Chapter 21
Teresa shot Miriam a stern look, silently telling her to keep the conversation away from the child.
Minam didn’t seem bothered, assuming a two year old wouldn’t understand their talk
Michael, curious, pulled at Teresa’s hand. “Mommy, what are you talking about? Did you bring honey with you?” His eyes were wide with innocence.
Teresa’s mind drifted back to the heated, intimate moments of their marriage when Jongthan had teased her with a sultry playfulness,
“Honey, I can tell I’ve found your sweet spot. You can’t tell me I’m wrong, can you?” he’d murmured, his voice a seductive whisper in the darkness.
“Maybe you’re not entirely off the mark,” she’d breathed, her voice wavering as she struggled to maintain a semblance of control.
“Come on, honey, admit it. You’re loving every second of this, he’d urged, his grin a mix of mischief and desire,
“Okay, okay, you’ve got me. I’m loving this, she’d conceded, her laughter replaced by a soft moan of pleasure
Michael’s curious voice broke through Teresa’s reverie, his hand gently touching her flushed cheek. “Mommy, why is your face so red?”
Teresa, feeling a bit embarrassed, cleared her throat and dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand. “It’s nothing, honey,” she said, sipping her water to avoid further questions.
After a two–hour journey, they arrived in Jarisburg and found themselves in a sea of people as they left the train station. The place was bustling with crowds filling every available space
Miriam frowned amid the crowd at the train station. “Nice timing, Teresa. It’s packed on weekends. How are we supposed to have fun like this? Can’t even get tickets for the Candy Castle, she grumbled, frustration clear in her voice.
“Maybe we should’ve just gone to Silvar, it wouldn’t have been such a zoo, she added, her gaze sweeping over the sea of heads.
Teresa, with Michael in her arms, looked around at the chrongs of people and sighed. “It’s a madhouse here. We’re gonna need to grab a hotel room quick”
Miriam nodded, her fingers already scrolling on her phone. I’m on it
They’d forgotten to book a hotel in the rush. Now, the harsh reality of trying to find a room on the fly was setting in, with most places showing no available rooms.
lord with worry. Beads of sweat dotted Teresa’s forehead from the heat and the weight of her child. “Any hotels available?” she asked, her voice edged
Miriam’s expression turned ghim. “They’re all booked solid. We should’ve looked into this earlier
Teresa let out a bit of frauration,” said you shouldn’t have wasted time playing games on the train.”
Miriam shot back, “You weren’t exactly strategizing either, always glued to your phone.
Michael, his face flushed, pulled off his mask. “Mommy, I really need to pee,” he complained, pulling on Teresa’s sleeve.
Feeling the same urgency, Teresa guided him to the restrooms, leaving Miriam to find a hotel and join them later.
The men’s room had a massive line, while the women’s was almost empty
Teresa swiftly guided Michael to the women’s rocin, intent on keeping a watchful eye on him in the crowded space.
Michael stopped, stubborn. “Mommy, I want to go to the boys‘ room. That is for girls,” he insisted, pointing to the symbol for the women’s room.
Teresa kept her voice low, trying to reason with him. “It’s okay, nobody will notice.”
But Michael was adamant. “I’m a big boy now. I’ll use the boys room!” he stated, his tone serious and sure.
Teresa feh awkward as she and her child waited in line for the men’s room, drawing puzzled looks from the men present
While Michael was inside, she wished she could melt into the floor. Then, a familiar voice interrupted her discomfort.
Teresa, is that really you?” Edward’s surprise was evident.
She turned a mix of emotions on her face. “Hey, Edward”
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Edward, who could spot Teresa’s striking features in any crowd, seemed perplexed. “What brings you to the men’s room line?” he asked.
“1. Well Teresa stammered, glancing nervously toward the restroom. The moment she saw Michael exit, she quickly closed the gap, scooped him up, and moved them off to the side.
Leaning in close, Teresa whispered to Michael, her words a secret between them.
Edward, with a creased forehead, closed in on them. “Teresa, what’s going on?” he inquired.
Teresa pivoted and swiftly introduced Michael. “Edward, meet Michael, Miriam’s nephew. She brought him along for a good time and invited me to big along”
Hearing Miriam’s name. Edward was taken aback. He then looked at Michael, who was bundled up in a hat, mask, and sunglasses, making him look more like a pint–sized spy than a kid on a casual day our
Edward pointed at Michael’s layers and questioned, “I’t it too warm for all that gear!”
Teresa shook her head gently. “He’s got a heat rash. Miriam wanted to make sure hes fully covered; she explained.
