Holding Hands

On the morning of the parents and child activity day, little Hazel was dressed in a pink flowery dress. Her hair was braided neatly and there were flowers and butterflies hair clips in her hair.

Today, she was going to play as a flower fairy along with her classmates and they were going to perform for the parents in the big hall.

Early that morning, Teacher Qian had helped her with her dress, her hair, and her makeup. Hazel looked into the mirror and was stunned. Her cheek was slightly blushed and her lips were tinted pink. There were drawings of pink and purple flowers at the side of her eyes and it was so pretty and lifelike.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

Hazel turned to her teacher and her eyes sparkled with happiness. "I like it. Teacher Qian, thank you."

"I'm glad you like it." Edith smiled. Her hand that was about to touch the girl's face froze upon realizing that she should not ruin the makeup. Seconds later, her hand moved to pat the little girl on her back. "My Hazel looks cute as a flower fairy. I'm sure your uncle would be stunned when he sees you."

The smile on her lips stretched out. Hazel raised her head to look at the clock on the wall. Subconsciously, the smile disappeared and a slight frown appeared on her face and her hand tightened into a fist.

"Don't worry," Edith whispered. "Your uncle had promised that he will come over and accompany you today, right? He will come." She had noticed the expression on her face and knew that Hazel was worried whether her uncle will be able to make it.

"Un, I know." Hazel nodded and there was a shy smile on her face.

At this time, Teacher Guo entered the classroom and called out the students to the hall for their final rehearsal and preparation before the parents were going to fill the hall.

After sending her students to the hall, Edith walked over to the entrance to greet the parents as she was assigned to this task.

As time passed, the parents started coming to the kindergarten to fill in the hall. Edith raised her hand and frowned at the time. The show was going to start soon and she had not seen Neil yet.

Little Hazel was looking forward to seeing her uncle at her kindergarten and Edith knew that the little girl was going to be disappointed if he did not show up.

Her thought went back to their conversation early in the morning.

Hazel had reminded him one more time to come over to her kindergarten before they went to school and Neil had promised that he was going to show up before it was her turn to perform on stage.

At this time, Teacher Shen appeared with an anxious look on her face. "Teacher Qian, the show is starting soon. Is President Mo not here yet?"

In the morning, the teachers received news that President Mo of MH Group would show up at the kindergarten's event and they were excited about it. MH Group has become one of the biggest sponsors for Sunflower Kindergarten for years. Neil Mo could be said to be their special guest.

Edith shook her head and Teacher Shen let out a long sigh. "How's Hazel?"

"She might seem alright, but I caught her peeking at the audiences a few times." Teacher Shen smiled helplessly. "Headmistress Fu said that she will try to delay the kids' performance for another five minutes."

"Thank you," Edith said. "I will try to contact President Mo and wait for him here."

Teacher Shen nodded. "Then, I will leave this task to you."

Edith continued to wait at the entrance after reminding Teacher Shen to look after Hazel. She took out her phone and dialed Neil Mo's number, but that man did not pick up her call.

Just as she was about to redial his number. His familiar SUV stopped before the entrance. The driver's door swung open and a pair of long legs appeared.

"President Mo!" Edith called out his name when he finally appeared.

Neil Mo adjusted the buttons on his jacket and spoke to another person inside. "Assistant Shawn, you go and find a parking first." Then he turned around and met Edith's gaze. "Sorry. Something came up." He noticed the way she was staring at him and asked, "Am I late?"

"Yes. You are very late. The show is going to start soon and Hazel has been waiting for you," Edith spoke and noticed the man's expression changed slightly. "Come on." She grabbed at his hand and started to pull him inside. "We have to hurry. Headmistress Fu is helping to buy you some time."

Just like that, the two grownups were seen running around the school area, heading towards the big hall. The girl was dressed in jeans and a mint green t-shirt, while the man was dressed fully in suit and tie.

Neil had noticed the anxious look on Edith's face earlier and before he could say anything, he was suddenly pulled away into the kindergarten and ran.

His gaze shifted towards the hand that was holding his as they ran and suddenly, his mind went blank and Neil could only let her as Edith continued to hold his hand tight and pulled him to run.

Edith slowed her pace as they were getting near to the hall. Once they arrived, she peeked into the hall and was relieved to see that the Headmistress was still giving her speech and Hazel's performance has not yet begun.

She turned around to look at the man behind her and instinctively released her hand that was holding his. "Fortunately, we made it on time," Edith muttered as she placed a hand on her chest.

Neil stared back at his empty hand and an indescribable feeling came to his mind at the thought that they were holding hands a few moments ago.

"President Mo, you should go inside. Hazel has been waiting for you."

Her words snapped him out of his trance. Neil adjusted his suit and put his hand on the doorknob to enter.

"Hold on."

Neil turned around and stared back at Edith with a puzzled look. His pupil contracted as he watched her stood on tiptoed and leaned closer to him. Her finger brushed a side of his hair before Edith took a step back.

"Now you're ready," Edith spoke with a smile.

Neil blinked upon noticing that she was helping him to brush a strand of hair back with her hands. Just now, the two have been running and the wind had messed up with his hair a little bit.

Noticing that he was not moving, Edith helped to pull the door open. "President Mo, please, come in."