THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 39: I’m Not A Child Anymore

By the time Kathleen arrived home, Eleanor was waiting for her in the living room together with Cheryl and Ariel.

The moment she stepped through the door, her two legs were clasped in a tight embrace.

"Mummy, Mummy, you are finally back." Eleanor yelled, her rosey face looking up at Kathleen.

"Let me tell you something, I and Ms Carr baked a cake for you, do you want to try it?"

"Wow! That’s so sweet of you." Kathleen smiled, stooped down to Eleanor’s level and ruffled her curly hair. "I’m sure the cake specially made by Eleanor will be very delicious because it is made with lots of love and Mummy will love to eat it."

Eleanor looked at Kathleen in awe, "How do you know we made it with love mummy? Ms Carr also said the cake made with love will taste super yummy and that’s exactly how the cake tastes."

Kathleen lifted her up in her arms and walked to her favorite seat by the window. "I know it because Eleanor loves mummy, just as much as mummy loves her."

"Yes, mummy. I love you so much." Her radiant smile lit up her beautiful face with joy.

A throaty cough broke up the "mother and daughter" wonderful bonding time.

Kathleen glared at Cheryl. "Why are you still here? I thought you left after I went to the hospital."

"Can’t you see I’m still traumatized, I need to stay around people that care about me to get over the incident. Instead of paying attention to me, your eyes are only for your daughter."

Putting on an aggrieved expression, Cheryl complained. "It was clearly you that those guys were after but look at you, you are not even ruffled at all, whereas, I have to suffer all the aftermath of the horrible experience."

"If you are truly traumatized like you say, then get an appointment with a psychiatrist, so that you can start therapy immediately and stop being childish." Kathleen paid no further attention to her and faced Ariel.

"And you, why are you here? I don’t remember asking you to come over for anything."

"You have to forgive me, Boss, but I needed to come see for myself to be sure you are Ok. You know, I was really worried about you and couldn’t concentrate on anything after you told me about the attempt on your life."

Her warm caramel eyes squinted as she inspected Kathleen’s body for any signs of injury or bruises. When she found nothing, she was eventually satisfied that nothing happened and breathed a sigh of relief.

"God, why would you punish me with so many drama queens?" Kathleen looked heavenward and complained. "As if three was not enough, now I have to deal with an extra one added to the lot."

"I’m sure I’m not the one they are referring to as a drama queen." Cheryl said from where she was seated, making some queer head movements in Eleanor’s direction.

"If it is not you Ms Cheryl, who might mummy be referring to?" Eleanor asked innocently.

"I’m certain it can only be you."

"That’s not true Ms Cheryl." Eleanor objected with a pout on her lovely face. "I’ve heard Uncle Jason call you drama queen on several occasions."

"If I’m not mistaken, I have also lost count on how many times I’ve heard people call you drama queen also," Cheryl argued back.

Kathleen shook her head at the two people arguing shamelessly. One was understandably a child and the other was an adult that has refused to grow up. One would hardly believe she was the one that has never lost a lawsuit in the history of her career as a lawyer.

After considering it for some time, Eleanor had to admit that what Cheryl said was the truth. "But mummy said three people, who do you think is the third person?"

Three pairs of eyes turned at the same time to stare at Kathleen.

"What?"

"Don’t you think you have to speak up at this point? Who is the third person?" pressed Cheryl with an expectant look.

"So you finally admit you are a drama queen?"

"Technically, yes, but it is just to spice up your boring life, otherwise, I would be saddled with a grumpy sister-in-law for the rest of my life. And I would not have anyone to help out since I alone have been tasked with the huge responsibility of giving your brother’s life a meaning by rescuing him from the advanced bachelors’ market.

Kathleen was speechless.

Ariel’s eyes sparkled with interest. She has never seen this side of the renowned lawyer of Baltimore. She didn’t know she was this playful and lively to be with, outside a courtroom.

"Ms Cheryl, you are so funny," she confessed.

"You think so? Just for the records, I’m very difficult to get along with," she emphasized sternly. But I’m only like this when I’m with the people that care about me."

"Dream on, who cares about you?" Kathleen sneered.

"You are breaking my heart, what will I do with the pieces?"

"Don’t cry Ms Cheryl, I care about you a lot." Eleanor, who has been fooled by her, was quick to offer her condolences. Even Uncle Jason does."

"Thank you my love," Cheryl said in between sobs and wiped off an imaginary tear. "I will never forget this day in my entire life."

Kathleen and Ariel: "...."

Just then Elvis came downstairs and saw Kathleen. His eyes lit up as he rushed over.

"Mom, you came back early. Are you done with your work?"

"Be careful," Kathleen warned, her anxiety evident in her voice.

"I’m not a child anymore, mom."

"Is that so, I take it that you are now a man." Kathleen teased.

"Although I don’t see myself as a man yet, I’m still older than Eleanor who is still a child."

Kathleen didn’t know what to make of his analysis. "You are twins, born on the same day, so that makes you age mates."

"But I’m still a few minutes older than Eleanor," he stated conclusively.