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Thread: Daddy's & Mommy's Little Angel

  1. #1
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Talking Daddy's & Mommy's Little Angel

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    Forewords

    This is a light hearted fanfic that is partially from a four years old point of view of the world around her. From her innocent and naive mind, she thinks that the world would be just perfect as long as her parents is together forever. But the only problem is that her parents is not married and do not live together. Therefore her main goal is to fight off any female that come close to her daddy to make sure that her daddy only belong to her mommy and her.

    After seeing her dream slowly come true, she thought that she is the luckiest kid around, until one deep secrete came to reality and snatched her dream away. She then learn the real meaning between a father and daughter relationship. And how to wager between the love of her biological father and the father that she has always called daddy.
    *********

    Character profiles:

    Ava Koo Chan: 4 years old. Sweet, innocent, nosy, naive, and could be a bit demanding, cranky, and grouchy. Live with her mother Annie and her uncle Louii. She only have one dream and wishes, which is to have a normal family where both of her parents could live with her together and forever.

    Annie Koo (Man): A mistrust of her college boyfriend and one over dose of alcohol, gave her a sweet daughter that she cherish forever and a difficult problem to solve. She has never believe in getting marry just cause of responsibility, therefore she decide to be a single parent. But she has gotten the support through her brother and friends, especially Benny Chan, who she believe was the father.

    Benny Chan: He has always believe that Ava was his daughter and rised her with lots of love. Even though he is a lazy and playboyish father, he has tries his best to not do so in front of his daughter. After noticing the chance of losing the one he has cherish most, he finally realize how important his daughter and best friend Annie is to his life. His personality changed and became more secure and responsible hoping that there is still enough time for him to change his future. He is willing to do anything to keep his family together forever.

    Julian Cheung: A wealthy businessmen that will gain a great deal of inheritance if he have a child. After parting from his college sweetheart five years ago, he bumped back into her and her four years old daughter in the middle of the sidewalk. Seeing the age of Ava having high chance of being his, he is willing to do anything to get her back and to inherite the wealth.

    Sonija Kwok: Julian wife, marry him cause of his wealth. She will do anything to gain more status and money. She never like children, but cause of what Ava could offer, she changed her mind about being a stepmother.

    other characters:

    Louis Koo
    Charmaine Sheh
    Raymond Lam
    Michelle Yip
    Flora Chan
    Steven Ma
    **********

    <font size="1">[ April 03, 2003: Message edited by: Yak ]</font>

  2. #2
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Chapter 1: Meeting My Family

    Warmly, a toasty ray shines through the blind aiming directly onto a drowsily sleeping young mother. Her hand swings over to scratch her cheek feeling the ticklish warmth. The small room was peaceful and quiet until the digital alarms slowly count toward eight setting off an annoying loud continuous beep. The first reaction of the overly exhausted mother was to pull her blanket over her head and tries to ignore the annoying sound. After lazily lies on bed for about three minutes she finally opened her drowsy eyes with an immediate yawn coming along with her stretched arms.

    Quickly the twenty-three years old shut off the annoying alarm and dragged herself off of bed. With slumped shoulder, she sleepily walked out of her room heading to the room that is across from hers, while she yawned. She slowly open the room and stick her messy and sleepy head in to peek at her daughter who is sleeping peacefully under her Hello Kitty comforter with her right leg dangling from the edge of the bed. The mother smile and shake her head as she walked to the four years old and pushed her leg back up. She rolled the child inner so she can sleep with her.

    The little girl moaned and rolled over with a sleepy smile to welcome her mother. Her forehead wrinkled showing a concerned frown, "Mommy you're sleeping on JJ, see her hand is sticking out under you. JJ are you okay?" her sweet innocent voice asked.

    Her mom giggled and rolled closer to her and hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry JJ, Ava did she got up yet?" asked the mother, playing along with her daughter imaginary friend named JJ.

    "Yeah mommy, you can lay back down now," Ava cheerfully said. Her mom smiles and rolled back to her original position as she looked at her daughter sparkling eyes. Ava snuggled tightly to her mom and closed her eyes, "Mommy, JJ say she like you a lot."

    "Really? Maybe I should go make breakfast for her then huh?" she sited upright and pulled Ava up. "Come on lets get the beautiful day started, why don't you go brush first, I'll go start the coffee for your uncle Louis, he probably need it since he didn't come home till almost morning." The young mother stands up and heading out.


    Ava stand up on her bed and started to jump, "Mommy is uncle Louii up yet? He promised to take me to the park today!"

    Her mother quickly walked back to her bed and grabs her hand, "Ava stop jumping. Remember how you fall off last time? Come on lets go brush up." Her mom guided her to the bathroom

    "It wasn't my fault, uncle Louii pushed me off!" claimed the pouting four years old.

    The mother laughed as she squeeze the toothpaste out for her and hand it to her, "I am sure it was just an accident, now brush up. I'll go get breakfast ready," she lifted Ava up to stand on the little stool in front of the sink.

    Ava shake her head vigorously, "No, he did it on purpose when he saw that girl come over, why do uncle Louii like girl so much?" she stare at her mom for an answer.

    Her mom just giggled at her question, "Maybe you should ask him yourself. Hurry up and brush, so I can brush after you are done." she walked out toward the kitchen to get the coffee started.

    The child returns to her invisible friend once her mother is not there to accompany her, "Sorry about my mommy squashing you like that, she didn't mean it. JJ, you know you should show yourself so she can see you. Isn't my mommy nice? She's making breakfast for us!" she brushed and spit out the bubble. "Don't you think mommy know lots of things? She could cook, she knows stories about knights and princess, she knows how to make flowers pretty, and she know how to get daddy to listen." Ava gurgled and spit out the water. "She is very old too and tall. But don't you think she is pretty? My daddy is pretty too." Her forehead show a bit of uncertain, "I don't think you meet him yet, but don't worry I'll introduce you to him, and you will love him too. But he is a bit messy and sloppy sometime, you just need to look at him at a different angle and he will look very pretty just like my mommy."

    "Ava hurry up hon!" yelled her mother from the kitchen after hearing her whispering voice talking to herself.

    "Kay mommy!!" Ava shouted back. Sneakily she giggled with a wicked idea in mind. Standing on her tiptoe she reached over the sink to grab her mom lipstick, after her chubby fingers got a hold of it, an evil grin lightened her face mischievously. She whispered, "JJ lets go wake uncle Louii. He is the second laziest person in this world cause my daddy is the most laziest one of all, at least mommy think so."

    "You will like uncle Louii, he is funny and love to take me out to have fun, at least he like to when no girl is around for him to go after. My uncle Louii love girls, he considers himself as babe magnets, whatever that mean," she giggled, "But aunty Charm didn't think so. I need to warn you about uncle Louii and aunty Charm, they both love to argue for no reason, but it was pretty entertaining, unless I am the reason they argued. Like that one time when aunty Charm give me an ice cream cone and uncle Louii would took it away and say it too cold for me to have, but he give it back to me after he made aunty Charm mad and stormed away angrily."

    She sighed with a frown, "I hate it cause it take them forever to finish their argument and my ice cream cone has melted half way already by the time they are done. I don't get his purpose in making aunty Charm mad at all. Oh well, adult are so weird anyway. Come on lets go see what he is doing." Ava jumped off the stool and walked out of the bathroom heading toward Louis room to open the door and step in with an evil giggle. As she climbed onto his bed and sat herself on Louis chest, she grinned and took the lid off of the lipstick. "This will make you a bit prettier uncle Louii, I bet the girls will come after you instead. Everyone always say you are a bit too dark, so this will help," she slowly traced Louis lips as she giggled and her hand became shaky.

    "Maybe a bit on the cheek too," she bend down trying to draw two red hearts that turned out like a blob. Louis turn his head cause he felt ticklish on his face, he was still half asleep and rubbing his face with his hand. Ava cover her mouth as she giggled. "Uh oh, he is waking up, lets run JJ," she stand up and about to climb off his bed but Louis has waken up and pulled her back down.

    The twenty-seven years old uncle suspiciously gazed at Ava with his half opened eyes. Ava couldn't stop her giggle as she stares at his face with red lipstick looking like a circus chimpanzee with make up. "What so funny? Why are you in here? Answer now or I'll start my punishment," warned Louis with his pretend evil laugh. Ava just couldn't contain her giggling as she rolled over to the bed and laughed out loud, Louis look at her in confusion and looked at his hand noticing the lipstick. He quickly hopped out of bed and run up to his mirror, which is hanging from the side of his closet. His jaws drops and screamed out on top of his lung, "ANNIE GETS YOUR DAUGHTER OUT OF HERE BEFORE I GET TO HER!!!!"

    Ava laughed and start jumping on his bed, Louis turns around and gives her a hard stare, "You little rug-rat, you are going to get it now!" he laughed wickedly and run toward her. Ava quickly climb down and running away from him.

    Laughing as she run toward the door trying to make her escape. Her eyes enlarged seeing her uncle catching up and has pulled on her nightgown, "No, uncle Louii no!!! Mommy!!! Help mommy!!" Louis laughed mercilessly and with one lift he throws her up in the air. After he catches her again, he pinned her on the floor tickling her nonstop. She laughed and kicked to get him away. Meanwhile Annie came in with a puzzle look to why her brother is tickling her daughter. Ava immediately reached her arms toward her mother, "Mommy, help!!! Stop it uncle Louiiiii!!! I'm soooorrrryyy hehe...stop....please..."

    Annie giggled at the sight, "Louis let her go, why are you attacking her like this?" Louis stopped and turns his head to face Annie, she laughed out loud as she leans herself on his door for balance. "OMG, did she do this?" she pressed her lips together. "Actually it not that bad, you brighten up a lot," Annie laughed. Ava try to get up but Louis held her down.

    Staring at Ava round eyes with his narrow eyes, Louis scared her, "Not too fast missy!! I'm not done with you yet!"

    The sweet niece give him a puppy face, "I'm sorry, I was just trying to help you." She smiles sweetly and hugged his arm, "You looked pretty, I bet all the girls will like it! I like it, and I'm a girl! JJ said she love it too, sees it work!" she grinned, Louis sighed and slump his shoulder.


    He lets her go and warned her, "Ava don't you do this again or I'm not letting you go this easily! Do you know that lipstick is not that easy to wash off? Annie teaches your daughter some manner." He shake his head and than he smiled evilly at Ava, "And since you insist on helping me pick up girls, I want you to help me this afternoon."

    Annie rolled her eyes at her brother, "Gor, you are not going to use her to get a date again are you?" Ava quickly went to hug her mother legs and pouted at Louis childishly.

    While wiping the lipstick off of himself, Louis looked at Ava, "Don't give me that look, you owe it to me."

    Shaking her head, Annie sighed, "You are just like Benny! Ava don't listen to your uncle. Sweetheart we don't have syrup for your pancake why don't you go over to daddy to get some?"

    Smiled cheerfully and stick her tongue out at Louis, Ava happily agreed, "Okay mommy!" she skipped away and head toward the front door with her Snow White nightgown. "Hehe that was fun huh JJ?" she open her front door and headed out walking over to the door across from theirs, "I bet daddy is still sleeping, maybe I need to get him up too. Oh did I mention daddy lived just across from our flat? He live with aunty Charm and uncle Ray Ray, come on I'll show you their house." she open the door and enter it, "I wonder why they put lock if they never use them. Daddy probably forgot to lock up again."

    Ava narrow her brows seeing her dad sleeping on his belly in the sofa snoring like a train. "No wonder, mommy doesn't want to be with daddy. See what I mean? I really need to get him to change huh? At least get rid of the choo choo train, mommy probably couldn't stand daddy snoring." She frowned at her father with worry, "Would mommy ever marry daddy again? I don't know when they got a divorce and when I ask them why they don't want to be together, they will change the subject or use the golden line of wait till you are older dear. Hey how much older do I need to be to get an answer!! I'm not waiting, if they won't tell me, I'll find out myself!"

    "It might be because daddy being so lazy and messy all the time, did I mention he like to be with other girl just like uncle Louii? Mommy and aunty Charm call it furring or was it flirting? Anyway mommy didn't seem to care, I don't understand why, cause from the TV drama the wife usually get really angry and mad, but my mommy actually joked about it." Ava deflated her little lung with a shrug, "Who could figure the adult out? I'm glad I'm not one of them yet! If my mommy didn't care about the other girls swarming my daddy, I will!! I'm not going to let other girls get anywhere near him for sure, my daddy belongs to mommy and me, right? So I really needed major help, even though he is sloppy many girls like to stick to him like ants on honey."

    She smiled proudly, "But of course I scared them away, daddy never get mad at me for doing so cause he understand, but he give me a disappointed look and warn me to stay out of his relationship. What do he think I am? I am not going to let anyone ruin his and mommy relationship!! I know they got to love each other before if they have me, so I am going to make them fall for each other again! But that is a bit hard to believe with daddy condition." She eyes her father from top to bottom, "Hmm, I need to wake him up, so he leave a good impression for mommy, she'll change her mind about daddy, if she see him at work earlier than her!"

    Ava bend down next to the sofa and stare at her dad as she pushed him, "Daddy wake up!! Daddy? Come on daddy!!! Mommy is waiting for us!!!" Her dad didn't move an inch. Ava smile as she think of a way to wake him up, she pinched her dad nose, her dad was awake and saw her, but he quickly close his eyes and pretend to be asleep, he just open his mouth wide to breath loudly, Ava giggled and cover his mouth with the other hands. "This will get you up," she confidently belief. Her dad hold his breath in to play a trick on her and keep himself as still as possible.

    Ava felt no warmth breath in her hand, so she turned her head and stares at her dad expressionless face curiously with confusion, she gasped and move her hands away quickly and pushed his body hard. "Oh no daddy are you okay?" she pushed him and he just kept pretending he is dead. She places her finger under his nose again to check. "Ahh, no daddy wakes up!!! JJ help, call the police he is not breathing!!" she started to cry in distress, "I didn't mean to kill you!" she leans herself down at his body and cry, her dad giggled and turn around to lift her up and set her on his belly. Ava looked at him cheerfully, "You're alive!! Yay!!! JJ must have saved you!"

    Her dad giggled at her cheerful expression. Ava wipes her tears away feeling relief that her daddy is okay. Her father chuckled at her, "Of course I am, silly! Now why are you waking me up so early? Where is your mommy? Why are you over here?"

    The four eyes old girl leans down and lay on her father with her head on his chest, "Mommy asks me to come over for syrup. Daddy why are you sleeping on the sofa?"

    Combing her hair with his finger as he closes his eyes to sleep, "Raymond was up studying the entire night, and I can't sleep with the light on." He yawned, "I am so tired. Why don't you go play yourself and let me rest more? Be a good girl and let daddy sleep longer before he need to work okay?" he dozed off with Ava stare at him with a sigh, she got off of him and went to the kitchen to reach for the syrup. The syrup was place on the upper cabinet, which is really far up. So she opened the lower cabinet and used the shelf as the ladder. She climb it slowly and standing on her tiptoes trying to reach for the bottle of maple syrup. "Why can't I be just a bit taller? Almost there, JJ can you help push me up?" She felt someone lifted her and she was up high enough to get the syrup. She turns around with a big smile, "Good morning uncle Ray Ray!!"

    "Did you know you could get hurt climbing like that? Why didn't you ask Benny to get it for you?" asked her twenty years old uncle with a dark tan.
    Ava smile as she hugged the bottle of syrup tightly, "Daddy is sleeping and I needed to be a good girl and not wake him. Thank you uncle Ray Ray!"

    Smile at her, Raymond pointed his finger to his right cheek tapping it, Ava smiled and pecked it, than he point to the other side, "What about this side?" Ava pecked it too, and he put her down on the floor. "That's better, nice and even," he chuckled, "So you are having pancake for breakfast?" he look around and Charmaine is still in the bathroom and not out to fix breakfast yet. "That sound really good right now."

    Pulling his hand as she head back to her mom side, Ava invited, "Come than, I could share mine with you!!" Raymond chuckled and follows her over to sit down at the table of Annie's flat. "No uncle Ray Ray, you're sitting on JJ seat, here have my seat, I can stand."

    Raymond looked around the room confused, "Who is JJ? You have company today?"

    "JJ is her imaginary friend," answered Annie with a smile, she just put a dish of pancake on the table. "So Raymond I hear Charmaine say you are having your final today, is that right?"

    "Yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck, "In about one more hour, I hope I'll pass. You don't mind that I eat here right?"

    "When had you become so polite to even ask?" Annie asked with a laugh, "Don't be silly there is many more. Ava sit down and eat, JJ can join us another day." Ava obey and sat down squeezing lot of syrup on to her pancake. "That is enough hon, you are going to make yourself sick again, no wonder the last bottle when by so fast."

    "Where is Louis?" asked Raymond as he stuff himself.

    A giggle slipped from Annie before she answer, "He is washing his face." Ava was picking her pancake with her finger. "Ava use the fork," instructed the mother.

    "I was just trying to pull out the burned part," she grabs her fork with her sticky fingers and sticks it into the big pancake, "Mmmm, this is good mommy! I want more!! JJ probably wants some too, so put it on my plate I can share with her!!"

    "Finish yours up first, you always ask for more and I end up finishing them for you. Come on hurry up we should head to the flower shop soon," Annie urged. Annie turn to Raymond, "Raymond when is your test going to be over with?"

    Finished his breakfast, "Around noon, I'll come by to help do the delivery after it. I need to go now, or I'll fail for sure," he stand up and head out.

    "Okay sees you later! Good luck!!" Annie yelled after him. Raymond ran out, so she turns her attention to her daughter who is stuffing the pancake into her mouth. "Ava is your dad up yet?" Annie curiously questioned. Ava just shake her head cause her mouth is full of pancake. Annie sighed, "That Benny will never change! Oh well, we will go open up the shop first. Ava slow down, you'll coke yourself. You finish up here, I'll go get your clothes ready for you and we will head out before the flower delivers to our shop."
    ******

  3. #3
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Haha, this chapter is hilarious. I can imagine Louis with lipstick on his face <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0"> Continue to update please. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  4. #4
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Hehehe <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> thanks for the comment, here is another chapter for you jeh! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">


    Chapter 2: The Park

    Sweet Flowers and Chocolate is a little store that Annie, Benny, Louis, Charmaine, and Raymond open. Half of the store sells flower bouquet of any sort while the other half sells pastry and chocolate. Benny is the main chef of making cake, pastry, and chocolate. While Charmaine and Annie make flower bouquet and arrange flower in vase. Louis and Raymond pretty much do anything that needed to do like delivery or just helping out.

    The five of them knows each other ever since they were child. They grew up together in the same orphanage and became best of friend. Louis and Annie parents die of a car accident, while Benny, Charmiane, and Raymond are lost after a big fire occur in their flat. They don't remember much about their parent since they are very young back then. After they grow up and show the orphanage that they can take care of themselves, they were allow to moves out. They found this old apartment that had two flats just right across from each other with affordable rent, so they decide to settle there.

    When they just moved out of the orphanage, Annie was the only one that is accepted into a college with scholarship. But unfortunately she dropped out after finding herself pregnant. Without a good education they couldn't find a decent job and also because they don't want to be bossed by other that they decide to opened Sweet Flower and Chocolate. Even though the store started out to be extremely small, they were able to work hard and earn a roomy store now.

    Annie is putting bundle of flower together to make a beautiful bouquet. Usually Charmaine will help her, but since Raymond is not around to help yet she needed to delivery a bouquet to a hospital. Louis also went out to deliver a wedding cake. So the store is pretty empty with only Annie, Benny, and Ava. Benny is in the store kitchen mixing flour to make some pastry and Ava is helping him. He is rolling the dough flat while he yawned with sleepy eyes, "Ava do you want to help daddy cut the little circle?"

    Ava nods excitedly, she always loves to be daddy's little helper. Quickly she climbs herself up the upside down bucket to reach the counter height. "Yeah!!" she cheerfully answers.

    The young and sleepless father smiles and rubs her hair with his powdery hand. He yawned again, not too alert to his surrounding, so of course he didn't even have the energy to notice that his hand is powdered. Benny gave Ava the circle dough cutter, "Cut as many as you can okay?" he instructed, while Ava nod repeatedly with brightened eyes. Benny lazily walked away and sits down on his chair, which is against the wall. With another tiring yawn, he kicks his legs up and tilted the chair backward a bit and went to sleep.

    Turn her head and saw her dad asleep, Ava frowned. She wanted to spent time with her daddy learning how to bake, not like this. "Daddy?" her soft sweet voice called out. Benny didn't give a response, he continues to goes into his deep slumber. Ava sighed and went back to play with the dough, she press the dough cutter to cut little shape out, most of them are actually half circle instead of round one. As couple more minutes passed, the child begin to lose her patient. "This is getting boring JJ, lets go outside and play," she suggested to her imaginary friend that she could see sited on the counter with dangling legs off the edge. Ava jumped off the bucket and head outside to see what she could do. Once she stepped out, Annie laughed seeing her powder white she is from head to toes. "Mommy can I go play outside?" she wishfully asked.

