The two girls glanced at each other in confusion.
Nicole put them down and picked up a roll of bandage with which she started wrapping around the girls.
The girls were stunned at once. Why is Mommy tying us up?
“Mommy, what’re you doing?”
“Mommy, have you really lost your mind?”
Flashing them a foolish grin, Nicole started mumbling to herself, “I’m making a stew for dinner.”
Say what?
Is Mommy going to prepare the stew with their flesh? The two girls widened their eyes in consternation.
Pursing her lips, Maya looked like she was on the brink of tears again. Nina looked similarly horrified.
“Mommy, you can’t eat us.”
Maya nodded her head vigorously and pointed out in an earnest tone, “Mommy, we are your babies, remember? Adults aren’t allowed to eat their kids.”
“Exactly, Mommy. Even if you really want to do this, you should eat Maya because she’s as fleshy and chubby like a pig!”
Uhm…
I can’t believe Nina is doing this to me!
Looking exasperated, Maya roared, “Mommy, Nina will be a much better choice.! My flesh tastes bitter, but hers is sweet and yummy! She smells good as she always spray your perfume on herself secretly!”
“Maya!” Nina yelled.
“You’re a bad girl! You should be put inside that stew!” Maya seethed.
Nicole was surprised to know that the girls actually were aware of how precious their lives were and they had the awareness of protecting themselves despite their tender age.
However, their argument showed they were still a bunch of innocent kids.
Just then, Juan and Kyle darted over and pleaded, “Mommy, even wild animals like tigers don’t eat their own cubs.”
“Mommy, please let them go! Maya’s hands were injured from banging her fists on the door just now.”
Just as the boys snatched the roll of bandage away from her, Nicole cast a fleeting glance on Maya’s chubby fists. She was heartbroken when she saw how red and swollen they were.
What a poor thing.
Meanwhile, John had been observing Nicole’s behavior with his eyes tinged with anger. He whirled around and glared at Levant. “What the heck happened to Mrs. Seet?”
Levant sighed ruefully, “I have no idea. Even the doctors are not able to find out the root of her problem.”
Wrapping her arms in front of her chest, Sheila sized Levant up suspiciously. “Are you trying to say Nicole suddenly became a dimwit overnight without a reason? Could you have been the one to trigger her illness?”
After a moment of silence, Levant countered, “Why would I do anything of that sort when I hope she can stay healthy and happy more than anyone else?”
“That would better be the truth. If I find out who did this to Nicole, I will make sure the person pays a heavy price for it.”
Levant did not respond to her. Instead, he steered the conversation away from that topic by saying, “Let me go and prepare some rooms for you guys.”
“Please arrange an extra bed for me here because I’m staying together with Nicole and the kids.”
Levant fell silent as he pondered over Sheila’s request. Although it might not be the best arrangement, it was good to have another person who could take care of Nicole. Besides, Levant found Sheila more trustworthy and reliable than the maids.
“Let me move you guys to a bigger place with more rooms so that you guys won’t be cramped for space.”
With that, Levant was off to make the arrangement.
After that, John, Sheila, Nicole and the four kids were left alone in the room.
The kids launched into a serious discussion about possible ways to bring their Mommy back home.
They wanted to bring Mommy back to their home country and hire the best doctor to treat her illness; they were sure Mommy would eventually be cured.
Nicole was pleased to see the kids trying so hard to help her.
However, it was not time to go home yet. She had to stay and find out who was the guy who dumped her mother years ago.
She crouched down next to Maya. Staring at her swollen fists, she started blowing on them in an attempt to soothe the pain.
“Does it hurt?”
Maya nodded as she grimaced in pain.
“Let me apply some ointment on it.”
Eh?
How come Mommy is acting normal again now?
The kids all stared at Nicole in consternation.
Juan stuck out two fingers and waved them in front of Nicole. “Mommy, how many fingers do I have here?”
“Three.”
Looking bewildered, he stuck out three fingers and asked her the same question.
“Two!”
At last, Juan shook his head dejectedly and sighed, “I’m sure Mommy’s lost her mind because she can’t even recognize the numbers!”
Meanwhile, an idea hit Nina. She held Nicole’s hands and asked, “Mommy, do you know what’s my name?”
Nicole glanced at her and answered, “You’re Nina.”
Nina’s eyes gleamed with excitement instantly as Mommy knew her name. Why did Mommy want to cook me for dinner just now if she knows I am Nina?
Maya, who was having ointment applied on her hands, posed Nicole the same question. “Mommy, do you remember my name then?”
