"Do you have time to meet up? I want to take you out for dinner tonight." Sum was straightforward, and he didn't like to beat around the bush.
Ella's eyes filled with tears when she recalled what had happened downstairs. She could hardly have a chance to keep her son and by now she had nothing else to do. "Yes."
"Ok, I'll pick you up. Is that ok?" Sum sounded excited. But he held back his excitement in his voice and asked like a true gentleman.
Ella shook her head. She was in the old house now, which was far from downtown: "I'll drive myself, thanks. Just tell me when and where."
Ella hung up after agreeing on the time and place of her meeting with Sum.
She searched the apps for jobs but found nothing suitable for her at the moment.
Back then, in earlier years, she had gone to the Film Academy of her own free will, despite her parents' objections. She now seemed to regret it, and felt that acting was the only job she could do.
Melody came back at the old house at dusk.
She happened to see Ella, who was now going downstairs. She glanced at the living room with cold eyes. Viola and Emma became silent the moment they saw her.
"Ella, you are going out?" Melody asked kindly. She saw that Ella was carrying her bag down the stairs.
They must have bullied Ella while she was out, she thought.
Ella walked toward Melody, and took her arm," Yes, nanna. I have an appointment with one of my old schoolmates. I won't be eating at home this evening, thank you!" Ella tried to smile when she saw this old, grey-haired woman. She didn't want nanna to worry about her any longer.
Melody kindly patted Ella on the back of her hand. This girl had been stuck in the house for too long, and it was a good idea for her to go out and get some fresh air: "Ok, but please come home early. Otherwise I will be worried."
Ella peeped out at her a sweet smile: "OK, nanna, I will be back shortly after diner."
Emma was so jealous at the sight of this scene. What on earth did Ella have that such a strict woman like Melody was being so kind and nice with her!
"OK, drive safely." Melody let go of Ella.
"By the way, nanna, would you please take care of Jerry for me this evening?" said Ella carefully, for fear that again Samuel would turn her down and take Jerry away for the night.
Melody understood what she was saying and replied: "Don't worry, Ella. I will take care of everything."
Ella nodded. She left the old house without saying her goodbye to the others present.
The moment Ella left, Melody went to the living room and took her sleeping great-grandson from Emma's arms.
"If you have any problems with my granddaughter-in-law and me, just say it now and be over with it."
Melody''s words were so serious and strong that they startled Viola. She did, indeed, have a problem with Ella, but she dared not to have one with her mother-in-law. "Melody, you're thinking too much."
Emma fidgeted on the couch. She could barely make any direct eye contact with Melody.
And Samuel sat there and played with his mobile phone, without uttering a single a word. It was just the same, and usual:
"Samuel, don't you need to go out and go to work. Aren't you busy today? At the office they can't get a hold of you, but now you have time to be with your concubine?" Melody's words were harsh and cut straight to the bone. Emma was too embarrassed to sit still on the couch.
"Grandma, please don't be mad. I'm leaving right now" Emma took a deep breath, forced a smile on her face and was just about to leave.
"That old hag!" she thought," Calling me a concubine!"
"No, tonight we're staying in the old house" casually replied Samuel. Melody was too angry at his reply to say another word. She held her great-grandson in her arms as she took him up to the second floor of the house.
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