Chapter 16 The Beauty and the Handsome

Lyla Lowe bought her daily groceries and a few of her darling’s favourite snacks on the lower floor before she ascended. When it came to her darlings, Lyla was never one to be stingy. She always provided the best for her children. It was almost six when she returned home. When she came through the door, she saw her two children playing with their uncle Lyle Lowe. Surprised and happy, she turned to her elder brother and said, “Lyle, you could at least inform me before you came.” “It was a surprise with all of you!” Lyle said, smiling. “Additionally, I really wanted to see you! I wanted to see my cute little niece and nephew!” At that instant, Gretel, like a sudden squall, flew in from somewhere and into her uncle’s embrace. “Uncle Lyle! We missed you so much!” Hansel was merely standing and staring at the entire scene, remaining absolutely silent. That kid was not one to simply express his emotions. But Lyla knew that her elder brother was one of Hansel’s favourite people. “O my princess! Please tell me! What thoust wish to consume for the night?” said Lyle Lowe as he held Grentel up in the air and made a spin. Gretel said, bashfully, “Can we have hotpot?” “Your wish is my command!” The four of them went ahead and got themselves a booth. Knowing that the kids loved hotpot, Lyle went ahead and ordered a variety of selections for the kids to enjoy. The four of them dunked and dipped their way with the hotpot, chatting and enjoying their time together. Gretel was busy stuffing her mouth with food as she turned to her brother, saying, “Hansel! This place serves a good hotpot too!” Hansel merely nodded. “It’s alright.” Hansel always lacked emotions and expressions; the edgy cool kid. Lyla Lowe looked at how Hansel was behaving, how he remained calm and composed at all times. As she stared at him, she got too engrossed. Unknowingly, the face of Mark Pattinson suddenly surfaced in her mind. Hansel noticed how his mother was not moving. He then popped the question, “What are you thinking about?” “Nothing! Enjoy the food while it’s hot,” Lyla said as she quickly lowered her gaze. Hansel did not care for it as he shook his head and resumed his focus in eating. Lyla was busy dipping and dunking pieces of food into the hotpot for her kids instead of actually eating. “Mummy? You should eat more. You’re getting too skinny!” said Gretel as her mouth was stuffed full. “I am trying to lose weight here,” Lyla whispered. “Mummy, I’m not trying to tell you off but beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! Really, you do not need to lose any more weight! You are already very beautiful!” said Gretel, pouting. “Uhm… Are you praising me?” said Lyla as she looked at her little princess. “Of course! Mummy and I are beautiful! Uncle and Hansel are handsome!” said Gretel with the utmost narcissistic tone. Lyla was speechless. What was she doing then? Was she praising Lyla or was she just gloating? “Mummy is such a hottie, there should be people lining up to chase after you! Don’t you think so, Hansel?” Gretel turned to Hansel and said. Her little mouth was one not to close! “One needs to be at a certain standard to match our mother!” said Hansel proudly. ‘What’s going on? Why are these two talking about that?’ Lyla turned to her brother. Her eyes screamed for his help. When he saw how Lyla looked at him, Lyle actually grew interested enough to continue watching the two exchange single line quibs. “Ahem, actually, this is a problem you ought to start thinking about,” said Lyle. Feeling something amiss, Lyla stared at her elder brother and said, “You’re messing with me, like my kids.” “I’m being serious here. Lyla, all these years, I know you have a hard time being with the kids,” said Lyle in a stern tone. Lyla remained quiet. ‘There! I’d say, you guys could at least be a little more quiet?’ When they returned home, Lyla showered first before she took to the bed. With her laptop at her side, she sat at the side of the bed and started to think. Finally, she opened a browser and Googled the words, “Mark Pattinson.”