Chapter 3: Arrangements for children
885 Words
"What's your plan, brother?" Vivian asked, munching on a bang lollipop as she turned to Sammy.
"I'm sticking with Mom." He felt it essential to be there to protect her from any mistreatment.
"We feel the same as our brother," the two charming sisters said in unison.
"But if Mom marries nominal Dad, do we start calling him 'Dad'?" Vivian wondered aloud with an air of innocence.
"That's hardly likely," Sammy said, his expression clouding over.
He had considered the possibility of a complete family, but after everything that happened seven years ago, was it really feasible?
"That night seven years ago is why Mom is now so wary of men, and nominal Dad is to blame," Cathy explained, her gaze somber as she shrugged in resignation.
Mom might be less resistant to men now, but the thought of her dating is still fraught with difficulties.
"Is there any way we could help Mom be less afraid of men?" Vivian asked, her voice laden with sorrow.
She felt a pang of sadness whenever she saw other children playing with their fathers, missing what she never had.
"We can only go with the flow. If there's no spark between Mom and nominal Dad, forcing a relationship won't make them happy," Cathy commented, her expression tinged with sadness.
"It might not be impossible, though. Remember where Mom said she was interviewing today? As a CEO's secretary?" Sammy's eyes twinkled with a playful hint of intrigue.
Perhaps the situation isn't as dire as we think. There's a saying: 'The boat will find its way when it reaches the bridge.' We shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet.
"Warner Group," the girls recalled, their confusion clearing up as their eyes sparkled with realization.
How could I have overlooked that? It's such an oversight.
It's always curious how things work out!
Initially, Mom's interview at Warner Group was because the CEO was a woman, but that’s soon going to change!
The unpredictability of these events is astonishing!
It’s just like the old saying: plans can't keep up with changes.
And this situation with Mom? It's a living proof of that adage.
"Right, it’s Warner Group. This interview could be a great chance to see if Mom and nominal Dad click," Sammy said, delighting his sisters with the news.
"But brother, do you think nominal Dad would be interested in an unattractive woman?" Cathy mused, recalling Amelia's look that morning, her expression uneasy.
Imagining a beautiful woman making herself look unattractive is hard to fathom. Who would think a beauty would deliberately uglify herself, especially since all women cherish their looks?
"Eh, it really does seem tough," Sammy confessed, feeling a touch embarrassed as he recalled Mom’s fashion choices.
Her style was severely outdated: a conservative black suit, her beautiful wavy hair twisted up and secured with a pin, her striking eyes behind large, unattractive glasses, and a big black mole oddly placed on her cheek. This getup hardly seemed likely to attract anyone. But at home, her admirers were countless.
"Should we help Mom spruce up a bit?" Cathy proposed.
Mom's current style would surely frighten off any admirers.
"Only if you want her to keep hiding out at home as a couch potato," Sammy responded, his hands spread in a gesture of resignation.
It was all because of that terrifying night seven years ago—she'd sworn to never step out unless she disguised her beauty, and she’d actually cry if not allowed to do so.
With that thought, Sammy reluctantly let go of the idea of changing Amelia’s style.
"Bro, what are your plans for Mom working as nominal Dad’s secretary?" Cathy asked, lounging on the sofa, a hand on her forehead.
"Bring Steven into Warner Group."
Meanwhile, in New York.
While organizing a fashion show, Steven sneezed, startling his colleagues.
"It's tough being this good-looking. Seems like I’m always on someone’s mind," Steven joked, touching his nose and pretending to be helplessly vain.
Back at Demon Street Number Seven.
"Why him, of all people? Why pick that narcissist?" Cathy couldn't hide her incredulity.
It was hard to understand—out of 21 people in the werewolf organization, why choose the narcissist? It made no sense.
"He’s necessary."
Though Steven was undeniably self-centered, his talents were essential.
"Necessary for what? He’s just a deeply narcissistic designer," Cathy dismissed contemptuously.
"He’s the top fashion designer in the country," Sammy insisted.
Dealing with women can be tricky—Cathy had been upset by Steven just once and held onto it for ages. It goes to show, never underestimate the grievances of women. But thanks to Steven, Cathy had become quite a popular figure at Lingying Academy.
"What top designer? He's just a designer full of himself," Cathy retorted angrily, as if she were about to flatten Steven herself.
"Sis, you and Steven act like love-hate frenemies," Vivian remarked with a hint of mischief.
"Zip it, kiddo."
Cathy snapped back, visibly annoyed by Vivian’s comment.
"What kiddo? Sis, you're only ten minutes older than me," Vivian protested, standing up and placing her hands on her hips, visibly upset.
"Still makes you younger," Cathy shot back, pouting.
"Let's focus, please."
Sammy, watching his sisters bicker like kids, felt his headache intensify.
He gestured for Vivian to sit down, trying to restore some order.
- Writer
