After a deep thought. Ted picked up his phone and called his lawyer, “Hello, Mr. Lawyer”
“Hello, Mr. Ted” lawyer greeted him.
“How’s your preparation for the hearing in court?” Ted asked.
“It’s good Mr. Ted. Don’t worry you will definitely take the custody.” Lawyer said confidently.
“Hmmm …. I want you to add one more thing in the case.” Ted said.
“What is it?” Lawyer asked.
“Well, come at my office. Then we’ll talk about it.” Ted answered.
“Okay, Mr. Ted I’m on my way.” Lawyer said and hung up the phone.
A cruel smile appeared on Ted’s face. “Huh.. let’s see who wins Lisa..!” He said while looking at the envelope.
….
Days passed by and soon it’s Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, Lisa woke up happily, took shower and dressed up herself nicely. She wore blue colored jeans and red colored sweatshirt with the green tree design on it. She combed her hair and put red color hair band on it.
She even applied little makeup and she looked extremely beautiful, just like a teenage girl. She wore red color boots and went out to meet her son.
Today is the Christmas party at her son’s school. Augustus had offered her ride but she refused him politely. She didn’t want to be seen with him publicly.
She knew Augustus is also coming today. That’s why she had put more effort to dress up herself. She had been thinking for a while about him and now finally she had decided to open up with him. She had started trusting him and will try to please him.
She wanted to make this Christmas memorable for him and for her too.
Lisa reached at the school. The hall was decorated with tree, stars, lanterns. A long table of snacks was prepared with drinks. There were also balloons and a man who was dressed up as a Santa, greeting everyone at the gate.
All kids were dressed up in white and red colored pajamas and singing the Christmas song. Lisa felt very happy in her heart looking at the surroundings.
Just as she was lost in admiring the view, a person tapped her shoulder. She turned around and saw Augustus holding the hands of Maria and Simon.
Augustus was wearing black pants with green colored shirt and red velvet coat. He looked extremely handsome and Royal in it.
Lisa smiled at three of them, then bent down to hug Simon and Maria wishing Merry Christmas. She stood up and then quickly hugged Augustus too.
Being hugged suddenly, Augustus was shocked. His eyes opened wide. Before he could react Lisa had let him go already. Lisa then smiled shyly and wished him “Merry Christmas”
Augustus was stunned, but still managed to smile back. “You too” he said after a while.
“You are looking different.” Augustus noticed her up and down.
“Good different or bad?” Lisa asked nervously.
Augustus smiled with a low chuckled and said, “You’re perfect.”
Lisa blushed. “Thanks” she said while touching her hair shyly. “Kids, do you want something to drink?” Lisa asked Simon and Maria to escape from Augustus’s gaze.
“No..! I want lollipop.” Simon said first.
“Yeah, yeah. Me too.” Maria also joined him.
“Well, okay then. Let’s go.” Lisa said and took both kids hand and walked away from Augustus.
At lollipop counter, Lisa met Tony too. All three kids started to chat unlimitedly and soon went to play in the garden. Lisa looked at three little back with happy and satisfied smile on her face.
“Tony.. Tony..” someone called behind her. Lisa turned around and saw a woman wearing red dress with white scarf wrapped on her neck. She looked mature, sophisticated woman.
Lisa smiled and said, “He has gone to the garden with Maria and Simon.”
The woman looked at Lisa with no expression and asked seriously, “Who are you?”
Lisa felt uncomfortable by this woman’s behavior, “I am Simon’s mother Lisa Mathew.”
“Lisa Mathew” the woman said slowly like she was trying to remember this name.
“Lisa Mathew..!” She shouted in excitement. “I am Grace Silas, Tony’s mother.” She stretched her hand, smiling widely.
Lisa felt strange but still shook her hand. “Nice to see you, Lisa.” Grace said.
“Thank you.” Lisa said politely.
“I was so curious to see you. Cristian talked about you a lot. Indeed, you are very beautiful.” She said happily.
