"Why do I often see him here?" Rizie asked exaggeratedly with an arched brow seeing Senior Liu in their garden. He was having coffee and chatting with her mother. She and Grandma Terry were furtively peeking at the two from their veranda on the second floor.
"It"s only his second visit… Is that considered often?" Grandma Terry responded.
"She obviously likes Mom. Look at how he smiles at her. Ugh, it creeps me out. Everyone is in love… Ughhh…" Rizie complained. Even Josh had a girlfriend, whom he would introduce to the family this coming weekend. It looked like she was the only one who was enjoying the single life.
"Well… We don"t know anything yet. Besides, your mother said they were good friends. Maybe they were just catching up with each other. After all, it"s been so many years... Let your mom have a social life, at least… She"s been inside the house for a long time, just taking care of all of you," scolded Grandma Terry.
Rizie pouted her lips and did not say any more words. She was doubtful, but her mother knew what she was doing, and she would always support her.
Besides, Senior Liu seemed to be a nice man, after all…
Sheila was actually taken by surprise by Thom"s unexpected visit. But she had told him that she hoped they could go back as good friends like before, and he could always seek her out if he were up for a pleasant chat.
"Sorry for the sudden visit. I had a meeting not far from here, so I thought I should drop by and say h.e.l.lo to you as well," said Senior Liu, smiling.
"Ohh… How are you? Are you now working hard to have a close relations.h.i.+p with your son?" Sheila asked with a smile. Last time, Thom had opened up to her about him becoming a neglectful father because of the past.
No wonder she had noticed something in Jeru"s eyes when she hugged him that time. It was the eyes of someone who was longing for familial love… The poor child surely had a tough time growing up with a lack of affection. She could not imagine how miserable it must have been, knowing how hard-hearted Old Madam Liu was.
Jeru might have everything when it came to material things, but those kinds of things would only bring you a fleeting happiness, unlike the warmth and love of a family that was forever.
"Yes, I am… And thank you for the reminder. My mother is also changing for the better now because of Zach. I can feel that she is already reflecting on her wrongdoings, although she is still a work in progress…" Thom explained, to which Sheila responded with laughter.
"Well, that"s good news… It will take time. She doesn"t need to change who she is, but she has to be more open-minded. Make sure everything is balanced. Jeru and Zach must get an equal treatment, both from you and your mother. I know you, Thom… Because you feel sorry, you will tend to look after Zach more. Don"t you ever dare do that. Unlike your son, my son never lacked anything when it comes to affection…" emphasized Sheila, making sure Thom understood her loud and clear.
Thom scratched his head and nodded at Sheila. She was still the same Sheila, who would nag him every now and then… Thom sighed, he was very thankful that this point in his life came… His heart was no longer heavy… Finally…
"Grandma, how long do you plan to peep at them? Let"s just go there and join their conversation. We can"t hear anything from here. Reading their lips is hard too…" exclaimed Rizie as she grabbed her grandma"s arm.
"Shh… Don"t you dare disturb them. It"s okay. Looking at their facial expressions and gestures is enough. Why would we join their conversation? You brat. I always told your mother to relax, go out and meet new friends. But she always refused. Now, it"s an old friend… She looks more at ease and carefree. Can"t you see?" murmured Grandma Terry with a smile.
Then she added, "Grandpa Shen and I are already old. You and Josh will eventually leave too. I want your mother to have a companion in life. Don"t you know that it"s quite sad being alone?"
Rizie frowned and said, "I will not leave mom! Maybe Josh, but absolutely not me. I will bring her with me in case I leave. And what old, Grandma? You"re even healthier than our mules, horses, and hogs!"
Grandma Terry hit Rizie"s back.
"Ouch!" Rizie cried.
"How dare you compare me with animals…? I know your mother. She will refuse to live with any of you after all of you get married. Well, unless one of you would stay here in this villa. But, still, having a companion is better. You see, I"m lucky that I still have your grandpa Shen with me…" explained Grandma Terry.
Rizie sighed. She would never understand that because she loved herself too much. Her priority was herself, and she did not mind living by herself without a partner. She did not need a companion to be happy. She had a perfect family, and that was more than enough. Or so she thought...
"Alright, let"s go…" Her grandma suddenly murmured.
As they walked inside the house, Grandma Terry suddenly cringed from pain.
"Grandma, what"s wrong?" asked Rizie. But before Grandma Terry could give her an answer, she pa.s.sed out. Fortunately, Rizie was quick to catch her.
"Grandma! Grandma!" she shouted in panic.
From the garden, Sheila and Thom could hear Rizie"s frantic screams.
Thom immediately got up and ran inside the house.
Grandma Terry was rushed to the nearest hospital, and she needed immediate surgery. Unfortunately, the facilities at the provincial hospital is too lacking to accommodate an emergency operation. So Thom had her brought to the Yang Hospital, the best hospital in their country.
Support the author by donating at:
paypal.me/eustoma
OR
ko-fi.com/eustoma
Kindly read this novel at WEBNOVEL app & site only. Please DON"T SUPPORT PIRACY for your Author"s welfare… Thanks...
Legitimate Link:
#The-General-Who-Hates-Me
Your humble author,
EUSTOMA_reyna