Chapter 34: Like This Place

Chapter 34: Like This Place

When Lucy woke up, the sound of vehicles honking and moving, people’s laughter and chatters, and a soft music from a distance were the first things that greeted her.

She stretched on the bed, then got down and walked up to the window to look outside.

The whole area was bustling unlike the usually silent residential area she lived. People went back and forth, mostly dressed in workers uniform. And children were getting into the huge school bus which had pulled over at the street side.

She breathed out a sigh as she took in the scenery from above. Similar tall apartment buildings occupied the area, most windows were already opened and a lady stuck her head out of one of the windows and waved down with a huge smile at a little girl who backed a huge back pack and heading to the bus.

The girl looked up and waved back before getting inside the bus which immediately took off. Lucy’s attention turned back to the mother, amused by their interaction. And she couldn’t help but think back to her own mother. Was she alright?

Her head snapped back to the door which had opened and the sales lady came inside with a huge smile. “Looks like someone had a beautiful night,” she said humourously.

Lucy greeted her good morning and smiled. She wrapped her hands around the lady and gave her a tight hug. The woman stilled for a few seconds, seeming surprised, before hugging her back.

“Such a sweet young lady.” She chuckled.

Lucy inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, and her nerves relaxed. She really did smell like her mother.

“Thank you so much, Ma’am,” she mumbled in a soft voice.

The woman patted her back and released her from the hug.”You don’t have to thank me dear, I’m only doing my duty as a mother,” she said and gave Lucy a pitiful look while queezing her hands. “Now, freshen up and come down for breakfast.”

Lucy nodded and entered the bathroom as the woman walked out.

When she caught her reflection in the mirror, her eyes widened. The huge eyebags had made her eyes bigger. Her makeup was ruined by streaks left by dried tears. And her hair was a complete mess. She couldn’t recognize herself.

She bit her lips and stared at herself for a long time. Her face was everywhere in the news. And once she stepped foot into the heart of the city, there was a high probability that she might bump into someone. What if someone she knew saw her at the airport? Or even the reporters?

She gulped and pushed those thoughts away.

When she was done bathing, as she stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes landed on the new set of clothes prepared on the bed for her. It was a knee-length white dress embedded with simple flora designs.

She slipped it on and took a great deal of time struggling with her hair. She finally groaned and luckily found a rubber band and packed it into a ponytail.

After walking through a small hallway, she located the living room where the dinning table stood at a corner.

“I knew this dress would suit you.” The woman sized her up with both brows raised, and her eyes twinkling with delight. “Unfortunately, you aren’t a celebrity, otherwise, I’d instantly recognized you.”

Lucy laughed at her compliment, the heavy load on her chest lifting up. She joined her at the dinning table and started eating.

She would catch the woman staring at her now and then, but she didn’t mind, as her stomach grumbled continuously and the food tasted like heavens.

“You aren’t an heiress either,” the woman said suddenly with a small laugh. And Lucy stilled, wondering why she had made that conclusion.

“Because you don’t eat like one,” the woman added.

“Oh.” Lucy chuckled and dropped her spoon. Her parents had scolded her many times about manners and etiquettes, which included taking one spoonful a minute, which didn’t actually make sense to her. How could she wait untill she swallowed all the food in her mouth before taking another spoonful when she was starving? That was ridiculous.

“You’re right, Ma’am,” Lucy replied. “I’m not an heiress.”

She could see that the woman was trying to get information from her. Well, she wasn’t lying anyways. Her father had already severed ties with her, so she was no longer an heiress.

The woman gave a thoughtful node as if confirming the thought she had. Then she sighed and shook her head. “What a pity,” she murmured as Lucy continued with her food.

“No matter what have happened, if you still love each other go back home okay?”

Lucy was once again thrown into confusion. But she didn’t need to ask her to elaborate as her eyes followed the woman’s gaze which was settled on the ring on her hand.

“Young couples could be impulsive nowadays. Just don’t wander off alone in the night next time nomatter what he does. It seems like he’s the only family you have here.”

Lucy shook her head however, she quickly changed her mind. Besides, she was still wearing the engagement ring. There was no use saying otherwise.

She nodded and smiled at the woman then finished her food.

After they were done eating, she bid the woman goodbye, who offered her more advice and also reminded her to come back for the dress. Lucy thanked her and hugged her one last time before leaving the store.

The narrow street around the area was crowded as everyone went on with their activities.

Lucy’s eyes darted around and she suddenly felt like a fish out of water among those chatteimg and happy looking people. She had an instinct of hiding her face, but no one appeared to know nor recognize her in this area. But what about the main city?

First things first, she had to do something about her appearance. But without money—

Lucy’s eyes suddenly caught another store ahead. Outside the shop was various banners of gadgets and accessories. Now, she didn’t have to go far. A sigh of relief excaped her lips. She was actually beginning to like this place.