Annie woke up the next morning to the beeping sound of her phone.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat on the bed and her hand wandered to the bedside table to reach for it. Feeling an empty space, she looked sideways, and remembered that she wasn’t in her own apartment.
She sat properly on the bed and drew out the drawer where she had tucked the device away. Picking it up, her eyes were met with several text notifications.
[Mrs. Lim, how could you leave the apartment without my consent?]
[Where are you? I’ll pick you up.]
[Why aren’t you coming back? Do you realize you have a husband.]
[Annie, if you don’t come back now, don’t blame me for locking the apartment.]
[Fine, suit yourself. I didn’t know you would go back on your promise. Are you with someone you don’t want me to know?]
[Annie, Where did you sleep?]
[Don’t you think it is wrong for you to do as you please? You really don’t value this marriage, huh?]
The man was obviously irritated. The last two messages were from minutes ago. Annie suppressed a sigh and left the bed before ambling into the bathroom.
When she was done getting ready for the day, she picked up her phone, but no message came in again.
She was about to press the reply button, but as if changing her mind, she simply dropped the phone inside her shorts pocket.
Laughter and chatters came from outside the building, and she left for the kitchen where she met breakfast waiting for her. After eating, she washed the plates and put them away.
“Pretty Ann, I’m dreaming, right? Is this really you?”
Annie was on her way down the stairs when she walked into the boy.
“This is a great day, no wonder the sun is shining brightly outside. So you have moved back.”
“Nope. Just spending the weekend.” Annie shook her head. “Have you been doing well, Chen?”
The boy put on a sad look. “Stop asking about my well-being, Pretty Ann. Since you left this building, I no longer have the desire to live happily. I have also failed Pretty Ann by not stopping Mr. Su that night.”
Chen was still mad at himself that he couldn’t do anything when Mr. Su and his fat wife were here to break down Mrs. Lin’s store.
He also had to watch bitterly as Mrs. Su bullied his goddess. The person he blamed the most was his mother. If his mother was as brave as him, he would be more than happy. The woman was just a worrywart.
“I hope Pretty Ann forgives me. When I become bigger and stronger, Pretty Ann can be rest assured that no one will bully her anymore.”
Annie laughed at the serious look on the boy’s face. “Don’t get into any trouble, Xiao Chen. Do you want to make Mrs. Ming worry?”
“But, Pretty Ann-“
“Have you seen Dylan, by the way?” Annie put on a frown. “You know where he is, right?”
“Huh?” The boy looked dumbfounded for a few seconds. “No, I don’t know where he is.” Now, he was looking guilty. “Pretty Ann, don’t worry about Dylan, that guy can fend for himself. In the meantime, let me take care of you. Can I buy you a Cola now?”
Annie’s confusion grew, staring at the boy’s expression. “You’re not hiding anything from me, right?”
“How can I do that?” Chen avoided her eyes. “Pretty Ann, you’re my soulmate. Even if I’ll hide anything from anyone, I won’t hide it from you. Because It is like committing a grave sin.”
Annie didn’t believe him.
But she left him alone and brought out her phone to try Dylan’s number. It was still unreachable.
“So which one would you prefer? A chilled Cola or an iced one?” Chen hurried after her.
Annie was distracted as another message popped up on her phone.
[Annie, are you keen on angering me?]
Annie shook her head and finally sent a reply.
[Mr. Lim, stop acting like a baby. I’m spending the weekend at X District. If Mr. Lim could leave the apartment as he pleases, why should I be obliged to seek your permission before going out?]
After pressing the send button, she waited for his reply but it didn’t come. Annie put the phone back into her pocket and she lifted her head to see Little Chen staring at her with a big frown.
“Pretty Ann, you’re not cheating on me, right?”
“Little Chen, where is the spatula I asked you to bring?” Mrs. Ming walked up to them. When she saw her son with Annie, the woman sighed helplessly.
“I have been waiting for minutes now, do you want my customers to go away?”
Mrs. Ming had a small stand outside the building where she sold pancakes every morning. Several minutes ago, she realized that her favorite spatula was missing.
After begging the boy to help her retrieve it, who knew he would find something more interesting to do instead?
“Mum, leave me alone. Can’t you see I’m busy with Pretty Ann?”
“Come on, my boy, I didn’t mean to interrupt you. But the customers can’t wait,” Mrs. Ming said in a helpless tone.
If she could race up the stairs and retrieve the spatula herself, Mrs. Ming wouldn’t bother the boy. But her legs were too weak to carry her that fast.
“Forget it. I’ll do it myself.”
“Chen, why can’t you be nice to your mother?” Annie stared at him.
The boy pursed his lips and looked between Annie and the woman. “Argh! I’ll only do it because of you, Pretty Ann. The spatula is not even good-looking.” He turned around and raced up the stairs.
Mrs. Ming let out a sigh of relief. “You’re an angel, Annie. How I wish you can become my Chen’s wife in the future. Then you’ll be able to lecture him to always do the right things.”
Mrs. Ming didn’t care about age. This girl was so beautiful that she even doubted if she would age soon.
If only Annie could wait for a few more years until her boy fully grew into a man, Mrs. Ming couldn’t be happier.
“Now I understand why the boy’s brain is twisted. It turns out it’s in the blood,” Someone said in a mockery tone behind the woman.
Mrs. Ming turned around, her expression changing. “Mrs. Tan, watch your mouth. Do you have a problem with my Chen or what?”