Chapter 45 Old Wounds, New Threats
She hurried over, concerned that the stranger was interacting with her son. "Ryan!" She called out before she reached them.
Her heart raced, and her protective instincts kicked in. She pushed the man away and pulled Ryan closer. "What's going on here?" Amanda asked, her voice filled with worry and suspicion.
"What is wrong with you?" The man yelled when he recovered from the stagar. He almost fell to the ground with Amanda's unexpected push.
The other kids who had gathered around looked at her curiously. "Mummy! What is it?" Tyler asked, worried?
'Mummy?" The man asked, surprised. He quickly realized the situation and tried to explain, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just chatting with Ryan here. He is a friend to my daughter."
Amanda gazed at Ryan for confirmation. The boy who had been quiet from the shock spoke. "This is Annabel's dad, Mr. Jenkins. He was just asking if I wanted to come over for a playdate with Annabel later"
Amanda's initial panic began to fade as she realized that the man was, in fact, one of their friend's fathers. She felt a bit embarrassed for jumping to conclusions.
"I'm sorry. I misinterpreted the situation." Amanda pleaded. Amanda let out a relieved sigh and smiled, feeling a mix of emotions. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jenkins. I've been a bit on edge today. Thank you for understanding."
The other kids, having witnessed the scene, started giggling. One of them, a little girl, piped up, "Is your mom a spy, Ryan? She looks so serious!"
The man nodded but it was obvious her apology was not accepted by him. "See you later kids" the man said to the kids before walking away.
"Did I ruin things for you? He is still angry right?" Amanda asked, apologetic.
"Mom, it's okay," Ryan said, trying to reassure her.
"But why are you here mom? Are you not supposed to be at work?" Adora asked.
"My boss said I could take the day off." Amanda responded.
"Why? Because you are on edge?" Tyler asked.
"No, that is not true. We worked into the night yesterday. That was why I slept out. He asked me to rest."
"Mr. Xi seems to be a nice person" Mason finally said.
"Mmmhm" Amanda nodded. "But why are you on the edge?" Tyler asked again.
"Mommy just had a little scare earlier, but everything is fine now." Amanda tried to persuade them. She put on a more relaxed demeanor and said, "Alright, kids, let's head home for some snacks and playtime."
Just as Amanda turned to leave, she suddenly bumped into someone. Startled, she looked up and found herself face to face with Mabel.
Mabel had a forced smile on her face, trying to act cheerful. "Amanda! How lovely to see you again," Mabel greeted with false cheerfulness.
Shock took control of Amanda and she could not find the right words to say. "Hey….Errm..Mabel.." She stuttered.
"Mummy, you know her?" Adora asked.
Although confused, Amanda nodded. "She is our new Art teacher. I really like her" Mason added.
"Oh," Amanda exclaimed. The information did not sit well with her but she managed to give a weak smile because of her children.
"Are these your kids?" Mabel asked, still smiling.
Adora didn't wait for her mother to respond, she quickly responded with excitement. "Yes, this is our mommy"
"You gave birth to this quadruplet? I am so happy for you." Mabel said.
Amanda was not having a good time with the situation. What she did was ringing in her head like it all happened yesterday. How Mabel left her and never came back and how she later realized she lied to her about the watch. She could have used the money for something good.
"We should leave now. I have things I need to attend to." Amanda said, gesturing to her kids to move on. She didn't bother to look at Mabel to see her reaction. After they have walked some distance, Tyler asked. "You don't like our new art teacher, do you?"
Amanda smirked. "I won't say it like that."
"But you said she seemed to know you well. Is she your friend. You have never called anybody your friend before" Ryan said.
"That is because mommy do not have friends." Mason cut in.
"But she knows miss Mabel. Does that not make her a friend to mommy?" Adora asked.
"That makes her somebody she knows, not her friend." Tyler argued.
"Okay kids, let's not argue about this. Miss Mabel used to be my friend. But we are not friends anymore."
"Why?" Adora asked.
"Did she do something bad?" Mason added.
Amanda sighed. "Yes, she hurt mommy then mommy decided not to be her friend anymore."
"Then I don't like her anymore" Adaora exclaimed.
"Me too" Ryan asked.
"I never liked her anyways, so it's all good."
Amanda became concerned about her children. She does not want them to have problems with Mabel. Now that she knows that they are her kids. The enemity might be extended to them and that is the last thing she wanted.
"Listen children" she started. Whatever happened between I and miss Mabel is between us. Leave whatever happened to the adults. Okay?"
"Yes mommy!" They all chorused.
When they got back to the house, Mrs. Roberts opened the door immediately, before they got to the entrance.
"How did you know we were back. We haven't even rang the bell." Mason said when they got inside.
"Because I was waiting for you. I saw you from the window." Their grandmother responded.
"Why were you peeping?" Rayn asked.
"Why was she waiting?" Adora asked too.
"It's nothing. Just waiting because I have missed my grandchildren. Don't you miss me?" She said giggling. She stopped when she noticed the children's faces.
"It is already weird that Mommy came to pick us. Now you were peeping. Why is everybody acting weird today?" Tyler asked?
"Nobody is. It's just…" Amanda was trying to explain the situation but was interrupted by the sound of the bell. "Who could that be?" Mrs. Roberts whispered.
"I have no idea" Amanda answered, whispering. The children all stood still confused about their mother and grandmother's reaction.
"Wait here. I will check" Mrs. Roberts continued to whisper. "Why are they whispering?" Mason asked Tyler, whispering too.
"You are whispering too" Tyler whispered. "So are you!" Mason responded, also whispering.
"It's Rowan" Mrs. Roberts whispered to Amanda.