Erica’s POV
Pulled up to the driveway and sat in the car. I was exhausted. My dress was torn and it had a
bloody hole in the middle.
I reached over to the back but couldn’t find my coat, Lorenzo’s coat, that I had worn to the party.
Where was it?
I sighed and found an old shirt in the back and pulled it over my head. It covered the hole well
enough and I planned to dash upstairs before the kids could see it.
I got out of the car and went inside and the kids were excited to see me. The house wasn’t as
messy as I thought it would be and I gave them all a big kiss for being so responsible.
Elma didn’t hesitate to jump into my arms, much to her brother and sister’s dismay. They asked
her to leave me alone so that I could rest but she clung to me like a koala.
“I guess we are all ready to go out.”
“Yes!!”
The cheer was loud and unanimous. Even Elma was excited.
I excused myself and headed up to my room to change. I dashed up the stairs as fast as I could so
that Elma wouldn’t catch up to me.
I slammed the door shut behind me and took off my awful clothes.
As I saw the hole, I was briefly reminded of the monster wolf that I had…
“Mum! Are you ready yet?!”
My thoughts were immediately interrupted.
“Give me a few minutes dear. Mummy needs to have a quick shower.”
I stepped into the bathroom shower and my thoughts were washed away with the water.
I didn’t take so long and finally, I was ready.
We headed out and got to the car. As I opened the back door for the kids, I was lost in thought. I
was scared that Dante was going to see me with them.
The thought made shivers run down my spine. No. I couldn’t let him see them. He couldn’t find
out that there were his…
“Mummy?”
I looked down and saw Elma tugging at my dress.
“Yes, dear?”
“Can I sit in the front with you? Pleaaaassseeee…”
I giggled but encouraged her to sit with her brother and sister.
“They argue a lot. I don’t wanna sit with them.”
I patted her head softly and smiled warmly.
“It’s not safe in the front for young children. You can ride with me when you are older.”
She pouted and knew that she couldn’t change my mind. She sat reluctantly with her brother and
sister and I could see her bottom lip quivering slightly.
I got into the car and started the ignition. Just before I pulled out of the parking lot, I turned to
the kids.
“I don’t want any of you to talk to strangers. And if they talk to you while they are talking with
mummy, I don’t want you to say a thing. Are we clear on that?
“Yes, mum.”
Elma was silent and still sulking but she gave a nod.
We drove out of the parking lot and down the street. My heart was still beating rapidly in my
chest at the thought of bumping into Dante on my way to the mall. He was the last person that I
wanted to see at the moment.
“Mummy?”
“Yes, Elsa.”
I didn’t turn my head around and saw Elsa’s reflection in the driving mirror. I could also tell that
Elma was still upset.
“What are we going to do at the mall?”
I smiled.
“Well since all of you have been so well-behaved, I am going to take you all to get Chinese food
and we can buy whatever you want.”
Elsa smiled and Elma seemed intrigued and her frown lightened up.
“I don’t think Ethan has been well behaved though.”
Elsa took a swipe at her brother and he immediately became defensive.
“That’s not true! Elsa is the one who hasn’t been well-behaved. She is so annoying!”
“So are you!”
The bickering continued and I sighed angrily. I wished that they could sort out their differences.
I looked at Elma and she looked miserable. Maybe I should have let her ride in front with me.
************************************************
After scolding the feuding duo, the rest of the ride was relatively peaceful. But each time I looked
in the driver’s mirror, I could tell that the peace was hanging by a thin thread and Ethan and Elsa
were glaring at each other, daring the other to make a wrong move.
Finally, we arrived and I could release the cats from their cages. We reached the mall and it was
magnificent.
“Woooowww!”
Ethan exclaimed loudly while his sisters looked on in awe.
The lights were bright and though it was evening, it felt like the sun hadn’t set here. There was so
much hustle and bustle. It was still so lively.
“Alright. I need all of you to stay close to me and not…”
“Hello. Might I have this dance?”
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around ready to swing my fist. However, I tripped and fell
but I was caught just in time.
I found myself staring into the eyes of a handsome stranger.
He smiled at me but didn’t help me up.
“I believe that this is the second time that I have seen a beautiful lady like you all by yourself. I
only hope that you won’t be snatched away this time.”
I gasped in surprise and nearly choked.
“Javier?!”
He finally helped me stand upright and a blush spread over my cheeks. I felt giddy and nervous
and it felt even worse as he caught a glimpse of my kids.
“Oh! Wow! Are…are these your kids? You never mentioned that…”
“Oh! No! No! No! I am babysitting them for a friend. She is really sick.”
I turned to them and smiled nervously.
“Say ‘hi’ to Mr. Javier.”
My kids remained silent and turned away from us. I signed in relief. They had passed the test.
“They are a little shy.”
Javier smirked and stepped closer to me.
“It is so nice to see you again. I thought that you were kidnapped from that party for good. I
looked for you but I couldn’t find you and I was even more worried because you didn’t call me.
You had some great architectural ideas and I was intrigued to hear more.”
As soon as he mentioned the party, my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. I really didn’t want to
talk about it.
“It’s kind of complicated. I don’t think I want to talk about it. Not in front of them.”
I gestured to the kids and he gave a nod.
“I see. Well, I was hoping that we could talk a little more. What brings you here this evening?”
I smiled politely.
“I just thought that the kids deserved a treat. So I want to take them out for a little fun. What
about you? What brings you here this evening?”
I couldn’t deny how beautiful Javier’s eyes were. They were a dazzling gold and his smile was
disarming and warm. He seemed much more confident this time than at the party.
“Well,” he started. “I came to check on a few enterprises that I have here and also draw some
inspiration for new designs. I just find the mall very relaxing.”
I swooned but immediately pulled myself together.
It just seemed like Javier had the perfect manners. His voice was smooth and comforting. He had
a lovely personality.
“Well, I guess we’ll let you get on with your business.”
I was about to walk away but he grabbed me softly by the arm and pulled me back. My heart was
pounding in my chest and I felt beads of sweat dot my forehead.
“There is no need for early goodbyes. I was actually wondering if it would be okay that I went
with you and the kids.”
My jaw dropped. What was I going to do?