Chapter 3 Pancakes & Waffles

"Guess what baby? It's your favorite!"- I said to my adorable baby as her lovely face brightens.

My baby's full and new registered name is Aiko Nara C. Seto. She is using my surname for now, since her father doesn't even know of her existence. I know it's horrible to hide a child's existence from a parent but... this is Alecia's last wish, and I want to fulfill it as long as I can.

If my dear parents found out about me having a kid after leaving their side, they will defiantly be furious and lecture me for months! No, I'm not exaggerating.

While my maternal grandmother has to help me, who knows everything. Although I haven't sent her a picture of both Alecia and Aiko.

"Pancake?!"- Aiko excitedly said as her adorable eyes widen in delightful surprise.

"Yes, that is right, baby." smiling at my baby, I stroke her in her head.

--

After finishing breakfast, we both play in the bathtub as I clean her up.

Properly dressing her in one of her favorite clothes, a simple white top dress with blue polka dots and a black light belt. She is also wearing a simple ribbon with the same color as her flowing skirt. She is also wearing simple light blue doll shoes that she picked herself.

"Mommy! Am I pretty?" I heard Aiko asked after I finish carefully combing my glossy hair.

"Of course baby! You look so lovely!"

She giggles as she twirls around before hugging me.

"Are we going to play again?" She asks while giving me a puppy look.

I try not to squish her cute plump cheeks as I hold her hand.

"Of course!"

--

We are currently at the Golden Gate Park, more specifically we are at the Conservatory of Flowers. I'm letting Aiko carefully observe the diverse aquatic and tropical plants, including orchids of all sizes. There are also huge water lilies, a century-old giant Imperial philodendron, and bizarre-looking carnivorous plants.

We often come here every pleasant weekend to sightsee and genuinely enjoy green tea and snacks at the Japanese Tea Garden. This has been our bond since Aiko turned four. I was trying to find a way to change the gloomy atmosphere back then when I decided to give this park a visit. From then on, we both enjoyed coming here spending a whole day here.

After playing around, Aiko grew tired so I properly carry her and head back to my driven car.

Carefully securing her seat belt, I brush away the hair that covered her lovely face before gently kissing her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, my sweet Aiko." whispering those words, I turn around to face the steering wheel and start the engine of the car.

The money that I have been using is partly from my maternal grandmother and partly from my part-time work. Yes, I'm working part-time here to gain experience and to support Aiko. Admittedly, the things we currently have, for example, this car are mainly from my grandmother. I did try to refuse her help, but she threatened me that she will spill everything to my mother and have my bodyguards sent here with me.

Promptly stopping at a red light, I briefly glance at the sleeping face of Aiko before focusing on driving once again.

During the years that I've spent here, I have already learned how to be independent. Though it's mostly still thanks to my Grandma.

"..."

Though, I still can't help but think of my dear parents and especially my best friend... I wonder how she is coping without me.

--

Miyuki's POV

It's been long six years, yet I haven't gotten a chance to contact Ashley. After my conversation with Auntie, my dear mother instantly made me start working under her. She kept me busy for these recent years to make sure I won't do anything to find her.

I don't get them! Why are they so against me trying to make sure my best friend is safe and alive?!

Even Auntie and Uncle, who are the most protective of her, are not doing anything to visit her! Or what if they are secretly visiting her this whole time?!

"Argh! This situation irritates me! If I can find where my dad hides my passport then I will quickly fly out of here!" I yell in frustration as I collapse on my lovely bed.

Yes, my dear dad carefully hid my passport six years ago after Auntie talked to them. I don't know what did grandma Roxie said to any of them to make them like this.

*Knock! Knock!*

A knock on my bedroom door startles me, sitting up in an upright position, I turn to look at the shut door.

"What is it?" I spoke in a loud voice to make sure whoever is outside the door can hear me.

"It's Anna, miss. Is everything okay inside?" a female voice answers.

They must have heard me screaming and wanting to see what's going on.

I clear my throat before standing up from my bed, wearing my purple comfy slippers, I walk towards my door before gently opening it.

Anna, one of the lovely maids my mom hired to keep me in check, flinch the moment I open the door.

"I'm fine, don't worry about it."

I stated before her round black eyes lower to the floor, lowering her head slightly.

"I sincerely apologize for disturbing you then, miss," she said politely.

"Anna? Right?" I spoke while sighing.

Why can't they just act naturally around me? I get it my family is rich, super-rich. But, we are not the same as a royal family that they need to down to us like this. Even if I wanted to get close to them, they distance themselves by acting so formal around me.

"Yes, miss?"

"Stop bowing your head to me every time you see me or talk to me, okay? And notify that to the others too." I stated as I watch her raise her head with kind eyes widen in genuine surprise and apparent confusion.

"What do you mean by that, miss?" she asks.

"It means what it means... by the way, I will have a visitor tomorrow, inform the chef to prepare waffles tomorrow at lunch for the visitor."

Anna's eyes widen once more because of the weird menu I've said.

"Waffles? For lunch miss?"

"Yes, and make sure it can at least serve ten people. That's it, you can go now." I did not even wait for her reply before I enter my room again. But I wait for her to leave before I closed my door.

I'm not rude to instantly close a door at someone's face, you know?

If I recall correctly... Anna is about 20 years old, I think she's the younger sister of Lita. Lita is a lovely maid at Ashley's house.

Sitting down on my bed, I open my phone and carefully search my direct contacts. I know I should have contacted him from the very beginning but... he was also very busy.

Quickly recognizing his name, I dialed his number and place my phone beside my ear.

"Properly state your name and business." I heard his answering machine said his answer in every call he receives.

"Max!!" I answer a bit annoyed, as far as I remember, he had that answering machine for a long time now.

"Properly state your name and business." the answering machine said again.

"Stupid Max! It's me, Kearsley!" as soon as I said those words, I instantly heard someone typically picking up the phone.

"Yo! Kearsley! Long time no talk! How are ya?" I heard his familiar voice answer in a jolly tone.

"Stop the pep talk, Max! Come and visit me tomorrow at my current house, I'll send you the address."

"Woah! Easy there, tiger! Miss me that much?" he teases, I can naturally imagine him grinning from ear to ear.

"Baka! (Idiot!) I'm just going to ask you for a favor, don't worry we have waffles so -"

"Yes! Waffles! Say no more! See you tomorrow my Kearsley! Mwuah!"

The nerve! Ending the call just like that!

But wait... did he just call me his?!