Guiding Michael with a
a light touch on his hand. Teresa encouraged him. “Michael, wave hello to Mr. Lawrence
Michael, taking his cue from Teresa, looked sip and greeted Edboard with a shy “Hi, Mr. Lawrence.
Edward chuckled and waved a hand casually. You can just call me Edward, linle man
Michael responded with a well–mannered, “Hi Edward”
Teresa’s frown deepened, her posture hunting that she was about to step in and end the interaction.
Miriam’s call interrupted the moment. Teresat She rushed over, having come to look for them after waiting for what felt like too long
Edward found himself in the spotlight as Miriam’s eyes lit up upon seeing him. “Eddie! What are you doing here! Are you just visiting jrsburg?“
With a casual shrug, Edwand replied, “Nah, I’m just tagging along with my cousin. He’s here for work, and I’m along for the fun
Teresa cast a reproachful glance at Miram, silently expressing her discontent with the possibility of encountering Jonathan in ihr city. Miriam responded with a helpless shrug, jinst as surprised by the news,
Given Jonathan’s high–profile position and frequent business trips, it wasn’t surprising to find laim in a bustling city like Jarisburg-
Miriam found it quite a coincidence thun Jonathan and Teresa both ended up in the city at the same time, but was glad he didn’t take the train which could have led to an awkward situation.
Miriam changed the subject to their current predicament. “We’re hotel hunting with no luck. It’s a zo out there—all the hotels are completely full
Edward offered a solution. “What about staying as Jonathan’s place! It’s a nice courtyard house. I can call and see if it’s an option..
Teresa
a dismissed the offer with a firm shake of her head. “Don’t bother. Minum and I will find a hotel
was a rare opportunity for her to travel with Michael, and the chance of humping into his father in this particular clay out of so many across the country was an extraordinary coincidence
Edward, casting a glance at the bundled–up chill, painted out, “If you don’t stay there, her nephew could be sleeping on the sidewalk tonight”
“Nephew?” Miriam’s brow lifted, intrigued.
Teresa smoothly clarified. “Right, Miriam’s nephew is only two. We can’t leave him without a place to stay.”
Miriam caught on to Teresa’s quick thinking and silently approved, impressed with Teresa’s wit in passing Michael off as her nephew.
With a chuckle, Miriam threw out an idea. “Then let’s bank at Jonathan’s. He must have dropped a bundle on a sweet courtyard house”
Edward couldn’t help but boost, “You mean 500 million. He sounded like he was the one who’d written the check
Teresa let out a whistle. “That’s no small sum. Let’s head there, then
Teresa felt a bile out of sorts, but she decided to just go along with it
On the cab ride to downtown, Teresa grew quiet, leaving Edward to direct the driver. Checking his phone, he announced they’d arrived at their destination
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Stepping mut. Edward quickly spoke with the housekeeper of the courtyard house, showing his driving license. After a brief conversation, the housekeeper ushered them in and guided them through the property.
Miriam entered the expansive estate, her eyes widening in amazement. “This is incredible?” she exclaimed, her voice brinuning with wonder. “It’s
enormous”
The sprawling estate featured grand wings extending east and west, each graced with hot springs and pands alive with vibrant fish, a testament to opulence. Further in a sumptuous living room, a modern kitchen, and an expansive dining area beckoned for their enjoyment.
Teresa, her hand firmly around Michael’s, felt a swell of admiration. Jonathan had truly made it to the top: he was a success story
Miriam, still grinning, turned to Edward and guessed. This place mist be enormous, right? fi’s got to be over 1200 square yards”
Edward, as they entered the second courtyard, admitted, “Not sure exactly. This is my first time here too Just then, bis phone buzzed in his pocket.
He took it out to see Jonathan” flashing on the screen
Teresa gently pulled Edward’s arm, signaling for him to keep her presence discreet
When Edward answered the phone with a casual “Hey, Jonathan. Teresa seized the moment. She quietly sook Michael’s hand and guided them to a quieter spot, steering clear of Edward’s ongoing conversation.
Edward spoke into the phone, nodding. The housekeeper must’ve given you a heads–up. Yeah, I’m at your new courtyard house“:
His expression shifted, becoming somber as he listened to what Jonathan was saying on the other end.
With a sigh. Edward acknowledged. Yeah, I understand, his tone tinged with disappointment, his lower lip protruding just a bit.
As soon as the call ended, Teresa quickly inquired. “So, what’s the scoop What did he tell you
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