Immediately Izzy got home, she ran into the kitchen acting thoughtless as she walk in without taken off her sweaty clothes and her messy shoe. Izzy brought out the vegetables and wash them thoroughly before chopping them into a smaller size.
Isabelle felt pressured and insecure while she was preparing the food. She can't help but keep on glancing at the time and the door to detect her Uncle's return.
Isabelle was so focus on the meal to a point that she didn't notice she was still putting on the dirty clothes and shoe from earlier. Izzy was bent on rounding up in the kitchen, the only thing stopping her was the speed of the gas.
An hour later, Isabelle has successfully prepared dinner. She became very exhausted and tired. Without any further delay, she started setting the table for dinner.
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Her uncle step in.
"Izzy?" Ivan said softly. Izzy gasp in shock on hearing Ivan's voice. "Uncle, you're home. The food is ready." She turned and began staring at him.
Ivan lips curled up then slowly curl down when he looked at Isabelle from head to toe. Ivan flick his brow and gulp surprisingly, "The food is ready but it seems like someone is not ready."
"Uhh?" Isabelle furrowed her brow. It was as she catch a glimpse of herself, that was when she realized what was going on.
It took Izzy a quick glance before she realize that she was till putting on those filthy clothes and shoes.
Isabelle gulp, "Argh!" She ran upstairs immediately.
Ivan smirks cutely, he glance at the dishes on the table then sat down patiently as he wait for Isabelle's return.
Few minutes later, after taking a cool bath, Isabelle came down looking fresh and neat. Her skin was glowing and her face was naturally beautiful. She wore a simple night gown and a pair of slippers.
Ivan stare at Isabelle as he watch her walk modesty downstairs. He gulps, "You look naturally beautiful, just like your mother."
Isabelle chuckles, "You've met my mother?"
Ivan sighed and looked away, "I've seen her in some occasions but..." Ivan paused, "C'mon let's eat before the food cold."
Isabelle smirked she join her Uncle on the table without saying anything. It was obvious that he doesn't want to talk about it.
---- Avelino's mansion ----
In the kitchen, Tessa was still cooking. She looks very happy, the memories of today has made a great influence on her. Tessa kept on leaping her legs from one place to another. Anytime she makes a step, she keeps humming a song to ease the silent in the environment.
"Hmm... What that smell?" Natalie said with her nose sniffing the whole place. She walked into the kitchen. Natalie gasp in shock, "Hi mom!" she kiss Tessa at the cheek.
"Nat sweetie, how was your day?" Tessa respond with a huge smile on her face.
Natalie furrowed her brow, "It was great." Natalie paused, she was bothered by her mom behavior.
"You look quite happy tonight, Mom. Wanna tell me what's making you happy?" Natalie spoke as she knit a brow in a teasing manner.
Tessa ignored what Natalie said. She cleared her throat, "Natalie baby, can you help me set the table, please?"
"Ok ma," Natalie took the plate and walked away.
In a short while, Tessa was done cooking. The food was served and was embedded by the aroma of the food. Everyone was already in the dining room.
"Uhmm the food taste great. You must have put a lot of effort in preparing it," Richard complimented Tessa as he crunch every bit of the food in his mouth.
"Thanks my love," Tessa said, she gulped as she swallow. Then the memory of her return from the shopping mall flow through her mind. Tessa stare at everyone with a big smile as she spoke, "You see something crazy happened today."
Natalie nags her mother immediately, "I knew it! I knew something was up, I sensed it from the kitchen. So spill it out mom, let's hear it."
Tessa stare at Natalie and scoffed. She then continue, "Earlier today when I went to the shopping mall, someone tried to steal my purse."
"Uhh? Don't tell me you caught the person and attack him?" Richard said as he furrowed his brow in curiosity.
"No no no I didn't. Infact someone else did. There was this young adorable girl, she look almost the same age as Natalie but a little older. Maybe a year or months... She amazes me a lot." Tessa started laughing cutely.
Richard and Natalie glance at each other in confusion. They were still not getting it.
Tessa continued, "This young girl notice it and raise an alarm. Before I will react, the thief ran away with my purse."
"What?!" Richard and Natalie screamed in unison.
Tessa chuckled, "Even I was shocked by everything. All of a sudden, the young girl ran after him on a skateboard, she keep chasing him until there was nowhere else for him to run. Then she apprehended him and left him to my mercy." Tessa breathe heavily.
Richard keep staring at his wife, Natalie was amaze and Troy was lost in thoughts, he was less attentive and mostly quiet as always.
Tessa chuckles, "She impress me a lot. I just can't stop thinking about it. Everything happens so fast." she added.
"I'm happy to see that your happy, whoever that girl is, I'm grateful for what she did, if I can only meet her and thank her personally," Richard smile. He took her hand and kiss it softly.
"Since she makes you happy, Mom I hope one day we will all get the chance to meet her," Troy added in a low tone.
"Really big brother? You haven't met her yet and you already like her. Oh! please brother Troy be careful with your heart," Natalie tease him.
He looks at her and look away in disgust.
Richard and Tessa glance at each other and started laughing. "Natalie... Please spare your brother," Richard said.
"Let's eat before the food gets cold," Tessa urge them as she grab her fork and started digging in.
------
Ivan and Isabelle ate peacefully. It was very quiet among the both of them until Ivan broke the silent.
"Isabelle, so how was your day today," Ivan asked while tearing the meat in his plate. Izzy gulp slightly, "My day was not that bad," she responded.
Ivan frowned, "Not that bad? Did something strange happen today?" Ivan asked in curiosity. Izzy dropped the fork she was holding and gaze at Ivan, "Today after you left, I went to the shopping mall. At the shopping mall, a thief tried to steal from a lady but I was able to stop him." she said with her head down.
Ivan stare at Isabelle showing no expression on his face, "This explains why you were so unkept. Izzy... that was impressive, but be careful, though I train you to be tough but I didn't train you to risk your life for others or to play super hero. This isn't the time for this, do you understand?" Ivan replied acting concern. Izzy gave a little gesture as a way of confirmation.
The room became quiet, Izzy then broke the silent, "How about you uncle, how was your day? Have you
done what you want to do?" she paused as knit a brow.
He look at her and nod his head.
"So what next?" Izzy asked curiously.
"Isabelle, about your father, I'll assure you that you'll meet him. He's the reason why you haven't go over to the prison to pay him a visit," Ivan explain with his head down.
Isabelle frowned, "Why? Don't he want to see me?" Isabelle became very sad.
"No father who loves their child, will love to see their child see them locked up in jail."
Isabelle bow her head in pain.
Ivan smacked his lips and gaze at Isabelle, "You see this is your problem."
Isabelle eyes became watery, "What?"
"You easily get emotional. It is good to be emotional, but you need to use it to your own advantage. There is always a saying that says, the same emotions that makes you weak, also makes you strong," Ivan said in a calm voice.
At that minute, Ivan stood up from
his sit and stare at Isabelle, "Come with me there's something you need to see."
Isabelle was surprised, that was the least reaction she was expecting from him. She wipe her tears snd gaze at Ivan.
"Uncle, where are you going?" She frozed.
"Follow me." he replied.
Isabelle stare at the food on the table, "What about the food I prepared?"
"Leave it behind and follow me, Isabelle."
Isabelle hurriedly left the dining room and follow him.
He took her to the basement. The minute he open the door, Izzy couldn't help but to snoop around. The place was very dark, she couldn't see anything.
Ivan glance at Isabelle and said, "Welcome to my secret room."