yes, but it’s not that I didn’t believe Esther. It’s just eh...I wanted to know more about her family. Even though she’s been classmates with Dace for years now, I don’t know much about her. Plus the school authority says it’s not professional to let out too much information about their students; not like they are attorneys, haha," Another of the won stated.
The others chipped in their contributions, all of them trying to extract enough information from Shikera before she could leave.
"Right! Jaren also ntion Esther at ho as soon as he gets back to school. It’s only right that we want to know more about her, given that we might have a closer relationship in the future."
The won laughed out loud, while Shikera could only scoff inwardly at them.
"Just look at them," the third woman said, "They look so harmonious!"
Shikera only turned then to see Esther so absorbed in playing with her friends. Since the girl was enjoying herself, Shikera resolved that she might as well stay for a few more minutes.
She began,"Now that you have finally seen her mother and guessed her background, I guess you are no longer curious."
"A big no to that, Mrs Anderson. If your husband’s family na is Anderson, can you tell which corporation he works for?"
"He’s a chef," Shikera deadpanned.
"Chef?! Oh...I guess he’s a top chef then. Which do you know that goes by the na Anderson?" The one whom Shikera now recognized as Dace’s mom turned to ask her friends.
A waiter got to their table just then, giving Shikera the opportunity to excuse herself to approach Esther’s table. Just then, a loud sound rang out behind her followed by the sound of soone slumping on the ground.
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