Chapter 93: Chapter 93

Chapter 92

Surprising

Pershey was with Jess at the mall. They thought that the orphanage would release the him again, so that he could have fun and not be sad again. She also gave the child a cellphone, so that she could have contact with the child and, so that they could talk regularly. From the moment she met the child, she immediately became close to the child. She was kind to Jess and so was the child to them.

"Miss pretty," she called Pershey. She held the child’s hand as they walked through the mall.

"Yes, Jess?" she asked as they continued to walk.

“Can we stop walking? I am tired,” he said. They stopped walking.

"Do you want me to lift you?" she asked but the boy shook his head and smiled. "Do you want food?"

"I want to go there," he said and pointed to the place where there were many appliances. "I want to go there," he said again.

"Are you going to sing?"

"No, it's beautiful there."

"Okay, let's go," she said and they were about to walk again when she remembered something. “You said that you’re tired. I'll just carry you?”

The child shook and pulled her away to a side where the appliances were.

Music can be heard in that area. Lots of TVs turned on and there is also free videoke.

She stopped when the child stopped in the middle. Lots of people passing by. The song was familiar to her even though only musical instruments could be heard. She wanted to sing the song but she was shy.

"Let's go to the restaurant," she said but the boy didn't want to leave their place. She no longer forced the child and just watched the videoke until a voice sang the song.

She thought that maybe it was just a song and no one else was singing except the singer but she didn’t know that the singer was just behind her.

The singer was getting closer and closer to her but she did not notice her. The man stopped right behind her. Pershey heard the man's voice better, so she suddenly turned away. Many people looked at them and mocked her.

She almost covered her mouth when she saw Neil carrying a rose and singing in front of her.

The rose was handed to her as he sang. Although she was embarrassed and still hesitant, she picked up the rose. A smile draws to her lips.

She couldn’t help but look at Neil and the people around them. She feels a mixture of shock, excitement, and astonishment in these moments. She didn’t quite think Neil was doing that. She couldn't help but smile.

The song is over. They were still in the middle of the crowd. Their scene seemed to be distracting.

“Hi,” Neil said.

"Miss pretty is smiling," the boy commented so the smile widened even more on her lips and she almost laughed. She didn't know what to say to Neil.

"Let's go to the restaurant," the boy said. They looked at each other and smiled at each other. They held the child's hand. In hindsight, they looked like Jess's parents.

They left that place and they heard people talking, so they couldn't help but smile. There and they feel the butterflies in their stomachs in these moments.

They went to the restaurant.

Neil just brought them to the table first to order food.

While Neil was away, they stayed there.

Pershey stared at the rose Neil had given her. It crossed her mind that it was the first time Neil had given her a rose apart from her debut party. She couldn't help but smile as she watched the flower. The child notices her reaction.

"Miss pretty," he called, so she took her eyes off the rose and looked at him.

"Yes, Jess?"

The boy did not say a word and just smiled at her. She was happy and the child was always smiling.

Something suddenly went through her mind at that moment.

“Jess,” she sweetly called.

"Yes, Miss pretty?"

"Ammm ... why do you want that place there? - there with appliances?" she asked in confusion.

The boy frowned, he said, "I don't understand you."

"Did Kuya Neil and you planned what happened earlier?" she asked softly and calmly.

The boy smiled at her, saying, "I called him and ordered him to do that."

"What?"

“I missed my family. Because my Dad always surprises Mommy and sings in the videoke and then gives her a rose. I feel like my family is only here when I'm with you. I forget that I am sad when you and Kuya are with me,” he explained.

She was touched by Jess's explanation, so she didn't ask again. She didn't want to see Jess sad. She is also happy because she can make him happy.

"But you know what, Mids pretty?"

Her forehead furrowed but she immediately smiled when she looked at the child.

"Kuya Neil told me something," he added.

Neil arrived carrying the food on a platter. He sat on the child's side.

"It looks like you're talking well, ah," he commented before he put the food from the tray on the table.

"Nothing. He just said something,” Pershey replied. "What did your older brother Neil told you again?" she asked, so Neil suddenly looked at the child.

"My older brother said the other day ..."

Neil stared at the child. He could feel the rapid throbbing of his chest as if he were worried and doubtful. He did not know what to do.

"My brother said, I

He want—"

“I want us to go out again,” Neil said quickly, so the boy couldn't continue what he was saying.

The boy frowned at him.

"That's all," Pershey said. "Let's eat, so we can go home right away," she added. They have already eaten. While Pershey's attention was focused on the food, Neil's gaze was fixed on her and every time Pershey looked up, Neil turned his gaze back to the food or something else.

Shr stopped eating and looked directly at Neil as if she was examining him.

Neil noticed that, so he said, “Eat the food. The food is getting cold.”

Pershey looked back at the food when Neil said that. She can’t focus on food because there are things that are bothering her mind.

She looked up slightly and turned to the child. The child obviously enjoys the food. They often ate in that area. The nuns allow them to take the child out of the orphanage, so that the child can forget and be happy somehow.

She watched the child eat, and she smiled as she looked at the child. Her smile was bright as if her heart was getting fat.

The boy noticed her, so he looked at Pershey but Pershey did not notice that the boy was also looking at her.

He smiled at Pershey, so she realized. She also smiled as she looked directly into the child's eyes.

She said softly, "I want to adopt you."

Neil was almost taken aback by what Pershey said, so Pershey immediately gave him water.

The boy was very happy with what she said, but eventually, the warm smile on his face disappeared.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"They won't give me to you unless ... you are married," said the boy and he was sad.

She held the child's hand tightly and smiled.

"Let's eat, we'll take you home to the Orphanage," she said. They continued to eat until they were finished. As she said, they took the child to the orphanage and said goodbye to the child after they took Jess to his room.

They left the orphanage and waited for a taxi to pass.

They stood on the side and they were just silent.

Neil was restless. He wanted to speak but he was worried.

A taxi passed by and Pershey waved. The taxi stopped in front of them.

Pershey walked first and she also stopped when she noticed Neil not even moving and just looking at her.

"Come with me," she said.

Neil nodded, saying, “No need. I'll just wait for another taxi to pass.”

She sighed. She approached Neil and grabbed his arm. He was shocked at what she did.

"Let's go," she said and pulled Neil away. They got in the car. They sat in the backseat.

They were quiet while the driver is driving.

"Where are you going?" Driver asked.

"Coffe Shop," they said together and they were even more shocked. They looked at each other.

"Are you going to the Coffee Shop too?" Pershey asked.

She nodded, saying, "Yes, I want coffee."

Thee taxi stopped in front of the coffee shop. They got out of the car and went inside at the same time.

They sat at the same table. They were just quiet while waiting for their two café mocha to be delivered.

It was shady outside and it seemed like it would rain at any moment. Light thunder until lightly pouring rain.

"It's raining," she commented as she looked outside.

“Pershey,” he called.

"Why?"

"I will go back to America," he said.

"But why?" she asked but Neil was speechless. They just stared at each other. “I'm sure Jess will always look for you. He will miss you for sure,” she added.

“What about you? Won't you miss me? ” he asked almost making her laugh.

"50% sure," she answered while weakly laughing.

"But ... before I go ... I want to tell you something."

The downpour increased. They looked at each other.

"I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, I'm just scared and ashamed of you."

Pershey was silent as she looked at him. Neil was also looking at her.

"I've wanted you for a long time," he said. Pershey immediately looked down at the coffee and stirred it with a straw.

"Drink the coffee,” she just said.