“Well, Miss Grace not more than you. You’re graceful just like your name.” Lisa praised her genuinely.
Grace smiled shyly and waved her hand. “Oh.. come on.! Don’t flatter me.” She said while blushing.
“It’s the truth, Miss Grace.” Lisa said smilingly.
“Grace. Call me Grace no courtesy okay.” Grace said lightly.
“Okay Grace.” Lisa nodded.
“Well, I shall go and watch the kids. See you later then.” Grace excused herself. Lisa smiled and she left.
“Drinks.” Augustus came from behind handing her a glass of juice.
“Thanks” Lisa took the glass from his hand and took a sip.
“Who is she?” Augustus asked.
“She is Tony’s mother. I mean Cristian’s sister.” She said while sipping juice.
“Hmm.. seems like she really liked you.” Augustus said in a serious tone.
“Hmm” Lisa kept drinking she was really thirsty.
Augustus got furious instantly. “Seems like you’re quite interested in becoming her sister-in-law.”
“Ahem… Ahem..” Lisa choked on her drink and started coughing.
Augustus frowned and patted her back till she gets stable.
“I am not interested in anyway.” Lisa glared at him angrily, handed him glass and left.
Augustus looked coldly at her back.
Soon, Principal started giving speech and greeted everyone. Then started games for fun activity, every parent has to volunteered to participate in at least one game. Lisa, Maria, Simon and Augustus sat on the third row. First two parent went to play games and now it was Lisa’s and Augustus’s turn to go.
Hostess explained the game. It was a partner game, two people have to put the balloon in the center of their body and walked from one side to the another to deliver it to the bucket without popping or dropping it.
Simon and Maria said excitedly, “Come on, you both have to go. Please..”
Augustus looked at Lisa hesitantly, just when he was going to refuse Lisa stood up and held his hand. “Let’s play”
She pulled him to stage. The lights were little dimmed at the game time and there were many people so nobody noticed her and Augustus’s intimate behavior towards each other.
Maria shouted, “I want that prize Aunty, Daddy.”
Lisa smiled and shouted back. “Don’t worry princess.”
On the stage, there were three teams. The Hostess explained the game. Both parent have to pick a balloon and drop it in the bucket without touching it with hands. They have to put balloon in the center of them and walked towards the bucket without popping or dropping it.
“Lisa. I am …” Augustus wanted to apologize to Lisa but Lisa sushed him, she was very focused in game.
“Okay… so which side we should try first. Front or back?” Lisa asked Augustus in a serious tone.
“Hmm..” Augustus scratched his head. He didn’t know how to play it.
“Let’s start with the front okay..?” Lisa advised him.
“Okay.” Augustus agreed.
All the three teams stood in the position. The Hostess shouted on microphone. “Let’s start delivering the balloons.” And he whistled.
Game began, Lisa took one balloon and kept it on the center of her and Augustus.
“Hold my arms.” Lisa ordered.
“Okay” Augustus said calmly. He held her arms and then They started walking slowly towards the bucket.
“Don’t squeeze it hard, it will pop.” Lisa told him.
One balloon down. Then both rushed back and put another one. Two balloons down, three, four.
The Hostess whistled, “fifteen seconds.”
Lisa and Augustus panicked. Lisa thought of trick and kept two balloons this time. One between their chest and one between their legs. They started walking slowly.
Suddenly Augustus felt uncomfortable and cursed. “Ohh shit..!”
“What’s wrong?” Lisa asked worriedly.
“I… am …. going … to … ahhhh…. Achoooo.” Augustus sneezed all of a sudden and all balloons fell down.
“Augustus..!” Lisa exclaimed. “Can’t you wait a little?” She said angrily, stomped her feet and left the game halfway.
“Lisa that was out of my control.” Augustus tried to explain but Lisa left without turning back.
Looking her leaving the stage. Maria looked at her with teary eyes and asked, “Aunty, did we lose?”
“Yes, princess.” Lisa sighed.
A drop of tear fell down from Maria’s eyes. Lisa turned her head and glared at Augustus angrily.