Chapter 3

Six years later.

Mrs Ashton owns a small local restaurant in the countryside. She has been in the business for more than twenty years now and is managed by her.

Although the local restaurant isn't flooded like before as Mrs Ashton sales went down despite that she managed the little sales to run the house hold expenses.

This afternoon, the small local restaurant was somehow occupied with a few customers seated while having their orders.

Behind the counter, Mrs Ashton stepped out from the kitchen carrying a tray of dishes in her hands, moving to the counter. "Dennis, there's an order in table seven! Take it there!" Mrs Ashton dropped the tray on the counter.

"Alright. I will get their order." The young lady said, coming from the left side as she was done serving the customers at the other table their orders.

Mrs Ashton stared at the young lady who looked fragile walking towards the counter.

Mrs Ashton sighed in her heart. "You should get some rest. Anyways Dennis can do it. What is he paid for?"

"I'm not a tired Mom, you don't need to bother, I'm fine. Dennis can't serve four customers at the same time, right? Let me do it." Kaylee said with a smile. She was about to pick up the tray when Mrs Ashton stopped her.

Evidently, Kaylee's face is pale and covered by sweat but didn't let her weakness shows. Mrs Ashton frowned slightly and then scolded. "How can you say that? You just returned from one of your jobs and didn't take a rest just to help out in the restaurant. C'mon, go rest now. Moreover, the kindergarten must have closed at this hour."

Hearing this, Kaylee's eyes went wide open. It was at this moment Kaylee remembered what time it was when her eyes went to the clock which rested on the wall at the other side.

"Shit! I can't be late! Mom, I have to leave right now." Kaylee quickly pulled off the apron on her body.

Mrs Ashton smiled. "Yes, you have to. You better be quick, otherwise, you will be in an unfriendly mood today."

Kaylee abandoned the apron on the counter and turned to leave but she didn't move further when she saw a little girl at the entrance who looked upset.

Kaylee's mouth was hung open without knowing what rightful word to say to the girl. She went to the little girl to apologize but she wasn't given the chance to say her words as the little girl walked past her.

The little girl moved to the counter. "Good day, Grandma." Ellie greeted Mrs Ashton.

"Oh, my little granddaughter! How are you doing?" 

"I'm fine Grandma."

Mrs Ashton walked out of the counter to Ellie. She bent to the level of the kid. "How was school today? Hope those kids didn't bully you?" 

"No Grandma. No kids in my school dare to bully me because I am strong." Ellie said with a smile. She raised her arm and inserted energy into her tiny muscle.

Mrs Ashton couldn't help but chuckle at the tiny muscle and she was convinced, seeing the braveness that glowed in the little girl's body.

"Alright, that's great. I know, you're tired after having a lot to study today so what would you like to have for lunch?" Mrs Ashton questioned, taking Ellie to the empty table close to the counter.

"Egg benedict and potato pancake." Ellie said, grinning at Mrs Ashton who pulled a seat for her to sit on.

Mrs Ashton smiled back at Ellie. "Okay. I will go make them now. Wait for a few minutes. I won't delay." Mrs Ashton assured her.

Mrs Ashton looked up at Kaylee who was still standing at the entrance. She twisted her head to the side as a sign for Kaylee to come to the little girl.

Kaylee beamed at her mother.

Mrs Ashton fondly patted twice on Ellie's head before creating a space for Kaylee and Ellie.

Kaylee walked to Ellie. She noticed the little girl still had her backpack resting on the back. She was about to pull the backpack from Ellie's back when the little girl was fast enough to do it herself.

Watching her daughter who smiled to her mother earlier, now had a upset look in Mrs Ashton absence.

Kaylee knew Ellie was upset with her after making a promise to her earlier in the morning that she would come to pick her up from school. How could she not keep to her promise? Although Kaylee had so many part-time jobs she did that occupied her time but she can't dare to defend herself.

Kaylee squatted down next to Ellie. "I see, Jonah did well for bringing you here. I should thank him well. Hope you are okay?"

