My Little Shero

Richard, Troy and Natalie were shocked. "Babe, you mean the girl who put herself at risk just to get back your purse?"

Tessa shook her head, "Yes Richard, she is the one. I'm not mistaken, it's she. She is the girl from the grocery store."

Richard frown. He gaze at Nicole from head to toe with so much disbelief, "Babe, this is impossible. A child as feeble as she, run and fight against a thief for your purse? No, no, Richard you're a foolish one to believe such nonsense."

George and Vida were confused. A lot of questions pop in their mind but they couldn't find the best way to respond to the whole situation. They glance at Nicole for a little scoop, Nicole was so nervous and slow to react. Her attitude gave the best response.

Tessa felt embarrassed by Richard objection. She glare angrily at Richard, "Richard how can you say that, I'm not stupid or naive. I'm so certain that I've met this girl before and I am sure she is the one who got back my purse from the thief." As if it was not enough, Tessa glance at Nicole once again and keep persuading her, "Sweetie, look at me closely, have we met before?"

Natalie and Troy stare at Nicole feeling very curious and eager to know what going on. While George and Vida were still searching for the root of this.

Nicole started shivering. Her mind wander around many things, at this junction, she is placed on the point with no way out.

Vida stare directly at Nicole, "Honey, is there something you want to say?"

Vida gaze put one or things together in Nicole's head. She took a deep breath and gasped, "Ohh... Now I remember, you are the beautiful woman who almost lost her purse in the grocery store? Ahhh how can I forget you so soon!" Nicole said as scratch her head and acted like there was a lot going through her mind.

Tessa heave a sigh of relief, "Uhhh I told you, I knew it when I set my eyes on you in a first glance."

Richard eyes wide open in shock. He was astonished and speechless after giving Tessa the benefit of the doubt.

Natalie and Troy were stunned. The flashback of what happened today made Natalie grow butterfly in her belly, she utter softly in her heart, "Nicole is indeed awesome." A cute brim of smile curl out of nowhere on her lips.

Vida and George were full of surprises. Vida chuckles in a creepy manner as she take a brave step.

Vida rap her hands around Nicole and decided to play along with a beautiful smile planted on her lips, "Baby, was she the woman you were talking about the other day when you choose to prove to me that you're still familiar with some places in Philippines?"

"Uh yes Mum, she's the one. I can't believe we will meet again," Nicole answered confidently with a little pressure.

Tessa and Richard were impressed. Tessa grew closer to Nicole and held her hands, "I wasn't able to thank you that day because you were in a hurry but since you are here, I want to say, I am very grateful for what did that day, that was really brave of you."

Nicole cheek turn red, her face gleam, her dimples went deep as she smile. Her heart throbs, that was her real mother complimenting her for the first time in her life. It really meant a lot to Nicole.

Troy heart ponder very fast, he eyes were locked on hers. With what he just heard and the number of parts he met Nicole, he could tell one thing, Nicole is unique and this won't be their end. He could not tell why his body was reacting like this whenever he came across Nicole but one thing he knows for certain, Nicole is so beautiful to ignore.

Richard mind sprang through many patches. He was confused, it has been two days since when the incident took place, does that mean his daughter has been in town and George didn't tell him until yesterday.

Richard was lost in thought. He gaze at George, "George, does that mean your daughter has been around for a couple of days and you only get to tell me yesterday?"

George blink his eye, he place one hand in his pocket and groan softly. "Richard, don't get me wrong. My daughter arrived a week ago and only got to tell you these yesterday due to my schedule," he took a deep breath, "Since our kids attend the same school, so I decided to let you know about my daughter's return. Bro, no offense."

"And your daughter have a good Filipino accent. I don't see any foreign accent in her speech," Richard throw an statement to George.

George, Vida and Nicole heart were triggered as they gaze mysteriously at each other. George clear his throat and scoffed loudly, "C'mon man, it's only been three years since my daughter left Philippine and that the reason why she's more fluence with our language and notations than that of Australia's."

Nicole grins as she clear her throat, "Yes that's true. My Mum always says, always remember where you come from because that's your home."

Vida knit her brow and say to herself, "When did I ever say that?"

Nicole grab Vida's hands, "Right Mum?"

Vida pats her on the head, "Yes my princess."

Nicole was escalated as she blissful curl out a smile.