    "What happen to you?" Annie asked as she bend down to her and starting to dust the powder away.

    "I help daddy bake!" exclaimed the proud four years old.

    "Really?" Annie asks with enthusiasm, while she continues to clean her daughter up. "Is your daddy baking a cake now?"

    Ava shake her head, "No daddy is snoring, can I go outside with JJ?"

    Annie sighed hopelessly with a bit of anger starting to build up. She gave her daughter a smile, "Yeah, but remember not to run out to the street or pass the next two store." Ava nods and run out, Annie angrily and disappointedly stormed into the kitchen. She rolled her eyes seeing him asleep again for the thousandth time! With a pout, Annie grabs a bag of flour and pours it into his open mouth.

    Choking for air, Benny waked up spitting the flour out. His eyes darted at Annie accusingly with flamed eyes. "Why did you do that for?!!" he shouted at her.

    "Benny we are running a business, do you know we are not getting much costumer lately?" reasoned the inflamed Annie. "How can you just sleep and ask a four years old to do your work?" she pulled him up and pushed him toward the table. "See what happen?! And don't blame it on her, she is just four, you should know better!"

    "She could do it yesterday! How do I know she would mess up today?!" claimed Benny.

    "Benny, yesterday you were next to her to make sure she cut it right!" Annie rolled her eyes at him with her head shaking, "Forget it, just do everything yourself and stop sleeping! If you don't get enough sleep maybe you shouldn't stay up so late last night flirting with girl!"

    "What I do last night is none of your business! You couldn't control whose I'm seeing!" Benny reminded.

    Annie rolled her eye at him again, "Benny, I really careless of what girl you are dating, but don't sleep in the morning when the pastry all depend on you!"

    "I weren't sleeping, I was just resting my eyes cause some of the powder got into it," he sheepishly tries to find an excuse.

    His best friend since childhood, covering her ears, "Enough, you always make up excuses that don't even make sense. Benny I know you for a really long time do you thinks I don't know your bad habits? Can't you just grow up and stop being so lazy?" she turn around and head out.

    Benny too rolled his eyes and head back to work. He grumpily mumbled, "Woman! She is getting to be so controlling." His eyes are staring at the dough on the counter, "Gosh what was Ava thinking?" Benny smiles at the dough, which is cuts to kind of looks like a smiley face.

    Meanwhile, Ava was jumping around in front of the store and watches the people walking around. "Hi, what are you doing?" she almost asked everyone that walked pass her with a cheerful smile. They simply smiled back at her and continue to busily head toward their destination.

    Louis smiles and charged at her from behind, he swoops her up and lifted her up into the air. "Hahaha, I got you now!!" he lowered her down to carry her on his waist, "So what are you doing out here?"

    An immediate cheerful smile hung on Ava face, once she notice it was her uncle, "Uncle Louii, you promise to take me to the park today, let go now!!!"

    The goofball uncle put her on his shoulder and peeked into the store, "Okay, we better go fast before your mom spot me, I bet she want me to deliver something else." He ran away from the store quickly and got to the park that is ten minute from the store. Putting Ava down, Ava saw the swing and wanted to run to it but Louis stopped her by holding the back of her overall. "Wait!!" his deep voice said with a hint of his wicked idea.

    The adorably round eyes of Ava looked up at the dark face, "Huh? I want to play on the swing," she stated with her finger pointing toward the swing set couple feet away.

    Grinningly, Louis shakes his head with a 'not too fast expression', "Not until you help me first."

    Ava pouted and look at the same direction Louis is looking at, she saw a girl eating lunch. She know what her uncle wanted, cause they she has done it so many time before. "No!!" she firmly said with her head shaking firmly too.

    Her uncle squatted down to her height and looked at her with his smirk, "You owe it to me." Suddenly a big lollipop is waving in front of Ava drooling eyes, Louis carries a sly expression, he knew candy would always do the trick. His hand continue to moving the big lollipop back and forth in front of his poor niece big round eyes. "How about it now?" he asked with a wide grin.

    Frowned, the child immediately turned her desperate in need of help toward her best friend JJ. She is chatting with her so call invisible friend in her mind, while her eyes are still glued tightly on the candy, 'How could he do this to me? He always knows my weak point!! JJ what should I do? Mmmm the lollipop is huge....I wonder what favor it is? Gosh I hate him!' She reached out to get it but Louis moved away.

    Teasingly, Louis shake his head while he grinned, "Uh ah...you know what you need to do to get it."

    Pouted, Ava is still thinking, 'Should I do it? Gosh it looks really good! Why do he have to do this to me?' she turn and looked at the girl her uncle want to date again, 'well it wouldn't harm to help him.' "Okay! Give me!!" she shouted loudly with drooling eyes and arms that are reaching out toward the candy.

    Louis smiled widely as he takes the wrappers off the candy and hand it to her. She smiles and licks the sweet candy happily. "Now remember to use brother Louis and not uncle Louii okay? You know the drills go now," he nudged Ava toward the girl direction.

    Ava running to the girl but she was stopped in the middle. She looked up with a smile, "Aunty Charm!!"

    Her aunt stares at Louis with an angry glared. Louis rolled his eyes and head to them. Charmanie picked Ava up, "Ava you shouldn't help him like this."

    Cutely, Ava gave her a puppy face, "Aunty Charm, I really did remember what you said about not helping uncle Louii anymore. But is not my fault that he bribes me with this!" she show Charmaine the lollipop.

    Louis has reached them, he tries to get Ava from Charmaine, "Charm put her down!"

    "You know better than this! Why weren't you working? I have to ask huh?" she glare at the girl, who is still eating her lunch. "Gosh you're losing your taste too," she put Ava down, her eyes are on Ava and the candy. "And to bribe her with candy, that is just so low of you! Do you know she been coughing lately?"

    'Oh no, that argument again,' Ava silently told JJ in her mind as she slowly tries to step away before they took her candy away again. But before she could slip away, Charmaine pulled her back and continues her bicker with Louis.

    "Yeah last month! And it none of your business on who I like!"

    Charmaine arm is gently place across Ava chest and nudged Ava closer to her, "It's when you use my niece to help!!"

    Yanked Ava to his side, Louis claimed, "She is my niece too!! And she was willing to help, I didn't force her or anything. Unlike someone."

    "What do you mean by that?" ask the pouting aunt. "When did I force her to do anything?!!"

    "Oh come on you force her to....." Louis continues to play the listing game.

    Ava stare at them while they continue to argue. 'Gosh JJ, they are at it again, I'm going to be stuck here forever!! And the swings are just in front of me! Maybe I can loosen his grip,' Ava tries to think of a way to be free.

    "I don't need any help getting a date! There are many men line up to ask me out," she argues back.

    The dark skinned friend chuckled rudely, "Yeah right! Look at yourself, no offense but you really needed a make over, or else only blind men will ask you out."

    Charmaine eyes became hard, "You're the one that needed a makeover!! Look at you, you're like one of Benny burned chocolate, no wonder you needed Ava help! Poor guy can't get a date himself."

    "What do you know? Babe everywhere goes after me cause of this handsome and manly tan! Of course you don't know how to appreciate it, cause all the guy you dated are wimps and nerds!"

    "Oh Louis you are so handsome," stated Charmaine sarcastically with her dream eyes suddenly rolled to a gagging expression, "give me a break! To let you know many of my date are fireman and policeman, they are so many times manlier than you!"

    He laughed, "Why don't you just date anyone in uniform? Hey look there's the mailman go after him!"

    Charmaine angrily stomped her foot on him, "Jerk! I am not wasting my time talking to you!"

    Louis laughed while he hold on to his foot, "So you decide to stomp my foot, that is so immature! It is because I say the truth?"

    "I am much more mature than you!"

    Ava was able to loosen herself and walked over to the swing. She is swinging herself while she watch them, 'I probably could play for a long time. I don't get how they can be best friend before and still argue. They are really weird, sometime they are really nice to each other and hug like buddy, but other time it's this! Hmmm...good things I'm not an adult, it probably some kind of spells that do this to them, how weird! Oh well at least I still have my candy.' She licked it and swings herself higher, then she saw a little ball rolled by. She stopped her swing and run after it. "Stop rolling," she demanded.

    Accidentally, she ran into a businessman that was reading his stack of paper, Ava bump knocked his piles of paper all over and some flew away. Ava, herself fallen and scraped her knee so she start crying loudly in pain. Both Louis and Charmaine stopped when they hear her cry, they quickly ran up to her. The businessman rolled his eyes and stare at his important document that is now all over the place.

    The businessman with a very expensive suit is not too fond of children, especially crying one that wouldn't stop. He yell at Ava with annoyance, "What are you crying about?! Just walk it off! Don't make everyone look at me, like I'm the one who push you. Stop crying!!" he frustratingly yelled. He sighed loudly at Ava, who cried louder in fear cause of his loud voice shouting at her.

    "I want mommy!" demanded Ava with her tomatoes red face. Her knee is scraped pretty badly with several bleeding cuts. "It hurt..." she mumbled and sniffed to cry loudly again, her teary eyes beamed up at him, "You are a meany!"

    The man eyes glued on the redden face of Ava with his irritated gaze, "Be reasonable okay? I didn't run into you. You did this to yourself and me, look at my contract it everywhere now! Where are your parents? Don't they teach you any manner? Stop with the crying already, I'm having a headache!"

    Both Louis and Charmaine arrived, Charmaine protectively pulled Ava upright from the ground, "Ava are you okay? Don't cry is okay it just a small scraps. It won't hurt if you don't look at it." She is carrying Ava, her eyes suddenly switched to dart at the man with dagger, "Even if she bumps into you, you don't have to yell at her like that! You are the one that needed to learn manners form your mother!!"

    "Don't you yell at her like that!" Louis warned too. "You weren't looking yourself or else she wouldn't bump into you! Look at her; she is bleeding. And you didn't even fall at all, so stop with the screaming!"

    "So you guys are the parents. Look after your kid if you wanted to have them, don't let them running like wild animal and bumping into people like this!" the careless man stated.

    "The only animal I see here is you!!"

    He rolled his eyes with a sigh, "I don't even know why I'm wasting my precious time talking to you none educated people, just keep your daughter away from me." He turns and left with Louis yelling after him.

    "Moron!! Don't let me see you again!" Louis turn his attention to look at Ava knee, "Don't worry it won't hurt after a while." He held his hand out to receives her from Charmaine and they walked back to the store.

    Meanwhile, Annie and Benny were looking everywhere for Ava. "See if you would just not yell at me before and looked after her, she wouldn't be missing!" Benny angrily blaming on Annie, he is worry sick to where Ava could be. "How could you let her play alone outside?! Doesn't the word KIDNAP ring a bell?!"

    "Benny, she always play outside, everyone around the area know her! And you are the first one that allows her to play outside when she was only three, so stop blaming it on me! If you weren't sleeping, I wouldn't have to come in at all!! Just shut up and look for her, I'll go out and see if she's around, why don't you go to the back alley and see if she is playing there," suggested Annie. Louis and Charmaine just walked in with Ava, who got an ice cream cone and not crying anymore. "Ava!!" screamed the grateful mother. "You scare me to death where were you?"

    "Uncle Louii took me to the park!" Ava happily answered and continue to spoon herself with ice cream.

    Benny begin to panic when he saw her scrape knees, "Oh no, how did you get hurt?! Annie gets me hydrogen peroxide and some bandage. Louis did you do this to her?" He accusingly added, "You pushed her away again didn't you?"

    "Hey, I'm not that abusive! She bump into someone and fallen. It just a little cut no big deal," Louis assured.

    "What do you mean no big deal? What if there is scar? What if she gets an infection?" questioned Benny with sharps tongue.

    Charmaine laughed at her younger brother, "Benny is just a scrape, you made her fall and scrape herself a lot too."

    "Finally you say something that is reasonable and human like," Louis got elbowed for his remark.

    After finding the first aid kit, Annie takes Ava from Louis and put her on the table. "Ava how many time have I told you not to run too fast?" asked the disappointed mother. "See what happen?" Ava nodded with sorry eyes and gave her mommy a hug, it always make Annie smile and sooth down a bit. "Benny you wash her and I'll hold her still."

    Ava immediately dropped her ice cream cone seeing the dark brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide. "NO!!" she loudly screamed and tries to escape, Benny quickly holds her still before she falls of the table. She tries to kicks the bottle away, "I don't want that! Mommy I'm not hurting! Please not that, it'll hurt!"

    "Ava if you don't wash your cut with it, you will get an infection! You don't want to be chews up by germ do you? Now hold still!" Benny warned his daughter and also signal Annie to hold her tightly.

    "Ahhh...daddy stop....ahhh..." cried Ava as Annie hold her tightly.

    "I'm done, it not that bad right?" he smiled at Ava, who is sniffling and wiping her tears. "Just be careful next time and I don't have to use it again," he caringly put the bandage on her and pick her up. "There it'll get better very soon," Benny comforted. Ava nodded silently and rest her head on her daddy shoulder. Benny eyes glared at Louis, "Louis shouldn't you leave a note when you take her out? Your sister is screaming and yelling at me and blaming everything on me."

    "You were the one that is blaming on me!" Annie corrected. But she too darted at Louis angrily, "Don't you ever do that again! Do you know how worry sick both Benny and I were?"

    "I'm sorry, it my fault, I should leave you a note, I promise I'll next time okay?" he guiltily smiled at his younger sister for forgiveness. Then his smile turned to Ava, "Come on Ava, uncle Louis is going to buy you some toys." He held out his hand wanting to take her but Benny moved away.

    "No you are not touching her! You can buy the toys and bring it to her, I'm not letting her go out with you again," Benny stated half serious. Benny tends to be a bit over protective whenever Ava is hurt. So he don't want Ava to move much fearing that it will hurt her scrape and make the healing process slow.

    "Hey, how could you say that to me? You're my best friend, you know me very well, I love her, it really not my fault that she got hurt," Louis reply.

    "I know you very well! You wanted to use her to get girl, but she is hurt now and I'm not letting her help you today," Benny seriously and firmly informed.

    Annie place her hand on Ava cheek, she smiled at her daughter with joyful sparkling eyes, "Benny is right! You are not using our adorable daughter anymore!" she turned to look at her brother accusingly, "Why didn't you look after her at the park? Were you flirting again? What if she wandered to the street?"

    "I was not flirting!!"

    Benny eyes shifted to looked at Charmaine suspiciously, "Jie were you two arguing again?"

    Charmaine smile and put her arm around Louis and Louis put his around Charmaine, "No way, we never argue! What are you talking about?"

    "Yeah, and it was a businessman that bump into her when she was playing," added Louis.

    "Yeah, that's right, and he were so rude yelling at her and say you two as parents didn't teach her any manner, but don't worry me and Louis scold back at him! Right Louis?!"

    "YUP!!!" answered Louis positive voice.

    "How dare he call Annie and me a bad parents? Ava is the most mannered child in the whole universe!!" Benny commented, which made Annie laughed at his remark.

    "I wouldn't say that Benny, but our daughter is certainly not that bad! There is always some grumpy old man that hated kid anyway," Annie concluded.

    "He is not old, but he hates kid for sure! Anyway do we have any business?" Charmaine asked.

    "No, we really need to think of a way to draw attention to costumer," Annie suggested with a sigh.

    "I'm making a new pastry, maybe they will like it and we can be rich and famous!" Benny confidently stated while the three adult rolled their eye at him, "What? It's possible. Ava do you believes in daddy?"

    Ava cheerfully nods, "Yup, daddy is the best baker!"

    Benny cheerfully and proudly chuckled, "See! My daughter thinks so!! And we will proof it to you guy, come on Ava lets help me again okay?"

    The sweet daughter narrowed her eyes on her father, "Daddy, are you going to sleep again and make me do the cutting?" Annie, Charmaine, and Louis laughed while Benny covers Ava mouth and walked into the kitchen with her. Annie and Charmaine go back to arranging the flower, while Louis waits on the pastry counter for costumer.
    ******

  5. #5
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    A chapter dedicated to me?! I'm touch <IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> I wonder who was that business man. Is it Julian? Man, he sure is mean <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> Please update more. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  6. #6
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Chapter 3: Shell Jie Jie!

    Charmaine just walked out of her room holding her stack of book and homework. She and Annie has been taking night class to learn more about technology and the way to do business that might finally help them lure costumers into their store and increase the profit. She smiled at Raymond's friend that came over to study with him for his last final of the semester. Charmaine is proud of her twenty years old brother being able to attend college, unlike the rest of them.

    Raymond and his study partner were at the dinning table studying physic. "Michelle make your self at home and get drink or food if you needed okay? Don't depend on Raymond," Charmaine welcomingly told the young classmate of her brother.

    "I will," Michelle reply with her usual quiet and sweet smile.

    The doorbell ring, so Charmaine go get it, she knows that it must be Annie. She opens the door and sees Annie with Ava hiding behind her legs. "I'm ready," Charmaine told Annie. She smiles at Ava, "Hi Ava," she bend down to her height, "Give me a good luck kiss right here!" she tapped her cheek and Ava pecked it. "Great, I think I'm ready to present!!" she smiled cheerfully. "Annie your house sound really empty, is Louis home to watch after Ava?"

    With an angry sigh, Annie shook her head, "No! And he promise to baby-sit her too, I bet he is hiding in some bar flirting with girls again. Is Benny home?"

    Her twenty-six years old friend shakes her head, "No, he went out already."

    Annie sighed and looked at Ava, she picked her up to carry her on her waist, "He is probably doing the same things as Louis is. Is Raymond home than?"

    "Yup!" Charmaine cheerfully answered.

    Hopefully, Annie walked into Charmaine flat and smiled at Raymond sweetly, "Hi Raymond, do you mind helping me baby-sit Ava for the night? Please?"

    Smiled cheerfully, Raymond jumped up from his chair walking to Annie to receive Ava, "Of course, I think I could manage to look after a four years old!"

    Annie just notice that someone else is here too, she smiled at Michelle, "Hi."

    "Hi," Michelle shyly greeted back.

    Annie looked at Raymond with unsure eyes, "Raymond did you need to study? I'm sorry, maybe I should ask someone else."

    Slightly swinging Ava in the air, Raymond shake his head, "Don't be silly, I could take care of her and study at the same time."

    "Well, she is a lot to handle," Annie voice shows her worry and concern that Ava will bother Raymond too much for him to be able to study. Ava giggling at her uncle as she enjoys being swing back and forth in her uncle Ray Ray arms. Annie shake her head at her playful daughter with her smile, she know Ava is a hand full.

    "Don't worry, just go to class before you two are late," Raymond reassured and warned.

    "Yeah, I don't think Michelle mind at all, beside it almost Ava bedtime anyway," Charmaine nudged Annie to leave, "Come on lets go, it wouldn't be nice to be late on our own presentation right? And you know that Steven, he will nag again if we are late to his class."

    Annie nodded agreeing, she took Ava from Raymond and put her down on the floor. She seriously looked into Ava eyes, her hand gently lifted Ava chin up and smiled at her seriously, "Okay Ava, you have to be a good girl and listen to uncle Raymond, you heard me?"

    Ava cheerfully giggled at her uncle wanting to continue playing with him, "I know mommy!"

    Her mother smiles and hugged her, "Remember to play by yourself so uncle Raymond can study okay? And don't skip your milk before you go to bed..." Ava nodded many times as her mom rambling on, on what she needed to do. Annie pecked Ava cheek and stand up to talk to Raymond, "I bring her Aladdin video over, so it should keep her occupied for a while." She hand it to him and thankfully state, "Thanks Raymond!"

    Nodding, Raymond took the video and grabs hold of Ava hand. "Don't mention it! Go now, Ava say bye bye to mommy."

    "Buh bye mommy, buh bye aunty Charm!" Ava joyfully said with her hand waving. They walked out. Raymond lifted Ava up onto the table that they were studying at. "What you doing?" Ava curiously asked the girl with round eyes on her. Ava squatted on the table to pick up a piece of paper and looked at it curiously.

    Smiled at Michelle, Raymond took the paper away from Ava, "Sorry Michelle, we have company tonight. I'll take her to the living room for her video. Then we can goes back to our studying.

    The polite classmate looked at Ava sweetly, "Is okay I really don't mind at all. She is cute! What is your name?" she asked Ava.

    Ava turn her attention to her and grinned with her eyes became tiny, "You are cute too," she turn to look at Raymond, "Right uncle Ray Ray?" Michelle blushed shyly as she giggled to Ava compliment.

