“Sheesh! Summer, since when did I become an old granny? I’m still very strong, okay?” Sally exclaimed.
Summer winked at Sally, hinting for her to back her up. Sally got the message and exclaimed, “Summer’s right! This is not a fair competition.”
“Then shall we shuffle teams?” I suggested. Both of them looked at each other and let out a smile.
Anthony pursed his lips and whined, “I’m injured, so the change does not make much of a difference!”
It was obvious that he was using his injury as an excuse.
Summer let out a deep sigh and called out, “Mr. Featherstone is lying!”
Since Summer was unwilling to compete within the existing grouping and Anthony was unwilling to swap teams, we could only build snowmen.
The snow in K City had always been abundant, going up to ten centimetres deep. Building a snowman was the perfect activity.
Many years later, in J City, where there was no snowy winter, I miss the snowy K City filled with snowmen throughout.
While Featherstone Corporation had been stabilized, I felt as if Marcus was someone I never knew, as Anthony did not allow me to mention him at all.
As spring approached, leaves started to sprout on the leafless trees in K City. Some trees were even flowering.
Anthony recalled that he had forgotten to bring me for plum tree appreciation the previous year. In response, I reminded him that he had forgotten many other promises as well. For instance, we were supposed to head to the north the year before.
Nevertheless, I planned for Summer to take a term break to bring her back to J City that year.
Anthony was unable to join us as he was occupied with work. He got Joseph to join us instead as he was worried about us.
At the airport, while waiting for our flight, Joseph went to buy some stuff. At the same time, Emery called.
“When will you be back from J City?” she asked while sounding like she was chewing food at the same time.
“I’ll be back in a month’s time!” I replied. After all, the purpose of that trip was simply to visit old friends.
“Make it quick! I’m about to give birth soon, and you must not miss it!” Emery ranted over the call.
I chuckled. “Alright, noted! I’ll definitely be back to witness your childbirth!” I promise. Meanwhile, Joseph was walking back.
Joseph handed me a bottle of water and reminded me, “Mrs. Featherstone, it’s time to board the flight.”
“I promise to be back by then! Bye, I’m going to board the plane now.” I ended the call as a queue started to form at the boarding gate.
I held Summer and boarded the plane as Joseph sent Anthony a text. When we got to our seats, Joseph requested blankets for us and said, “It’ll take four hours to arrive, so please take a nap.”
I smiled at him and asked, “Joseph, I knew you’re married but do you have any kids?”
He nodded and replied, “Yes, Mrs. Featherstone, I have kids.”
His reply was very straightforward.
The way Joseph covered Summer with the blanket and adjusted her position revealed that he was a caring husband.
“Joseph, did your wife move to K City with you?” The last time I remember, they resided in J City. However, with the company’s relocation, they might have relocated.
“Yes,” he nodded.
Very well.
I wanted to have a chat with him but it seemed impossible.
Time passed quickly as I managed to take a nap and had some food in between.
Upon arrival, Joseph sent us back to the villa that we used to live in.
I was stunned upon seeing Mrs. Eriksen as her hair had turned grey.
She smiled at me and explained, “Mr. Anthony got me to come over to take care of y’all for a few days.”
“It’s been a long time, Letty. You’ve slimmed down.” She held my hands as she spoke.
My heart was filled with surprise and joy.
I then introduced Summer to her. Due to her old age, she did not have the strength to carry Summer. She held her hand instead.
Joseph left once we settled into the house. Mrs. Eriksen filled me in with what had happened during those years since I left. Anthony would return frequently and got himself drunk, only to return to work at K City the next day. Even though he seemed drained by it, he seemed to indulge in it.
He also frequented the cemetery, even staying there for the whole night at times. Whenever there was heavy rain, he would fall sick upon returning. Even so, he would still willingly head there.
It seemed like there were many stories as I listened on.
After hours of chatting with Mrs. Eriksen, Stacey arrived. She returned after a year of no contact.
She gave off the vibe of a professional. She smiled at me and commented, “You’ve slimmed down!”
I chuckled lightly and brought her into the villa. Mrs. Eriksen brewed some tea. Stacey stared at me for a while before she said, “I heard Nancy got into trouble.”
I was taken aback as it had happened quite some time back. I lightly nodded and asked, “How have you been doing in J City?”
She smiled and replied, “Thanks to Mr. Featherstone, I’ve been promoted to be the regional manager. I’m doing pretty well.”
Thinking about it, she was already in her thirties. She paused for a while and continued, “However, I have nothing much going on in my love life.”
If I had calculated correctly, Felix’s death sentence was held in early autumn.
She took a sip of the tea and said briefly, “I went to visit him. He had slimmed down a lot. I thought I’d be glad to see him in a mess since I used to hate him so much, but I did not.”
No matter how much she hated him, they used to share a loving memory after all. As time passed, she was left with a soft spot for him.
She paused and diverted the topic. “Oh! There’s an auction tonight. Do you want to join me for it? I heard that the Murphys from K City organized it.”
“You know me. I don’t like crowds.” I shook my head and replied with a smile.
She pouted and continued persuading me. “We’re not going there for the crowd. I have a friend that’s working for the Murphy Corporation. I’ve seen the item that they’ll be auctioning. It’s a sandalwood box – similar to the one that grandma left for you. I heard it’s a puzzle box that could only be opened when put together with another box. Remember how you asked for my help to open your box? I think it’s worth trying.”
I took a while to react and repeated, “A puzzle box?”
She nodded. “Do you want to join me? Who knows, we might be able to open the box.”
I got curious, so I nodded in response. “Sure, I’ll attend the auction with you.”
I wondered if the Murphys from K City referred to the family of the renowned expert in the oil industry.
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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