ArmMacau Side Story [White Bishop]

36 - Unsettling feelings

Pete's POV

Assistant Lee drags on her cigarette calmly, sitting on the wooden bench. It doesn't seem like she was in a deep, self-hypnotic trance a couple of hour ago.

After a long shower, Lee joined us in her spacious living room. Not a single word came out of her mouth about it. Wanwan and I didn't have the courage to ask her anything about it. After all, although I genuinely care, it's her home, her privacy.

"I apologize for coming unannounced, Lee. Since you weren't responding, Lian asked me to check on you."

"So caring. You two."

"Well, now that I know you're okay..."I glance at Wanwan. "I think I'm leaving..."

"It'll be dark in a few hours, and the way back is difficult to make at night. Have dinner with us, Pete. They're about to arrive."

"They?!"

Those children arrived from school, and Lee greeted them with affectionate kisses and hugs.

Two boys...one older, one younger. They look alike...they are brothers...

...

Although her expression is relaxed, I notice that she's carefully observing every movement of the siblings as they play on the wooden playground built on her property. Her watchful gaze never rests.

"Now I understand your easy-going approach to Venice, Assistant Lee."

"Children trust too easily when you have the right approach."

Her words aren't spoken without a meaning I don't quite grasp.

"Your boys have your energy to play...they look a lot like y..."

"They're not my kids."

"Ow...I'm sorry...I assumed..."

"I can't have children."

"I'm sorry."

"They belong to a dear friend...who died when they were too young to remember her."

"Oh...that's so sad..."

"They don't know I'm not their mother."

"I see...a mother is the one who raises, anyway, the one who gives sincere and unconditional love."

"Pfft..." Assistant Lee's sneer startles me.

["Mom! Mom! Come play with us!"]

Hearing his eldest son's call, Assistant Lee's sinister expression changes to a sincere smile.

"You guys must be prepared to run." Assistant Lee throws away her cigarette and runs toward the pair of brothers, who happily run away.

["Come, Uncle. Come play with us! Mommy will chase us."] The younger boy calls me to play with him. They're such cute kids that I think it would be so nice if Venice were here playing with them. In a way, they're all cousins."]

"Hey, guys! What are you playing?! Cops and robbers?!" I drop my suit on the bench and join them.

Assistant Lee turns to me and says in a mocking tone.

"We're in the wood, Pete!" she smirks. "I'm the wicked witch, and you're the little kids running away from me."

...

Tankhun's POV

["These are the quarterly sales results, Mr. Wang, and the impact of the promotional activities..."]

"Disappointing. Have it redone."

["Yes, Mr. Wang."]

"Leave." I hear the footsteps of Lian's executives leaving his office. Finally. My knees hurt.