Chapter 18 Obstruction

"Madam, if you are afraid that I'd hit your daughter. Then please, leash her, lest she bite just anyone."

Kisha was vexed inside, she wasn't usually like this, easily provoked. She's been in a lot of ups and downs and has experienced many unreasonable people.

But this time, she didn't know what was making her heart clench, so much that she wanted to cry and vent her anger on Melody. 

She was immersed in her thoughts and failed to see the emotions swirling in the woman's eyes.

Melody still wants to taunt her but is held back by her mom, she is unresigned and wants to vent her dissatisfaction but she notices her mother's warning gaze and she chokes up with her words.

"Child please allow me to apologize for my daughter's rash actions and crude words." Her voice was soothingly gentle, and Kisha's heart went rampant.

The woman did not offer any excuses for her daughter's behavior, even she was shocked, the daughter she raised for more than fifteen years was sensible, always spoke highly of others, and was definitely not arrogant.

She never heard her daughter fighting with anyone, especially not being malicious. She was even civil when facing women who pursued Duke. She tried to attribute it to her stress level due to the sudden changes and violence outside.

Kisha remained silent, avoiding the woman's eyes, as if a child whos done something wrong and was afraid of being scolded by her mother.

"I understand, but we can't fulfill your request." She regulated her breathing. "It was complete chaos outside, our party can't protect all of you. If you decide to go out then you can only be responsible for yourself and ensure your safety."

Duke stepped down from the car and stood beside Kisha. Melody's eyes sparkled and shot a taunting side-eye to Kisha. 

"Auntie Emma, she represents the whole party. If she says we cannot bring all of you. I hope you understand, we are also only relying on her ability to navigate around the place to keep us safe." Duke said respectfully but his countenance was unyielding.

Melody's good mood was dampened by Duke's answer.

Emma smiled gently and nodded while thinking. "I understand."

She remembers that when she was tending her garden yesterday, the whole family was having a little family bonding outside. Three of the families with them were invited by the Evans to socialize and let the children broaden their social network but who would have thought that an earthquake would happen? After the earthquake a blood-like rain poured from the sky, afraid of the aftershock of the earthquake they hid under the gazebo in their backyard but only then did they realize that Melody was not with them, worried for her safety. The Evan's member scoured the whole backyard, not minding being drenched by the questionable liquid. 

Only after the rain did they see Melody run out of the house. They felt relieved but not long after, they were horrified by the bloody scene that followed. Most of the servants who were soaked with the rain turned into scary-looking monsters that eat flesh, luckily, her husband and sons, along with the remaining bodyguard hardened their resolve to protect them and were able to take care of it.

But because of this, everyone's afraid to go outside. They watched the news and saw that it was happening everywhere and planned to wait for rescuers to come. Her second son even camped near the gate to have a closer look outside and wait for the rescuers. But they saw Duke and people they had never seen before come, her second son saw them come from the outside, and they thought that everything had stabilized outside.

But now they are telling her that it is still chaotic outside and is hard to survive, so why is she going out there again? She felt panicky.

"If it is as you say outside, then why are you leaving? This place is safer than outside." Melody interjected. "Or you just don't want us to follow you?"

Kisha, who has finally calmed down, coldly said. "Miss Evans, you can think anything you like. You are always free to go outside to venture on your own and see for yourself what the world has become."

"You!" She choked up from anger.

"Child, it is so dangerous outside. Why don't you stay?" Emma looks at her, concern and heartache visible in her beautiful orbs.

"We have our own plans." Kisha said, avoiding eye contact. She felt a prickling feeling when she saw heartache in her eyes.

"Then let us follow you." Melody insisted.

"You can follow us, but just like what I said. It is risky outside if you encounter any life-threatening danger. We will not stop to assist you in any way. You're on your own."

Exasperated, Melody retorted. "Why are you so heartless?! Don't you care about human life?"

Kisha took a quick glance at her and answered indifferently. "Caring about human life is different from ensuring my family's safety. I can barely keep my family safe and you want to add another burden on me? You can dream on."

Duke only chuckled as if he heard a funny joke.

Melody flushed red, fuming because of Kisha's answer. "You don't have to make it sound so noble, in the end, you still don't care."

"It came directly from your mouth, I don't care. So what? What can you do to me?" Kisha taunted.

Emma pulled her daughter to stop her mouth from running. "Will-will it really be alright if we follow you?" Her worried voice made Kisha's brows unconsciously crease.

"Like what I said, we don't care if you follow at your own risk. That is, if you can follow." 

Melody was so angry with her answer that she wanted to slap Kisha on both cheeks. But she doesn't understand why her mother is allowing such a disrespectful woman off the hook. She is the noble Mrs. Evans, gentle and kind but will not suffer any injustice.

"Then, child will you give us little time to discuss it with everyone?"

Kisha, not forgetting what's important, asked. "Then what can we gain by letting you follow us?" 

"You're not even protecting us! How dare you ask for payment?"

"Then you can go out on your own and navigate the road and see if you can survive for half an hour."

"Don't exaggerate things, you just want to extort us of money."

"What's the use of money now?"

"Then what do you want if not money?" Melody snorted.

Kisha's cold voice has a hint of cheerful and playful tone in it as she said. "I just want to tour your villa once everyone's packed up and is sitting in their car." 

Duke's brows raised and looked at her and understood what she wanted.

"Alright." Emma agreed before Melody could continue her tirade.

"Good, we'll give you half an hour to discuss amongst yourselves and pack up your important things. After I had my tour, we'll leave right away."

"But before that, child, can you tell me how old are you this year?" Emma looked pleading and pitiful as she met Kisha's eyes.

Kisha was choked by the lump of saliva on her throat and made a great effort to answer. "Twenty-two."