    Raymond chuckled at his niece remark. He looked at Michelle with his gentle smile making Michelle cheek redden even more. "I guess she is kind of cute huh Ava?" Ava nodded and stare at Michelle. "You still didn't answer her question yet," Raymond reminded the forgetful child.

    "Huh?" Ava show a confused look.

    "I asked you what your name was earlier," reminded Michelle with a sweet smile at the cute niece of her classmate.

    "Oh, I'm Ava!" Ava answered in a snap and looked over to Raymond, "He is my uncle Ray Ray! He is cute too huh?" Raymond rolled his eyes at Ava chatterbox mouth, now it was his turn to feel embarrassed.

    Michelle giggled at Ava childish innocent. She looked at Raymond, "Is she really related to you?"

    "Yeah, she is my niece," Raymond answered with a nod, "She is my older brother daughter."

    "Cool," Michelle smiles and move her hand toward Ava, but Ava moved away from her. "She is so adorable! How old is she?" Michelle asked as her eyes are still on the kid with smooth creamy skin tone and large round eyes, along with her chubby cheek. Her soft straight hair is a shiny black with length to her shoulder. Like her mommy, Ava look petite and small for her age, many people had mistaken her being only three. But her feature is still chubby with baby fat and big white baby teeth. Her large vivid eyes are the roundest and sharpest of all, making it adorably beautiful. Everyone could pick out the eyes resemblance between the mother and daughter. The only thing that Ava have resemblance of her daddy is her chubby hand with short stubby fingers.

    "Don't pinch!!" Ava pleaded with her two hands covering her cheek, showing only her small button nose and ruby lips.

    Michelle laughed at her fearful expression, "I weren't going to pinch you, I just wanted to pat your head. Do you get pinch on the cheek a lot?"

    The four years old nodded vigorously, "Yup! Uncle Louii girlfriends always pinch, and it hurt!"

    The two older one chuckled at her. "Oh, but you couldn't blame them you are very cute. So how old are you, Ava?" Michelle asked again.

    Ava held out two fingers on each of her hands, "Mommy say that I am that old!"

    Her uncle lifted her off the table ready to take her away, so he could return to his study, "She is four, she is a shorty rug rat," Raymond teased as he made a face at Ava, while Ava gave him a mean look with the bridge of her nose wrinkled. Michelle giggled at Ava and Raymond interaction. "Ava, why don't you call her Michelle jie jie," Raymond turned Ava attention toward Michelle.

    Ava slowly tries to repeat what Raymond just said, "Me shell?"

    The older girl chuckled and stands up to her. She rubbed her soft shinny hair, "No, it's Michelle."

    Troubled, Ava narrowed her eyes and tries to pronounce, "Ma shell," she shook her head, "Shell jie jie!" Her uncle chuckled at her.

    "She have problem with pronouncing a lot of words especially name, she usually make up name that is short and simple. Like how she call me Ray Ray instead of Raymond, and she call Charmaine Charm and her uncle Louis Louii," Raymond explained.

    "How cute, don't worry Ava I like Shell jie jie, it pretty cute." She held out her hand toward Ava, "Do you mind I carry you?"

    After sensing that she is very friendly, Ava held out her hand toward Michelle, Michelle cheerfully lifted her from Raymond. "Uncle Ray Ray, I want something to eat."

    Somehow Raymond unknowingly smiled when he saw Michelle cheerful smile. "Okay, you talk to Michelle for a while and I'll see what I can get you." He walked into the kitchen leaving Michelle and Ava.

    Carry Ava to the table and let her sit on the table. "You are pretty heavy. So Ava what do you like to do?"

    Ava stare at her curiously and glimpse at Raymond with a smile, "Shell jie jie, do you think uncle Ray Ray is cute? He is really nice and needed a girlfriend! You are cute too."

    "I see you like match making," Michelle laughed and looked at Raymond who couldn't hear anything, "Why do you think your uncle needed a girlfriend?"

    Wrinkled her forehead, Ava stare at Raymond, "My other uncle have many girlfriends, but uncle Ray Ray didn't have any, so I think he needed help! He is very nice and fun to play with! I know he is a bit dark, but uncle Louii say that what girls like, is that right?"

    Michelle couldn't believe that she is talking about boys with a four years olds, she chuckled, "It's does make him a bit more manly huh?"

    "What is manly?" Ava asked but shrugged too, she doesn't really care. Her mind is easily distracted, now all she wants to focus on is her uncle Ray Ray, "So you like him? Can you date him now?"

    The twenty years old laughed out loud, "No, it not that simple Ava. But I'll keep him in mind okay?"

    "So when can you date him?" Ava asked with confused eyes. "He really needed a girlfriend, look at him, he is not that bad at all." Ava is so use to helping Louis gets date, that she became an expert in matching her uncles.

    Michelle tugs Ava hair behind her ears, "I know, maybe I can find him a girlfriend for you okay?"

    Ava shake her head, "NO! You looked perfect for him, one dark and the other white, daddy always say the opposite attach, what ever that mean?"

    "You mean attract," corrected Michelle, but it still doesn't help Ava cause she has no idea what that phase mean anyway.

    "Yeah, that's right. Daddy said it mean that ummm?" she scratch her head to think, "You know two different things match! Does that make sense?"

    The giggling Michelle is enjoying the look of Ava confused expression, "I understand what you want to say, but it takes time. I'll promise you to give him a though okay?"

    "Okay, but don't wait too long!" Ava happily warned her.

    Her uncle just walked out with a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich. Michelle giggled at him with amusement, "I didn't take that long did I?" He is searching for clue to what is going on. He handed Ava the sandwich.

    "Shell jie jie say she will give you a chance!" Ava joyfully told her uncle the happy news.

    "Huh? A chance for what?" Raymond puzzlingly asked.

    Michelle blushed crimson, "She tries to find you a date, so I promise her to find you one soon."

    Raymond stares at Ava as he felt embarrass, "When did I told you I want a girlfriend missy?"

    Eating her sandwich, Ava innocently looked at her uncle with round eyes, "You look like you need one!" Michelle tries to contain her laugh, while Raymond sighed and picked Ava up.

    He looked at Michelle feeling really unease, "Kids these days just say anything that popped up on their mind. Sorry about that, I'll take her out to the living room to watch her Aladdin video, than we can finally do some studying." Michelle nodded and followed after Raymond too. They walked to the living room with Ava. Raymond put Ava down on the sofa and put the videotape into the VCR and turned the TV on, "Okay Ava be good and sit still to enjoy your video. Come get me if you need anything okay?" Ava nodded but her eyes are glue to the TV when the video starts.

    Raymond chuckled at his niece and started to head back to study with Michelle, "She can watch this over and over and still like the movie. Lets go back to our studying or we will fail tomorrow for sure."

    They went back to their studying and Ava was starting to loose interest in the movie after an hour. She climbed down the sofa and pulled the cushion out to put on the coffee table and ran to the bathroom to grab a large towel. Raymond and Michelle were concentrated in their study and didn't notice her running around. She cheerfully put it on top of the cushion and climbed on top.

    Pretending that she is riding a magic carpet, Ava urgently instructed, "Come on JJ hop in and it wills take off soon!! Hey why don't you be the genie!! I get three wishes okay?" She smiles and jumped on the cushion with one of her hand held up high. "Lets fly!" she swoop herself around and pretend it's moving. "Watch out is a bird! Ahhh!!!" she jerked her head back. "Hey JJ I" she shake her head, "No, I mean genie can you check on the carpet? I think the engine blew off!!" she jumped off and lifted the towel up a bit and peeked under it like a car engine. "It's no use? Okay forget about the carpet, I want my first wish now, I want to fly myself!!" Actively she yanked the towel off and wrapped around her neck to make a cape. Running around the living room with the long towel behind her. "Weee higher!!" she jumped and stepped on the tails of the towel, which forcefully yanked herself down, "Ow..."

    On the dinning table, Michelle lifted her head up from her textbook after she hears a thudding sound. Her eyes pierced over toward the living room looking for the four years old kid. The expression of her face became a bit concern cause she didn't see Ava on the sofa anymore. "Raymond where is your niece?" her gentle voice asked.

    Raymond glanced over toward the living and indeed he don't see Ava any longer too, "Ava? What are you doing?" he asked in his loud voice. There was no response leaving a silent eerie hum. Little do the uncle know that the mischievous Ava has hidden herself under the coffee table with her two hands tightly covering her mouth to not slip her giggling sound out.

    Worriedly both college students immediately headed to the living room in search of the little rascal. "Ava?" Raymond called out again while he looked every corner for his niece. Instead of seeing Ava, he saw a big mess created by her. The entire living room has been pulled apart. Sofa cushions has been pulled out. Newspaper is lying around the floor along with the remote. The TV is still on showing the scene where Aladdin is fighting with the evil Jafar.

    His ear twitched a bit to the barely audible sound of a half chuckle. His sharp eyes with dark brow glanced toward the coffee table, under it he see a red fabric of the towel sticks out but quickly being pulled inward. He knows immediately that Ava have some fishy business in mind. Sneakily he decides to play along, so he stepped toward the coffee table.

    Meanwhile Ava smile wickedly and pretend Raymond is the evil Jafar. He has capture princess Jasmine, which is Michelle. So her job is to rescue the princess from the dark evil sinister. Ava eyes cautiously glued to the bare foot that is heading toward her, once it was within reach she tickled the foot and ran out of the coffee table laughing at her uncle who is pretending to be ticklish. She quickly dashed over to grab Michelle hand and dragged her away from Raymond. Michelle chuckled at the strange child action, "Ava what are you doing?"

    "Shhh...." Ava said as she yanked on Michelle signaling her to bend down to her height, "Princess Jasmine don't let evil Jafar capture you! Don't worry I'm here to save you and I've the genie to help too!!" she saw Raymond stare at her, so she protectively stand in front of Michelle with spreads arms to cover Michelle. "I'll not let you get her!" she pretends to be mean, "Aggrr!!!"

    The supposedly mean roar of a tiger sounded more like a purr of a kitten, which cracked the two college students up. Michelle laughed and pointed at Raymond, "So he is the evil Jafar?" The imaginative child nodded vigorously. "Okay I guess we need to run huh?" Michelle suggested. Raymond stares at them with his dark eyes and pretend to be wicked with evil plan as he rubbed his two hands together approaching toward them slowly. Michelle picked Ava up and ran away from Raymond. He sprinted and chased after them. The three of them wildly run and laugh around the flat like a couple of hysterical mad man. A loud bumping sound caught Michelle attention; she finally notices that she has accidentally bumped Ava head to the corner of the counter, as she made a sharp turn.

    "Oww..." Ava just slightly let out a short moan as she rubbed her head with her eyes glued toward her uncle direction. She is too hyperactive about the chasing game than to worry about that little bump. But in Michelle point of view she felt guilty and immediately stopped running. She examined Ava reaction and head with worry eyes, but Ava wasn't crying she just rub her head with her hand and looking at Raymond as she giggled excitedly, "Hurry and run Shell jie jie!!! Hurry!!" she shakes Michelle on the shoulder with her two firmly gripped hands.

    The worry twenty years old is rubbing the back of Ava head and she felt a small bump, "I'm sorry are you okay? Ava do you feel any kind of pain or dizziness?" Ava didn't answer she still want to play. "Ava?"

    "Go Shell Jie Jie go!" she begged with eyes still on her uncle.

    Raymond stopped as he reached them and saw Michelle worry face, "What's wrong?" he asked with a bit out of breath.

    "Ahhh!!! Run, run shell jie jie, he is here!!" shouted the overly active child, that's will certainly get nightmare tonight.

    "I accidentally bumped her head onto the corner of the counter, she have a small bump now," confessed the guilty classmate.

    Raymond rubbed his hand on Ava head and feel for bump, he let out a chuckle when he felt the old slightly swollen bump, "That is not your fault, she had the bump from last week when Louis accidentally pushed her off the sofa and she bump onto the coffee table hard." Raymond lifted Ava from Michelle, "Look at her she is still giggling and laughing." He seriously looked at Ava, "Okay that is enough chasing for one day, Michelle is tired. How about ice cream?" his face brighten up cause he know Ava love ice cream.

    The easily pleased Ava cheerfully nodded, "Yeah!!! I want..." she held out her hand with all her fingers spreads, "that many!!!"

    "I'm not giving that much to you if you don't know how to count," Raymond threatened her with a mean chuckle.

    Ava frowned and tries to count her fingers like how her mommy has taught her, "One...two...then three...five...six"

    "You skipped four, Ava," Michelle reminded the preschooler.

    "Oh yeah!" she counted again, "one...two...three...four...five," a frown is evident, "But I want six, where did six go?" They chuckled at her silliness and greediness. Her uncle settled her down on the kitchen counter.

    "You can't even eat all five scoop of ice cream. Ava you are such a greedy rug rat," Raymond said as he head toward the freezer.

    Ava turned to Michelle, "Yeah I can, Shell jie jie will help and JJ too!!"

    "Wow, you are willing to share with me?" Michelle asked with her touched tone.

    "Of course you saved me from Jafar! But since Jafar is a bad guy, he doesn't get any!" reasoned Ava, who spent too much time with Disney movies.

    "What?!! That is not right!" protested the dark skinned uncle that resembles the bucket of rocky road ice cream. "Come on, I look more like Aladdin than Jafar right?

    The child that dream of princess and prince, shakes her head as she tries to pull the bucket of ice cream away from Raymond. "I'm Aladdin!! Uncle Ray Ray you are too dark to be Aladdin!! He is a prince, they have light skin!" Ava stereotypes mind caused Michelle to chuckle. Raymond let go of the ice cream and let her dragged it away, he went to get some bowls.

    "She is right though, you are a bit too dark to be Aladdin. But Ava Aladdin is a boy," Michelle tries to remind the four years old girl who claim herself as Aladdin.

    "So?! My Aladdin is a girl!" Ava told Michelle with a grin. Both of them laughed at her nonsense.

    "I don't care I'm definitely not Jafar!" Raymond announced with a pout.

    Finally got the lid off, Ava quickly dig her finger in to scoop a bit, "Okay, you can be Abu! Abu have dark fur."

    "Ava pull your hand out of the ice cream now! You are not making it appealing any longer," he pulled her hand out and wipes it clean. "So I'm a monkey to you now?" asked the disappointed uncle that wanted to be a hero.

    Suddenly Ava smiled with a brand new idea that is much better and more fun, "Oh uncle Ray Ray, you can be the magic carpet!!" Ava quickly jumped up holding her hand out. "You need to give Aladdin a ride!!!" she whispered demanded.

    Raymond stare at her with his not too amused expression. He sterns his facial to pretend he is mad, "Hold on! Am I really that bad? First I am an evil person, than I'm an animal, now I'm not even a living thing? That is it you are not getting any ice cream!" He cruelly pulled away the bowl of ice cream that he just offers Ava. Ava, drooling eyes followed the bowl and she felt sorry. Michelle giggled at them, she never has this kind of interaction at home. Maybe because there is no children running around her huge mansion to give it a bit of spirit that made her family lost the warmness that she sees in Raymond and Ava.

    Ava give Raymond a puppy face and try to get the bowl of ice cream from Raymond again, "I'm sorry uncle Ray Ray, you can be princess Jasmine, she has the best role. Can I have my ice cream now?"

    Michelle laughed out loud she couldn't hold it any longer, "Raymond gave it to her, you ask for it, yourself! Now you can be the princess. She is just so imaginative."

    With a sigh, Raymond rolled his eyes and hand the bowls of ice cream over to Ava. Ava cheerfully eat it. "You want some Michelle?" Raymond offered.

    "Ava did you say you will share with me?" Michelle asked wondering if Ava really welling to share her favorite treat.

    The greedy eyes of Ava looked at her and back at her ice cream, she didn't want to share it but she promised, so she happily held it out to Michelle, "Okay, Shell jie jie you eat first!"

    The older girl is please to know that Ava have a heart to share, "It's okay, you can have the whole thing since you are so generous!" Ava happily return to her ice cream and Raymond scooped some for Michelle and hand it to her. "Thanks," she politely said.

    "I'm sorry, I guess we don't have much time to study," Raymond apologized as he scoop some ice cream for himself.

    "It's okay, I think we went through the important concept already and I'm a bit tire of studying anyway," she looked at Ava and smiled warmly. How much she wishes that she had a niece too to lighten up her family.

    "You like kid a lot huh?" Raymond asked after seeing how Michelle eyes are glue to Ava. To him, the sight of Ava just tired him out, cause he know how exhausting it is for Annie to take care of Ava alone.

    "Yeah, they are just so energetic and creative. Not to mention cute and adorable. Too bad I don't have any niece or nephew," Michelle sighed.

    "You can always come over and play with her, I bet her mom will love that idea," Raymond suggested. Ava finished her one scoop rock road and wanted more. She turned to her uncle pushing the bowl toward him hoping that he will be kind enough to share some of his. Raymond couldn't help himself from chuckling at Ava chocolate stained face that is sticky. "You are just like your daddy," Raymond stated. "Okay time for bed, right?"

    "I want more," Ava eyes beamed at Raymond bowl of ice cream.

    "No, you can't have too much before bed. Don't forget your glass of milk," Raymond said and finished up his ice cream fast so Ava don't have to stare at it longingly.

    Ava shake her head with a yawn, "I'm not sleepy yet."

    Her uncle chuckled at her as he wipe her mouth with a wet towels, "You are very convincing huh?" He turned to pour a glass full of milk and warmed it a bit with the microwave.

    "I don't want to drink milk uncle Ray Ray, I'm full," whined Ava. She always whines about drinking milk cause she don't like it at all. But when it was her mommy that gives it to her, she didn't dare to complain.

    Raymond return with the glass of milk, "No deal, stop playing your little trick on me, I don't want to be nagged by your daddy and mommy. Now finish it up, then go to bed."

    With a frown, Ava took the glass and gulp down pausing in between to breath, "Where is daddy? Will he be home to read me stories?" asked Ava, who has missed her daddy's bedtime story with her. It has been quite a long time since Benny is home when it was her bedtime.

    "I'll read to you tonight," Raymond offered. "Come on I promise Annie to get you in bed before she come home." he picked her up. Ava yawned again and rubbed her eyes. Raymond takes her into Benny and his room. Michelle came a long.

    "I want a story, Uncle Ray Ray are you really going to tell me one?" she asked warmly.

    "I can tell her one," Michelle offered.

    Raymond dropped Ava down on the lower bunk bed, which belong to Benny. He tugged Ava in, "Great! You tell her a story and I go clean up the living room before Charmaine came home. But is it a bit too late for you?"

    "Don't worry, I'm fine. Go on," Michelle assured.

    He nodded and bends down to kiss Ava cheek, "Goodnight rug rat."

    "Goodnight uncle Ray Ray," Ava sleepily said back. Raymond walked out leaving the two. Ava snuggled herself into her daddy pillow with half open eyes looking at Michelle, "Shell jie jie I want to hear the story of the princess and the frog."

    Moved Ava hair away from her face. Michelle nodded, "Okay." While Raymond is outside cleaning up, Michelle told Ava the fairytale, but Ava was exhausted and fall asleep quickly. She pulled Ava arm up and tugs it under the blanket and kissed her forehead. She looked at her warmly and walked out with the door open incase Ava needed something, it would be easier for Raymond to hear her. She walked out and saw Raymond cleaned everything and is washing the dish now. "The place looked great," her voice was soft, not wanting to disturb the sleeping preschooler.

    Raymond gave her a smirk, "Is my specialty to return thing to normal at the shortest amount of time. Did she sleep already?"

    "Yeah, I guess all the running tired her out," Michelle concluded with a sweet smile. "So why don't your brother live with Ava mom?" she curiously asked.

    He dried his hand and join her at the table, "Well it an unusual situation. Anyway Annie, who is Ava mom, and Louis, her uncle, grew up with my brother, sister, and me at the same orphanage. We became best friends and like a family. When we were able to move out of the orphanage together we celebrated and partied the first night at our new home. We all had a bit too much and Benny my brother somehow accidentally slept with Annie that night. Annie found out she is pregnant within the next two months. She was only eighteen and Benny was nineteen. They didn't want to get stuck with each other just because of Ava, so they did think of an abortion. Benny went with Annie to an abortion clinic, but both of them couldn't do it when it was their turn. So they decided to have the baby and still keep the relationship as usual. That why they don't live together, but it didn't matter since we just lived across from each other anyway, so Ava get to see both of her parents very often. Annie and Benny are still good friend like usual."

    "Good thing they decided to keep her, she is such an angel," commented Michelle.

