The kids’ voices rang up from the other side of the door.
“Daddy, I won the Taekwondo competition again. Shouldn’t you reward me for it?”
“I’ll help you reward him, daddy. I’ve learned a lot of recipes, and I can make him healthier. Those recipes can also give him a physical boost which can be a reward.”
Juan turned to Maya and complained, “I am not interested in that. I want to go to a more challenging dojo to continue training and improving my skills. Daddy, will you let me go?”
Nian and Kyle walked over, too. Nina sighed and claimed, “Daddy, I want to manage the press conference announcing my new products. I have some ideas about how I want to reveal the mystery of my product to the entire world. It will revolutionize the cosmetic industry, and I want to be the one who names them. Can I do that, daddy?”
Nina had just finished speaking when Kyle, who was a man of few words, suddenly chimed in as well. “I have the same idea as Juan, daddy. I want to move to a more challenging school to further develop my skills. I’m not interested in martial arts, though. I prefer honing my computer skills so that I can better help you manage the company,” said Kyle.
Nicole teared up when she heard what her kids said. Her children had all grown up, and they had developed their own views and ideas. They were also hardworking and knew to always strive to be better. That put her mind at ease.
Looks like Evan and Sophia had been nice to the kids over the past two years and had taught them well. I, however, failed miserably as their mother. I wasn’t there for them when they grew up.
Nicole secretly opened the door and snuck a peek. She saw that her kids had all gotten taller. Juan and Kyle were growing to look more and more like Evan. Juan had always been active, while Kyle had always preferred a more passive way of dealing with things. When they were kids, Juan would prefer running around and playing, whereas Kyle would prefer sitting still and reading. That made Kyle the man who planned the schemes, and Juan the man who carried out the plans. And now, Juan is into learning martial arts while Kyle is into learning computer skills. It’s perfect for them.
Nicole then turned to Nina and Maya. Nina was beautiful with a good figure. Her movements exuded confidence like that of a noble lady, giving off the impression that she was a vibrant personality who spoke her mind.
Is that… Maya?
Maya’s chubby cheeks were gone which indicated that Maya had indeed lost a lot of weight. She looked a lot like Nina, and her beautiful face shone with a lively tone. Looks like leading her down the path of a chef is a fantastic choice for her. She has really benefitted from it, and her healthy diet has given her a beautiful glow. Maya wasn’t as proud as Nina but was like a stunning sunflower instead.
Emotions swelled up Nicole’s heart when she recalled the first time she met them at the hospital.
“Sure, I can promise all of you that. I will call you once I’ve made all the arrangements.”
“Thank you, daddy.”
“Thank you, daddy.”
The kids were all delighted.
Evan’s gaze shifted to Maya. He paused for a moment before he asked, “Maya, can you make a few dishes for me? I’d like to try them.”
“Sure, daddy. I’ll get on it right away.”
Maya’s cooking…
Nicole’s lips curved into a beautiful smile. She recalled how Maya used to get her face all dirty as she ate desserts, and how the kid looked like a cute little kitten. Maya’s specialties are probably the cakes and desserts that she had always liked ever since she was a kid.
About half an hour later, the door to the room was knocked on and opened. The butler came in with two plates of delicacies and informed, “Mrs. Seet, please try these. Ms. Maya made them.”
Maya made them?
Nicole saw the delicacies that looked and smelled wonderful. She got extremely excited and took the food over to take a closer look. The ingredients were nutritious and well-balanced with crab meat, sliced pork, and vegetables.
Nicole took a small bite. Happiness oozed from her smile as she commented, “This is the best dish I have ever tasted.”
“I’m glad you enjoy it, Mrs. Seet.”
The butler left the room. Nicole ate the dishes Maya made and recalled how Maya was as a kid. Nicole remembered how, one time, Nina teased and called Maya a piggy. That got Maya so upset that she cried with a broken heart and insisted that she wasn’t a fat piggy…
There was also a time when Maya argued with Nina, and Nina, being the quicker one, dissed her mercilessly. Maya was angry, but she couldn’t keep up with Nina, so the former ended up hugging a teddy bear and yelling from outside the room, “You’re a mean sister. Come out of there, you meanie!”
Everything felt like it happened the day before. A few years have passed in a blink of an eye. Time really waits for no one.
