บท 28: The Shocking News
Theo hugged his princess and breathed a sigh of relief that his daughter was okay.
"Why are you guys back already?" Violet asked cheerily. She is just thinking about her parents. Now they've suddenly appeared in front of her.
"We canceled our plans because of some things that had happened. On our way back, we received a report of a superstorm hitting the country. We're worried about you and your brothers."
"That's right, baby." A beautiful woman approaches her husband and daughter.
At 50, Nikki still looks too young for her age. People often say that she looks just like her older sister, as she is a carbon copy of her mother, except for the eyes she got from her dad, Theo.
"I missed you so much, mom!" Violet kissed her mom on the cheek, then hugged her tight. It took a while before she parted from her. After some greetings, she noticed some changes in her mom. "Mom, have you gained some weight?"
Her mom glanced at her dad; thus, she wondered why her parents shared a meaningful look at each other.
Nikki smiled at her daughter, combing her beautiful long wavy brown hair resting on her back, saying, "I think it's part of the changes in my body that changes."
"I'm sorry, mom! I didn't mean anything!" Violet quickly apologized and explained not to hurt her mom's feelings. "I'm just surprised, you know… I'm used to seeing you slender."
As a wife of someone like Theo Shang, her mom should maintain a regal appearance as she often accompanies her dad on his business trips and gatherings to attend.
"Have you forgotten how good your dad is at cooking?" Theo boosted, and he received a warning stare from his wife. "Your mom would normally get fat."
Violet saw her mom slap her dad on the back and throw him a warning stare. She doesn't understand why her mom did that when her dad said the truth. He is indeed an excellent chef, and she knew it was one thing why her mom fell in love with him.
Moreover, her parents always act like teenagers, even in front of their children, so Violet is used to seeing them being lovey-dovey anywhere.
'God… my parents seemed to have forgotten that their daughter had never had a boyfriend since birth!' Now all the advice her grandmother Lucy told her suddenly played in her head.
Witnessing her parents' wonderful marriage, it was surprising she was not that interested in marriage.
She believes in love, as her parents are the perfect example; however, why is she uncomfortable speaking about marriage?
Is it because no one courted her in the past, but Allen only constantly bullied her?
Is it because Allen did something that no one wanted to pursue her?
Of course. She's a normal girl who also wants to date and maybe get a boyfriend.
There are many men around her, but no one asks her out. She would like a nun her entire life if not for the girls dragging her around during weekend plans. Thanks to her girlfriends, she had fun at night-outs. And during the siblings' gatherings, it was time they were allowed to tail their brothers.
'Ah! Why do I realize this just now?'
Is she not attractive? Indeed, she is not ugly as people always compliment her beauty by having a remarkable resemblance to her mom, which she's the most beautiful girl she has ever seen in this world.
But why didn't the men date her before?
The Lawrence men and the Lao brothers are friendly to her, but they never show interest in asking her out. Why is it?
Even the Kangs—they are also distinguished men. Not to forget, the Isagawa brothers are too cute, and the Ivanovs are nice to her.
So why do any of these men show no interest in her, and no one asked her out in the past?
Could it be because her twin brother Seth is their good friend? Or because Allen said many bad words about her, why did those men not woo her?
'That's it! It must be that guy's work! He is the culprit!'
No other person is a demon in her life but Allen. She could think of no other reason those men would not like her. Many other prominent men are out there, but no one seems interested in her. But why does no one show that they romantically like her? Or maybe they thought she was a killjoy, not socializing often?
She is from an impressive background. Countless mothers wish her to be their son's girlfriend. Several parents want her hand for marriage, but their sons should be the ones to pursue her, not the elders of the family.
She is actually open to having a relationship as long as it's not that one guy she has known her whole life who is a demon bully.
"Honey?"
"Hm?" Violet asks her dad absentmindedly. "I'm sorry, dad?"
"Are you okay?" Nikki asked her daughter when she seemed lost in thoughts.
Violet blinked and woke up completely. 'Shot! Did my face exhibit an unlikely expression? Why was I lost in thoughts in front of my parents?'
