AGAIN AND AGAIN

So much for love though because she didn't get a chance to see the mystery man the very next day.

Laleen felt her shoulders slump in disappointment for the rest of the day as she went about her duties. 

By afternoon, she had given up all hope of meeting him once again.

A sigh escaped her lips at the realization and her head hung even lower. She was just about to continue her work when her boss called to her.

"Stephanie, dear" His old voice sounded, snapping her out of her bubble of dejection.

Laleen immediately turned to his direction and bowed, keeping her eyes trained to the floor.

"Yes sir" She replied obediently.

Her boss clad in a black apron and with fine lines on his forehead frowned a bit at her action. He couldn't understand why she suddenly took to the habit of avoiding other people's gazes but that was not his business so he didn't dare to prod.

As long as it doesn't affect her work.

He smiled at her and quietly brought out a small black box from the pocket of his apron and handed it to her.

"Here. Hold this" He offered. Laleen raised her gaze just enough to see the black box he had in his hands. Her shapely brows furrowed in confusion and she asked politely, "Why?"

The old man beamed at her as he slowly opened the box while answering her question, "This was left by one of the customers yesterday. I'm handing it to you for safekeeping until the owner comes for it".

Laleen's eyes widened as she gazed at the contents of the black box—a pearl-shaped necklace, shimmering in a pure black hue, adorned with tiny gemstones that sparkled in the morning light filtering through the cafe. Its beauty was captivating, and Laleen couldn't fathom how someone could lose something so exquisite and seemingly expensive.

Carefully, she reached for the necklace, holding it in her hands. The old man, scratching his neck awkwardly, explained, "I can't give it to Anna or Sarah because... you know how they are."

Laleen nodded in understanding. Anna and Sarah, her female coworkers, would likely try to wear it.

Smiling at the old man, Laleen reassured him, "Not to worry, sir. I'll keep it safe until the owner comes for it."

Her boss smiled back, patting her shoulder fondly. "I'm counting on you then," he said before leaving.

Laleen paused her work, contemplating where to safely store the necklace within the shop. Lost in thought, she heard Anna's displeased voice calling her name. With a sigh, Laleen stashed the small box in her pocket, resolving to find a suitable place later.

Returning home before her mother's curfew became crucial for Laleen, who had suffered the consequence of a late arrival the previous night—going to bed hungry. Surprisingly, dinner that evening went smoother than expected. Despite anticipating her mother's usual sharp remarks, there were none, allowing Laleen to enjoy a peaceful meal.

After washing the dishes, she retreated to her room for the night. However, an unsettling feeling lingered within her. Something seemed off with her parents' behavior, particularly her mother's.

Waking up the next day, Laleen had an entirely different goal from the norm. Today, she was going to find out why her mother was so angry with her. With a determined face, she marched down to the dining table after dressing up for breakfast.

There, she met her father already seated. He beamed at her and she did same. But she wasn't going to be fooled. Her father knew something and she was going to find out what. 

"Good morning Father" She greeted as she approached her seat. Her father replied her greeting just as she was sitting down,

"Morning dear. How was your night?".

Laleen nodded to show it was good, after all for once, she didn't have to go to bed hungry, "It was pleasant". 

He responded with a pleased nod and reached for the glass of water in front of him.

Laleen quickly look around her. Her mother was nowhere nearby, probably busy inside the kitchen. She nodded and then leaned in to whisper to her father.

"Father I have a quick question for you" She voiced in a barely audible whisper. Her father's face shot up in surprise before he leaned in with a serious expression, "Sure. What is it?".

Laleen swallowed as she crinkled her eyes while whispering, "Why do you think mother hates me so much?".

Her father who had gone back to drink his water as he awaited her question immediately choked at her question. Laleen watched in confusion as water spilled from his lips. Quickly, she handed him a napkin in the table and he wiped his lips graciously.

Clearing his throat, he leaned in again, "You think she... hates you?".

Laleen tilted her head in question, "Does she not?" Her father leaned back while adjusting in his seat. Slowly, a breath escaped his lips. 

"Your mother doesn't hate you. It's just that she's not pleased with what happened... you know, before your accident".

He gave his daughter a knowing look as he spoke. He looked at her like she was supposed to know exactly what he was talking about.

Alas, Laleen felt her face grow pale. Before her accident? She knew nothing about it then. Of course she was still confused about how she ended up as Stephanie but she had recently, quit questioning it. 

Infact she had grown so comfortable as Stephanie that she had no wish to return to her past life anymore.

She quickly made a mental note to ask Elizabeth about what happened before her accident. Not wanting to back down with such little piece of information, she continued cautiously, "And... what might that be? Why is she so angry?". Laleen tried to choose her words as carefully as possible and she gauged her father's every expression as she spoke. He first looked confused and then in disbelief. 

His brown eyes flickered continuously, "You mean you haven't figured it out?". His voice carried an even greater weight of disbelief than his face. He couldn't believe she had no idea. Surely, his daughter was not dumb, was she?

A soft breath escaped Laleen's nose as she leaned back into her seat. How was she supposed to tell him that she really had no idea? Suddenly, footsteps of their mother approaching sounded and her father gently tapped her hand laying at the table while still holding her gaze.

With a smile, he muttered, "We'll continue this later okay?".

Laleen nodded with a smile. She watched as he turned to his side to smile sweetly at his wife and something heartwarming instantly blossomed on her heart. Her father was such a lovely man. 

***

Laleen was quick to leave for work after breakfast leaving her parents to themselves.

As bakers, their work started very early in the mornings. Of course, it was already not helping that their only daughter couldn't assist them because working elsewhere was the only way she'd be able to bring money into the family.

Mr Lance, her father rolled up his sleeves after wearing his apron. He was about to grab a baking pan to get to work when he noticed his wife sitting on a chair a few distance away from him with a look of displeasure on her face. 

He walked over to her direction. Crouching beside her, he gently patted her back lovingly. "What troubles my wife so early in the morning?" He asked with a smile.

His wife turned to him, her face filled with complaint. It was very different from the always angry face Laleen was used to.

"Our daughter is a brat!" She exclaimed.

Her husband chuckled at her words and embraced her, "No she's not. She's our sweet daughter".

Mrs Lance immediately shook her head in disapproval. Their daughter was bratty. Suddenly, a tired sigh escaped her lips. "I just want the best for her " She muttered in a whisper as her vision got teary.

Her husband nodded as he kissed her forehead.

"I know" he replied. That was the reason why he never interfered with her methods though he was starting to think she was taking it a bit too far.

With a chuckle, he voiced in amusement, "She thinks you hate her".

Her mother whipped her head to look at him from his embrace, "She does?" The surprise in her voice was hard to miss.

He nodded at her words and she clicked her tongue in annoyance as she turned away while scrunching her nose.

"Brat" She said again.

Her husband chuckled as he continued to hold her. Mrs Lance broke into a weak smile, "You know, I just wish for her to be happy and safe."

Her husband hummed in agreement to her words. He listened quietly as his wife added, "I want to see that happen...at least before I die". His eyebrows immediately furrowed and he clicked his tongue.

"No one is dying, Laura" he responded as his grip on her tightened.

His wife only smiled. She knew her deteriorating condition was breaking him.

"I feel my life slipping away, Julius" She croaked as tears filled her grey eyes. 

"I'm sorry" She barely whispered as her tears finally fell. All her husband could do was hold her even tighter as every drop of tear that fell at his arm tore at his heart. Again and again.