Chapter 6 6

Nora's POV

"Hey Mirabel, you're here so early," I said, smiling like the fool I am. I went ahead and picked my cutest chubby cheeks, Ariel Wright.

"Yeah, I had to come early. Haha! After all, it's a big day for us all," Mirabel replied, as she stepped in with Aiden Wright by her side, looking more like a bodyguard than a son.

"You are right, Abel; it's a big, big day," I mumbled, patting Ariel's hair behind her, and she smiled at me. Aww... my heart melted.

"A cute, chubby cheeks! You're just too adorable," I complimented, and she blushed and then looked away bashfully.

"Oh, my God! Darling, can you not always take my poor heart? I've been struck by the arrow of your adorable face."

I said, holding onto my chest like a love-struck little girl, and Ariell burst into laughter, while Aiden, as usual, rolled his dark eyes at me.

"Hey, Nora, who's at the door?" Mom yelled, and I practically covered my ears.

Gosh, her voice is just too loud!' I thought inwardly and grinned sheepishly at Mirabel when I realized she was raising her brows at me.

"It's Mirabel and the twins," I yelled back, and I heard Mom's laughter.

Well, you are right about your thinking. Mum is obsessed with the twins. She praised them now and then.

Take them out shopping, and would always like to babysit them as grandma does.

Funny how Aiden's poker face doesn't even affect her.

"Ooh! It's my grandchildren. Where are my babies?" Mom inquired, beaming lovingly as she stepped out of the kitchen.

She pulled off the apron around her neck and hung it on the wall, which had nails stuck to it.

"Aiden," she called, grinning affectionately,, and he made a curt nod at her before greeting.

"Good morning, Grandmother Cynthia," he said, and she broke out into a pleasant smile as she held onto his chubby cheeks.

He didn't even bother to smile back. What a bratty child!

"How was your night, little one? Hope you slept well. Did you eat the congee recipe I sent you last night?"

Mum asked, and he gently nodded and remained silent. Mum turned towards her favorite.

"Good morning, Grandmother Cynthia. Hope you had a wonderful sleep? The banana cake you sent me last night was yummy. I ate every single box. Ariel loves it."

Ariel clobbered before Mum could even say anything. She agilely jumped out of my arms and then ran into Mum's already spread arms.

"That's great to hear, my little princess of nature. And Grandma had a wonderful night. Did Ariel also sleep well?"

"Yes, yes, Grandmother Cynthia, Ariel slept well in her Mama's arms. She had a wonderful dream about magic. Ariel was a fairy princess of light in the dream world."

"Hahaha, not just in dreams, baby, you are a fairy princess of light in real essence. But..."

Mum halted, tapping her index finger playfully on her cheek, mimicking Ariel's usual gesture.

"But what about Grandmother Cynthia?" Ariel asked. Her big, round, watery eyes looked curious as she stared at Mom with full interest and attention.

"But the little princess of lights here is a cute, naughty one," Mum whispered to her, but loud enough for us to hear.

Everyone burst into laughter, and then I noticed Noah, my twin brother, and Joshua, my dad's appearance.

"Good morning, Mrs Timothy,'' Mirabel greeted, and Mum just nodded at her before taking the kids to the dining room.

I peeked over at Mirabel, and she didn't look bothered by it. I still haven't comprehended why Mom often behaves poorly with her.

"Good morning to Mr Joshua and Noah," Mirabel said, and Dad smiled brightly at her, relaxing the awkward ambiance.

"Good morning, Mirabel. How do you feel today? Not cold anymore?" Dad asked, and she nodded.

"I feel much better, Mr. Timothy. Thanks for the herbal proposition," Mirabel replied.

"My pleasure. Although I still don't know why you won't call me dad like others do. Despite knowing each other for about six years,"

Dad snorted, and I almost laughed out loud at his berating utterance.

Expecting Mirabel to correct her mode of addressing him, she didn't say anything but only smiled at him.

"I'll see to that," she later let out.

"You better do," Dad snarled, walking away to the dining room, leaving just the three of us.

Mirabel tried strutting outside, but I pulled her back

"What do I not know? Did you catch a cold? Why didn't you tell me? How come Dad knows and I don't? I thought I was the one who was your friend."

I blurted out, looking furious. I felt somewhat angry for being kept in the dark. My friendship with Mirabel began years ago.

I could remember the moment when Noah and I found her lost on the street near the national stadium.

She was dressed raggedy, and her clothes almost couldn't cover her body, but despite that, she didn't look any less stunning.

Noah was drawn towards her and had pulled me over with him to talk to her, only to discover she had no idea about who she was or where she lived. She only knew her name was Mirabel.

Backtrack to six years ago, the new stadium street.

"No, stop it, Noah, you can't tell Mom. Nope, no one must find out."

I screamed at Noah, and his shoulders quivered while trying to hold back his laughter.

"Lips zipped, I promised not to. But hell, Nora, how could you have done that? Placing your clothes in his bag, plus underclothes, that's absurd."

He mocked me and I felt embarrassed.

"I was foolishly crushing on him, Noah, you can't blame me. Marcus wasn't paying any attention to me. He didn't even notice me and he's damn hot and sexy. I couldn't help it."

I said, looking remorseful.

"Now what? He thinks of you as some obsessed dupe. That's a chagrin."

He taunted me and I felt upset.

"Can't you see how miserable I am right now? Can you not act like a sadist and comfort me?"

I yelled, but I discovered Noah wasn't even listening to me again. His concentration was now focused on a lady with black hair.

Her hair was distinctively long to her waist, and part of her hair was covering her face as she sat in a corner, curled in a ball, while clasping herself.

Her facial features weren't visible due to the distance. But her almost gold-shining skin type couldn't escape my scrutinizing gaze.

"Who sits under the scorching hot sun during summer? Is she heartbroken like me, or is she sunbathing?"

I asked Noah, and he looked at me amused.