    Raymond let out a slight chuckle, "Yeah she is, but she could also be a little running devil sometime." Michelle dropped her jaw a bit and playfully slapped his arm, "I mean it, some time she could cause so much trouble that no one can believe. I remember there is one time that she caused the entire building to blackout." Michelle gave him a disbelieve stare, he laughed and nodded, "I'm serious. At that time, she just barely turned one. You know at the stage where she is learning how to walk and became more accessible to her surrounding. She was playing with a plug and yanked on some wire that causes the light to flash and shut off. We then find out that it was not just our flat it's the entire building. The safety control switch of the building has been activated that's why the power supply is turned off."

    "Did she get hurt? You know shock?" Michelle was daunted.

    Raymond shakes his head with his chuckle, "No. Good thing the safety switch got activated. But Benny got scold by Annie for a week. He was supposes to be watching over Ava, but instead he was staring at the TV." Michelle laughed with her head shaking. "She hurt herself a lot too, cause of constantly running without looking. And she could be really grouchy when she skip her nap, you will never want to be close to her at that time." Michelle laughed. "I'm serious, you could ask Annie if you don't believe me. But still, she is very loved by all of us, especially Benny and Annie. They will kill you if she only gets a little scrape. To think of it, that girl is a bit spoiled."

    "Oh come on Raymond, she is only four!" Michelle laughed and looked at the kitchen clock, "Oh, it getting late I need to go home."

    "It kind of dangerous to walk home yourself this late, do you want me to walk you home?" Raymond offered.

    Michelle glanced toward Benny and Raymond bedroom, "No, you better stay, it's even more unsafe to leave a four years old home alone." She grabs her backpack and headed toward the door.

    Raymond walked her out, "Okay be careful, and I'll see you tomorrow in class. Bye!" Michelle walked down to get a taxi and Raymond return to check on Ava again before he takes a shower.
    *****

  7. #7
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Ava is such a little trouble maker, huh? I can't beliive she cause the whole building to black out when she was only one years old <IMG SRC="smilies/shocked.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0"> This fanfic is just so cute <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Please update soon.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Chapter 4: A Little Girl Who Cries Wolf

    Ava is sleeping peacefully in Benny lower bunk bed while Raymond went to take a shower, which are just the room next to his and Benny room. Benny just arrived home and is now just outside the door kissing his new date as his body press against the metal sliding gate of the front door. He released her and smiled sweetly as he looked straight into her eyes and made her felt dreamy. He turns around and slides the gate toward his left to open it all the way. With a sweet smile and a glance at his prey, he turned back toward the wooden front door to unlocked it.

    With a click of the lock signaling it being open, he turns around and smiles at the girl. A handsome sharp grin appeared on his dreamy feature trying to lure his date into his flat. He glanced down on her soft hand, gently and charmingly he reached his hand toward hers and held it with a squeeze. With a playful teasing pull, he jerked her closer to him as he turn the doorknob and guide her into his flat. Benny know that Charmaine had class tonight so it should leave only Raymond, who didn't care about his flirting and is willing to leave or stay in his room, so he though he could have the flat to himself.

    They walked into the dark flat, the girl looked around curiously. Benny turned the living room lamp on to lit the living room dimly to set the romantic mood. He than guided the girl to the sofa as she smiled at him seductively and he return the same tempted smile, and bend closer to her and kissed her softly. The girl moved him away and mumbled, “Benny is some one else here?” She curiously asked cause she hear running water. She doesn’t like to make out when there is a third party around, it just awkward.

    Benny didn't care about it and leaned closer to her but she moved away, he sighed and turn toward the bathroom seeing the dim line of light under the bathroom door. “It probably just my brother showering. Come on Tavia it’s okay, he won’t disturb us,” he grinned and lean close to kiss her again, this time Tavia kissed back and they were tongue wrestling in the front living room while Ava was sleeping in his bed peacefully until Raymond dropped the shampoo bottle and a loud bang was heard that shaken Ava up.

    Ava was a bit confuse on where she was cause it’s not her room at all and it’s was really dark and didn't have any nightlight like her room does. She sited herself up and rubbed her sleepy eyes, the room was too dark for her to recognize that it was just her daddy room. She was a bit scared of the dark. “Mommy?” she softly called out with her weak voice as she tries to focus her eyes to look around the room. “Mommy,” she called out again with fear, but there is no response.

    The poor lost child turned her head confusedly to the surrounding, “JJ where are we? JJ wakes up! We have been adducted!!”

    “Benny did you hear that voice?” Tavia murmured while she continues her passionate kiss with Benny. Benny just shakes his head and pulls her down on the sofa to continue their fervor interaction. With Benny attention on her, Tavia quickly brushed that thought away and gazed into Benny eyes as they continue.

    Meanwhile in the dark room, Ava hears the sound of the running shower clearly but nothing else is audible at all. She yanked the heavy blanket off her small body and climbed off the bed, heading toward the door with a dim light yellow glow underneath it. She slowly turned the doorknobs and stepped out. She turn to her left cause that where the bathroom with the running water is heard, but her footstep froze when she her a female voice giggling. She turns around and looked at the direction of the living room, she finally realize that she is at her daddy’s flat.

    Ava doesn’t know who that giggling sound belong to at all, and she could not see them at all too cause they were lying down on the sofa kissing. She rotated her head side to side with her wrinkle forehead as she approach the sofa curiously, she thought it was just her uncle Ray Ray and Shell jie jie. But what are they playing right now?

    Once she has gotten close enough to see, her petite body frozen while her eyes bulged out staring at her daddy and this girl kissing! Ava jaw dropped, with eyes dilated even more, wondering what they are doing. Only one conclusion came up to her when she saw Tavia opened mouth on her daddy. Both Benny and Tavia didn't notice her until she screamed so loud that it shook the entire building, “AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Ava covers her eyes tightly with her two hands and continued screaming as Benny and Tavia was startled and quickly sited upright. “AHHHH!!!!AAAHAHHHAHAH!!!!! JJ a wolf is eating daddy!!!!!!”

    Tavia was surprised and embarrassed to see a four years old girl caught her fooling around with Benny. She turned around to stare at Benny for an explanation. The young father rolled his eyes and sighed at the short preschooler. He got off the sofa and walked to Ava and tap on her shoulder she is still covering her eyes as she screamed likes her life depends on it. Benny in an angry embarrassed tone warning his daughter, “Ava shh!!!”

    Ava immediately stopped her scream and slowly moved her hands away to peek at the voice of her daddy. She smiles in relief when she saw that it is really Benny standing in front of her. Gratefully, she hugged his legs tightly with her face rubbing on his slack, “Daddy!!!! You're okay!!!!”

    “AVA ARE YOU OKAY?!” shouted Raymond from the bathroom. Tavia face is getting as red as a tomatoes.

    “SHE IS FINE!” Benny shouted back at Raymond. Raymond returns backs to his shower.

    “Daddy, I thought, I thought…she got you…” fumbled Ava with her worried heart still beating really fasts. Tavia awkwardly looked at Ava at her position, she doesn’t know whether to laugh or get angry with this child. Benny sighed disappointedly at his daughter with his eyes rolled, he picks her up and return to sit on the love seat that is adjacent to the sofa Tavia is on. He looked at Tavia feeling a bit embarrass, “Sorry.” Tavia nodded understandingly with a soft giggle. Benny gazed down on Ava, who is now sitting on his lap, “ Why did you scream so loud for? That is very rude, you know?” his disappointed voice told Ava.

    The oblivious child isn't paying any attention to Benny questions, instead she just kept her angry stare at Tavia, which make Tavia more uncomfortable. Ava was talking to JJ in her mind, ‘She sure could disguise it really well. But I still could see the trace of her wolf identity. I saw her trying to eat daddy alive, but that is not going to happen know with me around to protect daddy!!’

    Seeing Ava motionlessly staring at Tavia weirdly and didn't listen to his question, Benny nudge her, “Ava, I'm talking to you. Why did you scream?”

    The sweet rounded baby face lifted upward looking at Benny face from under his chin and up. Ava is still debating in her mind, ‘What do you think I scream about daddy? The wolf was about to kill you! Don't tell me you didn't know!!’ she turn her round eyes back to stare at Tavia again. Tavia turned and looked away feeling a bit uneasy. ‘JJ look I could see her wolf snout and those big round wolf eyes,’ she clings to Benny tightly with her chubby hand tightly clenched onto her daddy slack.

    With a gentle irritated sigh, Benny lifted Ava up and turned her around to face him. Ava was standing on his lap now and looked straight into his eyes, she could tell that her daddy is not happy with her for some reason. “Ava why are you here anyway?” Benny asked with displeases.

    Ava looked at him confusedly, she didn't know why he looked mad. “Uncle Ray Ray babysitting me tonight,” her soft voice informed.

    Her father sighed at her for embarrassing Tavia like this, “Why did you scream at us rudely? Do you know that it was not polite at all?”

    A sad frown appear in Ava face, she got the feeling that her daddy was willing to be eaten by that wolf on the other sofa, and blaming her for saving him. She turns and stares at Tavia, but Benny firmly turn her back to face him, she knows then that her daddy is really upsets. She pouted and sadly looked down disappointed, “I was just having a nightmare about a wolf trying to eat you,” she softly murmured.

    Benny rolled his eyes in disbelief, “Ava, what did mommy and daddy said about lying?”

    The poor preschooler looked into Benny eyes, she could tell that her dad is not very happy with her answer. She smiles sheepishly, “I'm not lying. JJ can prove it too. The wolf was biting your mouth.” She turns around and darted at Tavia, who was giggling. Which just make Ava even dislikes her more. Ava gave her a cold stare with her not too happy expression. Her father quickly turned her around again. The hard eyes and stern face of Ava quickly melted away when she saw her daddy angry and disappointed eyes staring straight at her. She quickly looks down and whispered, “Sorry daddy.”

    The father lifted her chin up and looked straight into her eyes, “Missy we will need to have a talk again tonight okay?” Ava nods sadly. Benny smiles and turns her around to sit down on his lap facing Tavia, “Ava call her Tavia jie jie.”

    Ava kept silent and snuggle herself cozily on her daddy arm and chest as she stare at Tavia every move. She was talking in her mind again, ‘No way I am calling that wolf! Look at her; she is staring at me with those drooling sharp teeth!’ Tavia stand up with a smile walking toward her and Benny. ‘Oh no, JJ she is coming to eat daddy and me! Help me keep her away! I'll save daddy!’ Swiftly, Ava jump up and climb down her daddy legs. She grabs hold of Benny hands as she tries to run and drag Benny with her. “Daddy lets go before she eats us!!” she screamed loudly in distress.

    Sighed angrily, Benny lifted her up into his lap again, “Ava Koo Chan!!” his voice was loud like a lion roar to Ava. Ava stopped and kept silent cause she knows she is in deep trouble when her parents use her full name. Benny looked at Tavia with a slight sheepish smile, “Sorry about that, she has a very wild imagination.”

    Tavia chuckled and sited on the loveseat next to him and Ava. Ava eyes followed her every move, “Benny you never told me you have a daughter.” She gently run her hand down Ava soft and shinny hair.

    The round sharp eyes of Ava stare at her angrily. ‘Look at her, she is staring at me and touching me, I bet she is thinking on where to start chewing me down,’ she told JJ. ‘I don't get why daddy don't believe me! She is basically drooling and those hungry eyes are on me now.’

    “I was going to tell you but she speak up before I get a chance to,” answered the sheepish father.

    The polite twenty-three years old pinched Ava cheeks gently, “She is so cute though, but she don't look much like you, I bet she look more like her mom. How old is she?”

    ‘She is pinching me to see if I am fat enough to eat yet!! Ahhhh!!! Help JJ, do something!!!’ Ava mind panicked. She turns around and looked at her dad cheerful smile, ‘What spell did she put on you, daddy? Gosh, daddy, you are happy that she is going to eat us?’ she stand up and shakes her daddy for attention. But Benny didn't pay any attention to her.

    With a sweet smile, Benny answered Tavia question, “She is four, yeah everyone say she looked like her mom more.” He rolled his eyes and stopped Ava shaking, “Ava what is it?”

    “Daddy lets go to the park or somewhere, I don't want to stay here!” Ava demanded, she don’t want Benny or herself to stay here with Tavia around.

    Her father is getting pretty annoyed by her childish behavior, “Ava it ten at night already! Stop playing trick, sit down and be nice, you suppose to call people, now call her Tavia jie jie!” scolded the father.

    Ava grumpily turns around to sit down silently with her folded arms, she mumbled, “Wolf jie jie…”

    Benny became more irritated when he heard clearly what she just mumbled, “Ava!” he warned with harsh tone.

    The frustrated and pouting child know that she is not supposes to test her daddy temper. So she tries to say her name, “Ta...tav...ya...” Tavia giggled and patted Ava head. Ava hated it when she touch her and yelled crankily, “Stop touching me!” Ava quickly pressed her lips together and thinking to herself, ‘Uh oh, did I say that out loud JJ?’ Ava looked at Tavia and her dad, ‘I did she stopped and daddy face is as dark as uncle Ray Ray. Oh no, I'm going to get it this time.’ Ava pouted worryingly that her father will scold her later. She turns to stand up and hugged Benny around the neck with her head snuggled cozily on his should and neck, “Daddy I'm sleepy!”

    Benny nodded to Ava request, he stood up carrying Ava who rested her head on his shoulder. He gave Tavia a smile, "Sorry, she get a bit cranky when she is sleepy, please excuse me, I'll take her into my room. Be back with you in a sec." He winked making Tavia slightly laugh with a nod.

    Quickly, Benny took Ava into his room and closed the door behind them. He put her on his bed with his still eyes on her. Ava know that her daddy is going to lecture her this time. Benny tries his best to gently lay down his disappointment in her, instead of scolding her, "Ava you are being very mean and rude out there."

    Even though Ava eyes are kept on her father, she didn't said a word, instead she is thinking to herself, 'What am I suppose to do? Just let her eat me and be happy about it? Daddy she is trying to kill us!! Why are you so mad when I wanted to save you? She was eating you!! I saw it all she was eating you!!!' She suddenly blurted out loud, "She was eating you!!"

    Confusedly, the father gazed at his daughter wondering why god is playing with him like this. A bit impatient and annoyed by his daughter behavior, Benny harshly yelled with frustration, "Huh?!"

    Ava trembled seeing her daddy angry face with red stained large eyes on her. His voice isn't that friendly either, it was harsh and mean, and it was his first time yelling at her like this. Tears were starting to form as she yelled back frustratingly too, "She is a wolf daddy!" She cried and rubbed her eyes as she cry seeing Benny angry and mean stare and his tone. "I didn't mean to be mean to her, but she is a wolf! She tries to eat you!" Ava kept claiming.

    Like every single time in the past, Benny heart melt right away seeing her cry, he couldn't help himself from pampering her. He know he not suppose to yell at her so he calmed himself down and sited on the bed to pull her into his arm. "Shhh...don't cry Ava," whispered the gently voice of fatherly love, "daddy didn't mean to yell. Sorry okay?" Benny looked at Ava who is still crying and mumbling wolf over and over. He tries to use the reasoning approach, "But you not suppose to be mean to anyone like this." He sighed and rolled his eyes at Ava, cause he hear her continue to murmur wolf over and over again. "No she is not a wolf, she weren't eating me, we were just kissing!" Benny explained to stop her mumbling.

    The surprised Ava silenced and lifted her head up to stare at her daddy with confusion, "That is not how kissing is! Mommy and you never kissed me like that!"
    With a hand patting his forehead, Benny chuckled at his daughter ignorance mind, "Is not the same kind of kissing, this only occur between two adult that...well...umm..."

    "I haven't seen mommy and you kiss that way either," Ava added making Benny felt trapped with no word to explain. "Have you and mommy kissed that way too?" asked the curious child, she thinks it was weird the way they kiss with open mouth.
    "Not that I remember," Benny tone was so soft that it was meant for himself. He saw Ava round curious eyes on him, "Well, not every adult have to kiss this way. It's only between two persons that really like each other..."

    "You love her?" asked the daughter with a small broken heart.

    Benny shakes his head, which made Ava more confuse then ever but she is glad he shake his head. "Not exactly. I was just...umm...you know..." Benny rolled himself an eyes, 'how would she know?!' He didn't know how to put it to his that he was just flirting and wanted to fool around. And that it was not meant to be anything serious. He sighed with his eyes rolled up staring at the ceiling, 'Oh god please helps me!' he begged in his mind.

    "Like uncle Louii and the girls?" Ava nosily and curiously asked with frowning eyebrows.

    Swallowing sheepishly, Benny looked at Ava feeling a bit guilty, "Yeah," he softly admitted.

    Ava pouted with unhappy expression, "You like her?! What about mommy and me?"

    Tiredly and feel like being tied down with responsibility, Benny sighed and looked straight into her eyes, "Ava, I told you many time already. And even your mommy told you many time also that she and me will not be together no matter what." Ava sadden with her hope dying a bit, her father has explain this to her multiple time, but she never keep it in mind, cause she don't want to accept the fact. "I know it hard for you, but you need to understand this. You can't keep on ruining my relationship like this. Your mommy will eventually find someone she like too and I'll be happy for her and I bet she will be happy if I find someone one day to settle down too."

    The silent girl eyes are glistering with after hearing her daddy said that he would split up with her mommy sooner or later. Benny looked at her teary eyes and lifted her chin up to wipes her tears away with his two large thumbs. "I'm sorry, but this is how it will be. But you know both mommy and daddy loved you a lot and give you everything you ever wanted right?" He pulled her in for a squeeze and rubbed her arm, "Don't worry no matter what happen we will always love you. Now stop crying, is okay."

    Ava hugged her dad tightly sobbing with her little heart crushed, "What happen if both you and mommy get married? Then whose am I going to stay with? Why can't you love mommy instead? She is much prettier than that wolf out there!! Mommy is very nice and caring too!!!"

    Her father hugged her tightly to comfort her, "Yes, your mommy is really nice, caring, beautiful, and sometime sweet, but we could only be best friend. And don't worry even if we both got married, you will always be in our first place." He chuckled and pulled her in front of him, "Beside I don't think I'll ever want to get married anyway and your mom is too controlling to have anyone willing to be her husband. So you will always see us both just like now!

    The silly child sniffed and wiped her tears with her weakly giggled, "Daddy, you promise not to abandon me?" she sweetly begged.

    Laughed at her silliness, Benny helped her wipe her tears, "Of course not silly! I bet you will be the one wanting to abandon me fourteen years later, when you get a boyfriend!"

    "EWWW!!!!" Ava complained with a disgusted look. Benny laughed. Cheerfully Ava swings her arms around her father and hugged it tightly with a loud smooch on his left cheek, "Daddy, I promise not to abandon you for sure!!" That sentence always reminded Benny why he loved her so much and wouldn't trade the world for her.

    Smiling warmly, Benny released her hug and rubbed his hand on her hair, it was one of his bonds with Ava. He pulled his blanket up and signal Ava to lies down on the bed. With a wishful sigh, "I hope you still remember this fourteen years later. Okay it's very late so go to sleep now and we can talk in the morning."

    Ava obey and lied down on the bed with a cheerful smile and a redden face from crying. "I won't forget! I'll always wanted to be with you and mommy forever," reassured the innocent child that think this world is always this simple.

    Tugged her in, Benny kissed her forehead, "I'll remember, and don't worry your mommy and me will never leave you behind. Now close your eyes and sleep or you will be very grumpy for your first day in preschool tomorrow. Goodnight and sweet dream."

    Obediently, Ava nodded with a yawn and closed her sleepy eyes, "Goodnight daddy." Benny smiles and walked out with the bedroom door closed. Ava quickly got herself off the bed and open the door a bit to stick her head out to see what her daddy is doing with Tavia.

    Benny walked back to Tavia and sat next to her on the sofa, he is no longer in the mood to flirt after his short conversation with his concerning daughter. Embarrassedly, he apologized, "Sorry about Ava, she is always like that when I try to start a relationship. Please don't mind what she said."

    "Of course I won't, "Tavia smiled understandingly, "I understand that it must be very hard for her. She is a very adorable and a pretty child, is her mom very pretty?"

    "Of course! My mommy is a million times prettier than you!! My mommy is the best!! You can never compare!!" Ava softly whispered to herself, not daring to say it too loudly fearing that her daddy will catch her spying.

    The mentioning of Annie, somehow made Benny smiled warmly from the heart unknowingly as he continue to talk about his childhood best friend Annie, "Yeah, Annie is pretty and Ava resemble her a lot. I remember how Annie used to look like when she is about Ava age. They could be identical twins if Annie is four again."

    "Wow, you know her since childhood?" Tavia was surprise to know. She could pick the slight sweet grin in the corner of Benny lip, when he talks about Annie.

