What he called a home

***Lee

I was back at the old house with dad. He practically dragged me to come with him here, however much i didn't want to follow him I'm not yet of legal age and he knows it, that's why he's doing things his own way. I was never one to talk more so waste my words on such people, people used to running away.

***Ze Li (Lee 's father)

I got a call from a person who knew our family before when we still lived there. San Lee had been living alone for two years and I didn't know, the person said they were a concerned neighbor who had observed that Lee was living on her own, I'm not surprised her mother run off somewhere. She told me that Lee was getting more and more weary and leaner as time went by. She also went ahead to suggest that she thinks my daughter is working because they wouldn't notice her leave but would see her late in the night coming back, she was working hard despite being underage. I was getting more impatient since the lady spoke too much. After listening to all this, I was frustrated because of Lee 's guts. She'd rather live alone and even work so hard without looking for me even once. I don't know if I should be angry with her knowing full well that she has taken after me in such aspects. We are both too adamant for our own good. I still blame her anyway,I love myself too much to take the blame. Getting her to come with me was the best idea.

The driver parked the car at the entrance of the building where the flat was located. I noticed the stares and realised that this place hasn't changed much. The people here find it hard to live their own lives thus keep pocking there noses where not needed. I don't regret leaving this place one bit and so should San Lee because she's leaving too.

"I hear he's rich now,he lives in the main city,"a lady spoke.

The person listening peeked at the car and said,"Your right,but everybody here knows that his daughter has a job,he has left for years now leaving his family here."

Another said,"He never married Lee's mother, remember when they came to our town with a baby,what if that isn't his daughter. She snorted.

The women seemed to agree, many assumed when they came that they were married. When he suddenly left,they scorned Lee's mother for being impossible to live with since she was always aloof and didn't join gossips,it was like disregarding them if you did that. The people around here believed they were just being "concerned."

Lee got out with her bag and entered the car without a fuss. If I didn't know better I would think she wanted to come with me considering that her bag was packed already and in minutes we were leaving this place.

The silence in the car made me think alot. In the jam on the road I somehow spotted a little girl giggling eating ice cream while a man who I assumed to be her father was trying hard to hold her in place to clean the stains of ice cream on her cheeks and lips. The sight felt disgusting to me,I was never one to like kids mostly those who behaved like that. It was good that my children weren't like that or were they. Children aren't intelligent and I can't guarantee I was perfect as a child. I can't use my kids as an example when I know that I've never bothered to take care of them or even help out when needed. The last time I carried Lee was when we were in the hospital. I have never even appeared at her school when I was still with her mother or even bothered to know her better. I can blame that on her introverted behavior.

She never talked at home or maybe I never heard her speak, it looked as though she was elsewhere.

Anyway why am I getting such thoughts now,why not when I was supposed to support my family.

I sent a message to my wife.

[ I'm almost there,I'm bringing her]

[Thank God,she agreed to come]

[ yes]

[Anything special she may like. ]

I thought for a while and eventually typed,[ no idea]

[ It's ok I'll try to fix something. take care.]

[take care]

Emily is such a kind lady,I've heard and I know that I'm hard to live with but she was always there. Always ready to forgive me and support me. Maybe that's what made me find her boring, knowing she'll always be there no matter what.

The driver was taking glances behind at his boss and his daughter. The gap between their sitting position was as though they were in quarantine,even strangers weren't as distant. He felt lucky that even though he wasn't wealthy,his children would be waiting at the door whenever he came home and even stuck to him throughout the evening before their bedtime. His wife always had a smile on her face and his family was happy.

"Sigh," his madam cried till her tears ran out. She was kind to all the workers throughout the time he knew her. No matter what time her husband came back,she'd be out of the house to welcome him with a smile and even greet him,the driver before he left. His boss was picky about food,so she learned so many times till she could make the food just as he liked. None of her friends had visited but she occasionally left the house to meet them since her husband didn't want visitors. Her daily life was lived like a programming for a robot.

Driving into the mansion that his boss earlier called a home,he was glad for whatever he had now.

I was proud of who I was now,my successful self. When I turned to look at Lee,she had opened the door and was leaving the car. I couldn't see her face thus couldn't know what she thought. She should feel grateful that I'm improving her life.

"Welcome home,both of you."Lyn was enthusiastically greetings her husband and daughter. Seeing the girl now she felt familiar with her. The girl seemed dazed and didn't reply but quickly composed herself and shook her head in acknowledgment.

"Mai, take the bag to Lee's room,"I spoke as I took the bag Lee was holding. "Mr. Fang, how do you do?"

"I'm doing well madam, thank you."

" Haha, it's ok,greet your wife."

"I will,"I replied as I drove the car back to the garage.

Lee and Yan Ze Li were already inside the house. Ze Li didn't know what to say even after staring at his daughter for a while.

"I think we should go to our rooms and freshen up first,you had a long day." Lyn interrupted.

"Right," Ze Li replied gratefully as he went upstairs.

"I'll take you to your room," Lyn said as she stretched her arm to Lee. She was scared that Lee would be offended after the girl took a while to respond so she took back her hand. Her palm suddenly got into contact with a cold one when she noticed that Lee was holding her hand.

She felt sad and happy as well as she guided her daughter to her room upstairs. She loved the girl already but the circumstances would influence the girl to hate her. They walked in similar strides as though they were close.

When they reached the room Lyn didn't have the courage to enter so she watched Lee walk inside.