She waited for an answer for a long while before saying to the little girl who didn't spare a glance at her. "I'm sorry Ellie. I know I have failed you the third time. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me."

There was silence again from the little girl.

"Are you going to keep mute forever towards me? I said I'm sorry for failing you."

"Ellie is in not in friend mood." The little girl said without taking a glance at her mother. 

Kaylee sighed wearily again before saying. "I'm still sorry, I'm sorry sweetheart. Please forgive me and switch to friend mood else you want me to be sad."

When Ellie heard Kaylee's voice sounded weak and sincere. She turned to the side and stared at Kaylee.

"I don't want you to be sad. I'm not upset that you didn't come to pick me up because Ellie knows Mama has a lot of jobs to do. I'm just upset that you made a promise and couldn't keep up with it. Please don't make a promise you can't keep whether big or small because Ellie doesn't like it." Ellie looked upset.

Kaylee's heart couldn't stop breaking, seeing Ellie not happy. She took Ellie's hands. "Alright, Mama won't make false promises to you anymore." She pulled Ellie into a warm embrace. "Thanks, sweetheart for talking to Mama again." Kaylee placed a gentle kiss on Ellie's head.

After a long while embracing each other, Ellie slowly pulled herself out before saying. "Ellie is now in a friend mood. Look at." She smiled heartily. 

Kaylee didn't know when a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "That's my pretty girl. Mama loves to see Ellie's smile."

"And Ellie love to see Mama smile."

Kaylee lifted her hand to cupped Ellie's cheek. "Thanks my pretty girl."

Ellie grinned as her small white teeth revealed which made her look adorable whenever she smiles.

"Mama are you still going to the store?" 

Kaylee seemed reluctant to answer the little girl for a short time. "Yes, that would be later. Is there a problem?"

Ellie shook her head. "No. I want to get some comic books for myself." 

"Then we'll go together."

"Really?" 

"Yes, Ellie!"

Just as Kaylee and Ellie were giggling and chatting Mrs Ashton walked to them as she dropped the tray of egg benedict and potato pancake with a soft drink on the table.

"Enjoy your meal, Ellie." Mrs Ashton said.

Ellie looked up at Mrs Ashton with a wide smile and nodded obediently. "Thanks, Grandma. Ellie will always love Grandma! Pretty Granny!"

The little girl is at it again! How could Ellie say she looks pretty when she is fifty already? Surely she is sweet-mouthed!

Mrs Ashton snorted softly and then said. "Thanks, Ellie. Have the meal and give me a rate later. I will be waiting for you." 

"Grandma's meal always tastes great! That rate will never change!"

"Alright. Alright. I will leave now." Mrs Ashton said and then left.

As Mrs Ashton leaves, Ellie starts gnawing on the food without minding her mother's presence.

Kaylee gulped down hard as she was dying to have a taste of the egg benedict and potato pancake.

"Ellie, Won't you give Mama a little?" Kaylee questioned slowly in an awkward way as if counting her words.

When Ellie heard her mother, she stopped eating, looked up at Kaylee, and then shook her head. "No, Mama should buy some for herself."

She returned her gaze to the food and continued eating. "This wouldn't be enough for two." 

Kaylee was stunned. Her long eyelashes didn't stop blinking blankly at Ellie who was gnawing on the food greedily.

Sure enough, Ellie is always stingy when it comes to Egg benedict and potato pancake since it was her favorite and only made in Mrs Ashton's restaurant. When Mrs Ashton learned about Ellie's favorite meal, She always made them herself for Ellie. Kaylee and her brother, Max had hardly got to have Egg benedict and potato pancake in Ashton's house but the arrival of the little girl made it an everyday meal for herself. It was a special treatment! 

For this reason, Kaylee and Max couldn't stop being envious of the grandmother and granddaughter's relationship.

After a short thought, Kaylee scoffed. "Must you be this stingy?"

Ellie played a dumb ear as she was still eating and didn't even spare Kaylee a glance this time around. 

Watching the little girl devouring the meal, Kaylee couldn't stand it anymore and left as she went to serve the two new customers who just walked in.