Ethilia woke up to Alena poking her cheek. She blinked at the girl and sighed when she noticed her daughter's pout.
She sat down and pulled the girl onto her lap, "What's wrong?" She asked as she brushed a hand over her hair.
Alena puffed her cheeks and looked up at her mother. "I wanna meet my angel."
Ethilia froze for a second, her brows knitting together. She couldn't help but fulfill her wish when Alena looked at her like that. She reached for her phone and hesitated. Liana had given her number, but Ethilia still wasn't sure if she should call..
"Come on, Mommy… Angel said we can call anytime." Alena wriggled in her lap, impatiently.
Ethilia drew in a deep breath and finally pressed the call button. Her hand absentmindedly stroked Alena's soft hair as her heartbeat quickened with each ring.
"Why is your heart making loud sounds, Mommy?" Alena asked innocently, pressing her ear against Ethilia's chest.
Heat crept up Ethilia's neck. She quickly placed her hand over Alena's mouth. "Shh… you're talking too much these days."
Alena giggled and buried her face against her mother's chest, making Ethilia chuckle despite her nerves.
At that moment, finally, the call connected. Liana's sleepy voice came through, making Ethilia's heart go wild.
She told Liana about Alena's wish, but before Liana could answer, the line went dead.
But before it was fully dead, Liana heard a faint background noise, something that made it feel like someone else was with Liana.
She bit her inner cheek and stared at her phone screen. She has no idea why she suddenly felt her heart clench. It was the same feeling she used to get in college for Liana.
"Mommy?" Alena shook Ethilia's hand and looked at her with shining eyes.
Ethilia forced a smile, ruffled her daughter's hair. She put the girl down and hurried toward the bathroom, making Alena pout and sulk.
She took a long bath, letting the water cool her restless thoughts. When she finally came out, her damp hair was clinging to her shoulders, and she had the towel around her body. She spotted Alena lying on the bed with her face buried in the pillow.
"This girl has all my habits… God," Ethilia murmured to herself with a faint shake of her head. Sitting down beside her, she gently caressed Alena's back. "Baby… your angel must be busy. Try to understand, okay?"
Alena peeked up at her, her red-rimmed eyes filled with unshed tears and her lips trembling. Ethilia sighed and gathered her daughter into her arms.
"You little mess-maker… stop troubling me." She pressed a kiss to Alena's forehead. The girl clung to her mother's neck, refusing to let go.
Just then, the bell rang, Ethilia flinched at the sudden noise and put Alena down, "Let mommy wear something first."
Alena refused to waste a single second and held Ethilia's hand tightly, "It must be angel." She insisted.
Ethilia let out a frustrated huff, biting back the urge to punch a wall that time. God, if it's not her…
"Okay, baby, but if it's not your angel?" she asked, slipping into the sundress she found at the top of the pile. Her hair remained loose and damp as she hurried to the door.
Alena pouted and ran behind her mother, ready to complain to her angel about her mother.
Ethilia peeked through the looking glass. Her breath caught, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
Liana was standing outside the door with a smile, looking all beautiful and...
She shook her head to stop herself from overthinking. Taking a deep breath to compose her racing heart, she opened the door. "Good morning," she said softly.
Liana stepped inside with a bright smile, holding up a bag filled with food — breakfast, perhaps.
Alena's eyes lit up the moment she saw her angel. She flung her arms wide and leapt forward. "Angel! Angel!"
Liana laughed softly, handing the food bag to Ethilia before scooping Alena into her arms. "Yes, Cutie," she murmured, brushing her fingers across the girl's cheeks as she carried her inside.
Ethilia hesitated by the doorway, watching as Alena immediately began directing Liana toward the bedroom, insisting they play there.
Liana followed willingly, chatting with the girl as though they'd known each other forever. Then she turned back, catching Ethilia's gaze. "I brought breakfast," she said gently. "I figured it was still morning, and maybe you two hadn't eaten yet… so…"
Ethilia smiled despite herself at the thoughtfulness of Liana. "I'll serve it," she offered, her voice softer than she intended.
Liana set Alena down, her hand lingering to caress the child's cheek. But her eyes strayed back to Ethilia. The way Ethilia was looking didn't go unnoticed by her.
Damp hair clinging to her shoulders, droplets trailing down, and that sundress making her look even younger, more vulnerable. She had to hold back the urge to hug Ethilia right there.
"Only a brainless person would leave after getting such a gem."
Her thoughts were broken when Alena tugged at her sleeve, pressing a small hand against Liana's cheek to turn her face.
"Angel… you know Mommy…" she began, complaining about Ethilia to Liana.
How her mother never let her play enough.
How she always forced her to eat vegetables instead of chocolates.
And finally, how she refused to send her to daycare again.
And the last one caught Liana's attention. Something was wrong... Besides, she noticed that Ethilia wasn't in any rush to leave for the office. Even though she tried to ignore it, Liana couldn't push the uneasy feeling away.
When Alena got too absorbed in her toys, Liana quietly excused herself and stepped into the kitchen. She leaned casually against the wall, but the sight made Ethilia's pulse race.
The weight of Liana's gaze made Ethiopia nervous, and in her distraction, she spilled a bit of soup across the counter. Her cheeks flushed instantly.
Liana's lips curled into a knowing smirk. She loves the effect she still has on her.
"Won't you go to the office today?" her voice teased softly. "You don't seem to be in any hurry."