Janet and Owen were on the plane. Owen had prepared a story book for her, but all she was doing was glancing sideways at the person sitting somewhere behind her.
That person was a middle-aged man and he had a huge figure. His features were camouflaged by his huge hat and sunglasses.
Janet had a feeling that she had seen this guy somewhere before based on the aura he was exuding.
It felt like her father who had appeared out of nowhere last night.
She retrieved her gaze and glanced at her oblivious uncle before secretly hurling a sweet she was holding backwards.
The man raised his head and turned to face in her direction.
As if noticing something, he propped up his finger to his lips. He was telling her not to make any sound.
Janet held her breath. It was confirmed, that person was her dad! What was he doing here? Was he going to see her mother?
Her eyes lit up instantly. Her mother was very fond of her father, and she always cried herself staring at photos of him. Now, if her father really appeared in front of her, wouldn’t she be ecstatic?
What if being on cloud nine would cure her of her disease?
She stealthily placed her palms over her mouth to prevent herself from making any sounds of laughter so that her uncle wouldn’t notice. She distracted Owen by talking to him until they made it all the way to alighting the plane. By that time, she was still worried about the possibility of her father discovering where her mother and her were staying.
After all, for her, she wouldn’t be able to find her house if she was all alone out here.
…
Lucas stared at this little girl who tried to act mature, and his heart was gradually softened.
No matter what kind of challenges were waiting for him, he had to persevere. He would do that for Olivia and for this little girl.
Lucas had everything arranged perfectly. He followed all the way until he reached a rehabilitation centre at the edge of the city.
The afternoon sun was soothing and warm, and when Lucas stepped out of his car, he coincidentally saw Olivia who was in a wheelchair basking in golden rays of sunlight. Her face was full of smiles, and her porcelain white skins seemed to take on a translucent and brittle quality, as if a little touch was all it took to render her into a thousand little pieces.
At that moment, his heart gradually became empty and calm. His eyes couldn’t move away from her. They were filled with greed and fear.
He was afraid that everything was just a dream.
The woman he had longed for and missed was just right in front of his eyes. She was appearing in his world.
He stood behind a tree to seek a hiding place while he hungrily took in the sight of Olivia. He watched her scooping up Janet and rubbing her cheeks, and he watched Owen pushed her wheelchair back to where they had come from. The bantering and laughing between the three of them told him not to cross the line and break the balance.
If he were to appear in front of her, she would not be as happy as she was now, right?
Lucas watched her disappear out of his sight and he placed his palms on where his heart is. It felt like there was something more to his heart now.
…
“Janet, what are you looking at?” Olivia gaped at her daughter curiously. Why did it feel like this kid had gone through some big transformation after returning to the country? It was as if she was carrying around something in her heart.
Janet immediately shook her head, “Mummy, are you tired? Let’s get back.”
“Yes.” Olivia held her hand while asking, “Did you encounter any fun and interesting things this time around when you came back?”
Janet stole a glance at the trees behind them while she launched herself into Olivia’s embrace without saying anything.
Olivia hugged her daughter with a face full of smiles and she stopped asking about anything. This mother and daughter tandem were basking in happiness right now, which warmed up the heart of Lucas who was sneaking glances at them from not far away.
They were his wife and daughter.
They were the most important existence in his life.
He brought his hands together in prayer to thank God for leading them back to his side.
He was willing to exchange the remaining of his life in order to make them stay.
He watched the profile of the two of them, and his eyes began to become moist.