    He nodded and continues, "We grew up together. I'm only one years older then her, that why we always play together. In fact I don't remember anything else before I know Annie. I was only five when we first met." He suddenly notices Tavia slight chuckle at him, which made him caught on right away on what she is thinking about. He shakes his head at her assumption, "Don't misunderstand, Annie and me could only be friend or even buddy, but never have we think about dating. That is the problem with Ava, she could never understand that Annie and me will never work out, I told her many time but she just don't get it."

    Leaning her sleepy body against the doorframe, Ava frowned at what her father said. "Of course every children wanted to be with both parents," it was Tavia voice that filled the quite flat, "I understand very well how Ava is feeling. My parents got a divorce when I was seven and it tears me apart back then, but I finally accepted it when I grew up and got my own life."

    Benny let out a horrified expression with a sarcastic chuckle, "Oh great, that will probably be fourteen more years!"

    His date laughed joyfully, "But she is really cute, even when she is mad at me. Why didn't you think of being with her mom? Why is it impossible? If you don't mind me being nosy, I think you do like her subconsciously."

    "With Annie? No way!" Benny stated what he thought it true. He ponders awhile before he shrugged with his head shaking gesturing an impossible look, "It will never happen, we are like best friend and know too much about each other to fall in love with each other. We grew up together in the same orphanage and we are more like brother and sister."

    "Than how come you guy have Ava?" Tavia nosily asked with interest.

    Ava have wanted to know the answer to this question for a long time, so she was really silent and wait for her daddy to explain. Raymond just finish his nice long shower and walked out of the bathroom seeing Ava staring at the living room, he than notice that Benny was with another girl, he felt bad for Ava to see Benny with someone else, so he quickly picked her up from the back and carry her into the bedroom. Ava was startle and turned around, "Uncle Ray Ray let me down," she pleaded, "Daddy is going to say why he had me if he didn't like mommy and he probably get to why he and mommy devoiced!"

    The dark toned uncle that smelled really fresh didn't let her go, instead he squeezed a tight hug on her and pecked her cheek. Raymond was glad that he got her away before she heard the truth. It would hurt Ava to hear that she is just an accident and was not planned to have at all. Raymond even worry that his brother will get into detail and talk about the abortion plan he and Annie once has. "Ava you know you are not suppose to listen on your daddy conversation like that. Being a good little girl, can't be this nosy. Now look it almost ten thirty and your mommy will be home soon, she will be very mad seeing you still up and hadn't sleep at all yet. Lets go back to bed now." He put her down on the bed, Ava didn't care and try to climb down but Raymond pushed her back up the bed again. "Ava listen to uncle Ray Ray and go to sleep now, okay rug rat?"

    "But I want to know," whined the desperate Ava.

    Raymond felt sorry after seeing her angry stare and flat frown lips, "Your parents will tell you when you are a bit older."

    Stressed, Ava hiss with her sigh, "Is always this line! I'm old enough to know!! Do I need to be a million years old to know?! It's that bad?!" she looked at Raymond suspiciously and pleaded him by shaking his arm. "Do you know why uncle Ray Ray? Tell me! Please tell me! I just wanted to know! Did they misunderstand each other and got a divorce? Or is it because mommy couldn't stand daddy snoring or being lazy? Or does daddy like being like uncle Louii and wanted many girlfriend instead of just mommy?"

    The uncle certainly think that Annie allow his niece to watch too many TVB series. That four years old sounded like a marriage counselor! Raymond stopped Ava nudging and held her shoulder firmly, "Ava stop! I don't know anything about it, trust me your parents will eventually tell you. And they loved you isn't that what count? Now let lay down and sleep, tomorrow is your first day of school!" he reminded with a chuckle, "You don't want other kids calling you a grumpy panda right? Ava you have always been listening to me."

    The obedient niece frowned while she slowly lies down on her daddy's bed. Raymond smiled with warm seeing her listened to him and respected him like so. "That's my sweet little rug rat! Okay closes your eyes and sleep now," he encouragingly told her. Ava pouted with disappointment while her drowsy eyes shut obediently. Raymond pecks her forehead, "Goodnight," he whispered. He turn around and return to the desk to do some last minute study for tomorrow final. Ava open her eyes and saw Raymond sited on the desk with his back facing her. She rest on the bed and stare at the door wanting to know what her dad doing with Tavia.

    'JJ do you think they are doing the adult kiss again? Eww that is just so sick!! Gosh I were so close to knowing why they divorced, if only uncle Ray Ray would take a longer shower!' she rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned tiredly, 'Why would mommy and daddy want a divorce?' Answers were popping up her mind as she ponder about the question, but it is really late and her eyelids got heavier and heavier as she finally fallen asleep and breathing peacefully.

    After an hour later Benny walked in with a cheerful smile. He stepped up to Ava and pushed her inner toward the wall so he can climb into bed and sleep with her. "Tomorrow is your last exam huh? How was the one on Friday?" Benny asked his younger brother.

    Raymond closed the textbook and stretching his tire body, "I think it went okay, I am sure it's not an "A" but I am also sure I didn't fail." He looked at Benny seriously, "Benny you shouldn't bring a girl to the apartment and flirt in front of Ava, did you know she was listening and almost heard why you and Annie had her?"

    The older brother sighed and turns around to look at his daughter, who is sleeping like a baby, he moved her hair back and tugged it behind her ears to show her beautiful and adorable face. "Maybe it would be better to let her know, so she understands more," Benny soft voice answered, he had wonder many time before how it would be like if he never have a daughter.

    The disappointed younger Chan stare at his older brother with still pupils, "Gor you are so selfish! It will be cruel to tell her that she is an accident and not really wanted. She had a right to live, is not her fault that you skewed up with Annie." Benny swiftly throws his slipper at Raymond who caught it immediately with a chuckle. "She is not that bad," Raymond added honestly. He does think it special to be an uncle at a very young age. Plus he too loved Ava a lot.

    Benny place his hand on Ava face and felt her soft smooth skin gently, "Raymond I was just kidding, of course I wouldn't make her suffer, she meant too much to me. I just hope that she understand and accept the fact soon. Maybe school is a good things, she will have her own friends to play with and not have time to worry about Annie and me." He yawned and closes his eyes to sleep. Raymond turns off the light and climbed up to the upper bunk bed to sleep too.

    After about thirty minute Charmaine and Annie came back from their Sunday night class and walked into Benny and Raymond room, Charmaine turns on the light. Annie was going to take Ava back over to her own room, but seeing Benny hugging her while he sleep with Ava soundly and peacefully, made Annie heart felt warm all over inside at the sight. She smiled warmly at them and walked out with Charmaine turning off the light and shut the door behind. "Aren't you picking her up?" asked Charmaine.

    Annie shakes her head, she is heading to the door to go back to her flat. "I'll let Ava sleep here tonight if you don't mind."

    "Of course I don't," chuckled Charmaine.

    "Goodnight Charm, I'll see you tomorrow," Annie said before she left.

    "Goodnight!" Charmaine replied back. She shut and locked the door. Then she went to shower and finally sleeps on her comfy bed too.
    ******

    <font size="1">[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: Yak ]</font>

  9. #9
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Ava sure have a wild imagination. Tavia's a wolf <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> Update more when you have time! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  10. #10
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Hey jeh, I finished the last chapter, have fun reading! And yeah, Ava is a very silly girl that imagine her little world being like her bedtime stories and movies that she watch. lol <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> She did hear of "The Little Red Riding Hood" fairytale from Annie, hahahaha... <IMG SRC="smilies/angrystick.gif" border="0">

  11. #11
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Chapter 5: Concept of Adduction

    A loud disturbance was created by the alarm clock in Annie room, Annie irritatingly shoved it off of her nightstand causing it to crush onto the floor stopping it wake up call. Annie, who was too tire from last night long and dreadful class, couldn't wake up this morning cause she still didn't have enough sleep to recover from the long and boring class lecture with Steven Ma. She slept soundly hugging her blanket with her legs and her pillow covering her head to reduce the amount of light.

    Meanwhile over in Benny flat, Ava has just fluttered her eyelid open staring into the white wall confusedly not remembering where she is. She rolled over to check out her surrounding. A relieved smile cheerfully shines once she saw the sight of her daddy snoring next to her. She sited upright and looked at the room with no other sound but her daddy breathing. So she climbed off and looked up at the upper bunk bed, all she see is Raymond dark arm stick out from the bed. She giggled and turns to opens the bedroom door to go outside searching for something to entertain herself.

    The entire flat is quiet and seems to be empty. Ava smiled with her curious round eyes toward Charmaine room, she walked over wanting to see if she is up to play with her. Sticking her head in between the door and the doorframe, Ava peek in to spy on Charmaine, who has her legs and arm dangling on the side of the bed as she slept peacefully with her messy hairdo. Ava chuckled at Charmaine mumbling in her sleep. Her attention has switched toward her aunt cute Pooh Bear alarm clock. Silently, she walked in not wanting to wake her aunt. Ava took the alarm clock and walked out with it to play with the clock. The entire house was asleep except for her, she moved the buttons and switch of the Pooh Bear alarm clock as she play tea party with it on the couch by herself.

    After a couple minute she lost interest and just throw it on the sofa, and head out to search for other entertaining object to play with. “What's there to do?” she whispered to her imaginary friend that only she could see. Ava saw the balcony with pots of pretty flower, she smile and walked toward the balcony. “I bet aunty Charm will like having those flower in her room! Come on JJ, lets go get some!” she excitedly said, but still in a whispering voice cause she don’t want to wake up the adult.

    Ava approach the balcony and slide the door open to step out. She squatted down looking at the flower joyfully. “Aunty Charm always loved rose, but these are so small, I'll need more of it. JJ do you think mommy will want some too? But there is not enough. This is only enough for Aunty Charm, I’ll get mommy some later,” she thoughtfully concluded. Ava reached her fingers out to pick the rose, “Ouch! It’s bites! Bad bad flower!” she scolded with her stern facial expression with dark sharp eyes staring at the red mini rose.

    Suddenly a wick smile lightened her face as she beamed up to see a pair of scissor, she grab it and hide it behind herself as she stare at the pot of mini rose. “Don't worry it won't hurt a bit, it just like a hair cut,” she assured the plant, in her world everything is alive and active, everything have feeling and soul. Smiled evilly, Ava pulled the scissor out and cut a bit here and there until finally the entire pot of mini rose is bald. She walked inside happily and goes get a glass form the sink to fill it up with water by climbing on the lower shelf.

    Satisfy with a glassful of water, she ran back to the balcony again and carefully put all the roses into the glass. She actually only cut the rose flowering off leaving the stem behind cause the stem have sharp thorn. With a swirl, the rose floated in the glassful of water like it showing her a beautiful dance of red petal. A bright smiles shown up on Ava as she watches the pretty mini rose swirling around and around in the glass. “Aunty Charm will like this! Let go put it in her room!” she ran in excitedly and places it on Charmaine nightstand facing her so she could see it once she woke up.

    With an anxious smile on her aunt, Ava decided to be a good girl and not wake Charmaine up, she quietly step back out of the room with the door shut. The little preschooler headed into the kitchen to hunt herself a bag of cookies before she settle down on the sofa to eat happily with the TV on watching cartoon.

    After about two hours, which is nine in the morning Annie finally wake up herself and wonder why the alarm didn't wake her up, she stare at the alarm which is on the floor confusedly and pick it up to set on her night stand again, but her eyes bulged out at the clock tell her it was nine ten right now. She then remember that it was Ava first day of preschool and it start at nine and the shop have some fresh flower going to deliver to the store by ten and she must be there to sign the paper. She screamed in stress as she run to Ava room and to her surprise Ava is not in her room then she remember she is at Benny. She quickly ran over and opens the door seeing Ava sited in front of the TV with the empty box of cookies. Ava looked at her mom with a surprise cheerful smile, “Mommy!!!”

    The four years old greeted loudly while she gotten herself standing on the sofa with arms reaching out toward Annie. Annie picked her up and looked around, “Where's everyone?”

    Cling to her mom, Ava answered with her stretching voice, “Sleeeeeeeping”

    Shocked that everyone seems to be in a sleeping spell, Annie quickly got into Charmaine room to wake her up. “Charm wake up it almost nine thirty already!! Charmaine wake up now!!!” she pushed on her best friend body, Charmaine yawned and stretched. “Wake up okay, I need to get Ava change and get her to school!” Annie left and walked back to her side of the apartment in a rush.

    Meanwhile Charmaine rubbed her eyes and turned sleepily toward her nightstand trying to look for her Pooh Bear alarm clock for the time, but her eyes bulged out went she see the glass of rose, she was confuse and finally recognize it was her precious mini rose floating on the water. She rubbed her eyes and stare at it again with disbelief. Immediately Charmaine shoot upright on her bed and fully awake now with her hand tightly holding the glass of her precious rose. “OMG who did this?!!! My rose!!! Ahhhhahhhh!!!!” she screamed in panic and swiftly jumps off her bed rushing to the balcony to see her pot of rose. She froze in the sight of the bladed pot of rose, all the roses are gone including the buds. She screamed loudly that it waked Benny and Raymond up right away, “ AHHHHAAHHHHAHAHHAH!!!!!!!! WHO DID THIS?!”

    The youngest Chan ran out of the room with Benny sleepily following behind to see what’s happening. Raymond froze on the sight of the kitchen clock stating that it was nine twenty three, “I am going to be so late to my final! Jie why didn't you wake me up?! You always wake me up after you done with your brushing! Oh my I need to run!” he ran to the bathroom to brush and quickly change to speed his way off to school.

    Charmaine squatted down with tears and shock seeing her pot of rose all gone. Benny just yawned sleepily and collapses to the sofa to sleep longer. The eldest sister stare at Benny accusingly, “Benny did you did this?!”

    The lazy one yawned and put the sofa pillow over his ear to reduce Charmaine voice. “I'm not that free to do that, I rather sleep!” he grumpily answered.

    Angered Charmaine looked around searching for the little rascal, “Where is Ava?”

    “Now that could be a big chance!” Benny immediately hopped up on his heel to go protect his daughter knowing that Charmaine is really mad.

    Charmaine angrily stormed over to Annie flat, Benny sense trouble and run quickly ahead of her. Once Benny set foot into Ava room, he immediately swoop Ava up into his arms protectively. Ava was changing into her school uniform with the help of her mommy. She smiled cheerfully at her daddy while she is a bit lost to what is going on.

    “What is going on?” Annie asked puzzlingly, she wanted to finish dressing her daughter and get her to school quickly.

    The angry Charmaine finally catch up and demanded in a harsh tone, “Benny let her go!! I need to question her!!”

    The overly protective young father sheltered Ava from Charmaine, “She is just a kid Charm, don't get mad, I'll buy you a new pots okay? I bet Annie have a lot stocked up in the store anyway!”

    Annie seeing Charmaine inflamed face and the way Benny cover Ava, she got the hint that Ava did something terrible. “Charm what's wrong? Did Ava do something wrong?” asked the concerned mother. Ava was confused and try to look at Charmaine as her dad cover her. She is as lost as her mommy is.

    With a sighed, Charmaine hands the glass of roses to Annie, “She cut all the rose off my pot of mini rose! I had been planting that for three years now!”

    Disappointingly, Annie eyes widen and mouth drops, “Ava how could you! Benny let me talk to her!”

    Benny drop Ava on her bed and turn to face them with his arm spread out to protect Ava, who is peeking at them confusedly, “Come on girls is just a pot of rose, I can buy you ten of them, just leave her alone!”

    “Benny is not the rose we need to teach her what right and wrong!” Charmaine exclaimed. Ava curiously looked at her and walked out from under Benny arm and stand in front of Charmaine. Benny held onto the back of her jumper so she don't get too close to Charmaine.

    “Aunty Charm did you like the roses?” Ava innocently asked with her cheerful smile, “I pick them for you this morning; I know you loved rose!” The three looked at her naive and innocent behavior not knowing to laugh or to scold.

    Weakened Charmaine sighed to cool down a bit and bend down to her height, she didn't want to scold at her anymore. “Ava you pick them for me?”

    The child nods vigorously, “YUP!!! I wanted you to see the pretty flower when you wake up!” she held out her finger with little holes. “I try to cut the stem too like how mommy do it but it bites me, see!” Charmaine chuckled at her while looking at her fingers.

    With a sigh she just nodded, how can she yell at her after her explanation? “Thanks Ava, but those are pots plant, you not suppose to cut from pots plant, do you understand? But I still like them, just don't do it again okay?” Charmaine calm voice told her niece.

    Annie sited down on the bed next to her daughter. She turn Ava to face her, “Is very sweet of you to cut Charmaine rose, but you need to make sure who pots you cutting from and ask the person if it is okay for you to do so, do you understand?” Ava nods and Annie smile sweetly at her and hugged her, “Good, why don't you say sorry to aunty Charm, she loved the pots of rose that you just destroy.”

    Ava is confuse on why her mommy would be mad with her idea, but she say sorry anyway cause it always get her out of trouble, “Sorry aunty Charm.”

    “Is okay, just ask next time okay?” Charmaine gave Ava a reassuring smile. “Oh it late I need to get change, Benny you too, the pastry needed to be done before the costumer came, come on lets go.”

    “Wait, I need to be at the shop too, who could take Ava to school?” Annie asked.

    After a quick brainstorming Charmaine suggested, “What about Louis? He is always the lazy and useless one!”

    Laughingly, Annie agreed, “I'll go get him up to take Ava to school.”

    “Okay see you later, Ava do good in school and make me proud hon!!” Charmaine walked out.

    Benny smiles at Ava and gave her a hugs, “Just have funs in school okay? Daddy will make some of your favorite pastry for you to eat when you come home for lunch okay?”

    “Okay!! I want strawberry!” requested the easily pleased child.

    “Okay, I'll remember that! Have fun!!” with one last peck on Ava cheek, he left.

    Annie helped Ava straighten up her school uniform, which is a white short-sleeved shirt with a navy blue jumper over it with the school logo. “Ava go get your uncle Louis up to take you to school, mommy need to change now okay?” Annie instructed.

    Jump off her bed, Ava answered before she head toward Louis room, “Okay!!” Ava open Louis door and climbed onto his bed and jumped up and down to wake him but he didn't seem to care so she pushed him as hard as she could. “Uncle Louii wake up!!! I need to go to school!” whined the squeaky voice.

    The uncle sleepily pushed her away, “Don't bother me Ava go get your mom!”

    The round eyes of Ava stare at Louis, “Mommy said she need to go to the store now and you have to take me. Come on mommy say I'm really late!” she kneels down next to him and pushed him with all her strength.

    Annie walked in seeing Louis still sleeping, “Gor wake up now! It’s nine forty already. You need to help me get Ava to school now, she is forty minutes late already! Come on please gor!! I really need to run to the store now before the delivery guy come, so please wake up and take her! Ava get your uncle up okay? Gor, can you buy her some breakfast on the way to school too? I really need to go, so bye! Ava behave and listen to your teacher okay? Say sorry that you are late for today and tell her that you won't be late again.”

    “Okay mommy, bye!” Ava sweetly replied, Annie left and Louis stays asleep. Ava try to wake him up but it was no use. She finally went to the bathroom and return with the lips stick, “Uncle Louii wake up or I'll draw on you again!” she wittily warned.

    Louis saw her approaching him, but Louis stick his arm out to press his palm against Ava forehead in order to hold her from coming any closer. “No you are not. Ava do you really want to go to school? There are many bullies in school that are like the kid downstairs,” Louis threatened. “Why don't you come up to just sleep with me okay?” he lifted her up on his bed and put her down next to him. Ava show him her scare and concern face after hearing that. Louis sigh and know that he shouldn't scare her like that, Annie will kill him for doing that to Ava and making her skip school. So he rubbed his face with his two hands and yawned as he drags himself off of bed. Picked Ava up and onto his shoulder, “Okay lets go to school.”

    This time Ava shakes her head vigorously, she hated the kid downstairs that kept picking on her. “No!! I don't want to go to school! I don't want to!” she protested, “I hate bullies!!” she added with her flattens lips and shakes her head. Louis saw her expression from the bathroom mirror and know he made a big mistake. Ava eyes were full of fear and tears were forming.

    Louis quickly lifts her off his shoulder and set her down on the closed toilet. He smiled as he lift her chin, “I'm sorry, I just made that up to make you stay home so I can sleep. There is no bully in school, you will love preschool, you don't have to do much but have fun and made friend. You even get snack and nap, if I could I would go too!”

    Ava looked at him with disbelief, “You are lying!”

    The uncle chuckled, “You are not good with knowing when I lie and when I'm saying the truth huh?” he rubbed her hair, “Trust me it will be fun, I wanted to go too! Hey food and sleep, what else can you ask for right?!”

    Smiled cheerfully again, Ava suggested, “Why don't you go with me? Then if any bully comes to pick on me, you can punch them in the eyes!”

