Chapter 18

"Mama, are you okay?" Ellie asked when she noticed the anxious face on her mother's face.

Kaylee broke out of her dazedness with a soft chuckle. "Yes, I'm fine but I'm going to miss you in these two days. Isn't it funny?"

"I understand, Mama, but you don't need to miss me so intensely, and don't stress too much about me because I make sure to pack my sweater and socks to keep myself warm at night and Grandma is there to take care of me. You can call me on the phone if you miss me." Ellie said with a sweet smile.

The escalator reached the platform as Kaylee and Ellie exited, seamlessly blending into the bustling crowd.

"Alright, I'll call you and make sure you keep the cell phone close by your side."

"Uhm." Ellie hummed and nodded once.

Taken aback by Ellie's earlier comment, Kaylee's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. As she stopped, the little girl also came to a halt.

Kaylee bent down to Ellie's level. "Don't tell me you are planning to stay there for long?"

Kaylee fixed a direct stare into Ellie's eyes as if she wanted to see through the little girl mind.

If she returned, she would miss her grandma and her favorite meal made by the old woman. Also if she stays in her hometown, she will miss her mother a lot, Ellie wasn't sure.

Ellie was mute, staring blankly at her mother.

All of the sudden, Ellie had a broad smile on her lips with her gaze at the person a little distance behind her mother.

"Grandma!" Ellie called softly.

Ellie rushed over to Mrs. Ashton.

Seeing her grand daughter running to her, the old woman squatted down for a hug while Ellie slumped into her arms. Mrs. Ashton almost fell to the ground but fortunately, there was still strength left in her weak muscles as she held her ground and embraced her granddaughter, tightly.

"Hello my little sweet granddaughter, I have missed you a lot." Mrs Ashton said while she rubbed down Ellie's hair.

"I miss you too Grandma," Ellie said in sincerity, smiling in Mrs Ashton's locked embrace.

Kaylee was stunned and perplexed to see her mother here. She walked up to them.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Kaylee questioned at a loss.

Mrs Ashton broke the locked embrace and stood up. She faced Kaylee."My granddaughter wanted me to come to pick her up myself so I couldn't refuse and that's why I'm here."

Kaylee shifted her gaze to Ellie. "You didn't say anything about this to me?"

"I'm sorry Mama. I asked Grandma to come pick me up so you wouldn't be late to the restaurant."

"Thanks, Ellie. You are so considerate." Kaylee exclaimed with a smile.

She stretched out the duffel bag in her hands to Mrs Ashton as Mrs Ashton collected the bag from Kaylee.

"Be a good girl, Ellie. Don't forget to take care of yourself and your grandma," Kaylee said.

"Umm. I won't forget that so I will take good care of grandma."

"Please don't leave your grandma's sight. Always stick close to her, okay?"

"Okay, Mama." Ellie answered and nodded in obedience.

Seeing the anxious expression radiating on Kaylee's face and scared of letting Ellie go with her, Mrs Ashton thought to ease the young lady's nervousness.

"You don't need to worry, Kaylee. I will take care of Ellie, so she will be fine." Mrs Ashton said with a reassuring smile.

When Kaylee heard her mother's words, she felt a bit at ease. "Alright, Mom."

Kaylee's eyes hid uncertainty, gazing at her mother as she spoke. "Please Mom, Don't let Ellie cross paths with her."

Mrs Ashton was smart enough to understand what her daughter meant while she nodded once with an assured smile.

Kaylee couldn't help but smile back at her mother. She looked down at Ellie. "See you soon Ellie, make sure you take care of your grandma."

Kaylee waved at the little girl. Ellie raised her hand waving at her mother while Mrs Ashton took her with her, walking midst of the crowd.

She stood in her spot until she couldn't see Ellie and her mother.

At first, Kaylee was scared knowing Willow was in New Brunswick and would come after Ellie if the due time expired again as she said. This difficulty arose when she had to send her little girl out of her sight.