There were few awkward moment of silence, Richard look at George and pat his shoulder and say, "It's nothing big but next time as good buddy as we are, always let me know, we are like brothers you know."

George breathe a sign of relief and nod his head gently.

"Alright, let's go eat before the food get cold," Tessa said while pointing at the dining room.

Everyone settle down in the dinning table, they ate quietly and peacefully while they enjoy the ambience which the room brings.

Today unwavering event keep bothering Natalie and Troy until Natalie decides to let the cat out of the bag.

She clear her throat, "Uhm... Mum, dad, there's something I want to tell you." Natalie paused, she look at her brother who seems to have stop eating after a nice tickle from Natalie's voice.

She gaze at Nicole then took a deep breath and exhaled.

Before she could say a word, Richard interrupted her. "I knew something was up Natalie, today was nothing like you. What is it dear, did someone tried to play nasty game with you in school," Richard said in a hoarse voice.

Nicole became puzzle by Natalie's constant gaze. She drop her fork and stare at Natalie with no expression on her face.

Tessa stare at Natalie, "Natalie, is there a problem?"

All eyes were on Natalie. Natalie close her eyes and open them as she summon the courage to speak up. "After school, I decided to take a cab because of Mr Raymond late arrival. On my way to the bus stop," tears escape from her eyes, "Someone grab me from behind, I tried to scream and fight back but he was stronger than me. He got very angry..."

Tessa furrowed her brow, "Natalie, is there a problem?"

Richard frozed, he tried to keep his cool as he remain silent.

Natalie broke down in tears, she can no longer suppress it, her speech shaked as she speaks, "He....he..... slap me very hard on my face," she hold her left cheek as she started breathing heavily, "He....He.... try to rape me." She hesitated.

Richard freaked out, "What?! Natalie?! Why didn't you tell me this sooner! How could you keep such a thing from me.!" Richard burst out in anger.

Troy shoved his head down without saying anything.

Tessa held her mouth in shock, Vida and George were speechless and amused.

Nicole buried her head down in shame, knowing that it was her uncle who did such thing but when she thought about what Natalie's dad have done to her own family, she became less guilty. Besides, that was part of being even.

"Baby, did he hurt you or did he do anything against your will, huh tell me," Tessa asked, she whirl her hands everywhere around Natalie's face and body. Tessa eyes turned red.

Nicole eyes dazzle on Tessa's attitude and anxious concerns to her step sister while she get to sit and watch her Mum and sister plays a momentary emotions.

"No mummy, he didn't do anything other than slapping me." Natalie blunt out while wiping away the tears in her eyes. She glance at Nicole and curls out a smile, "It was a good thing Nicole was around the area as at that time. Nicole save my life," Natalie didn't hesitated in saying that.

The moment Natalie mentioned Nicole's name, Troy grins as he stare at Nicole uncontrollably.

At that moment, tears stop dropping down from her eyes. Nicole was startled, she was placed in the point as all eyes were on her.

Vida hold Nicole around her arm. George look at his cute innocent daughter eye with a little disbelief.

Vida and George were not surprise, Ivan already told them everything.

Seeing how Vida gaze at Nicole, Nicole thought of twisting the whole scene, she look at her mom's face, "Mom, believe me, I only did what I taught was right," she said being a little terrified.

"I know, I hope he didn't hurt?" Vida grab her hands looking so worried.

Tessa and Richard were amaze for the second time she save them. She is a hero indeed.

Nicole gulped. She thought Vida will be upset, but she was wrong. This was the first time someone asked her if she was okay in terms like this. Ivan was so focus on building her up that he didn't pay attention to her feelings.

Nicole cheek turn red, "No, Mum he didn't get a chance to hit me. I hit him twice in the back, he push me and ran away," she said in a low tune.

Vida hug her tight. Her heart aches bitterly, "My poor little baby, I've told severe times, stop doing things like this, what if something bad happen to you," Tears drop down from Vida's eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Mum," Nicole voice fainted slightly.

Everyone began looking at them, George was lost in the scene with the whole family. It was beginning to look very awkward, George rolled his eyes as he avoid staring at Richard and Tessa. George couldn't help but keep consoling Vida to ease the scenario.

Vida kiss Nicole on her forehead and say, "I'm not mad at you, MY LITTLE SHERO..."