“A business trip? Is that necessary?”
“What, you’re not supportive of my work?”
Evan pulled Nicole to him into a tight hug and murmured, “My dear Mrs. Seet, you don’t need to go on a business trip. What you need to do is take care of our children and also me.”
His hot breaths puffed against the shell of her ear, causing a certain itch to start within her.
Is this his way of expressing his reluctance to part with me?
She giggled softly even as it felt like a fist was squeezing her heart.
Naturally, she was hesitant about leaving her four kids. In spite of that, certain things had to be done no matter how much she was reluctant to do so.
The next day.
Sunlight spilled into the room, waking Nicole instantly. Evan was still sleeping, so she snuck her way out of the room and padded into the kitchen. She bustled around, trying to keep the noise to a minimum as she prepared breakfast.
One by one, the kids woke up and trudged into the kitchen. Spotting the bird’s nest that was otherwise known as Maya’s hair, a gentle smile curved Nicole’s lips.
“Mommy will brush your hair for you later, alright?”
Maya nodded. “Where’s Daddy?”
“He’s not awake yet.”
“Then does that mean we can’t talk?” Maya’s chubby hands flew up to clap over her mouth.
Previously, their father would not allow them to speak loudly when their mother was still sleeping.
Nicole was silent as she thought over something. After a few seconds, she uttered, “Kids, listen up.”
“What is it, Mommy?” Kyle questioned.
“Mommy needs all of you to help me with something. Mommy needs to leave on a business trip so I won’t be around for a while. While I’m gone, you’ll have to take care of yourselves, okay?”
When she finished speaking, her children stared at her with alarm.
They had never left their mother’s side before so they were extremely hesitant about it now.
“When will you be back, Mommy?”
“If you’re good, Mommy will be back in no time at all. I’ll even bring back each of your favorite foods and fulfill one small wish for each of you,” she cajoled.
They exchanged glances. Their father usually treated them quite well so they almost felt obligated to support their mother.
Juan and Kyle nodded in agreement.
Tempted by Nicole’s promise of bringing back tasty food, Maya bobbed her head as well.
Only Nina had not done anything to show her approval. She had never been separated from her mother before and was finding the concept hard to accept.
Reluctance shone in her eyes as she asked Nicole, “Mommy, do you really have to go?”
Although Nicole really did not want to leave her kids as well, it was a necessary evil. She had to find out the truth about what happened in that car accident.
She could not allow her mother to suffer the injustice of being blamed for something that she had not done.
“Nina, Mommy has to go. Can you help Mommy with this?”
The sincere expression on Nicole’s face caused Nina to nod reluctantly.
Nicole heaved a sigh of relief, seeing that they had agreed to her leaving.
Checking the time, she shooed them out of the kitchen. “Go call your Daddy down for breakfast.”
Other than Nina, the other three kids charged into the master bedroom excitedly.
Evan was lying on the bed with his eyes shut tight. His breathing was even and he looked like he was still asleep.
Plagued by his worries, he had not been able to fall asleep until early in the morning.
Maya blinked and commented, “Daddy’s still not awake.”
“Then wake him up!” was the straightforward response from Juan.
Nodding, she reached a chubby hand out to pat their father’s handsome face.
Wow, Daddy’s face feels like it has no meat at all! Nothing like my own squishy cheeks.
“Mommy wants us to wake Daddy up for breakfast. I don’t think that what you’re doing is working.”
“What shall we do then?”
Their chatter had already reached Evan’s ears and he had woken up. However, he did not move since he wanted to see what they would do next.
“Maybe you should shout in his ear?” Juan suggested.
Maya instantly did as her brother had suggested, crawling up to sprawl beside her father. She called out gently, “Daddy, time to eat breakfast!”
The man did not even twitch so she tried again. There was still no response.
Kyle glanced at the time and urged, “We need to hurry or we’ll be late for school!”
Pressing herself against Evan’s ear, Maya shouted as loudly as she could.
