Almost exposed
Lee Shira looked down at the little girl on his lap. But His expressionless face did not change. Although Mei Joan explained that she can only speak one word, he still wrinkled his brows that Arwen keeps on calling him daddy.
It took a couple of seconds before Lee Shira put down his laptop; hold the child's soft little body with one of his arms before he reaches her bottle of milk and gave it to her.
Watching the little girl's little hands taking the bottle of milk from him, she leaned on Lee Shira's arms like she wanted to lay down. But Arwen looked at him when he did not do anything.
Lee Shira: "..."
Lee Shira frowned, but has no choice. He secretly took a deep breath before he carefully lay the child on his arms. Her head leaning towards his chest as she stayed on his lap.
"She really likes you, Mr Lee.." Mei Joan suddenly exclaimed with amazement on her voice. She looked back at Aryen who was staring at her with an unknown look at her face. "Mrs Lee, whats wrong?"
Aryen: "..." Ugh, almost exposed..
Aryen shook her head with a smile on her face. "I was just thinking about Arwen." But her face turned gloomy; clenched her fist and seethed with anger. "How can her father live away from his child?! He is so irresponsible!"
Lee Shira: "..."
Mei Joan: "..." Why is she mad?
Lee Shira and the Mei Joan were both surprised. Lee Shira turned his head to look at her with curiosity. Added by her gloomy face, Aryen's tone of voice were loud enough to feel her anger.
With Aryen's unanticipated reaction, Mei Joan remained staring at her. Her eyes sting, Mrs Lee's tone were the same with her daughter whenever she is mad.
Mei Joan can't help but speak on her mind. 'Maybe just coincidence. Just an opinion. Right, it's just her opinion about the situation. Anyone would really think that way..'
Feeling their gaze, Aryen came back to her senses. Her heart began pumping fast while thinking. 'Lyra, relax.. Relax.. You can't be mad.. You will get exposed..'
Aryen forced a smile and said. "I'm sorry, Mrs Mei.. I know it's not my place, but I feel pity for Arwen.." There was sadness on her eyes. "I was from an orphanage, so I know the feeling growing up without parents." She tried to lie.
Hearing Aryen's explanation, Mei Joan were stunned. 'She's from an orphanage?' She said on her thoughts before smiling and nodded. "I'm sorry Mrs Lee.. Don't worry, I understand your point."
Mei Joan holds Aryen's hand and uttered. "Everyone says the same.. But her father is working hard for her future.." Her voice is faint, but something unknown can be noticed.
"Where is her mother?" Aryen courageously asked. But she can't stop her throbbing heart, despite expecting that her mother will say different than what she knows. "Why would they leave their child to you and not with their parents?"
Grief briefly appeared on Mei Joan's eyes. It had taken a couple of seconds before she answered. "Arwen's mother died after giving birth." She looked away and continued cooking.
"My nephew's parents are long gone." Mei Joan continued to speak but remained focus on her cooking. "He took his wife to run away with him."
"Of course his wife's parents are very mad with my nephew." A bitter smile appeared on Mei Joan's lips. "I understand how they feel.. No one can blame them.."
"As a parent, who wouldn't? He took away their daughter and now she's dead!" Her voice sounded cold, and the knife on the chopping board slammed, obviously cannot hide her anger.
Lee Shira: "..."
Aryen: "..." Why do I feel it's just a make up story?
Lee Shira and Aryen were taken aback due to Mrs Mei's sudden anger. It's very obvious that she is mad at her nephew.
However, Aryen furrow her brows with suspicion that her mother's words have something in it. She can only think it was a fake story.