Chapter 97: Chapter 97

By the weekend, Jessica had a meeting to attend so she left early that morning. She wasn't around when Roy came over.

He was still confused when he met Gabby again. His green eyes were what confused him. It was obvious that Abby was a female version of Edwin, but who was their mother?

He embraced Angie and kissed her forehead. Then he asked Jessica.

"Oh, she had an emergency to handle. She said she was going to be back soon though. I think you could wait." Angela responded.

Roy shook his head lightly. "Well since she isn't around, why don't we all go out to the park and have a little fun? When she gets back, we can all return home."

Angela weighed the options. It was a good call, especially since the kids needed to be out this weekend. She agreed to it. She took the kids in to dress them for the outing, and not long after, they were out and headed to the park in Roy's car.

Roy took them to an amusement park. The kids were very happy to be here.

"Omg, I wish mom was here too," Gabby whispered to his sister.

"Yeah!" Abby agreed. "But she might not let us have so many sugars or climb the rides. Aunt Angie and uncle Roy are better!"

Gabby giggled. "Yeah."

Screaming at the top of their voices, the kids celebrated their outing. They entered every ride that was fit for kids their age or height, and Roy didn't hold back in buying whatever they requested.

At some point, Angela began to feel like he was spoiling them too much. But he didn't care, he was doing it for Angela. And also because he had a sinking feeling that they were related to his best friend.

Jessica arrived home to find the house empty. She sent a text message to Angie.

"Where are you all?"

Angela brought out her phone and found the message. She knew Jessica had arrived home then. She texted her in return.

"At the amusement park. Come join us."

"Nah, have fun," Jessica replied.

"Nope. Not having it. The kids want you to be here with them. Come out and have fun with us."

"Who else is there?"

"My boyfriend. Didn't you say you wanted to meet him?"

"Okay. Be there soon."

Angela slipped her phone back into her purse and returned to the trio.

"Who were you texting?" Roy asked, holding the kids.

"Oh, it's my friend. She was surprised to have met anyone at home."

"Should we head home now? We can't keep her waiting, you know."

"Nah. She's on her way here." Angela waved it off. "How about we enjoy one more ride before she gets here."

"Sure! I want to feel the wind in my hair again!" Gabby announced. Roy could tell that Gabby was a very loud kid, although he was very intelligent. He didn't know if it was his guts or instincts, but his mind kept comparing the child's characters to that of Edwin. Yet no matter how hard he tried, it remained an enigma.

They had just come out from the last ride when Angela's phone beeped in her purse. She took it out to find a text from Jessica.

"I'm at the Cotton candy stand. Where are you guys?

"We're coming to meet you there," Angela replied

"Oh, she's here. She said she was at the Cotton candy stand. Let's go meet her."

From afar, Roy had spotted Jessica's figure. He was silently wondering what she was doing there, as well as considering walking up to her. But his thoughts got disrupted by Gabby's excited call.

"Mommy! Look, Abby, it's mom! She came to join us!" He shouted excitedly. "Mom, over here."

Abby joined him in his call as they ran the final steps to meet Jessica.

Roy's final piece of the puzzle was solved. If Jessica was their mother, then Edwin could be their father. His steps slowed down. Angela didn't notice his reaction at all. She walked to meet Jessica, they hugged each other.

"Look who decided to come out of her shell." Angela mocked. "How does it feel seeing the sunshine and feeling it on your skin?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Get out."

Then she noticed the figure standing by the corner. Angela trailed her line of vision and her smile went wider.

"J, meet Roy, my boyfriend. Roy, meet Jessica, my best friend."

Jessica wasn't smiling at all. She knew him alright. Did Edwin send him to spy on her?

Roy had an equally surprised expression, but for a totally different reason. Did Jessica fall pregnant with Edwin before running away? Did Edwin know?

Angela saw how the two stood, silently asking each other questions, and not speaking out. Did they know each other?

"What's going on? Have you two met somewhere?" She finally asked. Jessica turned her face to Angela without taking her gaze off Roy.

"He's Edwin's best friend." She answered.

Roy scratched the back of his neck. "Jessica, so nice to finally meet you. I heard you were back and I didn't -"

"Okay, I'm just going to take the kids home," Angela said, grabbing Gabby and Abby, and leading them away.

Jessica still stood there, staring hard at Roy. Did life choose to play a game on her?

"Look, let's go somewhere and talk." He suggested. Jessica nodded once. Running away from confrontation wasn't the best option, she had to face it. To know what she was truly up against. She followed Roy to a nearby cafe.

"Do you want anything?" Roy asked. "Coffee? Milkshake?"

"I'm fine." She replied curtly. "What I want is to know why you asked for us to talk. What is there to talk about?"

"I'm not your enemy, Jessica." Roy deadpanned. "You have to calm down and listen to me."