New Life : A Second Chance - The Plushies

Kyle’s eyes brightened.     

The company that he had gotten to do the plushie had done a wonderful job. They had even accommodated the rush job when he cited that the reason was for a grieving child.     

Well, children actually since he got one for Joseph as well.      

This was because he didn’t want Joseph to be left out. He, too, had one soft toy that he was particularly attached to, though he never admitted it.      

“A husky and a green teddy bear,” mused Sayuri when she studied the plushies.     

“Yeah,” Kyle said, his face having a gentle expression as he looked at the two plushies.     

The store clerk was absolutely mesmerized. That deathly handsome ice-cold face became even more captivating.     

Sayuri, seeing this, gave a sweet smile and leaned back against Kyle, rubbing herself on him even more. She turned her head up to face him, giving him a peck on the lips and said, “The kids would really love this, right?”     

Kids? KIDS?!     

The salesperson’s mind exploded. The young couple in front of them already had kids? Taking into account their youthfulness and the plushies, the salesperson deduced that they must be newly married with twin babies.     

She sighed and placed her phone number she had written behind sales ticket into her pocket. Sayuri saw this from the corner of her eye and smiled wider.     

“You really are too popular,” Sayuri whispered to Kyle as she turned back towards the counter.     

Kyle looked puzzled, then dismissed that statement, thinking that Sayuri was exaggerating. Sure, the salesperson gave him the googly eyes, but that was normal.      

Sayuri just shook her head, thinking that this dense man needed a sledgehammer smashed against his head before he would realise anything related to him.      

How could such a skilled ninja be so dense when it came to this?     

For good measure, Sayuri gave the girl a territorial look that said, ‘He’s mine, back off’ while taking the boxes.     

Kyle stepped aside and took the boxes from her hands, then thanked the salesperson before heading out.      

The salesperson watched them go with a deeper sigh, especially when she saw how the girl partner had shamelessly grabbed the guy’s delicious behind when they walked out.     

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Kay sat silently next to Joseph, who was busy playing a mobile game on the phone. After he finished a match, she asked, “What game is that?”     

Joseph mumbled the name of a shooting game.     

“Can I play with you?” Kay asked.     

“Have you played before?” Joseph asked curiously.     

“No, but you can teach me, right?”      

Joseph shrugged and Kay smiled a bit.      

Joseph pretended to be all tough and that, but he had this really big heart inside.     

He was being strong for his sister and did not do things that he thought would be troublesome but Kay could see the intense sadness in his eyes when he thought no one was looking.     

Kay knew that Joseph was bottling his feelings a lot and Dr. Marveen warned that if he doesn’t face what had happened, it may just erupt one day.     

This was why Kay was taking extra care of him.      

She was careful not to be ‘in his face’ that he would push her away but rather, she would be around him constantly so that he could feel her presence all the time. She didn’t push, nor pry but she was prepared when he decided to open up.     

If he ever did.     

She hoped he would, but for now, he was keeping his mouth shut.     

Even Kyle couldn’t quite get through, despite the times they spent working out together. Kay supposed the physical activity helped him release some of the pent-up stress, but she still felt he needed to talk it out.     

Joseph patiently explained the rules of the game, and ‘carried her’ for the first game. Kay caught on to the controls quickly and after that one trial game, could match Joseph well.     

“Are you sure this is your first time playing?” Joseph asked Kay suspiciously as she made another kill.     

“Yeah, this is fun!” Kay said, her face glowing while she was caught up in the game.     

Joseph stared at her profile, his expression unreadable before he continued playing.     

The scene that Kyle and Sayuri came into were Kay and Joseph shouting profanities at the mobile game, cursing inept teammates and failed shots.     

Upon hearing them come in, Kay quickly put down her phone and smiled sheepishly.     

“You did not hear that,” she said with an innocent face.     

“I’ll get Lianne,” Sayuri said softly, smiling while heading to Lianne’s bedroom.      

Knocking on the door softly, she waited until Lianne opened the door.     

She poked her head out, a small smile on her face, “Yes, Kak Sayu?”      

“Come on,” Sayuri said, gesturing her to come out, “Kyle has something for you.”     

Lianne nodded and came out, slowly closing the door behind her.     

Upon reaching the living room, she sat down and waited.     

Lianne studied Abang Kyle that was, surprisingly, standing there a bit nervously as he held on to two boxes. It was beautifully wrapped in festive wrapping paper.     

She watched as Abang Kyle gave her the box that was wrapped in aquamarine wrapping paper and the royal blue one was given to Joseph.     

She gripped the box, her heart feeling something indescribable.     

It was little things like this that would trigger her.     

Why … just why did the things Abang Kyle do, just remind her so much of her mother?     

How could he have possibly known that this was her favourite colour? Why were the clothes in her room in a style that she liked? Why did he say things that were so familiar?     

She opened the box, pulling out the husky plushie.     

“Ren?” she gasped, then at Kyle and whispered, “Mama?”