Bab 36: End of the Party
Having joined the table along with other guests, everyone took their seats and commenced the dinner.
Among the crowd, one of Giselle's old acquaintance made her way to reconnect with Melanie. Because the couple cherished even the scarce group of associates that Giselle achieved at her young age, they remember those few faces clearly. The two parties talked and chatted while enjoying dinner.
Giselle made sure to pass around the food and took off from her seat to refill the drinks and other menial jobs.
The dinner was delicious, and it made everyone feel at home and cozy. Giselle's curry received a lot of appreciation, including from her mother, which meant the world to the amateur chef.
**
Later the night, the guests had planned to say their goodbyes. Giselle prepared a parting gift for everyone. It included cake, chocolates, and cookies. A small sweet treat package. One by one, the guests began to leave.
Giselle would assist and thank them for attending the party.
Meanwhile, Eric and Melanie played with Lia after their dinner. Giselle interrupted them, requesting Lia to go to her bed since it's already getting late.
Lia protested, saying that it is not even school night for her to go to sleep early. She requested to stay a little more and desired to play with her grandparents.
Giselle couldn't agree soon because no matter what goes on, Lia goes to bed by nine, sharp on the clock.
Having her plead, it became awkward for the adults to respond to the little girl, especially when she just met her grandparents.
Eric wants to play with his granddaughter, but Giselle wants her in bed by now, and Melanie doesn't know whom to support.
It was a tough call for Giselle, and understanding her position already, Melanie stepped into the situation.
"Lia darling, it is already late, and you have to listen to your mother. Grandma and Grandpa are going to visit you more often from now onwards. So, go to bed soon like the good girl you are because I don't want my beautiful granddaughter to get tired from lack of sleep. You can play with grandpa whenever you fancy, but you have to listen to your mother now," Melanie persuaded the little girl.
One of the guests wished to depart, and so, Giselle had to step away from the scene.
When she returned, Lia's pout kept growing and growing, but she obeyed her mother on one condition, which is to say her farewell to a few of the guests. Giselle allowed.
Lia quickly ran to locate Anna and Jake. After saying her sweet goodbye to both, she was about to leave when Jake grabbed her by arms. Lia turned to face him. It happened swift that even Anna couldn't figure out Jake's action.
"Will you come to see us again, Lia? Anna and I would love to have your company some time. You can come with your mom, and then we'll play together, all of us. What do you say?" Jake requested. Even Anna got shaken by his actions. Besides, he couldn't stop himself from placing such a prayer. Looking at him, Lia displayed rejoice. She accepted the request and leaned in towards Jake to tell him a secret and whispered something to him by close ears.
"Of course, You got it," Jake made a pinky promise.
Anna appeared confused about watching the whole scenario. Before leaving at once, Lia requested a hug, and the couple happily gave their goodbye hug. Anna's filled with love and such tender care while Jake's tight embrace accompanied a soft peck on the little one's forehead, for he loved the angel heartily.
"Whatever you want, you can ask me, alright? Take care of your mother. She loves you to the moon. And you are most welcome to our home anytime. Promise me as well that you'll come to visit me?" Anna requested from her end.
Lia agreed immediately, and she gently kissed Anna on her cheeks.
"And what should you call me?" Anna pointed out.
"Aunty Anna," Lia stressed out her answer out loud obediently.
Anna couldn't let go of this little doll as she kept hugging Lia. Jake took the chance to take a picture of his darling wife with Lia and a group photo. Finally, after a long tight hug, Lia returned to her mother.
Watching her leave, Anna asked her husband about the secret that the little girl and Jake had shared. Instead of answering, Jake broke out into laughter. He stood up, urging to get something to drink, leaving Anna alone again. As soon as he left, Anna got occupied with a few other guests promptly and didn't leave her alone.
Jake watched Anna from afar as well as searched for Lia and saw her with her grandparents. He sipped his drink and sighed in relief somehow from meeting Lia and the impact it is going to make on his wife.
Quietly he kept his eyes on Anna and soon noticed the woman to struggle from his companionship. Chuckling to himself from the scene, Jake waited for a few more minutes and then went to steal his wife from her pressured company. He took her to the kitchen, where he made her sit down and relax at last.
On the other hand, Lia went back to her grandparents and kissed them goodbye. Before leaving for her room, Lia thanked once again for the present and then rushed off to brush. Giselle excused herself for a minute and went to Lia's room.
Lia was back already, changing into her nightwear. Giselle tucked her in and warm under the blanket and then kissed her goodnight.
When she returned, Eric and Melanie were getting ready to leave.
"Mom! Dad! Stay for a few more minutes!" Giselle grunted.
"We wish, honey, but it's getting late. Plus, it gets chilly in the night, and your mother can't handle to cold," Eric responded.
"We want to talk to you, but another time, okay? I don't want to rush things just like back then. We don't have the strength to lose you again, Giselle. So, come back home when you're free and ready to talk about your past life. We will listen to you. Also, bring Lia often, dear," Melanie requested.
Giselle agreed and told them that soon she would meet and share about what happened so far.
For the parents, it was seeing their daughter after so many years itself was a huge surprise. In between the dinner, Giselle revealed that she's a single mom now and got divorced. Melanie and Eric's faces turned pale, hearing the news, but they didn't want to stress it out. So, the only answer is to wait until Giselle, herself, is ready to talk about it openly.
With that, both of them left the party.
When Giselle returned, there was only one couple present, Anna and Jake. Both of them were waiting in the kitchen to meet Giselle, particularly Anna.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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