The Rhyme of the Depositary

FOURTEEN

This afternoon the streets were a little quiet. Maybe because the snow began to fall made some people lazy to move out of the house. Alice enjoys the atmosphere of this road. His mini cooper was walking swiftly past several cars in front of him. With a feeling of freedom, Alice hummed singing an old song from Evanescene.

Today the business is going pretty well. Some complaints he managed to handle and the land he was looking for he managed to get. Most of his success this time was thanks to Daniel's generosity. Alice should thank him properly.

Alice managed to arrive at Anson's house when it was still quite bright. He walked quickly towards his room, planning to take a hot bath and indulge a little. Alice needs to refresh her body condition.

Alice stopped her steps in the hallway. He stared in surprise at the figure of Anson who was walking in the opposite direction from him. It was a miracle to see Anson at home this early. The man was a true workaholic. Usually he is at home if the sun has long set.

"Hi Anson, are you home?" ask Alice cheerfully. He was still carried away by euphoria because of his success in obtaining land.

"Yes. I'm home early" Anson replied flatly. They spoke in the hallway of the room.

"Oh, are you feeling unwell?" alice asked a little worried.

"I'm fine," Anson replied still sounding flat.

Alice looked at Anson suspiciously. What happened to Anson? It seems his mood is not very good.

"I brought you something" said Anson, reaching into his pants pocket. He handed a small box of velvet to Alice.

"Oh, Anson this is a little too much." Alice refused.

"Take. I have business after this" he said, not to be denied.

Alice nodded awkwardly. He's never had a gift like this before. Most of her acquaintances gave gifts only on Alice's birthday.

"Thank you, Anson." Alice smiled. Face sparkles.

"Anson, looks like tonight I can't go to dinner. I've made an appointment with a business friend." Alice looked at Anson asking for understanding.

"You don't have to explain your business to me. You have the right to do whatever you want. I am not a man who likes to limit. Staying here doesn't mean tying yourself to me absolutely." Anson just left Alice.

The woman remained silent for a long time alone. He opened the small box in his grasp with trembling hands. A ring with a red jewel. Obviously this is not a type of gem.

Alice held the ring meaningfully. Is this how Anson treats everyone around him? appreciate and value it with a measure of money.

Even so, somehow, the ring had a meaning to Alice. At least, this was the first time the man had given her something with a fairly sincere insecurities.

Even if the one she received was an imitation ring of copper though, Alice would still be happy to receive it. Love is sad.

Alice soaked for a long time. He thought back to wandering around thinking of Anson. What kind of man is he really? When Alice managed to feel close, Anson again gave distance. So on that he thought their relationship was just something Anson could pull over. How can this relationship develop if Anson himself becomes a major barrier.

After settling into the bath, Alice changed clothes and rushed downstairs looking for Kimberly. He had promised to help her arrange the arrangement of the doll collection. The little girl must have been waiting for him.

"Alice, look. I've started organizing it myself without anyone's help. Ms. Helena was busy in the back with the others. He can't keep me company right now." exclaimed Kimberly showing off a new storefront that had been arranged with several Barbie dolls. The one-meter high storefront just arrived yesterday afternoon. A gift from Anson, of course.

"All right then, let me help you." Alice took a pair of barbie sets and her son. He puts it in the lowest storefront.

"Is that barbie and her mom? " ask Kimberly interested.

"Yes. They're mother and son. Beautiful isn't?" Alice smiled witfully.

"Are they happy?" ask Kimberly again innocently.

"I don't have a Mama. But Dad said I could still be happy. Is that true? But I see my friends all have Mama."

Alice was stunned for a long time. She rubbed Kimberly's hair with affection. It must have been hard for a girl as small as she grew up without a mother. Although he was awarded a father as great as Anson.

"Yes. You're unique, Kimi. You will be happy with or without your mom. Don't you have a great father?" Alice kneels to align herself with Kimberly. He kissed the boy softly.

"But I want to have Mama." Kimberly said softly. His eyes began to glaze over.

"May I call you Mom?" tanyanya then full of hope. His round black eyes revealed a pure innocence.

Alice looked at the girl in front of her. He's stuck not knowing what to say. They looked at each other for a long time. Then Alice answered.

"How about we do a secret game. You can call me Mom if it's just the two of us. But you're still gonna call me Alice in front of everyone else?" Alice smiled gently. He can't bear to give up Kimberly's hope. But he also doesn't want Anson to misunderstand him accusing him of taking advantage of the situation if he hears Kimberly calling him Mom.

"good. I like secret games." Kimberly hugged Alice tightly. The boy laughed happily.

"Let's reassemble the other dolls, Mom," Kimberly said cheerfully.

Alice smiled sincerely. Deep down, there was an emotion that moved wildly upon hearing Kimberly call her Mom. A special call capable of slapping his conscience.

They spent quite a long time composing the puppets. After time passed into the evening, Alice stopped their activities. He was getting ready to visit Daniel's house for dinner. With a simple cream-colored dress, Alice came out of the house passing Anson who was busy with her laptop in the living room.

"Anson. I pegi," she said and only got a small nod. The man was really busy with his own world.

Alice was taking her car out when her phone rang. Rachel's name was on the screen.

"Yes Rachel."

"Alice. I'm really sorry. I can't go to dinner. My fiancee invited me to meet her extended family." There was Rachel's voice full of guilt.

"Oh Come on Rachel. Without you, this dinner feels like a date." Alice said desperately.

"Don't overdo it Al, you want me to sacrifice this opportunity? My relationship is serious. Don't ruin my life just because of your friendship dinner with Daniel." Rachel started nagging. Alice could imagine Rachel's enlarged eyes wanting to come out and her furrowed face looking angrily like a senior.

"alright. I hope your meeting is a success. Let me know after you have your wedding date" Alice said.

"alright. How's your fetus doing?" rachel asked with excitement.

"feel good. I didn't have the slightest disturbance today." Alice rubbed her stomach gently. It seems like this baby is quite understanding of Alice's situation. He doesn't make any behavior at all.

...

Anson looked at the departure of mini cooper Alice from the middle room window. His eyelids narrowed to form a thin line. Both of his hands clenched tightly at his sides. With wide steps, he walked through each room, searching for William's whereabouts.

The old man was at the back room table, checking the household expenses report. It should have been his wife's responsibility, but since Anson never married, he handed it over to William. His agenda was too much so he could not handle household affairs directly.

"Williams. Alice just came out. Tell one of your men to follow him. I want to know where he went."

"Good, Sir." William nodded and hurried away.

...