23

"And then Luka had to follow the crowd all the way home! It was so legit!" Isabella says for the millionth time.

I roll my eyes.

Mom just sits on the wooden kitchen chair cross-legged and with her chin buried in her palm.

"Really Isabella?"

"Yes mom! I want people to carry me like that!" She says with her hands in the air.

"Well, I'm very proud of you Kim, you chose the path of redemption and now your efforts are crowned with success." Mom says, pride literally dripping off every word she said. I simply just love mom's dimples and the way she smiles. It makes her look almost childlike and I find that adorable.

I beam at her. It feels good to have someone be proud of you.

"And that's why-"

"She wants to take you out and give you a treat 'cause you deserve it!" Dad shouts from the game room.

"I thought you were indulging in your video games." Mom said through clenched teeth.

"Sorry hon, I just couldn't let that pass by" he said trying to maintain his innocence.

"Whatever. I feel you did a really great job and other than the treat I-"

"She also wants to surprise you with this glamorous dress and jewelry that will send you begging her on your knees!!" Luka screams from the game room.

Mom shoots him an angry loom his direction although he can't see it from where he is.

"Yes. That. But-"

"She loves you dearly and wouldn't want to ever let you go!!!" Aiden shouts from the game room.

Mom hops down the chair and walks over to the game room and slams the door open. The boys run away like mice caught eating cheese. Isabella and I cant help but laugh. It's just too hilarious. A very annoyed mom comes walking back to the kitchen and slumps on the chair angrily with a pout on her face. She really is childlike.

"So despite the fact that the boys decided to-"

"DESTROY THE FACT YOU WERE SAYING OUT YOUR PLAN AND THEY'RE COMPLETE FOOLS BUT ARE REALLY REALLY SORRY?" The boys shout in unison from their individual rooms.

Mom smiles and waves her hand.

"Yeah. I suppose I can forgive them"

I hear them all say 'yes!' from where they are. Boys.

"Mom, can we go get ready now?" Isabella asks.

"I'm way ahead of you." She says hopping down the chair once again.

We ascend the staircase and go to our rooms. I pick up my phone from the side table and I see a message from Nicki.

"Had fun yesterday, hope we can meet up and have fun again" I say reading the message aloud.

Hm, she had fun? That's so awesome!

I quickly respond to her saying I have plans at the moment but we can meet up the next day. Before I get to drop my phone back, she already replies with an 'agreed!' and a big smiley emoji. I just laugh and place the phone back. Oh Nicki.

I enter the bathroom, undress and step into the shower. The bathroom is sprayed with different perfumes that remind me of...

My heart skips a beat as I realise who it reminds me of.

Alec. I haven't seen him in a while. I wonder what he's up to now.

I calm myself and my crazy thoughts down. I'm no more in bondage and there's absolutely nothing to worry about, right? As quickly as I came in, I come out.

I pick out a red top and skinny jeans with black boots. Now that I know how to put on makeup, I've become pretty skilled at it and of course with my trusty sidekick Isabella, I can always get a feedback! She's just so cute!

I quickly put on my jewelry, grab my phone and wristwatch and run out of the room. Mom and Isabella are already downstairs waiting for me.

"Yay she's finally here!" Isabella says.

"Oh really? Then let's get going." Mom says sounding a little bit tired. Hey, cant I look nice?

And here's the person that didn't give two hoots about how she looked like.

We enter the car and the boys come out and wave us goodbye as mom put the car in reverse and we left the house.

The ride is smooth and we're in comfortable silence. I feel a bit...tired. I yawn as I slowly drift of into the welcoming darkness.

****

"Kim, Kim, wake up we're here." Mom says gently waking me up. I rub my eyes as I get out of the car. We're in an ice-cream shop. But this place looks really familiar, almost like I've been here before.

We advance into the widely spaced ice-cream shop with bright and beautiful neon-blue lights. The cute little cartoon ice-creams hung quietly on a nearby chandelier. This place is beautiful.

"You know, you smiled just like this when you came in here for the first time fifteen years ago " I hear someone say behind me.

I turn to see this beautiful looking woman that couldn't be anything more than 35 years old. She has striking neon-blue eyes just like the lights. She has a simple waiter's outfit on and she's having this amused expression on her face. I feel like I know this woman.

"Kim, I'd like to uhm re-introduce you to Mrs. Anderson or as you normally used to call her- "

"Ice-cream girl..." I say cutting my mom off.

Mrs. Anderson smiled widely at me because I finally remembered who she is.

"Yes, I am- " she pauses as she places her hands on her waist "ICE-CREAM GIRL!" She says proudly with a smile.

I laugh as I remember when I used to come here and she'd give only me a free ice-cream or a toy or an autograph because she was my hero then. I mean who doesn't like a kind and pretty woman that gives free ice-cream?

We pick a table and have our seats. She serves us the ice-cream we ordered and tells us on the house. She later joins us as her workers continue to attend to others. Mom begins to tell her everything that happened from the day I was kidnapped up to when I decided to redeem myself. All through the story she just gives us an emotionless look which doesn't fit her because she usually has a cheerful face.

We must really trust this woman

"But you're okay now right? No problems?" She asks like as if she's suddenly my mother.

"Yeah I'm-" I pause as I notice this familiar man. He's wearing a hoodie to hide his face but I can still tell who he is.

"Mom, we need to leave like right now" I tell her.

"What? Why?" She's asks curiously with furrowed eyebrows.

"Because..."

"Alec is here."

*******

♡