Aunty Zoe stepped into the house slowly, her eyes widening as she looked around.
The floors gleamed, the curtains were freshly washed, and the whole place smelled faintly of detergent and sunshine.
"You cleaned… everything?" she whispered.
Amelia smiled softly. "Welcome home, Aunty."
She guided Zoe to the table and served the warm dishes she'd prepared. The meal was simple, but eating together again made it feel comforting, almost nostalgic.
Afterward, Amelia heated water and helped her into the bathroom.
Zoe moved cautiously, but Amelia was patient, washing and rinsing as though she'd done it a thousand times. When Zoe was dressed again and settled on the bed, Amelia sat beside her.
"Aunty" Amelia said gently, "I want to open the restaurant tomorrow. I think it's time to start selling again."
Zoe looked at her with worry. "Can you handle all that work by yourself?"
"Yes" Amelia said firmly. "I'll manage."
"I can help too" Zoe insisted weakly.
Amelia nodded. "Okay. But for now, please rest. I'm just stepping out for a bit."
She closed the door quietly and headed to the supermarket.
After buying everything the shop needed, she returned home, arranged the items neatly, then stretched out on her bed with a tired groan.
Her phone vibrated.
Emily Calling
Amelia sighed. "What now?"
She answered, and Emily's excited voice nearly burst her eardrum.
"Come to the bar! I'm already here!"
Amelia groaned, but she got up anyway, slipping into baggy shorts, a hoodie, and a face cap to hide her face. She caught a taxi and headed out.
Inside the bar, she spotted Emily waving from a corner table.
At least she wasn't drunk… yet.
Amelia sat opposite her, staring silently, expression unreadable.
Emily shifted. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Why do you always drag me to bars instead of restaurants?" Amelia asked bluntly.
Emily tossed her hair. "Bars are perfect for relaxing… and scouting hot men."
Amelia shot her a deadpan look and lowered her cap further.
Emily smirked. "Anyway, tell me about your contracted boyfriend. How's it going? Did you try those novel techniques I bought?"
Amelia rolled her eyes. "Stop worrying about that. He warned me not to fall in love with him. If I do, the contract ends. Besides… he has a daughter. And he brought another woman to the house."
Emily froze. "A daughter? How old?"
"Eighteen."
Emily slapped the table. "Wow. So my best friend is a side chick now?"
"I am not a side chick" Amelia hissed. "And his daughter calls me Mom."
Emily blinked, stunned. "This situation keeps getting messier."
She leaned in. "By the way, you came so fast when I called. Were you still at the hospital?"
"No" Amelia said. "I was at home."
Emily gasped dramatically. "HOME? Did the contract end? Amelia, don't tell me you fell in love with him!"
Amelia almost choked. "No! Zoe is home now. I'm taking care of her."
Emily slumped in relief. "Oh thank God. And… wow, I'm a terrible daughter. I haven't visited her in forever. How is she?"
"She's alright" Amelia said. "Her surgery will be scheduled soon."
"I'll come tomorrow" Emily promised immediately.
Amelia nodded. "Have you heard from Caleb?"
Emily's smile vanished. "No."
Amelia muttered, "That crazy freak… always making everyone worry."
They chatted a bit more until Amelia checked the time and stood up.
"I need to go. Aunty might need something."
She hugged Emily and left, taking a taxi home.
Inside, Zoe was already fast asleep.
Amelia closed the door gently and tiptoed to her room.
Letting out a long, tired breath, she flopped onto the bed. Her eyes landed on her old teddy bear resting in the corner, untouched for months.
A small, soft smile touched her lips.
She pulled it into her arms… and finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, sunlight slipped through the thin curtains and brushed Amelia's cheeks, waking her gently.
She stretched, yawned, and shuffled toward the kitchen.
But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.
Aunty Zoe was standing by the stove, stirring a pot as if she hadn't just been discharged from the hospital. Her posture was steadier, her face brighter, almost lively.
"Aunty…" Amelia whispered.
Zoe turned and smiled softly. "Good morning, dear."
Amelia hurried forward and hugged her tightly, planting a kiss on her cheek like a worried child. "You're up so early."
"I've been lying down for months" Zoe chuckled. "Let me at least do something small."
Amelia sighed but didn't argue. She simply went to wash up.
By the time she returned, Zoe had already arranged breakfast on the table. They sat together quietly, the warm, homely atmosphere wrapping around them like a blanket.
Amelia had barely lifted her spoon when her phone vibrated on the table.
Unknown Number
She frowned. "Who's calling this early?"
She answered. "Hello?"
"Mommy!!"
Amelia almost dropped the phone. "Irelia?!"
Irelia's voice blasted through the speaker, dramatic, loud, and very much awake.
"Mommy, come and open your gate!"
Amelia shot to her feet. "My… gate? What are you talking about? Where are you?"
"In front of your house!" Irelia declared, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Amelia choked on air, coughing while Zoe panicked and patted her back.
"You okay?" Zoe asked, worried.
Amelia wiped her mouth, stunned.
Irelia… was at her house?