Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Shantel dialled Cole's number and placed the phone close to her ear. It rang continuously, but Cole didn't pick up. She redialed his number but he still didn't pick up.

Soon, his phone was going directly to voicemail. She was seething in rage. Was Anita perhaps right? She wondered as she placed her index finger above her lips. Cole should have called her by now to talk about the marriage or even scold her for the interview she made, but till now, he didn't. Neither did he come out to debunk news concerning that unknown woman and her son.

Shantel was becoming frustrated as she paced around, tapping her phone in her hand. She decided to search about Amy and her son, but there was nothing on the media about them. Just the same news about her and Cole.

Maya walked in. "Don't tell me you're still freighting over what Anita said,"

Shantel turned to her. "I'm afraid I'm starting to believe it's true. Cole hasn't called me. He isn't picking my calls either and my calls are going directly to voicemails," she was panicking but trying her best to hide it.

"Have you tried to search about the woman on the internet?"

"She's a nobody. Just a lowlife. That's why she isn't on the internet,"

"Everybody is on the internet, Shantel. You just haven't tried hard enough,"

" Argh!" She groaned and fell back on the couch. "Whatever,"

"Why don't you ask his best friend, Liam. He could help you track her or tell you something," Maya suggested.

Shantel looked at Maya like she was dumb. "What kind of a suggestion is that? He's his best friend for a reason. He won't tell me anything or do anything for me," she replied and placed her hands on her face.

Maya walked over to the winery. "Then, search for her on the internet, harder," she said with a tsk as she reached for a brandy on the shelf.

•

"Daddy, I want to go on the next ride!" Tris yelled happily as he ran over to the rollercoaster.

"Tris, wait!" Amy said, going after him while Cole chuckled. "Isn't that a bit dangerous?" She asked when she caught up with him as she looked at the rollercoaster.

"No, mom. Don't be silly. It looks fun," Tris replied, grinning sheepishly.

"It sure does. Let's get on it," Cole said.

"Yayyy!" Tris exclaimed excitedly.

Amy was still looking at the gigantic rollercoaster. "But, it's so.." she muttered.

"Are you scared?" Cole asked her, with a mischievous grin on his face.

"No, no. Why would I be? I'm just worried about Tris," she stuttered a little bit with a shrug.

"Don't be, mom. I want to go on the ride," Tris said.

"Sure, honey. But, it's just too.. what if you fall?" She asked.

"Love, you're scared. Admit it," Cole said to her.

She frowned at him. "I'm not," she pouted.

He chuckled. "Prove it,"

She swallowed and stared hard at him. "Fine," she said and walked over to the rollercoaster. Tris and Cole tailed behind her.

"Should we still go on the ride, Tris? Your mom looks scared," Cole said to him.

"My mom is the bravest," Tris replied proudly.

"Of course she is," Cole said, ruffling his hair.

But, when they got on the ride, Cole was worried about Amy. He feared that she might barf. Looking at her direction, she smiled nervously.

"We can still get off," he said to her softly.

Amy looked at the excited look on Tris face. "I'm not scared, really," she said and he smiled.

The rollercoaster began to move and Amy tried to settle in. "This isn't so bad," she said with a smile. Her smile immediately changed to a look of terror when it moved faster and faster. While Tris was yelling in excitement, Amy was literally screaming and Cole wished he could hold her hands.

The ride was finally over and they got down. Amy felt so dizzy that she almost fell, but Cole caught her in time. "Are you alright?" He asked her.

"Uh, yeah," she responded.

"Again! Again!" Tris yelled excitedly.

Cole smiled. "That's enough for today, champ. Mommy feels sick,"

"Mom, are you alright?" Tris asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Amy replied as she straightened up from Cole's body.

"We should get ice cream and head home. It's getting late," Tris suggested.

"Will you not like to see the sunset?" Cole asked.

Tris eyes brightened. "I love to, dad,"

Cole smiled and held his hand. "Come on," he said. With his other hand he held Amy's hand.

Amy smiled at him as they walked towards the ice cream truck. A question lingered in her heart, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. She wanted to know if Cole was ready to cut all ties with Shantel, but she couldn't bring herself to ask that question.

"I take the vanilla chocolate chip ice cream, dad," Tris said.

"Okayy," he replied and turned to Amy. "Babe?" He called her attention.

Amy had temporarily forgotten they had gotten to the truck already. "Huh?"

"Are you alright?" He asked her as he wondered why she was absent minded.

She nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm fine. What flavor are we having?"

"What will you like to have?" Cole asked.

"Vanilla and strawberry," she replied with a smile.

Cole turned to the ice cream man. "I'll take the dark chocolate,"

They got their ice cream and headed to a part of the park that was barely occupied by other people. They sat on the bench, looking over at the horizon with Tris in their middle.

"Let me have a taste of your ice cream," Amy said to Cole, smiling sheepishly.

"Sure," he replied, stretching his hand towards her. She took a bite and then scrunch up her face. Cole laughed.

"How is it that you take this thing?" She inquired, not liking the flavor.

"So, nobody would have to ask me for it," he replied with a grin.

Tris chuckled. "Is that what grown ups do?"

"It's a preference. I've been having it since I was a child. It still works the other way round," Cole replied.

"Your dad is just being callous," Amy replied with a frown.

"No, he's not. He's the best dad in the world," Tris replied smiling.

Cole smiled, his heart swelling with pride. "And you're the best son in the whole world,"

"Nobody's giving me compliments," Amy pouted childishly.

Cole chuckled. "You do not need compliments, love. You're epitome of it," he said, looking into her eyes and Amy's heart fluttered as she smiled at him.

"I don't know what that means, but dad is right. You're the best," Tris said and they all laughed.

Amy kissed his cheek and Cole ruffled his hair. "Thank you, my little man," she whispered in his ear.

Together, they watched the sunset, with hands entwined with each other and their silhouettes reflecting as the perfect family.