Chapter 247 Sir, Please
Cathy was sprawled on the couch, tears streaming down her face. "If it wasn't for your heartless grandpa keeping her away, Brenda and I wouldn't be torn apart like this."
Aurelia sat next to her, trying to soothe her. "Don't worry, we'll bring my mother's ashes back this time. She won't be alone in Imperick anymore."
Cathy squeezed Aurelia's hand gently. "Aurelia, it must've been tough for you after your mom passed away, huh?"
Aurelia fought back her tears. "It wasn't that bad. Grandma took good care of me."
Joe cut in, "Tomorrow, Aurelia and I are flying to Imperick to get things ready. Everyone else can just stay put, alright?"
Cathy wasn't having it. "I'm coming too! I need to bring my daughter home myself!"
Cathy was pushing ninety, and Joe didn't want her to go through the hassle. The weather in Imperick was way different from Coral Bay, and with her dry eye syndrome, he was worried she wouldn't handle it well.
"Grandma, why don't you stay here? Don't you trust me to take care of it?" Joe tried to reason.
But Cathy was stubborn. "I need to see where Brenda lived all these years. She never had it rough, but she was as stubborn as her dad. He said they were done, and she never came back because of Aurelia's dad."
Cathy was both mad and heartbroken.
Joe sighed, giving in. "Alright, let's pack your stuff. We leave tomorrow morning."
With the plan set, the servants started getting everything ready for the trip.
Aurelia called her kids into their room. "Jacob, Dorothy, I'm going to Imperick tomorrow to bring Grandma back. I'll be gone for a few days, so you need to listen to your aunt, okay?"
Dorothy blinked, confused. "Mommy, do we have a grandma too? Will she like us?"
Aurelia held back her tears. "Grandma's in a better place now. She'll definitely like you both. So, be good while I'm gone, alright?"
Jacob nodded, half understanding. "Don't worry, Mommy. I'll take care of Dorothy."
Aurelia ruffled his hair. "I know you will."
After settling the kids, she started packing her clothes. It had been four years since she last went to Imperick, and her heart felt heavy.
The next morning, Joe had a private jet ready. Aurelia helped Cathy onto the plane as the family saw them off.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel showed up at Anne Studio with breakfast, only to find it empty. He remembered it was Sunday.
There was a jewelry exhibition in Coral Bay today. He had Zack buy two tickets a week ago, but he forgot she wasn't working today.
He pulled out his phone and called Aurelia, but got her voicemail.
He sipped his coffee outside the studio, feeling down. He'd been chasing her for days and still didn't have her private number.
He could easily get it, but he didn't want to annoy her. He had a lot on his mind.
He was waiting for her to warm up to him and give him her number willingly.
Nathaniel clutched the two tickets, thinking she might already be there. He hopped into his car, punched the address into the GPS, and hoped he'd bump into her.
He knew her well. Back when they were together, she never missed a jewelry exhibition if it was within reach.
Nathaniel parked and walked in with the tickets.
The place was packed, buzzing with jewelry lovers and designers. The entrance was a madhouse.
He got in line for the ticket check, eyes darting around for that familiar face.
"Excuse me, sir." A tiny, soft voice caught Nathaniel's attention.
He felt a tug on his pants and looked down to see a little girl with a bun hairstyle and big, curious eyes staring up at him.
He was taken aback. Those eyes were just like Aurelia's, and he couldn't help but stare a bit longer.
"Hey there, need some help?" he asked gently.
Dorothy frowned a bit. "My phone watch died. Can you call my mommy for me?"
Nathaniel glanced around and saw no her family nearby. She must've gotten lost in the crowd.
He pulled out his phone and crouched down to her level. "Can you tell me your mom's number? I'll call her for you."
Dorothy tried to remember but then sighed. "Never mind, my mommy's on a plane now. She can't answer."
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Do you know your dad's or anyone else's number?"
Dorothy sighed again, pouting. "My dad doesn't want me and mommy. My brother says he's a big jerk, and we don't want him either. I don't wanna call him."
Nathaniel felt a pang of sympathy. What kind of jerk would ditch his family? He didn't want to upset her more, so he asked, "Do you know anyone else's number at home?"
Dorothy pouted but then smiled sweetly. "Sir, can you help me call after I see the exhibition? If you call now, Mrs. West will come and take me away right away."
Dorothy pestered Leon to bring her to the jewelry exhibition with the tickets Aurelia had bought. They got separated at a milk tea shop, and her phone watch died. She didn't know Leon's number and was stuck. The tickets were with Leon.
"Sir, can you take me in? I lost my ticket." Dorothy tugged on Nathaniel's sleeve.
She pleaded again, "Please."
Nathaniel wasn't usually into kids, but her big eyes got to him. He saw a sign ahead; kids under 3 feet didn't need a ticket.
"Are you 3 feet tall?" he asked.
Dorothy straightened up and smiled. "A little over. My brother's an inch taller, but I'll catch up soon!"
Nathaniel waved the tickets. "Alright, what's your name? I'll give you one."
Dorothy grinned, showing off her little teeth. "I'm Dorothy. Thanks, sir."
Dorothy, naturally friendly, grabbed Nathaniel's big hand, and he felt a strange sense of closeness.
The line was bustling, and a security guard called out, "Parents with kids, keep them close to avoid accidents."
Nathaniel looked down, meeting Dorothy's eyes for a few seconds, as if asking for her opinion.
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