When Fate Decided to Play its Part

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE;
Kai's Father
--
Althea wondered what is it that she did wrong this day. She wants to know and keeps on visiting her memories and she found
that she did nothing bad to get a bad karma.
She was just having a peaceful morning; cooked their breakfast, watered their flowers, opened the shop- so she directly
assumed that this day, like the other days, will pass peacefully.
Who could have thought that the woman, who she met just a week ago, the one who shouted to Kai because of a very, very
immature reason (she asked him what happened after they got home), told her that she, herself, do not wish for their paths to
meet again, will have the guts to appear in front of her doorsteps?
Althea can't help but question the rationality of Sheryl. She also can't help but shake her head because of disappointment.
When they were still highschool, she viewed Sheryl as a righteous, decent woman. After all, she was raised in a wealthy
household, where female is raised to be decent for their husband.
Who could have thought that beneath that beautiful clothing she has, hides the skin of her snake. People should really quit
judging people from their appearance.
Althea, once again, sighed and her mood dropped drastically. Her eyes constantly wanders towards the corner where Sheryl was
standing and 'admiring' the flowers they have.
Sheryl decided to 'postponed' their 'heart-to-heart' talk since it was morning and many people are rushing in to buy. Althea also
has to personally attend their contracted buyer so she doesn't have the time to entertain her.
So Sheryl decided give her time.
Does she wants Althea's thanks? Yes.
Does Althea wants to thank her? In her dreams!

Melanie can't bear to see her boss sighing anymore. She can also feel helplessness each time she sighs like she was carrying
the whole world on her back. It also dampen her mood and it could ruin the mood of their customers too.
So, she went to rescue her boss and the shop. Or so she thought.
Just before she can drop the flowers she was trimming back to it's vase, someone 'rescued' her boss for her.
"Mom," Kai entered, carrying a phone in his hand. Althea turned to look at him. "It's Charlotte."
Althea almost sighed in relief. She took the phone and excused herself, letting Kai to man in her place.
When she entered the backyard, she answered the call, sighing.
"Hello!" Charlotte paused. "What's the matter Althea?"
She sighed again before shaking her head, upon remembering that Charlotte can't see her, she laughed. "Nothing! Just getting
off the bad air inside me."
"Really?" Charlotte asked.
"Yep." She simply replied. "So, why did you called?"
"Oh!" She exclaimed. Suddenly, her voice was filled with excitement. Althea can even feel it even though their far away. "Are you
free this weekend?"
Weekend? Althea started to visit her mental calendar. "Hmm, no, I don't think so."
"That's great!" Charlotte said. "Actually, we're having a party that time. Uh, for the business. But we- Augustine and I- have a trip
that time, so..."
Althea gave a cold smile towards nowhere, "So...?"
"I want you to attend for us...?" Her voice was unsure and hesitating. "Pleaseeeeeee!"
Althea faced palm. She lisened silently to her blabbering and persuasion. When words aren't escaping from her lips anymore,
Althea finally talked. "No."
"Althea- just this once!" Charlotte helplessly said. "Please! Just this once."

"Charlotte," Althea said slowly. "I'm very thankful that you're already calling me with my correct name, but no."
"Why?!" She exclaimed.
"Charlotte," Althea called her with a sigh. "First of all, this isn't the first time you made me attend parties for you and your
husband. Second, you know I hate parties with lots of people, right? Also, you know I don't like the atmosphere there. It irks me."
"Althea," she plead. "Please? This will be the first time that Aug have his break! We haven't bonded for months now... Pity
please?"
"..." Althea listened to her pitiful cry and reason, she hesitated before groaning internally. "I'll think about it."
"Yey!"
"Don't get your hopes up," Althea stopped her before she thinks that she'll absolutely go. "I'll tell you my decision by tonight- or
tommorow. I mean, there's still 2 days before the weekend."
"Okay!" Charlotte said in delight. "I'll send you the address later! Also- your dress!"
"Okay," Althea simply answered.
"Thank you Althea! Consider it carefully okay! I'll owe you one again! Bye!" She ended her sentence with a laugh.
Althea wondered why, but considering how idiotic and childish Charlotte is, she won't understand her.
"Bye." Was all she can say, and with that, their call ended.
Althea turned her phone off before leaning on the door, sighing all over again.
-
Sheryl looked at the counter and saw that Althea was missing. She raised her elegant brows before looking around and still, she
can't find her.
'Did she just ditch me?' She thought.
When she was dwelling on that small little thought, her eyes caught the small figure that was sitting on the chair next to the
counter with calm expression on his face.

Sheryl's brows raised even higher.
That kid, he really catches her attention.
Ever since she saw him that time, her curiosity was perked. She's been wondering why is his attitude's like that. It made her
question how Althea raised him. They said, if the kid is matured for his age, it was a sign that the kid didn't experience comfort
during his childhood.
To solve her questions, she decided to talk to the kid herself.
She walked towards the counter and opened her mouth after reaching him, "Hi there."
Kai raised his small head and blinked at her, he replied, "Hello."
Sheryl paused, unsure what to say. She leaned on the table and shifted her whole weight on one foot. She stared at him. "How
old are you."
"..." Kai stared before answering plainly. "Five."
'Five?' Sheryl asked herself. 'He really isn't Tyler's son. Because if he is, he should be 7 or 6 by now.'
With that thought, a smile spreaded on her face. "You're mature for your age."
Kai didn't answer. Not that he doesn't want to but he doesn't know how and what to say. He plainly didn't understood her words.
Sheryl didn't mind. She as bottling the happiness of her confirmation about him being not the son of her fiance. She can finally
relaxed about the matter.
Truth to be told, she wasn't sure about Althea said. She doesn't trust her. So she came here for confirmation and of course, her
heart-to-heart talk. She knew that she shouldn't trust a word of a kid, but- why would he lie to her?
Unless he was told to, but that's near to impossible. Considering Althea's attitude and personality, there's no way she'll make her
own kid to lie for her sake.
Since it was, more or less confirmed that he really isn't his son, something's bothering her. She pondered over the question first
before finally asking the silent kid. "Hey, do you know who's your father?"

Kai pursed his lips and wondered why is it that people keeps on asking him about his father. Does he looks like he doesn't have
one? "I do."
This made Sheryl even more curious. "Then did you already met your father?"
"I did."
"Do you know his name?" Kai nodded. "Can you tell me?"
Kai was confused but he didn't ask why. He was asked about this twice in less than month already. But the old woman, Mrs.
Goodman, didn't receive his answer, so he told the second person about it, "His name is Augustine."