Chapter 6: Why did you come back
1048 Words
Smoothing his hair, adjusting his suit, and taking a deep breath before plastering a charming smile on his face were all the actions Kelvin took before striding forward with confidence.
If he had a mirror, he would likely have checked himself out.
Rora, carrying a bag, stopped and raised her head to see Kelvin walking towards her. She hadn’t seen him in over six years. He had matured, now sporting a beard.
She looked at him in surprise, wondering if he had recognized her. But Rora was overthinking the situation.
Kelvin could never have imagined that the stunning lady he was about to flirt with was actually Rora Smith, the once overweight and ugly little girl he had despised.
"Hello, miss. If you're a traveler, then I’m your time. Let's time travel to a world that belongs to us," Kelvin said, delivering his most brilliant pick-up line the moment he opened his mouth.
Rora was momentarily taken aback.
The Kelvin she knew wasn't frivolous; he was always cold and impatient.
Interesting, Rora thought as she casually raised her eyebrows.
"Mom!" a cheerful voice called out, disrupting Kelvin's momentum.
Looking down, he saw a child of about five or six years old. She was adorable with her pair of ponytails. Staring at the handsome man, Riri asked, blinking her eyes, "Are you my father?"
Kelvin staggered backward in shock. He never expected his attempt at wooing a beautiful woman would earn him a father label. He replied awkwardly, coughing, "Ahem, little one, how could that be?"
Riri placed her pink finger on her lips thoughtfully and then asked, "Were you waiting for Rora Smith?"
Kelvin's eyes widened in shock, wondering how the little girl knew so much. Beads of sweat appeared on his dark face. "How could that be possible? I don’t know anyone called Rora Smith. If I did, I wouldn’t waste my time waiting here."
Riri was even more confused. She had seen the man holding a sign with 'Rora Smith' written on it when she went to check on the driver that was supposed to pick them up. Why was he denying it?
"Let's go, Riri," Rora Smith said, her face expressionless. She took her daughter's arm.
The feelings she had for Kelvin had died seven years ago, after she stepped out of the Smith mansion.
Craning her head and looking at Kelvin, Riri said, "You’ve lost a big beauty. She will never agree to be yours again."
Kelvin frowned, wondering what the little girl was talking about. He didn’t expect the beautiful woman to be a single mother. He was a little disappointed, but if he hadn’t been instructed by the patriarch to wait for Rora Smith, he would have seriously considered pursuing the mother and child.
"Why isn't she here yet?" Kelvin grumbled in frustration. He had spent four hours that morning waiting for Rora Smith, who stood outside the airport, squinting as she gazed toward the sun on the horizon.
She was back in Aberdeen once again, ready to confront those who had bullied her and to uncover the truth about her real parents.
"Mommy, are we going to see Grandpa and Grandma?" Riri asked with a cute smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Rora didn't hesitate before giving a brief and concise answer, "No!"
Riri's eyes widened in agitation as she protested, "Mom, why? Don't you want me to show my respect to Grandma and Grandpa?"
Rora knew her daughter well. Given the number of times the principal had called her to school due to Riri's antics, she doubted her daughter would cause anything but commotion rather than pay filial piety.
"I'm taking you to see Aunt Rebecca. She got you a white puppy," Rora said.
Children are easy to coax; as long as you give them what they like, their attention will shift immediately.
"I miss Aunt Rebecca," Riri said seriously, her stern expression making her even more adorable.
Rora chuckled. As a mother, she knew her daughter was more excited about the new pet than seeing Aunt Rebecca.
They got into the waiting car and left the airport. The drive lasted an hour as they headed outside the city, eventually pulling up to a mansion gate that looked dilapidated from the outside. The gate slid open slowly, revealing a luxurious estate within, complete with a large green courtyard, trees, beautiful flowers, and various facilities.
The housekeeper, Anne, came out to welcome them. "Miss, you're back."
Rora nodded with a smile. "Where's Aunt Rebecca?"
"She's by the lake," Housekeeper Anne replied without hesitation.
Turning to the pretty little girl beside Rora, Housekeeper Anne felt the urge to pinch her chubby cheeks. But when Riri said, "Auntie Anne, the mole at the corner of your lip makes you so beautiful. I wish I had one so I could become a national beauty like you," Anne's heart melted completely. Her smile made her forget her initial intention.
Rora left Riri in Anne's care. She walked through the mansion towards the lake, where she saw a figure sitting in a chair.
As she approached, the leaves in a nearby flower garden rustled, and a large black cobra slithered out, taking an aggressive stance.
"Rooney, don't be rude," the woman sitting by the lake said without turning around.
The cobra immediately retreated. Rora, unfazed, continued towards the woman, who appeared to be in her late sixties.
"Why did you come back?" the woman asked.
"Aunt Rebecca, I'm here for answers," Rora replied casually.
Turning to Rora, a smile appeared on Rebecca's face as she said slowly, "You are too weak to know who you are."
Frowning, Rora asked, "You’re not willing to tell me who I am?"
Rebecca, who had no intention of hiding her thoughts, responded directly, "Yes."
Over the years, Rora had become stronger. She was no longer the little girl who had been picked up off the road years ago; she was now someone who could influence a country's economy. She was puzzled by Rebecca's decision. "Why?"
Sighing ruefully, Rebecca said, "You are too weak to go against them."
Rora's eyelids lowered as she fell silent, thoughtfully. Raising her head and revealing a flawless face, she said slowly, "I will find out myself."
With that, she turned around and began walking away.
- Writer
