Araceli POV
"Wow, Ms. Chancey, you're amazing!"
Essel said in surprise, "Thank you, Ms. Chancey! It smells so good!"
The night sky became dark.
After we finished eating, I took Krish and Valeria and walked to the door.
"Krish, Valeria, say goodbye to Mr. Lancaster."
Krish said, "Mr. Lancaster, Essel, bye."
Valeria pursed her lips, raised her hand, and waved.
"Ms. Chancey, is it okay if you come early tomorrow? That way, we can play a little longer!"
Essel's eyes seemed to be as bright as stars. "Valeria, I'll go buy some more paints and paper tomorrow. Let's paint together, okay?"
Valeria stared at Essel for a few seconds and nodded her head gently.
Raphael said calmly, "Let me drive you guys back."
"Mr. Lancaster, you really don't have to do that."
I shook my head. "I'll just drive back by myself."
With that, I led the two children out of the villa and pulled open the car door.
I could always feel a burning stare behind me as I buckled the kids in.
Raphael had just been looking at me with a strange look while we were eating dinner. Those deep eyes were filled with a certain emotion that I couldn't understand.
I got in the car quickly and started the engine.
The car sped away.
Royal Pack's villa is in a wealthy area, so there aren't many cars coming and going here.
I sped down the hill. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure on the side of the road.
I slowed down, stared at his face, and slowly narrowed my eyes.
It was Micah.
I slowed to a stop and looked behind me, "Krish, take care of Valeria, I'll be right back."
Krish also saw Micah.
He turned his head and looked at Valeria, who was sitting beside him.
Valeria's eyes were lightly closed, drowsy, and she didn't notice Micah.
Micah stood on the curb. The cold wind of the night brushes his cheeks. He put his hands in his pockets and stood still, looking away.
"What's wrong?"
I asked, walking up behind him.
He jerked back. When he saw me, a bright light appeared in his deep eyes.
However, the light disappeared the next second.
He said calmly, "The car broke down. The driver is fixing it."
I sighed slightly in my heart.
Even though Micah was Melany's son, I couldn't just stand by and watch.
I said calmly, "Where are you going? I can give you a ride."
"No."
Micah put his hands in his pockets and turned his head away from me.
I thought for a moment and said calmly, "Okay. Be safe."
I gave Micah a look and turned around to get in the car.
Suddenly, there was a sports car speeding toward here not far away. The sound of the engine roaring came and became clearer and clearer.
It had no intention of slowing down, but instead flashed its bright lights, signaling us to dodge.
I subconsciously reached out in front of my eyes, took Micah into my arms, and rolled off the road into the grass.
The sports car sped away.
I felt a sharp pain come from my arm.
I looked back and there were scrapes on my arm. It was bleeding in some places.
"Mr. Micah, are you all right?"
The man who was working on the car rushed over, knelt down, and helped Micah up.
Micah's face was a little pale. "I'm fine."
He looked over at me, his eyes flowing with mixed feelings. "Thank you for saving me."
I breathed a sigh of relief. If I hadn't been quick on my feet, he would have been hit by that car.
"It's okay."
I said calmly, turned around, and went back to my car.
In that moment just now, I didn't know why I did that.
I even risked my life to protect Micah...
He was Melany's son!
"Mommy, is your arm hurt?"
Krish asked with concern as he leaned forward slightly.
"I'm fine," I smiled, "It doesn't hurt."
I buckled my seat belt and stepped on the gas. The car eases away.
Krish looked at Micah in the rearview mirror, and Micah kept his eyes on us until our car disappeared down the road.
He pursed his lips and said, "Mommy, I can't see what Micah is thinking at all. He's a dangerous man. Maybe we'd better stay away from him."
My hand on the steering wheel lurched.
"Micah is too smart, nothing like Essel. He's..."
I suddenly realized that Micah was the same age as Essel. They seemed to be twins.
Did this mean that Melany had given birth to twins five years ago?
I frowned and gripped the steering wheel tightly.
"Mommy? Are you okay?"
Krish asked worriedly.
"Fine."
I put my mind behind me and kept driving.
I eyed ahead, but my mind was a mixed bag.
Yesterday I asked Raphael what his relationship with Melany was, and he answered me that he had nothing to do with Melany.
I actually believed it.
When we arrived home, I put the two kids to bed. After that, I went back to my room and dialed Hailie's phone number.
Hailie sleeps late every day. When I called, she was watching TV.
"Araceli, why are you calling so late?"
Hailie's voice was suspicious.
I pursed my lips. "Grandma, I want to ask you something."
I paused and said slowly, "Does Melany have two children?"
Hailie gave a sigh, "Yes, five years ago, Melany was unmarried and pregnant and gave birth to twins. At that time, almost the whole town was talking about you. Melany's pregnancy was suppressed by your father and stepmother. No one knew about it except us."
I clenched my fists and continued, "What are the names of the two kids?"
"One of their names is Micah, and one is Essel," Hailie's voice trembled. "Melany gave birth to two children to Royal Pack. Those two children were taken away from Royal Pack after they were born. I rarely saw them. Araceli, when you have time, you can bring your two children back..."
For a moment I felt as if I had fallen into a cave of ice.
I took a deep breath and said, "Grandma, it's very late. Get some rest early."
I hung up the phone and walked out to the balcony. I pulled back the curtains and looked at the dark, starry sky.
The cold air cleared my mind a lot.
Why did everything turn out like this?
I let out a deep sigh.
Was it all because Raphael and I had gotten too close, so I had some kind of illusion that I shouldn't have?
I had a crush on a man who had slept with Melany.
I must be out of my mind!
I snickered, raised my hand, and pulled the curtains closed.