Sonya’s expression sank, and she continued, “I’ll bring you out for some delicious food. Do you want to eat something yummy?” Estella stood timidly beside the boys, clutching the hem of Archie’s sleeve, unwilling to go closer.
Irritation flashed in Sonya’s eyes at Estella’s dependence on the boys. She wanted to snatch Estella in her embrace but was afraid it would backfire.
“I’ll take you to eat lots of tasty food and buy many toys, okay? I remember you liked the ice cream from that particular shop.” She stifled the urge and clung to her last strand of patience, pasting a warm smile on her face.
Estella’s eyes twinkled when Sonya mentioned ice cream, and she craned her neck to look at Archie and Benny. I want ice cream, but… I also want to be with Archie and Benny. Sonya seethed with anger when Estella had to seek their permission for something as simple as going out for ice cream.
She did, however, want Estella to behave, so she leashed her emotions and pulled out two tickets to the amusement park. “I bought tickets to the amusement park. Haven’t you always wanted to go?”
Estella wavered and stared at the tickets in her hand. She eventually shook her head after much deliberation. “No, Daddy and Mommy will take us there.”
Sonya got upset. “They’re both quite busy, and we don’t know when they will be free to take you there. I can take you there now since this is the best time to visit. You will have to wait until next year if you miss it.”
Estella’s expression started showing signs of giving in. Archie and Benny said to her, “You can go if you want to. Daddy arranged a series of classes for us to study at home.” Estella shook her head and pouted. “I want to go with both of you…”
She was still a little afraid of Sonya and didn’t want to be separated from Archie and Benny. Sonya furrowed her brows, tucked away the tickets, and said regretfully, “I’ll give them to other kids if you don’t want to go.”
Then she pivoted on her heels and left. “Grandma!” Estella hurriedly called out. Sonya’s plan succeeded. She stopped in her tracks and turned toward Estella.
“I want to go…” She was on the verge of tears. “But can I also invite Archie and Benny?”
Sonya gave both of them the stink eye and was about to refuse, but she couldn’t bear the thought of turning down her granddaughter with her reddened, watery eyes. She eventually caved in. “They can come if you don’t cry.”
Estella sniffled and blinked back her tears, flashing a smile at Archie and Benny that spread upward to light her eyes. Seeing Estella happy made them a little bitter.
They knew that Sonya wasn’t fond of them and that she might ruin their fun even if she let them tag along. However, they would acquiesce because it was what Estella wanted.
Archie and Benny shared a look and managed a smile to pacify her. “All right, let’s go together! Stop crying already.” Estella nodded fervently. “I’m not crying. I’m very happy! The amusement park is going to be so fun!”
Sonya came over to lead her away. Estella didn’t shy away from her this time, only occasionally glancing over her shoulder at Archie and Benny. “What are you looking at?” Sonya asked, her eyes downcast. Estella grumbled unhappily, “Slow down, Grandma! Wait for my brothers.”
Sonya’s expression hardened, her grip around Estella’s hand tightening. “Watch what you’re saying. They’re not your brothers. You have no siblings.”
Estella pursed her lips, unhappiness stamped all over her face. “You’re lying, Grandma! I want to be with Archie and Benny!” She struggled out of Sonya’s grasp and tried to go toward them. Sonya kept a lid on her disgust, temporarily tolerating Estella’s tantrums.
“Okay, I was wrong. They’re your brothers,” she said and hugged Estella, afraid that Estella would run away. Archie and Benny were a few steps behind them and overheard the entire conversation. They lowered their gazes, disappointed that Sonya didn’t want them to be Estella’s brothers.
Sonya had the driver take them to the amusement park and guided them in. She only had two tickets, so she bought two more for Archie and Benny at the entrance. The kids didn’t realize four of the tickets were different.
Sonya and Estella entered the attractions without a hitch when they were inside the amusement park, but Archie and Benny were stopped by an attendant. “Kids, you need to queue up!” Archie and Benny were bewildered and pointed at Sonya. “We’re with that grandma.”
The attendant checked their tickets again and was similarly perplexed. “They’re VIPs. Both of you have regular tickets and will need to wait in line.”
Archie and Benny understood and took their tickets, obediently going to the back of the line. Estella realized her brothers weren’t with her in the maze and shook Sonya’s hand anxiously. “Grandma, where are Archie and Benny?”
“They’re probably still outside. Maybe they don’t like this attraction and went to another one. The park is very safe. They won’t go missing,” she replied, unperturbed. Then, her eyes went to the crowd queueing up outside. It’s peak season, and the queue is long. I hope those two take their time waiting in line!
Just as she led Estella in, Estella wriggled free from her grasp. The girl ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. “I’m going to find Archie and Benny!”
Sonya chased after her and wrapped her arms. around her, preventing her escape. “They will look for you soon. Be a good girl, and you’ll have so much fun.”
Estella searched the milling throng of visitors at the entrance, but she couldn’t locate the boys. Her eyes reddened in agitation, and tears laced her voice as she said, “I want to be with Archie and Benny…”
What if Archie and Benny got lost in the crowd? Daddy and Mommy will be very worried!
Upon noticing that Estella was about to burst into tears and seeing the crowds of people around them, Sonya had no choice but to give in and carry the little girl to the entrance to wait. After half an hour, they finally saw the two boys in the line.
“Archie! Benny!” Estella quickly ran over to them, worry etched across her small face. “Why did you come in so late?”
They looked at each other. Then Archie answered in a comforting tone, “We just accidentally fell behind, and it took us a while to find you guys.”
Hearing that, Estella sniffled and clasped their hands. “We’ll hold hands. That way, we won’t lose each other.” Archie and Benny did not refuse but merely glanced at Sonya, who was standing some distance away.
Her expression shifted immediately. I wasn’t planning on bringing those two little b*stards along. However, seeing that they’re rather perceptive and can take a hint, I don’t mind letting them join in for a while. Even so, they have to keep their distance from Essie!
Since they were already inside one of the attractions, Sonya did not protest and allowed the three children to walk together.
Once they exited the attraction, she picked Estella up in her arms and said in a doting tone, “I’ll take you to see the princesses. Would you like that?” Estella nodded and said innocently, “I’m a little princess too!”
Tickled by her granddaughter’s reply. Sonya chuckled and scratched her nose. “That’s right. You’re a little princess. Now, we’re going to meet the older princesses!”
With that, she carried Estella toward the next attraction, leaving the boys far behind them. Estella slowly pulled a long face. “Archie and Benny! Grandma, wait for them!”
Sonya was forced to slacken her pace and wait for a while. After Archie and Benny caught up to them, she leaned down and asked, “I’m taking Essie to see the princesses. You two boys wouldn’t be interested in that, right?” She did not give them time to respond and quickly continued, “Run along elsewhere to play. I’ve upgraded your tickets, so you won’t need to line up. You can play whatever you want without having to wait.”
“In that case, I don’t want to go and see the princesses either! I want to play with Archie and Benny. Put me down, Grandma,” Estella declared, squirming in Sonya’s arms.
Having learned her lesson after what happened earlier, Sonya held Estella tightly, not giving the latter a chance to break free. “That’s enough, Essie. Archie and Benny aren’t interested in meeting the princesses, so I’ll go with you. Let them have fun by themselves.”
That only made Estella kick up an even bigger fuss. Others around them started glancing in their direction, thinking Sonya was up to no good. She stared back at them fiercely, then glared at Archie and Benny. “What are you still doing here? You can go home if you don’t want to play.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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