THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS

"I will be better as soon as you bring the children to see me like you promised. I can’t wait to watch them run around the house. It would give me great joy."

Kathleen listened patiently to Mrs Holmes’ Voice which had suddenly turned weak and lonely.

With her resuming back to work at Wyatt Corporations, her workload had also increased in addition to her private consultations with patients.

So it wasn’t strange for her to have forgotten the promise she made to Mrs Holmes, Lauren’s mother, to bring the children to see her.

If not for the children mentioning it a few minutes back and Mrs Holmes’ reminder, she wouldn’t know she owed such a debt.

"Aunt, I’m sorry for not bringing them since. I’ve been very busy. I will find time to come with them to the house when my workload reduces."

From what Lauren told her about Kathleen’s busy schedule, Mrs Holmes was not comfortable with Kathleen’s diplomatic answer. Who knows exactly when her workload will reduce? Maybe she would have joined her ancestors by then.

"Please make it sooner. Each time I remember how cute they were when I last saw them I can’t help but long for them all day." Mrs Holmes rattled on and on, making it more difficult for Kathleen to find any reason to fail in fulfilling her promise.

"I will bring them to see you like I promised. How is Uncle?" Kathleen cleverly changed the topic.

Mrs Holmes sighed deeply. "He is just there. All he thinks about is his businesses. Maybe when you come around you will help me advise him to slow down. He is not getting any younger."

"Mom, are you done complaining about everyone? I need my phone back," Kathleen heard Lauren say.

"I haven’t even mentioned your case and you are already provoking me. You had better keep quiet when I’m talking with someone that is still reasonably enough to do the right thing. Look at your friend, She already has two adorable children and you can’t even boast of a boyfriend."

"Mom!"

"Don’t "mom" me," Mrs Holmes snapped.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone and Kathleen’s heart went out to her friend.

With a finger over her mouth, she gestured at the two children who were about to burst out in laughter to keep quiet, however a giggle still found its way out of Eleanor’s mouth.

"Kathy dear, are you still there?" Kathleen heard Mrs Holmes call out, a few minutes later.

"Yes Aunt, I will talk to Uncle when I come around and please, take it easy with Lauren. I am already working on getting her a nice and charming gentleman. I’m sure you will love him when you see him."

"I don’t need to like him. It is enough for me if he can move Lauren’s stony heart," Mrs Holmes pleaded.

"Be rest assured aunt, everything will be alright," Kathleen said in a reassuring tone.

"I will listen to you dear. Don’t forget what you have promised me," she said before finally passing the phone to Lauren.

"What evil are you busy plotting against me with my mother?" Lauren asked the moment she got hold of her phone.

"Go and sit down. Who has time to plot against you? You had better start thinking of what to wear to your first date and stop whining," Kathleen teased.

Lauren was speechless at her friend’s betrayal. "Are you really the one saying this to me? Don’t worry I will soon retaliate."

Kathleen had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she teased further. "I’m waiting for you. Where do you think we can go for your first date, so that I can start making the arrangements."

"You are truly impossible, I’m done with you."

Kathleen burst into laughter as she saw the "call ended" notification on her phone screen.

The children joined in the laughter. "Mom, you have scared her away again."

"Yes mommy, you are always doing that, how will she go on the date now?" Eleanor complained.

Kathleen thought the children had given up on their idea about matching that man with Lauren. "Are you serious about what you said earlier?"

"Yes mom, we thought you had also agreed." Eleanor gaze held so much expectation that Kathleen felt bad crushing it.

Kathleen sighed, "I was only joking with Lauren.

Seeing the crestfallen look on Eleanor’s face, Kathleen quickly added,

"You don’t expect me to introduce her to someone I hardly know. She is my best friend and I also want the best for her."

"But mom," began Eleanor.

"There is no "but" in this one. I’ve told you not to concern yourself with adult matters," Kathleen said dismissively.

"Now tell me what else you would be doing apart from welcoming the guests during the school sports event."

Of course, Eleanor, who has been stopped from expressing herself, was not happy. "I’ve already told you what I will be doing mummy. Why are you asking me again?"

"Is that so? You’ve told me before?"

Elvis shook his head at his mother. She was clearly pretending not to remember just because she wanted to change the topic.

Well, if she wasn’t cooperating, they would have to use another strategy, afterall, there were so many ways to catch a fish.

"Eleanor, let’s go. There’s something I need to show you upstairs," he took his sister’s hand and led her to their room.

Kathleen was amused by their behavior. "I wonder what they are up to," she muttered to herself. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

She never believed them when they said it was for Lauren’s welfare that they wanted her to hang out.

Although she had no idea of what they might be up to, there was no need to be in a hurry anyway, she will find out soon, after all, they were just kids.

For the rest of the week, contrary to Kathleen’s expectations, nothing unusual happened. The children went about their business as if the conversation they had with her never took place.