She was suddenly anxious. Lately, she has always been in a daze. It was weird, though. 'What's wrong with me?'
"Honey, you were not responding to your mom," Theo reminded his daughter.
"Oh! I'm sorry, mom!" Violet quickly apologized to her mom. She reasoned, "I must still be exhausted these days."
"You need rest, honey. You look a little tired." Theo persuades his daughter. "Now that we're here, you can stop worrying."
"Yes, honey. We're here to help the evacuees, especially those who lost homes. We will take care of them." Nikki echoed.
Violet widened her smile, delighted to see how always a team her parents were. Knowing them, they never just sat around about how much they loved this town.
"How about the Crow Corporation? What are they doing here, dad?"
"Shun sent them to aid the evacuees and transport the guests back to the city."
"Oh, Uncle Shun is really great!" Why didn't Allen Allen inherit his dad's kindness? All he knew was to bully me. Violet thought inwardly. "Finally, the guests could go home. I should thank Uncle Shun personally soon."
"He would love to see you." Theo smiled at his daughter.
"Alright." Nikki rose from the sofa. Her husband quickly stood on his feet and helped her get up.
"Careful…"
"Thank you."
Violet scratched her cheek, watching her parents being too sweet again. The day would cry without them showing affection for each other.
"I'll check your grandma, Violet."
"Okay, mom. Grandma is in her room watching dramas this time around." Suddenly, Violet got anxious. She watched her mom's receding silhouette with concern. She prayed silently,
'Gosh! Don't let grandma talk nonsense in front of mom. I know how bad it is to pray for this, but God, don't let grandma remember Allen!'
She crossed her fingers, praying her grandmother's Alzheimer's was triggered while her parents were there. She knows it was too bad of her to think this, but she doesn't want to explain it to her parents!
She was worried that the older lady slipped her tongue and mentioned Allen to her mom and addressed him as her husband.
~
In the kitchen, Violet helped her dad cut the vegetables and spices. They agreed to cook some steak and chicken for dinner tonight.
"Why didn't my little brothers come to visit me too?"
"They wish to come, but the foundation needs more hand. They stayed behind to help pack more boxes for the evacuees."
"The storm must leave terrible destruction not only here in Remy Town," Violet muttered.
"Yes. Several smaller towns didn't have shields to protect them. So they need help the most; it would take a little time before those families build their homes again. Shun and I will discuss with the Lawrences what we can do to help. We have to act now. Might in the future, another super typhoon hit our country."
The Lawrences founded the Voice Foundation, which Shangs and Williams funded even before she was born.
"It was a great idea, dad! So, you and mom will stay for a longer time?"
"I am, honey. Your mom must avoid traveling for a while, so I am limiting my overseas conference. Perhaps you can stand in for me?"
"Dad?" Does she have to go on overseas business trips? "But Dad, I don't have proper training. I don't think I am competent enough. My brothers are about to graduate next year. So…"
"Exactly, honey. Until they can help to manage our companies."
Violet rubbed her forehead. She doesn't know how to gamble, so she knows nothing about casinos. White House Garden is easy to manage, unlike the Shang subsidiary offices in several countries, especially the Shang Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.
"Dad…"
"Honey, I want to accompany your mom, so I want to ask you to replace me for the time being. I can train you in a few months until…."
Violet stared at her dad's pleading eyes. She could not say no because it was the first time her dad had requested this.
"Is mom okay, dad?"
"She is, honey. But the doctor advised her to take a serious rest."
"Then? What's wrong with mom?" Violet grows concerned. Her dad looked a little desperate. So what's wrong with her mom?
Her mom Nikki is always looking blooming, being in love with her dad, and it reflects on her face.
Thus, it made her always curious about how it feels to be in love with someone.
"Honey, don't be shocked, okay?"
Violet heard her dad speak out. She met his anxious eyes. He seemed reluctant to spill out anything that brought dread to her heart.
"Your mom is pregnant."
Violet's eyes grow wider, stunned. She wants to believe that something is wrong in her ears.
"Come again, dad?"
"We're expecting your little sister."
"What!?"
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