    Laughed, Louis shake his head, “I think I'm too old for preschool, your teacher probably wanted to date me more than teach me.”

    The new preschooler rolled her eyes at him, “Do you have to think of girl all the time? What about me? I have bully problem!!”

    Lifted her up, Louis let her sit on his shoulder as he walked in front of the sink to put tooth pasted on his toothbrush. “I told you already, I was just scaring you, and who could bully you around? You are a bully yourself!”

    “That not truth!” Ava pouted, “Daddy and mommy say I'm sweet, not like that meany downstairs!”

    “Of course your parents think you are sweet, they are the one that make this mess,” mumbled the uncle who is brushing as he talk.

    “Huh?” Ava couldn’t hear what he was saying.

    Louis stopped brushing for a sec, “Forget it, just put some gel on my hair and comb it with your fingers,” he hand her the small gel bottle and return to his brushing.

    Ava squeezing the gel out on her hand and slap it on Louis hair and rub it around with her two hands. “Uncle Louii, is school really fun? What about the teacher? Are they mean and strict?” Ava asked with her nervous voice.

    Her uncle rinsed his mouth, “Ava, I say comb not rub it in.” Ava runs her little fingers into Louis hair. “The teachers don't get mean until you reach grade school. Don't worry you will have fun. Think of all the friends you can make instead of imagining them,” he teased. He wipes his face and looked at the bathroom clock, “Whoa! It’s ten fifteen, we better hurry, or your teacher will be mean to me!” He ran into his room to change and run out toward the door.

    “Wait my backpack!!” Ava reminded. Louis grab it and hand it to her as he run out with her on his shoulder and heading to her school. Ava turn her attention to the man that is selling fish balls on a stick with his cart, “Uncle Louii I'm hungry.”

    “Not now Ava, we are really late!” Louis wanted to run into the school but Ava yanked his hair, “OUch!! Ava!”

    Ava pushed Louis head, “I want fish balls! I’m hungry.”

    Sighed and rolled his eyes as he walked toward the cart, “Okay stops the pushing! Can I have two sticks?” he asked the owner.

    “That will be two dollar,” the mid fifty years old man said while handing Louis two sticks of fish balls. Louis paid him and grabs the fish ball.

    He handed one to Ava and eat the other himself, “Eat faster, get it finish before I reach your classroom.” He walked slowly and enters her school. Finally, they reach her classroom. Ava try her best to finish but she still has two left. Louis turns the doorknob and open it to enter the room, the classroom of twenty students sited in circle with the teacher, all turned their attention to him and Ava, Ava stare at them and felt nervous. The teacher approach them with a curious look, Louis eyes were glue to her cause she is friendly and looked really sweet and pure.

    “Hi, is she in my class?” asked Flora, the teacher of the class while she smiles at Ava. Ava gulped nervously and dropped her fish stick on Louis head; her mouth was oily. Flora giggled and reaches to take the fish stick off of Louis head, “Let me help you with that.” She shows him the fish stick after she got it out.

    Louis smiled charmingly and nods as he lifted Ava off of him and put her on the ground. Ava is a bit nervous and hide behind him. “Thanks, yeah she is all yours,” said the gentle voice of Louis, while his eyes are glued on Flora.

    Flora squatted down and looked at Ava, “Come on class started already, don't be scare is okay,” she smiles but Ava just stare at her and cling to Louis, Louis smile at the sight of Flora being so caring and loving. He pulled Ava away from him and pushed her forward. Flora pulled a piece of napkin out of her tissue box and wipe Ava mouth. “What is your daughter name?” she asked with her eyes glance up toward Louis, “She is very adorable, kind of resemble you a bit.”

    Ava shakes her head, “He isn…” Louis covers her mouth, he like the attention he is getting from Flora.

    “She is Ava, yeah she is cute like me huh?” Louis cuts in.

    With a friendly soft chuckle, Flora looked straight into Ava eyes, “Hi Ava, I'm Miss Chan.” She grabs Ava hand and guides her toward the rest, “Okay Ava come on and join the class, we were about to sing. Why were you so late today?”

    The uncle walked up to the teacher, “Miss Chan it's my fault, I couldn't wake up, don't worry I won't be late tomorrow, I promise!” Ava stare at him confusedly and he gave her a look to tell her to keep silent. “Ava will be here on time from now on! Right Ava?” Obediently Ava nods.

    Kindly, Flora patted Ava head, “Great, than I'll see you early tomorrow?”

    Louis nodded happily, “Yeah, I'll go now, Ava be a good girl for daddy okay?” Ava stare at him with her round eyes and his eyes tell her to play along.

    “okay,” Ava weakly said.

    Louis left and Flora held on to Ava hand to guide her to sit down next to her, “Ava you can sit here and join us.” Ava nodded and listened.

    A boy sit next to Ava turned to smile sweetly at her, he looked up at Flora, “ Mommy who is she?”

    “Why don't you ask her yourself Robbi?” Flora suggested, wanting the two preschoolers to make a friendship bond.

    Robbi turn to look at Ava. Ava narrow her eyes at him scanning him into her head to see any trace of him being a bully. He smiled with friendly soft eyes, “Hi I'm Robin Chan, but everyone call me Robbi, so what's your name?”

    Ava smiled sweetly, he sound nice and friendly enough, “I'm Ava.” Flora started to sing with the other kids as Ava and Robbi whisper to each other, “So Miss Chan is your mommy?”

    The barely five years old boy looked up at Flora and giggled, “Not really, she adopted me cause my parent got a divorce and moved away leaving me behind when I was a baby.”

    The eyes of Ava widened, “Adducted you?” her soft voice asked. In her mind she gossiped with JJ, ‘ JJ did you heard him? He gotten adducted by Miss Chan cause his parents got divorce and moved away.’ Ava grasped in fear still talking in her mind as Robbi stare at her weird expression, ‘Oh no that mean Miss Chan is an alien!’ her mouth open wide and froze. ‘What if daddy and mommy decide to move away? Then I'll be adducted by her too!’ Ava screamed out loud, “AHHHHAHHAH!!!!”

    Her new teacher stopped and looked at her. Ava jumped up from her chair and ran to the door. Flora swiftly runs up to her, “Ava what’s wrong?”

    Flora tapped her shoulder, Ava screaming in fear and pushed her away, “Don't touch me, don't touch me please!! My mommy and daddy wanted me!! You don't need to adduct me. Stay away please! I want to go home!!” distressingly Ava started to cry. Flora hugged her and rubbed her back. “I don't want to be adducted! I want my mommy and daddy now!!!” she demanded as Flora picks her up and back to the group. “They want me! They are not leaving me behind, daddy say so!”

    The caring teacher put Ava on her lap, Ava is sobbing, “Shhh...who say they didn't want you?” Flora asked in her soft gentle voice. She turn to look at Robbi, “Robbi what did you say to her?”

    The young boy shrugged, “Mommy, I just say you adopted me cause my parent didn't want me.”

    Ava screamed in tears, “I don't want to be ADDUCTED!!! My parents want me!! They want me!”

    Flora couldn’t help herself from laughing at the silly preschooler, “Ava, Robbi say adopt not adduct, I'm too sweet and kind to be an alien right?” Ava rubbed her eyes and looked at her. “And no one going to adopt you ether, I'm pretty sure your dad don't want that.”

    “You're not an alien?” Ava asked while she wiped her tears and calmed down.

    Her teacher continue to chuckle, “Do I looked that bad?”

    Ava shake her head with a bit of uncertain, “No, you look really pretty and I could tell uncle Louii like you too.”

    The teacher patted her head and let her down to return to her seat, “Thanks, lets begin our lesson okay?” They all nods and she taught them to sing some very simple and happy song. Ava did enjoy preschool a lot, all her classmate was her age and there are no bullies. She made good friend with Robbi and played with him the entire day.
    ******

  12. #12
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Ava is so cute! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Everyone was late today, huh? <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0">I'm sure Robbi and Ava going to become good friends. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> Hope to read more so please update.

  13. #13
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Hehehe...it seem like it just you and me, jeh! Lol <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Thanks for reading and leaving me comment! To repay, I made this chapter a bit longer then it suppose to be <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> I added an extra scene that my original story doesn't have. So enjoy!
    ------------------


    Chapter 6: A Little Lie Won't Hurt

    At the counter facing the door to Sweet Flower and Chocolate, Annie fingers is quickly cranking number into a calculator summing up last month business. The store is extra quiet now, with Ava gone to preschool. Raymond hasn't return from his exam yet, while Louis has volunteers to pick up Ava. Charmaine has goes out for lunch break and also to deliver three orders afterward. Like usual Benny is in the back baking while Annie govern the store.

    The charming ring of the bell made Annie looked up with hope for a new costumer. A fashionably dressed female stepped in with a smile as she looking around like she is searching for someone and checking this place out. Annie immediately stepped out to greet her costumer, "Miss would you like to order a bouquet?" Annie asked since the costumer is looking at the fresh flower.

    "Actually, no. I'm looking for Benny," said the sweet voice of the woman that is about Annie age.

    "Oh," Annie saddens a bit, she was hoping for business. How many times has she told Benny and Louis not to have their date come for them during business hour? Politely Annie smiled at her, even though she felt a bit angry for some reason. "He is in the back, let me go get him out for you."

    "It's alright! I'll go in to surprise him myself," the female suggested.

    The way she dressed and acted, made Annie think she is high in dope. Annie stare at her like she is some kind of alien to think that she has the right to just walk in and out of her store freely. "No. It's better if you stay here and let me go get him for you," Annie firm voice told the female in a not too friendly tone. She doesn't know why, but she doesn't like this girl much already.

    "Alright then," the girl said with her eyes offensively at Annie, she is not too please with Annie attitude. Annie didn't really care what this girl think or if she has offended her.

    With a sigh, Annie grumpily marched into the kitchen, she felt irritated by the girl. She doesn't know why the sights of this girl get on her nerve. She have costumer like this girl before, but it never bothered her much. "There is a girl here to look for you again," Annie bluntly said with her eyes on Benny, who is decorating some tart that he made for Ava.

    "A girl?" Benny asked in surprise as he wonders who it could possibly be.

    "Yes," Annie annoyed voice answer before she turn wanting to head back out.

    "Do you know her name? It's not Cherie right?" Benny asked with a gulp. He has been trying to avoid this girl that he kind of ditched at the bar for Tavia. Since he knows the girl is not his type.

    His childhood friend turned to gaze at him with her sharp daggered eyes, her voice is not too happy with his question, "Do I look like your secretary Benny? How am I supposes to know which girl is which? And haven't I told you not to let them come bother you during business..."

    "Okay, okay stop nagging!" Benny cut in, "Shehs, what gotten into you today? It's not my fault that business is slow, you don't have to be so grouchy and put your frustration on me." Annie turned away hissing softly with her displease. She too don't know why she is so grouchy, maybe it because of the hot weather and the slow business that is getting into her. Seeing Annie inflamed mood, Benny softened a bit. He pulled his hat off and his voice softened, "I'm sorry," he apologized to the silenced Annie. "I didn't tell any of them to come look for me here. I don't know how she get here too," he added before he leaves to walk out. Annie pouted and headed out right behind Benny.

    "Oh no it is her," Benny softly murmured to himself after seeing the girl waiting outside. Annie curiously looked toward the girl after hearing Benny tone, she could tell that Benny didn't want to see that girl. Benny stepped out with a bright smile to greet the girl, "Hi! Cherie...Cherie Chan right?" Annie rolled her eyes at Benny for being so fakes. She returned to the counter to continue her calculation.

    "Benny!" Cherie cheerfully greeted as she leaps in to hug him and pecked his cheek. Benny is a bit shocked by her being so friend, he swears he just barely knows her name and that is it. Annie couldn't help herself from glancing over with her eyes harden on them. Her finger stiffly pressed on the button that she is pressing on, causing a roll of nine to quickly appear across the calculator screen.

    "Cherie, how did you know I'm here?" Benny asked as he tries to loosen Cherie embrace. For some reason, he never feels comfortable to hug another girl in front of Annie. He probably wouldn't be this awkward if they are elsewhere. His eyes got a glimpse of Annie hard eyes, which made him wonder why Annie seems so grumpy today. Annie quickly return to her calculator not wanting to let Benny caught her spying on him.

    "Louis told me that you are an owner here, so I thought of coming down to check it out and give you a surprise," said the girl. She looked toward Annie with displease, "But you really should hire new worker, she don't know how to welcome costumer at all. No wonder there is no costumer around."

    Steaming with anger, Annie growled to herself, she could hear what the girl said which really bugging her, but she kept silent hissing with her hard eyes on the digital calculator. Cleared his throat Benny nudging Cherie out of the store. He could sense Annie getting boiled up if Cherie stays any longer. "Cherie, it pretty hot Today huh? Lets head out for an ice cream," Benny suggested just to get Cherie away from Annie.

    "You still have things to bake," Annie grumpily reminded with a loud sigh and turned to head into the back kitchen herself. Benny felt guilty seeing her walked away with her not too happy expression.

    He let out a big sigh at Cherie, "Why did you came?"

    "Where were you last night?" the girl shamelessly asked. "I thought we were going to..."

    Benny rolled his eyes at her, "I went home," Benny lied.

    Cherie smiled brightly, "It's alright, are you free tonight?"

    "Cherie, there is no connection between us, that why I left," Benny honestly explained.

    "What you mean there is no connection? You haven't even goes out with me yet. Come on I have tickets for a concert tonight!" the girl persisted. Benny slumped his shoulder, he knew she is the sticky type, that why he tries to avoid her last night. He really doesn't understand how ordering a beer for her will cause him this much trouble. Concernedly, Benny eyes are toward the back wondering what Annie is doing. The girl turned him back to face her, "Ah Louis said that you like to watch action movie, we could go to that instead."

    'Louis,' Benny angrily mumbled in his mind. 'Stupid Louis, always push the girl he doesn't want over!'

    "Well?" asked Cherie.

    "I'm sorry Cherie, I'm busy tonight. Why don't you go ask Louis?" he suggested.

    "With what?!" the girl demanded.

    Benny rolled his eyes, "With my daughter! I need to take care of my daughter tonight!" his voice is no longer gentle.

    "You have a daughter?" she asked, Benny quickly nodded, thinking that the fact might help get rid of her. "That is nice, we could take her out too!"

    Dropped his jaw in disbelief Benny shake his head, "No." He looked around to make sure that no one else is around, "I'm sorry, I lie to you. I'm happily married, so I never think about dating you or any one else. I just ordered you a beer cause you forgot to bring your money."

    "You're married? You're lying. I chatted with Louis last night, and he never mentions that you are married. In fact he think that we match," Cherie stated.

    "Well he is lying. I'm married to his sister, the one that you just say that I need to fire. We have a daughter together and we are happily married, so why don't you please leave us alone. I think she is mad with me now. I better go in to explain to her," Benny gave the girl his puppy eyes.

    "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you are really married. I better leave now," embarrassedly Cherie quickly left.

    "But Louis is still single!" Benny shouted after her while laughing at her for being so easily tricked. He turned back and saw Annie stood there with her arms folded and her eyes is darted at him with anger. He gulped, "How long were you here?"

    "Don't soil my name and use me again Benny," Annie warned as she stepped back to finish her job. Benny grinned, he is surprise that, that is all Annie has to say to him. He thought that Annie would scold him again or make him pay. He happily headed back into the back to bake more good. Somehow a sweet little smile glowed on Annie face as she remembered what Benny said about her and him being happily married. She never thinks of marrying him, but it quite funny to imagine it being real. With a sigh she shakes her head at the thought and return to finish up her calculation.
    ^^^^^^

    Meanwhile in front of Little Leap Preschool, Ava is sitting at the side of the gate waiting for her daddy to pick her up after school, like he promise. She watches her classmates and other students left one by one with both of their parents, it made her felt sad that she don't have much time spending with both Annie and Benny. She could only spend time with just her mom or just her dad or it's a big party and everyone is there. She wanted so badly that she could have a regular family like other kid does. She sighed and flattens her lips, a frowned show up on her face. Her head drop to stare at the cement ground waiting for her very tardy daddy.

    Almost all the students of the preschool left already, only leaving the bad one that needed parent teacher conference is left behind. Ava lifted her face to look around the empty school and there is still no sign of her daddy, so she drops her head down again and felt a bit down. Flora and Robbi walked out heading home, Robbi saw Ava sited sadly between the irons bar of the gate, so he quickly run up to her. Flora looked around for Louis and wonder why he hadn't come to pick up his daughter. Ava was in tears as she saw fewer and fewer students are left behind.

    Bended himself down to look up at Ava, Robbi nosily asked, "Why are you crying? Mommy Ava is crying!"

    Flora stepped up to Ava and lifted her head up, "Ava why are you crying sweetheart?"

    The stubborn four years old wipes her tears away and turn to look away stubbornly not admitting, "I'm not crying!!"

    "Yes you are!!" argued Robbi.

    "I say I'm not!!!" Ava screamed back at him frustratingly. Her round eyes stare at him angrily.

    The preschool teacher could see that her new student is really upset, she holds Robbi back. "Robbi leave Ava alone. Ava do you want to talk to Miss Chan about what bothering you?" Flora gently asked. Ava shake her head vigorously, she don't want people to think that her parents don't care about her. Flora smiled warmly, "Are you not feeling happy because your daddy hadn't picks you up?" Ava didn't move as she looked down toward the ground feeling embarrassed that every student has left except her. Flora smiles and pulled her out of the gate and carries her on her waist, "Don't worry, he probably got stuck in traffic. He will be here in awhile. Why don't we wait with you, okay?"

    Gladly Ava nodded with her soft replies, "okay." She doesn't want to be left here alone. Seeking comfort, Ava leaned on her teacher shoulder with her eyes gazed toward the road. Her face hung a little disappointed pout for her daddy to be this late.

    Flora is getting concern too. It's has been over half an hour since class is over. "Is your daddy always late to everything?" she curiously asked remembering that Louis was more then an hour late in taking Ava to class this morning.

    With a dreadful sigh, Ava nodded, "Yeah, daddy is very lazy and forgetful. Mommy always said he probably fruiting with girls when he is not around."

    "You mean flirting?" Flora asked, Ava nodded to the correction. Flora looked at her curiously, "You know what flirting is?"

    Ava shrugged, "I guess is being with girls and doing the adult kiss. Daddy just did it last night with a wolf," she mumbled with displease when she remember how Tavia and her daddy were kissing.

    Surprised by what her four years old student just said, Flora is beginning to think that Louis is not a good father at all. "He did it in front of you? Where is your mommy then? Does she argue with your daddy a lot?" asked the concerned teacher.

    The child shakes her head, "Mommy never really minds at all. She doesn't care if daddy leave us," Ava sadly stated being a bit afraid that one day her daddy will really leave them.

    "Really?" Flora is certainly surprise.

    Depressingly, Ava soft voice wished, "I wish mommy and daddy could come pick me up together like other kids. Wouldn't it be nice if both of them are here now?"

    Flora smiled, she tries to comfort the poor child, "Many kid doesn't has both parents come to picks them up too. It's so hard to find time for both to come. At least they take you out and play together."

    Ava shake her head, "They don't even take me out together. I either play with daddy or mommy."

    After so many clues, Flora is getting a hint that Louis might be divorce, which explains what Ava is telling her. "Is your parents divorce?" she asked.

    Unknowingly Ava nodded, "Yeah, I don't even know when."

    Feeling sympathy, Flora patted Ava back, "It's okay. They both love you very much right?"

    "Yeah, daddy said he would never abandon me!" Ava cheerfully stated proudly.

    Her teacher laughed at her happy expression, "Then no need to be sad, right?" Right at this moment Louis is running up to them, breathing harshly. Ava is surprise that it wasn't Benny, she looked at him confusedly. Flora stares at him disappointedly and wanted to talk to him privately about Ava. So she put Ava down, "Robbi could you go play with Ava for a while? Ava I need a talk with your dad okay?" Ava wrinkle her forehead and was about to speak up, but Robbi pulled her to play at the school playground. Louis finally got up to her. "Mr. Chan, right?" Flora politely asked.

    Smile sweetly, Louis looked at her with his sparkling eyes, "Yup! How are you doing Miss Chan? What is your first name anyway? It will be more convenience than Miss Chan and Mr. Chan, my name is Louis by the way!"

    Trying to be polite, Flora give him a slight smile, "Mr. Chan, I am Flora. Anyway..."

    "Don't call me Mr. Chan, call me Louis!" Louis suggested while he stepped closer to Flora. "So Flora what did you want to talk about? How is your day?"

