Chapter 21 Caught staring

When Tang Ning reached her room, she locked the door before walking to the bed where the gift box was resting.

Sitting besides the box, she started undoing the ribbons until she untied them.

She then slowly discarded the wrapping paper and after, opened the box. She first found a note and on reading the words, they said," I just wanted to say I am really sorry.'

Looking inside the box, the first thing she caught sight of were a pair of pink sneakers and her eyes lit up. She has always wore sneakers and loved them very much. Getting them out, she immediately tried them and they fitted her perfectly. A contented smile spread on her lips and she removed them then looked further more into the box.

The next thing she pulled out was a big white teddy bear. It felt so soft and fluffy. Her smile grew wider and she wondered which of the two gifts she liked more. "It is so beautiful," she murmured before placing it on the bed. Checking in the box again, she found a smaller box and on opening it, there was a grey ceramic mug with white words beautifully engraved on it that said," It takes a beautiful heart to forgive."

Unknowingly, her smile had turned into giggles. Lastly, there was a packet of chocolates and even though she wasn't a big fun of chocolates, she promised to give them a try.

After checking the gifts, Tang Ning sat on the bed and she placed the bear onto her lap. She understood that he was genuinely sorry and she forgave him. It made her wonder if she should thank him.

Jing Yue laid on the bed as he thought.

He hadn't expected to find her in the kitchen back then as he came from outside after taking a stroll. If she hadn't yet opened the gifts then it meant that she wasn't interested. And that meant that she hadn't yet forgiven him. He had to think of a way to make her believe that he is truly sorry.

When morning arrived, Tang Ning decided to act bold and she left her room then walked to the dining room.

She was glad to find it empty and she poured tea for herself in the ceramic mug he gifted her. She thought that it would show him that she indeed liked it. Not long after, she heard footsteps and turned to see him coming towards the table.

She released a breath through her lips and steadied herself. She had to act normal.

Jing Yue hadn't expected to find her at the table and he wondered if she was going to leave if he joined. Reaching the table, he was yet to sit when his eyes caught sight of the mug he had gifted her. Did it mean that she liked it? he asked himself and decided not to comment on it. Taking a seat, he said," Good morning."

"Good morning Mr Jing Yue," she replied.

A maid served his breakfast and after, she left. The environment was eerily silent and Tang Ning often stole glances at him. She noticed that he ate slowly and elegantly, taking his time to chew the food.

He ate like a woman and even better than her, she thought. The next moment, he raised his eyes from his plate and looked at her. Tang Ning returned her eyes immediately back to her plate, so embarrassed that she had been caught staring.

After the food, Jing Yue wiped his lips with a napkin and stood up to say," The kids are coming back today." "Yes Mr Jing Yue," she replied as she got up. As she watched him readying himself to leave, she said, "Uh, Mr Jing Yue I wanted to thank you for the gifts. I really liked them." "You shouldn't thank me. I'm glad to know that you liked them though," he said and she nodded. "I will take my leave," he said before leaving the dining room.

When she went to her room, she looked at her teddy bear and hugged it so close. Realizing what she was doing, she immediately let go.

Such things were supposed to be done when the gift came from a boyfriend but in this case, it was her boss.

When it came to evening, the twins finally arrived at the house. "Will you come for us again?" little Huan asked her aunt FeiFei. "Of course my baby. When I get any free time I will surely come back for you," she replied before adding," Why don't you two take your toys to your rooms?"

When they left, Li Fei remained with Tang Ning and on looking at her she asked," You're Tang Ning, isn't it?"

"Yes Ma'am," she replied.

"You can call me Li Fei or Jin Fei. I want to thank you for taking care of them. Little Huan told me how nice you are."

Tang Ning couldn't believe that such a beautiful and elegant woman could be this down to earth.

"You don't have to thank me at all. I am doing my job and perhaps, I really like them. They are nice kids," she replied.

"Believe me when I say that it means so much to me. Liling was... she meant a lot to me," she said.

"Liling?" she asked. "Yes. Their mother," she replied and Tang Ning nodded in understanding. So she was called Liling, she thought. "She had a beautiful name," commented Tang Ning. "Yes just like her. She was beautiful in and out," commented Li Fei who said," I think I should get going."

Tang Ning nodded and the woman walked towards the door then left the house.

When she went to Huan's room, she found her unpacking her bag. "Your aunt has left," she mentioned as she came to sit on the bed.

"Why do you look sad? Don't you want to be with me anymore?" she asked. "Of course not Auntie Ning. I missed you," she said.

"I missed you more," she replied.