Chapter 64 Making Unwanted Suitors
Paul is with a client?
That young-looking male artist, Kim, in his early twenties?
Nora was pensive.
Paul, who hailed from a rural area, had put in the effort to land a spot at a prestigious university in Houston.
Handsome and elegant, Jenny fell for him at first sight back in college, and they quickly became a couple.
After graduation, Paul worked at Jenny's uncle's firm and rose to a high-level position with Jenny's help.
What kind of business could he have with a male artist like Kim?
"Nora, I need to catch some Z's. We'll catch up after I wake up," Jenny yawned, her voice tinged with weariness through the call.
"Sure, get some rest," Nora advised before hanging up and exiting the restroom.
Back in the private dining area, the waiter was serving the dishes.
Upon Nora's return, Edric caught sight of her and gestured invitingly for her to join them at the table.
With a soft smile, Nora settled next to the two brothers, with Samantha seated next to Aaron.
They started eating, and Nora glanced at Edric, unable to help herself from probing, "Edric, Kim's with your agency, isn't he?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Oh, just following a new medical drama he's in. He's playing an OB-GYN, and I think he's doing a pretty good job."
Nora casually sought a pretext to inquire more about Kim.
Edric raised an eyebrow playfully, "His acting is indeed better than most of the young bloods. Didn't realize that was your type, Nora."
Upon hearing this, Aaron, who had been assisting Samantha with her meal, abruptly looked up at Nora, an enigmatic look in his eyes.
Nora caught the teasing tone in Edric's voice and said earnestly, "I like to think my taste in men is pretty eclectic. I can find something to appreciate in any type."
"Oh yeah? So between someone like Thomas, who’s the strong, silent type, and Kim, who’s a bit more... flamboyant, which do you have a soft spot for?" Edric asked, prodding her deliberately.
Nora paused, glancing over at Aaron.
He was casually peeling shrimp for Samantha, appearing unruffled. Yet, his ears were pricked up, indicating he was listening intently.
Just as Nora parted her lips to speak, Samantha cooed in her baby doll voice, "Mr. Edric, Mommy of course likes Mr. Thomas the best!"
Edric's brows shot up. "Oh? And why’s that?"
"Because they've kissed a bunch of times!"
Nora was speechless.
Edric nearly choked on his soup, trying to contain his laughter. He wiped his mouth with a smirk. "Thomas, Nora, don't you think you're being a bit too open with your affections? Setting quite the example for the little ones, aren't we?"
Nora's cheeks flushed crimson. "It's not like that…"
"We didn't kiss a bunch of times. Just once," Aaron suddenly blurted out.
Nora was speechless again.
It was an accident!
"No, Thomas," Nora interjected, “don't spout nonsense in front of everyone!"
Aaron looked innocently back at her. "Nora, wasn’t it you who said I kissed you and took advantage?"
Nora was speechless again.
"Here, Nora, try this dish; it's a local specialty," Edric said, unable to hide his amusement as he glanced at Nora's flustered little face, quickly changing the subject.
Nora, her face still red, shot Aaron a glare and focused on making sure the kids ate their meal, no longer in the mood to inquire about Kim’s situation.
...
In prison, Becky finally came to visit Martha, who was being held in custody.
Martha was facing certain conviction for hiring someone to commit murder, with her sentencing just days away.
Her lawyer had told her that unless something unexpected happened, she was looking at a sentence of more than ten years.
Ten years. How many decades does one life hold?
By the time she would be released, she would have already turned into an old hag.
Martha looked utterly defeated until she saw Becky, which brought a flicker of life to her eyes.
"Mom."
As soon as Becky saw her mother, she started to cry.
Quickly, Martha urged, "Don't cry, tell Mom what's wrong?"
"Mom, Lucas still refuses to get a divorce. What should I do?" Becky said through her tears.
Martha furrowed her brow, irritation tinging her voice. "Didn't I ask you to check in with Eleanor? Did you?"
"I did, but it seems like she's taken a shine to that little homewrecker Nora!" Becky recounted briefly how Nora had managed to save Eleanor.
Martha's expression darkened, "That girl, Nora, she's becoming quite the handful. And your dad, what's he been saying?"
"He barely notices me now, all wrapped up with his secretary, whispering sweet nothings. I've even heard she's pregnant and dad's thinking of making an honest woman out of her."
Tears welled up in Becky's eyes as she confided, "Mom, with you gone, I feel like I have no place left in that house. If Lucas won't marry me, what's even the point of going on?"
Martha's facial muscles twitched involuntarily; she had long since grown accustomed to the cold-hearted nature of her husband.
Was she doomed to follow in the footsteps of Nora's mother?
And her daughter, was she going to be trampled into the dust just like Nora once was?
Looking at her daughter, whom she had cherished and protected her whole life, Martha felt a heart-wrenching pain.
With a firm resolve, she made a decision. "Becky, I'll make sure you marry Lucas. Tell Nora to come see me; say I have a secret to tell her."
...
After dining at Heaven Restaurant, Nora and her companions bid farewell to Edric and returned home.
"Alright, you three, time to finish your punishment from this morning," Nora instructed as the kids made a dash for the stairs.
Exchanging glances, the trio lamented silently about their mommy's impeccable memory.
Aaron, sitting in his wheelchair, eyed the kids' dejected expressions and spoke up, "Nora, they're still young, and teaching them should be the priority. Having them do manual labor might be a bit much, don't you think?"
Nora, already annoyed with him for spouting nonsense in front of Edric, glared.
"The way I educate my children is none of your business. One more word, and I'll punish you too."
Her angered demeanor resembled a little wildcat with its tail stepped on.
Aaron's eyes lit up with mischief, "And what would you have me do, Swallow bitter medicine until I gag?"
His taste buds had long been numbed to bitterness.
"No, your punishment is peeling onions!"
With a hint of slyness in her eyes and her chin raised slightly, Nora fought back a smirk.
Aaron choked on his retort, recalling the time he had altruistically peeled onions for Billy, only to end up with tears and snot streaming down his face. Wisely, he held his tongue.
"What are you waiting for? Move it, you can’t go to bed until you're done," Nora ordered sternly at the kids.
"Oh..." they chorused and quickly scampered off to do as told.
As Samantha brushed by Aaron, she whispered a quiet "Mr. Thomas?"
Aaron nodded, a silent "Shh" on his lips.
It was his way of telling her to keep quiet, that he'd be there to help.
Wide-eyed, Samantha caught the hint and scurried towards Backyard Lane, her swift little legs carrying her away.
Nora caught their exchange from the corner of her eye, a mix of amusement and exasperation playing on her face.
Just then, her phone started ringing.
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