    Flora slightly rolled her eyes, "Mr. Chan, I need to talk about Ava inner feeling. Do you know that your daughter is depressed cause of you and your wife divorce? She wanted you two to be together and have fun with her. Maybe you should talk to your wife and see if you two can work something out to spend a day with her?"

    Wittily, Louis pretends to be serious and concern, "First of all, I say to call me Louis. I understand your concern for Ava, I worry about her too, but her mom just doesn't have the time to spend with her and we hardly see each other. I hope you understand I'm trying my best to raise her as a single father. I do love her and are willing to do anything to help. Do you have any other way to help me? Without involving her mom? I really do appreciate it!" he raised his eyebrows and smile sweetly at her.

    Flora turn to looked at Ava and Robbi, who are playing in the jungle gym right in front of the preschool. "Maybe I could take her out to play with Robbi sometime so she don't feel depress and unwanted all the time. She's really insecure about your love for her. But I do understand that being a single parent is not easy at all. I try to rises Robbi too, and he can be a bit hard to handle at time too. Children at this age could easily felt depress and keep their feeling inside them."

    Louis is a bit disappointed that she has a son, which mean she might be married, "You have a son too? So you are married?"

    Smiled sweetly at Robbi, Flora shake her head, "He is my son but not biologically, he is my best friend son, but she decide to give up on him after she find a new husband and moved out of Hong Kong. I try my best to take his mother place to ease his sadness."

    Cheerfully, Louis stare at Flora who still have her eyes on Robbi and Ava, "That is so sad, but you are so kind to take care of him. Okay it sound great, why don't we go out this Saturday?"

    Quickly, Flora looked at him confusedly and oddly, "We? I was thinking of only taking Ava out, so she can play with Robbi."

    The uncle grinned, "I wanted to spend some quality time with my daughter and learn to be a good father too. I hope you don't mind?"

    Smiled politely, Flora starting to think he not that bad of a father after all. "Okay, I guess we can go out Saturday. Mr. Chan tries not to be late again, it made Ava sad seeing all her classmates leave and she had to stay behind."

    Louis saddened and purposely released a long sigh, "I really understand, but I was stuck in traffic, my car broke down. I have tries to run here as fast as I could already, honestly! You will see, I'll be on time with her tomorrow morning! And one last time please call me Louis, Mr. Chan just sound so formal."

    Flora walking toward Robbi and Ava, but she stopped suddenly and turn around and bumped into Louis, their lips touch and she quickly stepped back feeling embarrass, "I'm sorry Mr. Chan."

    Happily, Louis chuckled at her blushed cheeks, "I say to call me Louis, and it alright I don't mind at all."

    Blushed a bit by her embarrassment Flora tone became so soft, "Alright then Louis. I was just about to ask you a question. Do you constantly bring date home when Ava is home?"

    Immediately Louis shake his head, "Nooooo, I don't do that to her."

    Flora slightly rolled her eyes in disbelief as she turn to walk to Robbi and Ava again. "Just don't do it again, it not good for Ava to see you with other female other than her mom, she get really depress." Flora giggled, "And to see you kiss?" she finally got up to Robbi and held on to his hand. "Anyway just keep a closer eye on your daughter feeling and I'll see you first thing in the morning I hope. Bye Ava!"

    Ava waving at her teacher and Robbi, "Bye Miss Chan! Bye Robbi!!"

    Her uncle grinning evilly, "Bye Flora, don't worry I'll change, see you tomorrow morning!" he wave as Flora and her son Robbi walked away, he turn and lifted Ava up on his shoulder and walked in the opposite direction heading toward Sweet Flower and Chocolate.

    Ava turn her head to face Flora direction and turn back to stare at his uncle, "Uncle Louii, why do you have to say you are my daddy? That is a big lie, mommy and daddy say is not good to lie at all, you will be sent somewhere bad!!!"

    The fearless uncle laughed at her naive mind, "I didn't really lie, I just bend the truth a little, I do take care of you like your father, right?"

    His niece shakes her head, "You does not, all you want is for me to get you date!"

    "Ava why don't you help me this last time and you don't have to help me again with other girls?" Louis bargained.

    The child shakes her head again, "I'm not lying to Miss Chan. She is nice and deserves the truth! Beside mommy say if I lie I don't get to go to heaven! Than how am I going to be an angel? I won't get my wings."

    Her uncle laughed in disbelieved that Ava buy into this angel business of Annie. "I don't think this little lie will stop you from flying, it not even a lie anyway. All I'm asking is that you just don't mention to her that I'm not your daddy." Louis lifted her off his shoulder and carries her in front grinning into her eyes, "I'll get you ice cream and toys? And you get to have fun with Robbi when we take you out Saturday!"

    The easily manipulated preschooler looked at him unsurely, "Ice cream and toys?" Louis chuckled and nods. "I won't be punishes and can't go to heaven?" Louis shakes his head and Ava smile cheerfully cause it sound like a great deal, "Okay I want three scoops and a jungle gym just like the one the school have!"

    Pressed his lips, Louis stare at her, "Lets get the ice cream first, and we will talk about toys." He put Ava back up on his shoulder and got her some ice cream before they get back to the store. He put Ava down on the ground and opens the door for Ava to walk in.

    Annie walked up to Ava and saw her pouted lips and her angry stare at Louis. She moves her hair away from her forehead, "What's wrong honey?"

    Her daughter stare at Louis hard, "Uncle Louii is a cheap gate and liar!! He promise to buy three scoops of ice cream but see..." she hand her mom the cup with only half scoop left. "he only got me one!! And this!" she pull out a tiny Hello Kitty stuff animal. "I wanted a jungle gym!!"

    Laughed at her daughter angry state, Annie rubbed her daughter head, "It's cheap skate Ava, not cheap gate. And you shouldn't trust anything your uncle Louis say anyway. What did he want you to do this time?" Annie curiously asked while picking Ava up.

    Still have her eyes on Louis, Ava answered her mommy question, "He want to date my teacher!! At least give me more, if he wants me to lie!"

    "Hey, those Hello Kitty stuff is not that cheap, they are pretty pricey!" Louis defensively stated, "Beside you been coughing, too many ice cream is not good for you!"

    Ava stick out her tongue at him, "Lying too much is not good too! Right mommy?"

    Annie laughed and shake her head, "Yup you are right! But Ava is not right to ask for things like this." Ava pouted and nodded obediently. Annie stares at Louis with disbelief and rolled her eyes, "Going after teacher now? No wonder you insist in picking her up, I should know something is fishy."

    Her brother smiled sheepishly, "I did pick her up right? That all it count! Beside her teacher is single and I'm single so what's wrong with getting to know her better? She is kind of sweet and caring, different than my other date."

    Chuckled with her sigh, Annie hand him an apron, "Go help Benny! And please don't keep making deal or bribing Ava like this, you'll teach her to look for benefit in every situation."

    Benny just walked out with a plate of tarts that is decorated with strawberries and kiwi. He put the plate down and lifted Ava from Annie, "Look what I made you!"

    Joyfully, Ava put her ice cream down and a bright smile show up, "My favorites! Chocolate tarts!!" she grabs it and stuffs herself while Benny take off his apron and bakery hat. "Mmmm..." Annie is done with her bouquet too, so she sited next to her daughter to see her eat happily. Charmaine just walked in after her delivery.

    Wiping her head, Charmaine complained, "It's so hot outside! Annie do we have any other delivery?"

    Annie shakes her head, "No, business is still not that good." She smiles at Ava and enjoy seeing her being so happy. "Ava slow down, they are all yours, you don't have to stuff it in that fast."

    Happy to see his own daughter enjoying his bakery good, Benny rubbed Ava hair, "Listen to your mommy Ava."

    The preschooler slowly chewed and smiled at her mommy, she reached to grab her mommy hand and opened it to place a tart on her palm, "Mommy tries it, it's good," she mumbled with her mouth full. Annie and Benny chuckled at her expression. Annie is glad to see Ava willing to share and hasn't got too spoiled by Louis bribe.

    "So how is school?" Benny asked with interest to hear about Ava experience with her fist day of school.

    Stopped eating, Ava looked at her daddy and turn to look at her mommy with sad round eyes, "Daddy, mommy do both of you love me?" Ava is no longer certain or understand why her parents didn't come pick her up like other classmates parent did.

    Seeing something is bothering her daughter, Annie quickly answered with definite answer, "Of course we do hon!"

    "Than why don't you and daddy pick me up together like other kids parents?" Ava questioned wanting an answer.

    Her father chuckled, "I wanted to pick you up, but your uncle pushed me aside and rushed out to pick you, I guess he really missed you huh?" Ava give him a serious look, he sighed and put his arm around her, "Come on Ava, you know we love you a lot. Mommy and daddy couldn't come together, who can look at the store? I bet not all students have both parents come to pick them up."

    "Only the bad kids don't have both their parents to pick them up!" Ava answered with a pout. She climbed off the chair and walked away leaving her parents staring at her worriedly and a bit shocked to what just happen. Benny swoops her up before she goes any further. "Both you and mommy don't even take me out together!" reminded Ava.

    Benny sighed, "Of course we do, remember the time when we umm...oh, how about the time we ahh..."

    Annie rolled her eyes at Benny and picked Ava from him, "Honey, even if we don't take you out together doesn't mean we don't love you. You know better than that, you are the most important things to Benny and me. How could you say we don't love you?!"

    "I don't understand why both of you can't play with me at the same time!!" said the frustrated preschooler, "Why does it have to be daddy or mommy?! It not too much to ask for both is it?!"

    Both Benny and Annie felt guilty and sorry for Ava, but they really didn't have time to take her out together. Benny grins and lifted her up to sit on his shoulder, "Annie aren't you free right now?"

    "But..." Annie looked at her bouquet and back to Ava depressed look, "Okay, I guess we can go out. Charmaine, Benny and I are going out for a while!"

    "Okay!" Charmaine answered from behind the counter.

    Smiled cheerfully, Benny put Ava down on the ground, "So what you want to do with mommy and daddy, princess?"

    Excitedly, Ava smile cheerfully and jumped up and down, "I want to go to the park and than movie and than buffet!!"

    Annie warmly giggled at how happy and excited Ava is, "Wow you plan this all out already huh?"

    Happily, Ava grabs her mommy and her daddy hand and drag them out, "Come on!!! Lets go!! If we still have time I want to go to the game center too! Daddy, I wants you to win me a big teddy bear!!"

    Following her out the door, Benny head kept nodding to Ava request, "I'll try! Ava slow down!"

    Ava couldn't stop herself from being jumpy, "And I want a sticker pictures of us three on those machine in the mall!! And ice cream too!!"

    Giggled joyfully, Annie swing her daughter arm, she hadn't felt this happy and care free for a long time, the store has gotten her tie down all the time. "You just had ice cream already," the mother reminded.

    The child giggled joyfully, "It's not the same! Uncle Louii still owes me three scoops!"

    "It should be two scoops hon," Annie tries to teach Ava how to count and subtract.

    Her daughter shakes her head, "No it's three, I didn't finish the other one so it should still be three!"

    Benny laughed, "Annie, we have a very smart kid here, maybe she can be a great lawyer!"

    "I don't want to be a liar!" protested Ava, which made her father laughed harder.

    "I say lawyer," Benny corrected, but he shrugged his shoulder, "actually you are right they are basically a liar too." Annie cheerfully laughed at Benny comment.

    Suddenly, Ava let go of their hands when the show case window caught her eyes. "Ava!" Annie called after Ava. Ava stare at the TV showing the jungle gym set that they sell. Annie bend down next to her daughter, "That is a bit too big to fit in the house, don't you think? Why don't we go to the park now okay?"

    Smile cheerfully, Ava nodded, "Okay!! Lets play tag!!" she touches her mother on the shoulder and run, "You're it!" Benny and Annie shake their head and look at her running away, they quickly got up and go after her before she ran too far or into the street. Ava turn around and saw her parents coming and she chuckled with excitement, "Hurry up!!!" She turns around and hit into someone causing her body to bounce back and fall down. "Ow!!" she cried in pain.

    Annie and Benny quickly got to her and checking her out. Her elbow is scraped, "Daddy it hurt!"

    Caringly, Benny blowing the dirt and rubbing it out of her scrap, "It's okay we can go back and wash it first."

    Ava shake her head, "No, I don't want any wash! I want to go to the park!!" Ava protested. She sniffed her tear and lifted her head up to look at the guy she bump into while Annie feel her head and checking it.

    The worry mother could feel a bump on Ava head, "Ava does your head hurt? Do you feel dizzy?"

    Shake her head, Ava quickly jumped up staring at the man angrily. She pulled on Benny slack for attention, "Daddy! It's him!! He's the one that yelled at me last time!!!"

    The businessman looked at her curiously and he finally remember, "Oh it's you again, you the one who bump into me twice, you should really watch where you're going! You made me lost a very important business last time, so you can't blame me for yelling. Why are you so clumsy?"

    The defensive father stare at the man angrily, Annie finally turn her head to face the stranger. She was shock to see who it was, her face was pale as she stares at him in disbelief and froze, while Benny and Ava yelled at him. "You still don't have to yell at her!" reasoned Benny.

    The short preschooler narrow her eyes at him with her head tilted all the way back in order to see his face, "YEAH! My daddy is right!!! You are a meany!"

    With disbelief the man chuckled and rolled his eyes. He turn away wanting to just ignore them, but he finally spot Annie cold stare and he froze too staring at her, he couldn't belief his eyes also. Annie was angry and mad as she stares into his dark round eyes. He weren't really sure, so he softly called out, "Annie?" Both Benny and Ava were silent seeing them stare at each other and this guy know Annie? Annie bit her lips angrily and walked pass him like a speeding arrow, Benny swiftly picked Ava up and go after her.
    The guy quickly snap out of his shock and chase after her too. He tightly and firmly grabs her arm to stop her from walking away, "Annie, where have you been?"

    Annie stare at him furiously, "Where have I been? Shouldn't I be the one who ask that question, Julian Cheung?! I had been looking for you all over the entire college campus after that night and find out you don't even go to my school! YOU LYING BASTARD!!"

    Benny sense that something is really wrong, Annie never swear before, he walked up to her and gently held her arm, "Annie?"

    His childhood friend hissed out her pressure as she blank away her tears, "Benny can you take Ava away for a while I need to talk to him."

    Looked at Julian curiously, Benny hesitatingly agreed, "Okay." He walked away with Ava.

    Being lost and confuse, Ava yelled as Benny take her away, "MOMMY?! Daddy, mommy is not coming yet!"

    Sighed, Benny took her into the ice cream store, which they could spot Annie clearly while they wait, he have a feeling that something really bad is going to happen. "Mommy need to talk, I'll buy you some ice cream and wait for her okay?" Benny told his daughter.

    "Okay, mommy likes strawberry too!" Ava reminded her daddy with a cheerful carefree smile. Benny heart was pounding as he worriedly watches after Annie. After another look at Annie through the window of the ice cream shop, Benny sighed and goes buy the ice cream.
    ******

  14. #14
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Yeah, it's only you and me. Oh no, they finally meet. I wonder what will happen between Julian and Annie. That was so sad how Ava thought that her parents doesn't love her. I'm glad they've solved that problem. Update soon! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  15. #15
    Senior Member Yak's Avatar
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    Here you go jeh, another chapter to keep you busy for a while <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Thanks for reading.


    Chapter 7: Hidden Feeling

    Inside the ice cream shop, the father and daughter are sited at the round table by the window. Ava is happy with her ice cream, while Benny stares out the window at Annie and Julian concernedly. Meanwhile, outside Annie shakes Julian grips off and turned away from him angrily, her heart was beating fast with anger as all the memories flashed into her head. Julian felt hurt seeing her treat him like this. He kept silent and looked at the cement sidewalk, feeling guilty about leaving her back then.

    Giving out a heavy and sorrow sigh, Julian walked closer to Annie and stand right behind her. Gently touch her shoulder, he want to turn her around to face him, Annie shook it off bitterly as tears begin to form, she had try to forget this for so long. "I didn't mean to leave you Annie," explained Julian with sincere voice, "I really love you."

    Turned around, Annie stare straight into his eyes hatefully with her inflamed eyes that are filled with sorrow tears. She could hardly speak up as tears weighted her heart and throat, "Love? What is love to you! You only treat it as a game, huh? I should off know better when Joy warn me about you! You lies Julian!! Who are you anyway? Why did you have to hurt me twice!"

    Holding on to her shoulder firmly, Julian looks in her eyes with sorrow, his heart was fill with heavy regret as he stares into her round teary and bitter eyes. The genuine sorry expression dominated his usual cold and bitter self, "I didn't lies to you about my love Annie. Trust me! I really did love you and I still love you!"

    The only response he got from Annie is a sarcastic chuckle of disbelief. "You told me you are from my college! But guess what?" she paused with round fierce eyes on him before she continue again, "After the ball and that night you just poof into smoke and disappear!! Then I found out from your friends that you don't even go to our school, you were here to visit, to play game!! Why do you have to lie?" Annie shakes her head repeatedly while pushing him away, "I really don't even care anymore. I just don't understand how you could promise me to love me forever and everything in between but suddenly just left me hanging there myself after spending a night with me!!" Her voice became furious, "BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH IS IT!!!"

    Quickly, Annie turned away to blank her tears not wanting him to see that he is still able to hurt her. In the small ice cream shop, Benny watches her and the guy closely, he wishes he could hear what the problem is, but he couldn't. But by the look of Annie face, he knows that it was not good at all. He know Annie since childhood, so he know Annie has a very strong and stubborn personality, she will never let herself cry even if it really painful. But Benny could certainly see tears in those eyes of her now. His heart pounded hard with heavy concern as his eyes glue to her.

    The naive and innocent daughter looked out too as she eat, she didn't know why her mommy is talking to the meany outside and ask her to eat with her daddy. "Daddy is mommy yelling at that meany for me? Maybe we should help her, it look like she is losing," suggested the four years old that will be five in a couple months.

    Giving Ava a weak reassuring smiles, Benny pushed her ice cream closer to her so it don't drip all over. "Mommy is okay, we will help if she needed to, okay? Come on eat your ice cream before it all melt."

    Ava frowned as she looks at Annie cup of strawberry ice cream, "What about mommy ice cream? It's melting too. Maybe we should tell her to freeze the scolding and come in for her ice cream first!" she childishly suggested.

    The bothersome father sighed at her, he is in no mood to calmly deal with Ava question and idea. "Ava don't worry I'll buy mommy a new one later, okay?" he simply assured his daughter. Nodded, Ava continues to eat while Benny continues to watch Annie with worry and curiosity. He started to have a very strange sensation as he watches them talked and pulling each other. He felt a burning flame waving in his heart while his fist slightly pumping tight as he watches closely. He never felt like this before, and it really bother him that Julian getting closer to Annie as he talk and how he made Annie cry. This feeling is very new to Benny. He continue to watch Julian every move with his temper rising.

    Outside, in the middle of the sidewalk, Annie was trying to calm her self down by breathing slowly. But she couldn't help herself from staring at Julian coldly with anger. Julian gulped as he looked into her hard eyes that once contain warmth love toward him. He sighed loudly in regret as he close his eyes, "Annie is a big misunderstanding."

    "How big?" Annie cold empty tone asked him while her eyes are still glued on him with hatred.

    Don't know how to explain, Julian looked at her hateful glare, "Annie I'm from a wealthy family, my life is basically control by my father who always set my path for me." He let out another sigh, "I got into an argument with him back then and ran out of the house. I went to my friends' dorm to live for a while. It was during the month that I met you and fall deeply in love with you. But right after that night with you, my father finally found out where I was and got me home, he was mad when I told him I'm in love with you, cause he always wanted me to marry some one with high standard like my family. So he was furious and kept me in my room for a week, that is why I disappear after that night, it not that I'm playing with you or didn't love you, I really do!! I try to sneak out but he had send bodyguards to look after me. I..."

    Not buying a single word he is saying, Annie slightly rolled her eyes and also trying to keep her tears away. "Julian how old were you then? You are 22 then do you think I belief that your dad could keep you away if you really wanted to see me! Do you think I am an idiot to let you fool me more then twice? Come on continues with your story, you still didn't get to the part I wanted to hear you explain!"

    The man that usually in power in both family and business, suddenly looked so weak with his head lowered down guiltily, "I did came to look for you after a week when I finally convince my dad to let me see you one more time. I really missed you Annie. I...I..."

    Feeling the pain revived, Annie couldn't control her tears from escaping her eyes and tumbling down her cheeks once more like how horrible betrayed she felt back then. Stubbornly, Annie bit her trembling lip not wanting to show her inferior. "Lets me finish for you," her teary voice offered. Her watery eyes glared at Julian sharply with hurtfulness, "Sure you came back to my dorm. Only to sleep with my roommate, who is my best friend since my childhood!! Is that right!"

