The four of them showed up at the amusement park looking like a happy family of four. No one bothered to deny it. Instead, they went and enjoyed themselves, running around and teasing each other without a care in the world.
It's long been known that children have an unlimited supply of energy, and Van and Don proved this to be true. At some point, Michelle found herself gasping for breath, too tired to keep up with the kids. Waving her hand in defeat, she cried, "My legs are so sore, I'll just sit and watch you guys play."
Don tried tugging the hemline of her shirt. "Aunt Michelle, we're going to the dodgems now. It's not tiring there!"
"I want to rest for a while. Don't worry, I won't go anywhere. I can watch you guys from right here." Michelle slumped into a nearby bench.
Leon crouched down in front of her, and gently squeezed her calf. "Does it hurt here?"
"Yes." Michelle winced in pain. "Leon, I'm fine. Take Van and Don to the dodgems. I'll take photos of you from outside."
"Uncle Leon, stay here with Aunt Michelle," Van said wisely. "I'll go with Don to the dodgems."
While there were many luxury cars at the two kids' disposal at North Yard, the two always liked to go on the dodgems in the amusement park.
Leon nodded in agreement. He figured Van's idea was feasible, and the two children were bright for their ages.
But they still needed an adult to buy them tickets.
Sitting on the bench, Michelle watched Leon go buy the tickets with the children, one child's hand in either of his. This scene made her imagine her future with him—in a sunny afternoon like this, she sat there, basking in the sun, watching as her husband played with their children.
Just thinking about it, she felt that a future with him was really possible.
"Michelle?" A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Michelle snapped out of her daydream and met a pair of questioning, deep blue eyes.
"Peter?"
"Oh! It's really you, Michelle!" Peter beamed and hurried over to her, arms outstretched to wrap her in a bear hug.
Michelle stood up and smiled, ready to receive him. "Peter!"
Just as the two of them were about to collide, Michelle suddenly jerked to a halt and felt her feet being lifted off the ground. Stunned, it took her a while to realize someone had grabbed her by the collar and was holding her in midair, like a cat being held by the scruff of its neck.
She started kicking her feet, struggling against her captor. When she looked up to curse the person holding her and saw that her captor was none other than Leon, her mouth snapped shut.
With a gloomy face, Leon gently put Michelle down behind him and then turned to face Peter with a forced smile.
Evidently, he was very possessive.
Peter's outstretched arms awkwardly dropped to his sides. "Hi, are you Michelle's boyfriend?"
He was able to speak Chinese really well. In addition, he was quite a friendly fellow, smiling brightly at Leon despite what had just happened.
In fact, there was a certain warmth to his tone, which made Leon relax his guard.
"Yes, I am," Leon said with a hint of pride. "Nice to meet you."
Peter then glanced over Leon's shoulder and asked Michelle, "Is this the guy?"
Michelle nodded enthusiastically, suppressing her giggles.
"Wow, that's fantastic!" Peter reached out to shake hands with Leon. "I was Michelle's classmate, Peter. Congratulations, you're a lucky guy!"
"Thank you," Leon said sincerely. He especially liked it whenever people wished them happiness. Judging from Peter's behavior with Michelle just now, it was obvious he'd heard about him. He cast a furtive glance at Michelle, waiting for her to introduce them properly.
Michelle quickly caught. Flustered, she hurried to Leon's side and explained to Leon her story with Peter.
Peter and Michelle were classmates when she was studying abroad. Actually, he had saved her life. But she just told Leon that Peter had helped her before.
Smiling, Peter didn't offer any more information, either, and Leon didn't ask any questions. Instead, he excused himself and trotted off to put Van and Don in their respective bumper cars, making sure their seat belts were fastened securely.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: You Are The Apple of My Eyes