Chapter 31.1
1764 Words
“W-What are you doing here?”
Shock is an understatement to what I feel right now. Sir Leo in front of me? Am I dreaming or something? He’s not supposed to be here! He’s not supposed to talk to me! Oh my god, he’s not even allowed a hundred meters around me!
“Of course, I’m here! Do you think I’ll ever miss your birthday?”
I was still so shocked that I don’t know what to say to him. He even has his suitcase! Is he f*****g moving here or something? I mean it’s good to see a familiar face, a very familiar one actually, but it’s also making my head spin! Again, what is he doing here?
“What? Aren’t you even going to invite me in? that’s rude Erina Lee,” he even flipped his imaginary long hair. This prude! I was about to hit him at the back of his head when my mother suddenly spoke.
“Who’s at the door honey?” I don’t know what to say or do I even answer her? I don’t even know if my mom remembered Sir Leo because as far as I know, they only met briefly.
“Uhm……” I don’t know if I should tell her the truth because she might freak out! It’s not everyday that we get a visit from my former employer. And also, mom hates the company and I assumed that she’s not fond of the employees too.
“Leila? Who’s there?” I was about to push Sir Leo out of the door, but it was already too late. My mother already saw him. I expected a very violent reaction, but nothing came in.
“Madam!”
“Leo!”
I was shock to the core when I saw them hug each other like they were two high school best friends separated for 10 years and only saw each other now. What the freaking hell? I really am dreaming right? what is happening to the world?
“What are you two doing?” I confusedly asked while raising my eyebrows at the two of them. These two weirdos.
“What do you mean honey? Can’t I hug a friend?”
“A friend?”
“Yes, Erina. Can’t me and your mother be friends?” Sir Leo seconded.
“No…. I mean of course, you can. But how come? I didn’t even saw you two talking for over five minutes,” I accused them like a child which made them laughed.
“Oh, honey! Why are you being cue all of a sudden,” my mother even pinched my cheek like a mother to her two-year-old child. “Come in Leo, put your things in the living room first and I’ll let my husband put them in your room later,” mom said as she leads Sir Leo in the kitchen. “Help me cook first!”
“Love!” Mom called Uncle Loui who’s with Angelo packing all the gifts we’ll give out tomorrow at the birthday party. “Can you please put Leo’s things in the guestroom?” Uncle Loui did not say anything but instead, just man-hugged Sir Leo then proceeded to carrying his things in the guestroom.
“You two are being weird right now,” I couldn’t help but to speak out what’s on my mind.
“Oh, we forgot to tell you that Leo’s your other surprise! I invited him,” mom tried to explain but she seems to downplay this situation a lot so it’s still not clear to me what’s happening.
“I can still remember how much you loath my former company and now your friends with my manager?”
“Erina, do you remember what I told you before everything turned into shits?” Sir Leo asked and even raised his brows like I’m supposed to remember everything he said.
“You told me a lot of things Sir, how am I supposed to remember a specific detail?” I answered.
“I told you I’d quit the company! And I just did! I’m literally out of that hell hole!” as he uttered those words that literally everyone in the company wants to say themselves, we jumped out of joy and instead of hugging, we just pulled each other’s hair because of excitement.
“You did?”
“I did! I really did!”
“Oh my god, you have to tell me everything about it,” I excitedly said as I pull him towards the living room. But before I could do that, mom interrupted us by pulling us both back in the kitchen.
“Hey, hey! You two can talk about that tomorrow or even later but you have to help me now! The children will starve if we don’t cook them anything!”
“Okay, fine!” I gave in and we joined mom in the kitchen to finally cook.
“Do you need help in here?” after almost 2 hours of cooking, Uncle Loui and Angelo are finally done with the gift wrapping and were able to help us packed the foods we will be bringing tomorrow.
“Come on everyone, we cooked all that food so we should eat some for ourselves!” mom finally called us for dinner. I’m already starving!
“Uncle Leo are you going to live with us from now on?” Angelo started the conversation while chewing down his spaghetti.
“Oh, no baby. I wish I could but I’m just visiting. I still need to work to live, right?” Sir Leo answered playfully which made my little brother laughed.
“Speaking of work, where do you plan to continue your job Leo?” my mom asked the question that I wanted to ask. Sir Leo smiled but I noticed something different in that smile. Like he’s hiding something behind that.
“I still have friends in the industry. So, I’m sure I’ll be fine Madam,” he answered politely.
Because we needed all the energy we can used for tomorrow’s busy activity, we decided to sleep early. I erased all the uncanny thoughts in my head even though I’m curious about Sir Leo’s future plans because as I said, tomorrow’s going to be really busy.
The next morning, we all woke up pretty early so we were able to leave the house before 8 am. The Wetherbee Orphanage is quite far from the capital, where our residence is at. The reason why mom chose it is the exact same reason. It’s quite far and not everyone wants to go through all these travel hours to give kids a couple of toys.
And I love my mom more for that. She’s a little bit straight forward and sometimes strict but she has a big heart. I’ve always been admiring her and if I can become a mother just like her, then I’ll be extremely grateful.
After almost three hours, we finally reached the place. We used two cars; one where Uncle Loui’s driving and the other one was driven by Sir Leo. Thank god for him that we were able to bring all the food and the toys for the children of Wetherbee.
The Wetherbee Orphanage is located at the countryside just the south of Yangzi, a famous tourist spot. It is near some villages but because of the tall trees and the forest in general, it looks isolated from the rest of the place. But if you’re thinking that it looks like those places, we watch on horror films, then you’re wrong.
Unlike most buildings, the orphanage does not have a steel and tall gate, it is surrounded by planks of wood, neatly arranged to look like a fence. From these woods, vines of unfamiliar plants crawl as a sort of design. It looks majestic if you’re going to ask me.
From a branch of a tall Dawn Redwood tree, a sign with the name of the orphanage can be seen. As we stepped on the grounds, the children are lined up together with the nuns in their uniforms.
“Happy Birthday, achi Erina!”
I was startled when the children together with my family shouted. I was so overwhelmed and happy because of the smiling faces of the children.
“Thank you!” before I could say more, mom, uncle Loui, Sir Leo and of course, my little brother Angelo enveloped me in a tight hug.
“Are you guys excited?” my mom enthusiastically asked the children.
“Yes!” they all excitedly answered.
Some caretakers helped us in carrying the foods and toys inside. There are four three buildings forming the letter ‘U’ surrounding us, and in the middle is a playground. The trees served as our shade and there are benches and tables where we can place the things we brought.
We didn’t take a long time introducing ourselves and all that sort because we can sense how hungry the kids are already are. With the help of the nuns, we were able to distribute the food to over a hundred kids. While they are enjoying the food, we decided to start playing games.
“Okay, bring me……...” Sir Leo is so good at things like these because we can see the excitement in the eyes of the children. “Erina!” I was startled as the kids started running towards me. To make everything more fun, I started running away from all of them which made the adults present laughed.
“Achi, stop running!” I can hear Angelo shouting because apparently, he also joined the game. But because I’m also a tease, I let them run after me.
“Okay, okay!” Sir Leo decided to interrupt when no one can catch me. “Since it’s Erina’s birthday, everyone will get a prize!”
- Writer