    A surprised expression swept across Julian face, his voice became soft when he asked, "How did you know?"

    Turned around to not face him, Annie swiftly wipes her tears away, "Julian, you were in my room when you were fooling around with her! Why wouldn't I be there!"

    Wanting to explain, Julian quickly reaches his hand out to hold her hand tightly, "Annie is a mistake too. I really loved you, not Sonija!! I was going to your room to talk to you, but I...but..."

    Withdraws her hand, Annie bitterly finished his sentence, "But you decide to have a bit fun with her right?"

    The man kept shaking his head with a regretful sigh, not knowing how to clear the situation, "I really didn't know what happen. All I know is that I wake up with her by my side."

    Swallowed her tears, Annie told him what she witness, "You look like you enjoy yourself and didn't even notice me when I walked in." Hurtfully, Annie takes in a deep breath, "I don't want to think about it anymore Julian, I just don't want to see you again ever!!"

    Holding her arm tightly not letting her go, Julian stare at her with his eyes that show how much he missed her, "No Annie is not like what you think. I still love you!"

    Struggling to loosen his grip and move away from him, Annie clearly stated, "Its too late Julian! I have no love for you anymore, you had hurt me too much, and I can't tell if you are lying or not!! Just leave me alone and pretend we never see each other before! I been avoiding you for all these years, why do you have to show up and hurt me again!"

    Julian wouldn't let her go, he wanted to make up for his mistake, "Annie, I really regret what happen between Sonija and me, we can start over again Annie!!"

    Trying to push him away, Annie asked angrily, "What about Sonija? You are marry to her already Julian!!! If you love me you wouldn't marry her back then! You would off come look for me instead!"

    Firmly, Julian jerked her close to his body and embraced her tightly. That was the last straw for Benny to stand. The sight of Annie and Julian distance being so closely bonded made Benny felt anger bubbling up inside him ready to explode. Quickly, he rushed out to them totally forgotten Ava. Seeing her father abruptly left, Ava quickly climbed off the chair. She followed behind as fast as she could run, but the ice cream shop heavy doors close on her before she could walk out. Being trapped inside the shop, Ava looks at her daddy heading toward her mommy and the guy angrily.

    Benny didn't know why he was so mad seeing Julian with Annie this close and why it bother him this much. Meanwhile, Annie tries to release Julian embrace, but Julian don't want to let her slip away again. Julian looked in Annie eyes sincerely, "How did you know I'm marry to her?"

    Sniffing her tears, Annie heart brokenly told him while more tears was cascading down her face, "Sonija send me your wedding invitation two months after I last see you. She wanted me to know Julian, do you know how cruel both of you are? Did you know how many times you break my heart? I'm not a fool to let you do it again!!" She pressed her lips together and turn to look away, "Everything about you doesn't matter any more, cause my heart has die already. Lets go of me now!!" She tries to swing his grip off but he wouldn't let go of her.

    After reaching them, Benny furiously yanks Julian away from Annie and was about to punch him, but Annie pulled him back quickly, "No Benny!!" Angrily Benny darted at her like she has betrayed him. Annie pulled Benny away from Julian with her caring squeeze of his arm telling him to not act rashly. She is not concern that Julian got hurt. She just don't want Benny to get in trouble for punching Julian, cause Annie know that Julian is very wealthy and would probably sue if he got injured. Hissed, Benny stepped back to look Annie in the eyes, Annie was just staring at Julian. He felt a burning jealous flame to see Annie giving all her attention to that man. Benny doesn't know why he is feeling jealous, maybe because he is over protective of his childhood friend. Meanwhile trapped in the ice cream shop, Ava tries to push hard on the door to open it and get to her parents but the door was too heavy, so she just stare at them worriedly.

    Walked closer to Annie, Julian wanted to make up for everything by explaining, "I could explain, I really looked for you, but you didn't come back to your dorm again." While he was talking, Benny eyes are kept stiffly glued on him with tightened fist ready to punch if he touches Annie again.

    "You don't expect me to still sleep in that room, do you?" she asked with her thicken voice.

    Julian could feel Annie pain, he don't know how to make it up, "I'm sorry, but I really did try to look for you. I didn't want to marry Sonija, but she found out that she is pregnant about two months after and came to tell my dad, so my dad arrange the marriage for us, cause he wanted the baby. I really couldn't do anything, and since I can't find you I though I needed to take responsibility and marry Sonija. There is no love between us."

    Annie heart is still full of anger at him for sleeping with Sonija. "Than you made your choice already, and you need to stick with your choice. There is nothing else that can happen between us. You have a wife and a child already and there is no need to keep explaining!" Annie hatred tone bitterly echoed into his heart.

    A depressed expression appears in Julian face with a sigh, "I don't have any kid, Sonija has a miscarriage."

    Bitterly, Annie let out a chuckle, "That serve both of you right."

    Walked up to her, Julian lovingly holds her arm. Meanwhile, Ava finally got out off the ice cream shop cause a new costumer open the door to walk in, she quickly rushing over to her mommy and daddy. "Annie I know you still loves me!" Julian exclaimed, "You wouldn't still feel this much anger toward me if you don't." Benny stares at him and wanted to punch him so badly for some reason, but he kept himself away cause he could see Annie didn't want him to interfere.

    Angrily as she wipes her tears away, Annie straighten out Julian thought, "I will never love you again, Julian! I'm angry at myself for being such a fool back then to believe that there is true love existed between us! And to lets you use me." She let out a stressful breathe, "Just leave me alone and return to your family."

    Finally got to Annie, Ava squeezed between Annie and Julian with her two arms spread out sheltering her mommy protectively. She stares at Julian angrily with her round dark eyes and stern face. She yelled before Julian could talk to Annie, "Don't touch my mommy! Lets go off her now!!" the young defensive child demanded while she pushed his legs with all her strength. "Stop making my mommy cry! You meany!!! Get away from her now! Meany!!!" she shouted from the top of her lung.

    Slowly releasing Annie, Julian turns his attention to Ava. Benny eyes are closely watching his action, somehow he felt a strange sensation when he saw how Julian eyes is on Ava. Julian squatted down and places his hand on Ava shoulder firmly. He stares into her eyes with question. Ava stare at him with her narrowed eyes and pouted angry lips, "Why are you making my mommy cry?" she asked innocently. Julian slowly moves his hand toward her wanting to feel her face, but she backed away behind Annie and Benny.

    An idea crossed Julian mind when he notice Ava height and feature. He glanced up at Annie and questioned with his stern and calm voice, "Annie, how old is she?"

    The mother heart stopped a beat when she saw Julian giving Ava so much attention and starting to be suspicious. Annie quickly lifted Ava up and carries her. She is holding Ava tightly against her body as she bitterly informed, "None of your business." Swiftly Annie storm away with tears as she hold Ava tightly and her heart beat really fast against her ribs cage. Julian chases after her wanting a better answer, Benny was really confuses and starting to feel really heavy like something in his throat as he see how Annie reacted to Julian question. Benny heart pounded fearfully as he chase after them too.

    Ran in front of Annie, Julian stopped with his cold stare and angrily demanded, "Is she four?!"

    Benny was shock to hear him say Ava age, his heart is beating so messily as his mind keep saying, 'This is not right, I'm thinking too much, she is mine! Ava couldn't be his!' Benny is so lost and shock that he couldn't speak up, all he could do is stare at Annie in disbelief.

    Stopped running away, Annie stare straight into Julian hard dark eyes and her voice was blunt with anger, "She is not yours! She belongs to my husband and me! Come on Benny lets go." Annie walked away in fast speed with Ava in her arm. Ava is staring at Julian angrily thinking that Julian made her mommy sad. Julian keep seeing Ava looked a bit like himself. Benny stares at him feeling really confuse and angry, then he turn and ran after Annie for an answer and explanation. Julian was standing still as he watches Annie disappear with Ava and Benny, he don't know what to think anymore. Ava face kept popped up in his mind as he tries to figure out how old she is and how much she kind of resemble himself.

    Annie was in tears as she held Ava tightly and ran toward the park with her blurry vision cause of her tears. She kept thinking about Julian and the night that they make a vow to love each other and be together forever. She sniffled as she run really fast with Benny who follows right behind her with his temper rising as he begins to be suspicious. Ava was worry as she felt her mom squeezing her really tight and hearing her sniffling. Annie finally reaches the park as Benny ran in front her with an angry stare, Annie stopped and lifted her head up to see him demanding an answer. She quickly leans into him with her crushed heart. Weakened, Benny sighed and hugged her, while she cry her heart out with Ava sandwich between them, Ava is really scared now.

    The oblivious child turns her head trying to see Annie face but she is sandwiched and couldn't move much. In a worry and concern voice, she asked, "Mommy, what is wrong? Did the meany hurt you?"

    With Ava sweet worry voice, Benny couldn't help but wonder about Julian. He release Annie and pushed her back a bit to lifted Ava away from her. He set Ava down on the ground, "Ava go play with the swing, I need to talk to your mom." With uncertain eyes, Ava just stare at her mom red face silently. Benny turn her around toward the swing, he really needed some private talk with her mom. He ordered Ava again with a harsher tone, "Ava listen to me and go now!" Hesitatingly, Ava nodded obediently and walked slowly toward the swing while her eyes glue to her parents. Benny saw her walked out of the earshot and turn back to stare at Annie wanting her to clear things up for him, "Do you want to explain to me?"

    Annie just couldn't take all her pressure and stress anymore, instead she leans on him for a comfort hug. Benny softened seeing her like this. He hugged her and allows her get it all out of her system first. Benny mind is really confuses and messy now, wanting so badly to know what is going on. "Why did he have to hurt me again! I hate him, Benny! I never wanted to see him again! Why do he have to show up today? We were having fun with Ava, why do he have to take away the happy day!" Annie released her build up pressure by talking through. She hammered her fist on Benny as Benny rubbed her back to comfort her. "Why do he have to bring it all back? I hate him so much!! And Sonija! How could she do this to me? We have been friend for so long!"

    "Shhh..." Benny soothingly tries to calm her down, after he releases a big deep breathe. He really wanted Annie to tell him more about why Julian acted so weird with Ava. But he could tell that Annie is really depresses and sad now, so he didn't want to force her. Instead he patiently calmed her, "shh...Annie is the past already, just let it go..."

    Withdraw herself from Benny hug, Annie slowly lifted her head to look at Benny, "Benny....I...." she sighed. Benny waited her impatiently, she swallows her fear and looked over at Ava, Benny follow her eyes and saw Ava staring at them as she swing. Benny knows that what Annie going to say will make him really mad by the way she looked now. Annie took in a deep breath and speaks in a shaky voice, "Benny, Ava...Ava." Annie could see Benny stern and angry stare, so she shuts her eyes and say it fast while her courage is still here, "Ave might not be your daughter..."

    Benny know that it's coming when he saw her reaction before, but to hear it from her really echoed into his heart and made a very deep impact. He loved Ava so much, she is like his life to him, what does Annie mean she is not his? He yelled at her furiously, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN!!" he shakes his heads disbelievingly, "You didn't slept with me that night huh!"

    Annie is furious hearing his last sentence. She felt like her heart has been stabbed by his suggestion, swiftly with flaming anger she slapped him across his face so hard that her hand felt numb and her heart felt pain. She stare at Benny with her bulged angry eyes, "BENNY CHAN YOU DID WHAT YOU DID TO ME THAT NIGHT!!! Don't you dare make it sound like I set you up! I was really drunk and you were too!! How could you say that?" she was in tear as she stares at him sternly while her tears cascade down her cheek.

    At the swings, Ava was shock seeing her mommy slap her daddy so she quickly got off the swing and ran up to them. Benny and Annie were both silent and furiously stare at each other. The young fearful child didn't want to witness anymore of her parent argument, she rather not have them take her out together than to see them this unhappy. Turned her head confusedly as she looked at both her parents with concern, "Mommy, why did you hit daddy?"

    "I TOLD YOU TO PLAY WITH THE SWING!!!" Benny furiously shouted at her. Ava body tremble to her father sudden shouted at her, she stare at him wanting to cry. Annie eyes became hard with glistered eyes for Benny to treat Ava like this. Seeing her daughter face turning red with tears, Annie darted at Benny angrily. Benny shut his eyes regretting what he just said with his harsh tone. With a regretful sighed, Benny squatted down in front of Ava and cupped her face to wipes her tears away. "Ava, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, but I really need to talk to your mommy alone, will you go play on the swing by your self for a while?"

    Annie heart felt so terrible, she felt weak and lost to what she suppose to do. She bends down to sit on the bench as Benny talks to Ava. Ava hugged her daddy clingingly while she cried, "Daddy you promise not to yell at me last time! Why are you yelling again?"

    The father heart felt so painful with Ava words, he has never use this harsh of a tone on her before. He has always pampered her and tries to give her the best. But he really couldn't control his temper after realizing that it possible that the one he has loved for almost five whole years is not his flesh and blood. Lovingly, Benny hugged Ava tightly and patted her back and whispered with his thicken voice, "I know, is daddy fault. I won't do it again okay? Daddy would never want to make you feel sad." His head turned toward Ava fine soft hair and gave her a warm peck. Ava is sniffling trying to stop her heart from pounding with fear, she felt a bit better know with Benny hugging her. "Sorry Ava," Benny gentle sincere voice apologized. He felt a great deal of pain wagering his heart and he really wanted to clear things up with Annie. "Sweeties, please go play on the swing okay? Daddy needs to talk with mommy."

    Wiping her blurry eyes, Ava nodded obediently, "Okay." Her vision cleared and she sees Annie crying on the bench. Ava could strongly feel her mother sadness that made her wanted to cry too. She looked at her father for an answer to settle her small worry heart. "What's wrong with mommy? Why is mommy crying? Is she hurt?" asked the simple minded child that only wanted a happy day out with her parents, she didn't know it will turn into this.

    Benny releases their hug and moved Ava in front of him, "Ava just go, okay? Your mommy will be okay in a while." Ava nods and walked back to the swing sadly as her eyes glue on her mommy redden face. Benny stand back up and looked up into the sky don't know what he should say to Annie. He walked up to her and sighed guiltily, "I'm sorry, okay?" His temper rise again, "But how you want me to react to this? You telling me that Ava is not mine!"

    Swallow her anger, Annie stare at him coldly, "I didn't say she is not yours, I just don't know who she is!!"

    Hissed his pressure out, Benny glared at her, "Do you know what you are saying!! What do you mean you don't know? She is either his or mine!!! How hard could that be! I couldn't believe you, why didn't you mention about it five years ago? Do you how hurt I am hearing that she might not be mine!! And to make me feel so guilty for the last five years!"

    "Benny, I never asked you to be responsible," Annie sighed. She know very well that Benny is feeling painful, she could tell how much he love Ava by the way he spoil her and lets her have her way. Wetted her lip guiltily, Annie soft voice explained, "Benny, I really don't know whose Ava belong to. I slept with him two weeks before you. And I didn't set you up!!! I don't even know that I was pregnant then, or if I'm even pregnant at all! I was really depressed by him and drinks a lot during our new house party and you were drunk yourself. If I can go back in time and choose again, I wouldn't drink at all that night. Benny, I know you love Ava, I really wanted her to be your daughter than being his, but," she stopped and rubs her face with both her hand as tears continues to stream out. "I really don't know, but Ava is born a month before her due date, I..."

    Benny temper rises as he listens to her, he finally couldn't take it any more and screamed with rage. He rubbed his head with his two hands and turn to stare at her furiously, "You know what Annie? I DON'T CARE!!! She is mine! NO ONE IS TAKING HER FROM ME!!!" Rashly, he stormed to Ava and swooped her off the swing. Carrying her tightly, Benny angrily ran off with her. Annie ran after him, trying to calm him down. Ava is confuse and shocked to her father action.

    The concern mother tries to keep up with Benny fast speed. Benny seems to be heading home. Annie shouted after him, "Benny wait!!! Calm down Benny! You're scaring her!"

    Annie is right, Ava is scared and don't know what is going on. Her head was on Benny shoulder looking at her mommy running behind yelling in tears. Ava don't know why her mommy is crying or why her daddy is leaving her mommy behind. With fearful heart, Ava pleaded, "Daddy wait for mommy, she is coming. Daddy?" Benny didn't answer her cause he can't calm down at all cause everything is rushing at him so quickly and so suddenly that he gotten overwhelm to react rationally.

    "Daddy wait!!" Ava begged as her eyes became watery seeing her mommy couldn't keep up with them anymore. She watches her mommy hopelessly slides down on the middle of the sidewalk crying. Annie eyes are kept at the disappearing back of Benny and her daughter. She is feeling regretful and wishes that she never met Julian in her life. Everything was perfect before he came along. 'Why do he have to show up again?' Annie angrily asked with her watery eyes toward the sky. There are people around the streets staring at her strangely wondering what wrong with her.

    Meanwhile, Ava couldn't see her mommy anymore and start to panic. She shakes her body to loosen her daddy tight grip or to stop him from walking any further. "Daddy I want mommy!!! Daddy stop, mommy can't keep up!!! Why is she crying!!" Ava begin to cry wanting Annie to be by her side. "DADDY I WANT MOMMY NOW! PLEASE DADDY WAITS FOR MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!!"

    Ava cries finally echoed deep enough into Benny angry heart. He stopped and stare into Ava round teary eyes and redden face, his heart felt like it tearing apart seeing her with tears, but the real pain is that she might have to leave him one day if the truth came out that she really isn't his. He asks in a soft tone fearing to hear Ava saying something that will deeply hurt him, "Ava, would you leave daddy one day?" Benny felt his tears forming as he looked into Ava teary and round eyes with his concern one, "If you have another daddy, would you not want me?"

    Wipes her tears away, Ava looked at him confusedly, "What are you talking about daddy? Where is mommy? I want to see mommy..."

    "Ava answer me first, will you not want me anymore?" Benny bravely asked again while he helped Ava wipes her tears away with his thumbs. "Would you want someone else to be your daddy?" his deep emotional eyes glued on Ava as he asked. His arms unknowingly tightened on Ava not wanting to let her go.

    Trying to loosen Benny hug, Ava complained, "Daddy you are hurting me." But Benny didn't want to let go fearing that she will slips away from him. Ava don't know what Benny trying to ask her, but she honestly reassure him with her pure heart, "Daddy you are the best daddy ever, there is no one else I wanted but you and mommy." She hugged Benny tightly to show her love toward her father. A big warm smile show up on Benny touched facial expression. He released a drop of his tears, and hugged her even more tightly. "Daddy you're really hurting me," Ava complained again, she felt so much pressure on her small body.
    .
    Chuckled slightly at Ava cute voice, Benny release her, he looked into her beautiful round eyes and cupped her cheek to peck her forehead. "Ava please remember what you just say. I love you too much. Don't ever leave me okay?" Benny requested from the four years old.

    Innocently, Ava nods and wipes Benny tears away, "I love you too daddy! Don't cry daddy, Ava is here!" The relieved father chuckled at her as he gives out a cheerful smile and continue his walking. "Daddy where are we going?" Ava asked.

    Smiled warmly at her, Benny lifted her over his head to put her on his shoulders, the way Ava like to be carried. "We are going to a movie, buffet, picture at the malls, game center, and maybe some toys and ice cream! Isn't that what you wanted to do today?" asked the loving tone of the father that wanted to do as much with Ava as possible.

    Worriedly, Ava turns her head back hoping to see her mommy but there is no sign of her, "Daddy where is mommy? Is mommy coming with us?"

    The mentioning of Annie made Benny face sterns into the shade of a coal. "She's going home," Benny answered with a bit of anger in his voice, he is really mad at Annie for doing this to him.

    Being easily confuses, Ava wrinkled her forehead, "Why? Didn't mommy promise to play with us?"

    "She has things to sort out," bluntly answered the father. Benny forced out a happy smile, "Come on lets have fun, okay? You will see her tonight."

    "Okay! Lets go watch the new Disney movie!!" Ava cheerfully suggest and forgotten about her mommy. If her daddy said that her mommy would be okay, Ava would believe so.

    Smiling cheerfully, Benny pushed all his inner fear and anger away. He just wants to spend the day with Ava and not think of anything else. "Anything you want for today!!" he told her.
    ******

    <font size="1">[ April 15, 2003: Message edited by: Yak ]</font>

  16. #16
    Senior Member jeh's Avatar
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    Too many crying made me feel sad <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> So Ava is Julian's daughter. Interesting. What will happen to Ava? Can't wait for your update. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  17. #17
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    Yak, can you update Noble Blood on Winglin.net? I read it and was very interested what would happen next.
    ~SumYee~
    ~SumYee~

  18. #18
    Senior Member MYF's Avatar
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    Talking

    hmmm... a long overdue update perhaps?
    my right arm slams shut

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