At the sight of Anthony switching off the computer, Benjamin, who was sitting idly, chuckled. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting? It should be fine to chat with them for a while. After all, you haven’t gone online for more than one month.”
“It’s best to keep our guards up,” Anthony emphasized.
“Don’t worry, Mommy is not back yet,” Benjamin stated matter-of-factly.
Staring at him sternly, Anthony warned, “Heed my advice. You’d better avoid logging into the page too often at home. Otherwise, I won’t care about you if Mommy finds out.”
Benjamin arched his brows and zipped his mouth.
Even though Anthony and Benjamin were twins, their temperament was a stark contrast to each other. Anthony had a sense of vigilance, whereas Benjamin was bolder, like how Natasha differed from Kenneth in terms of their characteristic.
Benjamin tilted his head to look at Anthony. “Have you ever given any thoughts to the result? Do you wish for a positive test result or the other way round?”
“I’ve never thought about that,” Anthony replied calmly.
“Come on! How could you remain unperturbed about it? He could be our daddy!” Benjamin gazed at him in astonishment.
Anthony shot him a glance and asked, “How about you?”
After pondering for a while, Benjamin piped up, “I hope the result is positive.”
“Why?” Anthony asked curiously.
“I guess I’m tired of searching for our daddy. Regardless of who he is, I have a hunch Nat must have left the city with us at that time due to something unpleasant. Instead of other good-for-nothing jerks, I would rather he’s the one. At least, he’s handsome,” Benjamin explained analytically.
Even so, Anthony remained silent.
“Most importantly, I sense that Denise likes him very much,” Benjamin added, pointing out one of his observations.
“To me, Nat’s feeling is the most important,” Anthony mumbled, squinting his eyes.
Unequivocally, he seldom expressed his points of view and feelings. Notwithstanding, he was the one who prioritized Natasha’s feelings among his siblings. Thus, Benjamin did not comment further.
Coincidentally, Natasha was back with Terence at that time.
The two brothers rose to step out of the room when their footsteps sounded.
Catching sight of Terence carrying bags of vegetables and ingredients, a quick-witted Benjamin stepped forward immediately. “Gramps, let me help you.”
Meanwhile, Natasha changed into slippers quietly before flinging herself on the couch.
Anthony dragged himself toward Natasha. In the meantime, Denise popped her head out of her room. After ensuring her two brothers were there, she finally mustered up her courage to step out of the room.
Moments later, Denise and Anthony stood guiltily in front of Natasha.
Sensing something awry, Terence walked over and asked, “What’s wrong?”
When Natasha shot Benjamin a glance, he stepped forward obediently to stand in line with Anthony and Denise.
“Apologize now,” Natasha stated somberly.
“Nat, we’re sorry,” the triplets opened their mouths in unison.
“You’ve apologized to the wrong person,” Natasha hinted.
Right that instant, the sharp-witted triplets looked at Terence and apologized earnestly, “Gramps, we’re sorry.”
Perplexed, Terence asked incoherently, “What’s the matter? Did anything go wrong? What on earth has happened?”
“Gramps, I lied to you that someone from our school would send us home. In actuality, we sneaked out to have fun elsewhere,” Benjamin piped up.
“It’s my idea,” Anthony tried to speak up for him.
Seeing her two brothers trying to take the fall for each other, Denise squeezed out a tear piteously and lamented, “Gramps, it’s not their fault. They offered to bring me somewhere fun because I’m feeling bored. It’s all my fault.”
The next second, she threw herself into Terence’s arms coquettishly. It melted the latter’s heart at once. He coaxed her, “It’s all right. Don’t cry, okay?”
“Gramps, we shouldn’t have lied to you. Please forgive us,” Denise apologized.
“All right. Forget about it. I won’t be angry over such a trivial matter. However, remember not to do that again. Don’t ever scare the wits out of your mommy and me again by sneaking out, okay?” Terence consoled her.
“Gramps, I got it,” Denise replied coyly, gesturing at him to help talk Natasha into forgiving them.
Thus, Terence turned to cast a look in Natasha’s direction, trying to appease her. “Nat, don’t be mad at them again. After all, it’s common for kids to be playful.”
“It’s all right to have fun. However, you must not lie to your family again.” Natasha gazed at the triplets sternly. She cared about upholding trust and honesty.
They nodded earnestly and responded obediently, “We got it.”
No doubt, the triplets always took Natasha’s words seriously and tried their best not to go against her will.
“All right. Go and help your Gramps with the preparation for the meal.” Natasha heaved a sigh, relieved that the matter was over now.
In an instant, the triplets cheered up and headed straight to the kitchen to assist Terence.
“Nat, do you mean we’re still allowed to go out the next time?” Benjamin turned to ask Natasha boldly.
Denise and Anthony halted in their tracks and turned to look at him, holding their breaths. They made up their minds to flee at once if Natasha was infuriated at Benjamin’s words.
After what seemed like an eternity, Natasha answered subtly, “As long as your Gramps agrees to it.”
The triplets’ hearts leaped with joy instantly. Ha! It’s a piece of cake to deal with Gramps! So, Mommy has indirectly given us the green light, huh?
Denise hurrahed and planted a passionate kiss on Natasha’s cheek. “Nat is the best!”
Needless to say, Natasha was well aware of her daughter’s impressive skill in manipulating someone.
“I’ll go take a shower.” She wiped her cheek with a grimace and walked away.
The triplets let out sighs of relief and exchanged glances discreetly. Hurray! We can go out for “fun” at any time from now onwards!
Meanwhile, Terence could feel his temples starting to throb uncontrollably at the sight of the excited trio.
Later, he received a call from Liam when they were having a meal in the dining room.
He stole a glance at Natasha and moved to the balcony to answer the call.
“Terence, I’ve been wondering why you seem to be avoiding me lately. Ha! Now I know it’s because Nat is back. Do you think you can hide from me forever?” Liam cut to the chase on the other end of the line.
“You knew?” Terence asked in bafflement.
“Why, can’t I know? Let me be frank with you. I have not only found out about it but also bumped into Nat today.” Liam laughed triumphantly.
I see. Since Liam had found out about it, Terence decided to drop all pretense. “So what if you’ve known about it and bumped into her? It’s true I’ve been avoiding you. What could you do about that?”
“How dare you when you’re the one who did me wrong in the place first!” Liam exclaimed.
Terence mocked, “We’re still incomparable to all of you from the Hamilton family on that.”
“Fine! I’m no match for your eloquence. By the way, I’m more than happy that Nat is back. How about we meet for a meal this weekend?” Liam suggested warily.
“I’m not going,” Terence rejected right away.
Liam tried to persuade him, “Come on! Nat had promised me.”
Terence flashed a glance at his granddaughter enjoying a meal in the dining room intuitively and uttered grimly, “Are you having something up your sleeve again? Mark my words. Nat will not cross paths with anyone from the Hamilton family again!”
“Terence, don’t you know I have been doting on Nat like my own granddaughter? How could you accuse me of having something up my sleeve? If you refuse to step out for a meal with me, I’ll have no choice but to head straight to your house!” Liam was about to hang up.
“Hey! Wait a minute…” Terence yelled out apprehensively. Oh my! He mustn’t be here! I can’t let him know about the triplets!
After contemplating for a while, he finally replied, “Okay! Let me double check with Nat first.”
“That’s more like it!” Liam laughed heartily on the other end of the line.
“What a cunning old geezer,” Terence muttered before hanging up.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Not Twins (Natasha and Kenneth)