The Zoo

"Mia, what are you doing, hm?"

Mia, who was busy staring at the book in her hand while quietly eating her snack, immediately turned her head in surprise when she looked at the beautiful woman who had just greeted her with a slightly scared look.

Realizing that her sudden appearance had made Mia a little scared, Ruby smiled helplessly when the woman tried to sit next to Mia, who kept looking down at the floor after the child realized her presence. Ruby carefully tried to study Mia's expression before she spoke again in the softest tone she could.

"Mia, do you want to go for a walk? There are lots of places that you can enjoy out there. You can go to the beach and play in the water or the forest to enjoy the scenery. Now, where do you want to go? I will accompany you wherever you want to go."

Ruby had tried to talk as intimately as possible with Mia, who sometimes unknowingly still kept her distance from her presence. But once again, Ruby had to swallow her disappointment when Mia shook her head slowly to reply to her words.

"No, no need, Auntie... I... I'm fine."

Ruby smiled as Mia tried to avoid it by giving an excuse while continuing to stare at the floor. Ruby could see that the child was still really uncomfortable talking to her. It was also her fault. During Mia's rehabilitation period, she and her husband could not always accompany Mia because of their busy schedules.

Not to mention that even though they were not very similar, Ruby had a similarity to Mia's father. Ruby was afraid that Mia would think of her as David, so Mia would always try to avoid her.

That worry was what made Ruby willing to take a day off in the middle of her work just to try to build a deeper relationship with her niece. She even dragged her husband to take a day off with her so that the three of them could go have fun somewhere.

So when Mia tried to reject her offer, Ruby was determined not to give up so easily.

"Don't be like that. I have free time but am confused about where to go. Now, do you have a place you want to visit? We can go together. Please help me choose a good place, okay?" Ruby said enthusiastically. The woman even secretly pinched her child, who was reading a book next to Mia, so that Enzo would help her persuade Mia. Mia's psychologist also advised her to take Mia out of the house often. Her skin was very pale due to lack of sunlight, and Mia also needed to socialize with the environment around her so that she could progress to a further stage.

Seeing his mother's persistence, Enzo took a deep breath before closing the book in his hand. The teenager faced Mia, his hand gently stroking the child's hair so that he would get Mia's attention.

"Mom and Dad want to make up for not being able to be with you by going on a trip this time, Mia. Um, how about you guys go to the zoo? You always wanted to see the animals you see on television, right? It's a fun place. You can play with cute rabbits like the ones we saw in the movies back then."

Hearing the words zoo and rabbits, Mia's eyes lit up a little as she continued to stare at Enzo's face. She continued to weigh her options until she made her decision.

"I want to," the girl whispered. Ruby's heart screamed happily as she widened her smile when she looked at Mia.

"Zoo? Okay, I will ask Uncle to get ready. We're going to the zoo, okay? Enzo, are you coming with us?"

Enzo, who was busy staring at Mia's embarrassed face, turned his head, shaking his head slowly as he answered.

"I have a test this afternoon. I'll catch up with you guys after the test. Mia, you go with Mom and Dad first, okay? I'll catch up later. Then, we can have fun afterward," Enzo said while looking back at Mia at the end of his sentence. Mia wanted to change her mind after hearing Enzo's answer. However, Enzo's gentle smile and the man's whisper of 'It's okay' made her remain silent and believe Enzo's words.

After getting ready, Ruby refused the offer from her subordinates when they offered to accompany Ruby on her outing. Mia's psychologist always reminded her that Mia needed time to lose her guard around people around her. With fewer people, the chances of Mia relaxing would be higher.