ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jackson

I just looked at the dinner that Ms. Luo had brought it by for me. I was immensely grateful for her and reminded myself to do something nice for her birthday next week. Once I was done with work around 2am, I went back home. I sneaked into Xinxin's room quietly to check in on her. Thankfully, she was sleeping peacefully. I took her temperature, and though it was still on the high side, she did not appear to be in distress.

I took a bowl of cold water and decided to just sponge her again. My helper had woken up and offered to do it, but I chased her back to sleep. She must have been exhausted, too, looking after Xinxin while I was at work, so I told her I would handle it. I looked after Xinxin and kept an eye on her, falling asleep eventually by her side on the floor.

I woke up around 7am and checked on her, and she was just stirring. My helper brought her to shower while I got one myself, changed into a fresh pair of clothes, and decided to make some breakfast for all of us when I heard the doorbell. I opened the front door, only to see Ms. Luo is standing there, grinning away with some food packages in her hand.

"Ms. Luo! What are you doing here?"

"I figured you would be exhausted taking care of Xinxin on top of work, so I decided to cook and bring for you to make things a little easier for you. Plus, you did tell me yesterday that your helper has some family issues to settle, so you will be alone. It is my off day, so I thought I would come by to help."

"You shouldn't have! My house is quite a distance away. How did you come here?"

"Don't worry about it. Jeff, my son, gave me a ride here."

"Oh, is he joining us too?"

"Na, he isn't. I know you don't do too well with new people, so I told him to go back instead since it's his off day, too."

"Actually, I just found out yesterday that he is my Xinxin's music teacher. If he wants to come see her, I am fine with it. She adores him so much; I figure she will be thrilled to see him."

"Is that so? That will be great then. Let me call him before he drives off. See if he wants to pop by to say hello."

I nodded as she came in, calling her son. Xinxin came out and was happy to see Ms. Luo. She was even more thrilled when minutes later, Jeff came up, and she saw him! She literally ran to him and leapt into his arms! He carried her, swinging her around gently and murmuring sweet nothings into her ear. She chuckled as she laid her head on his shoulders, and he looked at me, finally greeting me. I nodded, inviting him in, and my helper had to leave shortly. I assured her I had everything under control. She said she would be back by 8 pm. and left.

Ms. Luo and I decided to set up breakfast and chat quietly as we did it. Periodically, I looked over at Jeff and Xinxin, who were busy singing away and just chatting. The look of happiness on Xinxin's face, I didn't realize that she and Jeff shared such a tight bond.

"What are you looking at, dear?"

"My Xinxin and Jeff. I didn't realize that they two shared such a tight bond."

"Oh yes, my son always spoke about your daughter, but I didn't realize it was her. Such a coincidence, after all, isn't it?"

I nodded as I beckoned them over for breakfast. I do not know if it was Jeff's presence, or my daughter was starting to feel better, but she ate heartily and finished her food with little nagging or reminders. I watched as she smiled at Jeff as she polished off her plate, and he rewarded her with such a huge smile and good job that even I was wavering.

If I did not know better, I would think my daughter had a crush on her music teacher! I cleaned up while I chased Ms. Luo to join Jeff and Xinxin in the living room. Once I was done, I came out to see Xinxin was taking her medicine with Ms. Luo, while Jeff was on a phone call. Once he was done, he hung up and came over to check if she had her medicine. She nodded at him, indicating she did, and he smiled at her.

Xinxin was exhausted, so around 11am, she went down for a nap. Ms. Luo offered to just sit with her while she napped and told me to get some breathing space to do my own things. I nodded and went out to the living room where Jeff was just looking at my baby grand piano.

"Do you play often?"

"Not so much here. This is more for Xinxin and her lessons with me, though I have to admit, my daughter drives me mad at times."

"Don't we all torture our parents more? My mom used to teach me as a kid, too, but gave up eventually and sent me to music boarding school."

I laughed, nodding, citing I was this close to doing it too but would miss Xinxin too much to actually do it.

"If you like, I would be happy to tutor her if you like. We do get along fairly well, and I can come over to teach if you like."

"Would you? I am immensely grateful for it! How much do you charge, though? Let me know. I will be happy to pay any price."

"Oh. You don't have to pay. Please. You are such good friends with my mom, and she speaks often about you. I really didn't think of charging. And especially not for Xinxin."

"I couldn't accept it for free..."

"He wouldn't accept it if he can't pay, sweetie. Just charge a nominal rate, then."

I heard Ms.Luo's soft voice as she came out. I turned to her; smiling, nodding as she knew me well. Jeff sighed but agreed to charge me a nominal fee. We decided on weekly lessons till Xinxin got the hang of it and then Jeff would increase it.

I smiled, happy that I may have finally solved one of my biggest problems, teaching my daughter! That little minx.

An angel with everyone else but a devil to me.