CHAPTER 72: DAY OUT (3)

And that’s how Shelby ended up spending her day out with her new ’children’!

The next day dawned a little gloomy but nothing like Shelby’s mood. When she woke up that morning, she reached out of her cozy blanket, searching for her phone.

With a groan, Shelby dragged herself out of bed, a trace of surprise reflected in her blue eyes as the time on her phone showed 8 am.

That was the earliest she had woken up ever since she came to the Thornston estate.

"Geneva is spoiling me, rotten!" She chuckled to herself just as her door swung open.

"You’re up early this morning, Miss,"

Suzie’s pigtails danced around as she hurried to open the drapes to let the light into the room.

Shelby quickly freshened up, and then the day’s dilemma came: what to wear.

The wardrobe was filled with clothes but not ones that she felt comfortable wearing in front of anyone.

"Suzie, can you get me the original dress I came here in?"

"Miss Shelby, if you wear that out of the estate, Madam Geneva and everyone will receive a backlash. It is patched! Have you forgotten?"

"At least I’ll be decent, and I won’t have to bear my body out to everyone to see."

"I understand, but it will probably cost me my job if I should do that." Suzie’s demeanour soured, and she drooped as if she had already been told she was about to lose her job. Just as suddenly, she perked up;

"Let me help you find something in here...."

"Go ahead then..." Shelby couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement, shaking her head with a grin spread across her face.

Suzie brought one after the other out, each one ’worse’ than the previous. Finally, she got her hand on a purple-shade sheer mesh see-through mini-dress. It was a high-neck and long-sleeved.

Shelby reached out her hand and took the dress thoughtfully. It was a beautiful dress, no doubt.

"It’s see-through, Suzie!"

"I know Miss Shelby. But it’s hard to see because of the watery patterns on it. It would be perfect if you wore full undergarments, and we added a thick sleeveless long jacket! .... Only if you don’t remove the jacket in public!" She added the last part, grinning widely, feeling proud of her accomplishment.

That is how Shelby found herself in that dress and an overcoat a few moments later.

She slipped on a flat shoe and went out with Suzie in tow.

"Hello, Miss, we meet again. I’m glad that you have settled in."

She turned to see the familiar face of the driver who had brought her to the Thorsnton estate. That did remind her of her initial trip there. Shelby sent a small bow his way before settling in. Albert, the driver, held the car door for her and the kids before getting in himself.

He could almost not recognize her. Albert remembered that night vividly when she had cried in the car and the attitude of her supposed father, but she looked radiant on this day. This made him very happy.

It did not take long before the car pulled up in front of a popular restaurant in town; The Dream Menu, as it was called.

The restaurant was one in which no menus were ever given out. There was never a choice in what one wanted to eat. The chef prepared one type of meal every time, but it was considered one of the most popular dining places on T-Vino Island.

Heads turned as soon as Shelby alighted from the car.

Short chin-length, curled blond hair with bangs, bright blue eyes, and a mini dress, baring her seemingly long legs. She had no make-up or accessories, but people couldn’t help but cast a second glance at her.

Envious gazes from the few women around and lustful ones from the males. Shelby was used to these and remained indifferent. However, this added to the intriguing charm about her.

"Stop looking! You pervert!" A girl slapped a man with her, drawing chuckles from all around. In essence, that small disruption helped some of the men tear their gazes from her as they were also having trouble doing so.

"Thank you for the ride, Albert and sorry for the trouble,"

"It’s no trouble, Miss; It is my job to transport the master’s wife around."

Shelby did not bother saying anything else as her mind briefly travelled back to Geneva. Geneva had arranged the car for them, but what bothered Shelby was the slight hostility or maybe indifference with her attitude toward the kids.

Shelby knew that if Geneva had her way and had not promised that Shelby could do anything she wanted on this day, Geneva would have sent the kids back to their room. She still could not fathom why the kids were so unwelcome in the estate.

’Am I overlooking something else?’

"Mama Shelby, wait for me!"

Gabriel’s voice penetrated into her mini-trace. He ran over from the other side of the car and slipped his hand through hers.

"She has a child?" Surprise reaction rippled through her small audience.

"Doesn’t she look too young to be having a child?"

"What you mean to say is that it’s a pity she’s taken a right? Hahaha!"

"Knock it off!"

Shelby clasped Gabriel’s hands through hers and then checked on Ingrid from the corner of her eyes. Satisfied that she followed right behind Suzie, although she looked a bit tense, Shelby finally entered the restaurant.

A cool ambience greeted them there.

She pulled out her phone to call Ava and then...

"Shelby, my dear! You’re finally here! Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. I’m thrilled to see you!"

Ava’s enthusiastic and rather loud voice reverberated through the restaurant, and more stares were cast on their small group’s way.

"Take your time, Ava!"

Shelby shouted back in her melodic voice, making people pause and stare at her yet again.

The four sat down, and Shelby ordered some sodas for them all.

She took a sip of her drink and scrunched up her face.

’What’s with this drink? It’s tasteless!’

She left the drink untouched and casually looked around. As soon as they sat down, Ava made her way over to their table with lightning speed.

"Ava! Isn’t this your work time?"

"What? Do you think that even work will keep me from my favourite person in the world?"

Shelby let out a sweet laugh.

"Come hug me! I miss you too much, honey!"

"Stop being dramatic, Ava! We talk almost every day on the phone!" Even with this, Shelby stood up and walked into Ava’s widespread arms.

Envious gazes could be seen from most of the men in there. The two were very sweet in the eyes of all. While Shelby looked like a surreal being of a sort, Ava was very different but did not pale in comparison.

Ava stood slightly taller than Shelby. Her hair was cropped short and dyed brown, almost matching with her ebony skin. She wore a nose ring and dangling long earrings that touched her shoulders. Her brown tights made it look like she had nothing on her bottoms. She had paired that with a loose, long racerback tank top which was open on the sides.

"It’s been six whole weeks since I saw you in person! Why did they le-"

Ava’s non-stop chatter paused, and then she said in surprise, "Who do we have here...."

She sent a knowing look at Shelby.

Ava had been so happy to see Shelby that she had not yet noticed the three extra persons with her.

"Oh, this i-"

Ava brushed off Shelby and leaned over the table.

"Hello..."

Being the ever-friendly person, Gabriel asked, "Are you Mama Shelby’s friend?"

"How did you guess that? Smart boy!" Ava smiled widely and winked at her friend.

Gabriel beamed at the compliment.

"My name is Gabriel! Like the Angel...."

"Oh my! I never knew that I would be so lucky to meet an angel in life! I must have done something good!"

"Hahaahahahahah!!!!!" Gabriel burst out laughing.

"This is my sister, Ingrid! She is shy, so she will not talk to you..."

"Thank you for the heads-up on that, Gabriel."

From then, Gabriel took it upon himself to be the group’s speaker. "... and that is Mama’s handmaid; she is Suzie!"

"Thank you for being a kind gentleman and introducing everyone to me. I am..."

"I know! You are Auntie Ava!"

"It looks like you know me well."

"Mama Shelby mentioned your name when we came in!"

"It’s a pleasure meeting you, Gabriel, Ingrid and Suzie."

Suzie bowed, but Ingrid lowered her head so that it was almost touching the table.

Shelby sighed at that and thought, ’Baby steps! She will get there in no time.’

Ava signalled one of her co-workers, and a few deliciously looking mini-bites were brought to their table, especially for the children.

Just as Shelby reached for one, a voice was heard behind her,

"Wow, it seems like you two are having a lot of fun catching up every day without me! Don’t you feel guilty?"

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