Nevertheless, after giving it a second thought, she couldn't break her promise to her daughter. All she had left with her right now was hope that Willow and Ellie wouldn't come across each other in these few days.

After a short time in her thoughts, Kaylee turned around and stepped onto the escalator until she got off it.

Outside the subway station, Kaylee halted in her tracks when she heard a calm voice behind her.

"Hey there, Please wait."

Kaylee turned around in her spot, facing the unfamiliar person, who was handsome with a bright face, walking up to her.

The young man stood three steps away from her, leaving a little distance between them.

"How may I help you?" Kaylee asked politely.

The young man stared at Kaylee's expression for a short time and noticed the displeased expression on her face. Perhaps she couldn't remember him.

"If I'm not wrong, you were the postwoman the other day? We have met before."

Kaylee didn't look away from the young man who claimed that they had met before, but she couldn't recognize him. After a short time going through her memories, Kaylee appeared to recognize the young man finally.

"Oh? You are the Mister who helped me the other day." Kaylee said, feeling a little embarrassed by her failed memory.

Noah beamed as his expression lightened up as well. "Yes. And now we meet again."

Kaylee swiftly bowed and raised her head. "I'm sorry for my impudent act."

Noah couldn't help but chuckle at the young lady, who appeared so polite.

"It's okay. So what were you doing here? Are you here to pick someone up or drop them off? " Noah said,amicably.

Kaylee turned mute while squinting her eyes slightly at the young man like a detective looking for something suspicious about him, although, in the end, she found nothing suspicious about the young man. But she couldn't disclose the safety of her child to a total stranger. Moreover, he helped her out the other day and he seemed not to be dangerous.

When Noah saw that the young lady was hesitating to answer, he thought he must have crossed the line.

"I guess I did go far this time around. I'm sorry." Noah apologized sincerely.

"No, no. Well, I went to drop-" Kaylee was cut off when they heard a sweet voice behind the young man.

"Noah!"

Noah turned around to the familiar voice. His lips couldn't help but twirl up in an adorable smile at the slender figure.

Kaylee couldn't stop staring at the alluring slender figure who had a clear skin and dressed in a floral gown, walking towards them.

The slender figure moved to Noah for a warm, long-time embrace.

Noah hugged her gently, and he then whispered in her eyes. "So you finally decided to return."

After a short warm embrace, they both pulled off slowly from each other's arms.

The young lady giggled softly before answering. "I have missed you, so that's why I'm back. Didn't you miss me?" Her lips pursed, observing his facial expression. "Don't tell you didn't?" She frowned slightly.

Noah beamed and then said. "I did miss you, too. I was yearning for your return."

The alluring young lady lowered her gaze with guilt in her eyes for some time before raising her head.

"Hello, don't be cheeky. So tell me, is she your girlfriend?" She asked in curiosity.

Noah turned, confused. "Who?"

The young lady wasn't sure if Noah was playing games with her by acting like he didn't know who she was talking about but she looked at his face for a while. It was clear to her that he was also confused.

"The lady you were with." Said the alluring lady.

It was at this moment, Noah remembered he was with someone else before his pretty princess came. He swiftly turned around but didn't see the young lady anywhere.

Did she suddenly leave again?

The young lady could see a wide grin playing on Noah's lips while in his thoughts.

"Well, I guess you could say she really couldn't handle a 'brief' encounter." She joked.

Noah turned around to her with flushed cheeks.

"She's not my girlfriend but I'm trying to get to know her more." Noah answered with interest that gleamed in his eyes.

"Oh?" the young lady exclaimed with a raised eyebrow.

Noah thought it was unwise to stay stranded on the street while chatting as he said to her. "Let's go. I guess you are famished and tired."

Noah picked up her luggage, dragging it behind him and she followed beside him while she lamented.

"Yes, like you know. I'm worn out and famished. It has been a long flight."