Everything in Christopher’s home looked new. It was clear that he had


    moved in not too long ago.


    The vi’s interior was decorated in minimalistic colors of ck,


    white, and gray. Be could tell right away that the furniture and appliances were top-of-the-line brands


    that exuded a subtle luxury.


    Be shuddered a little when she walked into the house.


    The reason was not because of the heating. The empty space, paired with the monotonous colors,


    gave off a sense of oppression and chill.


    “Do you feel cold, Be?”


    Christopher took out a pair of white slippers from the shoe cab and got down on one knee to ce


    them by Be’s feet. “Put them on. I’ll turn up the heating.”


    As hershes fluttered, Be slipped her dainty feet into


    slippers.


    The fluffy slippers werefortable.


    They were new, and the size seemed to fit her just right, as if they


    were made for her.


    m


    “You’re back, Mr. Iverson.” Zelda, a housekeeper to Christopher and his mother, Sophie, approached to


    wee them.


    “Be, this is Zelda.”


    Christopher introduced them with a smile, “Zelda, this is-”


    “I know! She’s Ms. Thompson, the one you always talk about! Hello


    there, Ms. Thompson.”


    Zelda checked Be out with enthusiasm. “You’re so beautiful, Ms. Thompson. Oh, my goodness.


    You’re prettier than the winner of Miss


    Sentania.”


    Be blushed and smiled with embarrassment. “Thank you for the


    “Come in. Come in! It must be cold outside. Mr. Iverson, your mother


    has been waiting for you.”


    Zelda led them to the living room, turning back to check on them from time to time. With each nce,


    she found them a perfect match for


    each other.


    Be felt anxious.


    She could barely remember what Sophie looked like.


    Be often visited the Iversons’ residence in her younger days, and Lance was usually the one to greet


    her. Sophie rarely made an appearance. She had encountered Sophie maybe once or twice, but she


    remembered the woman to be kind and gentle.


    “Mom!”


    Hearing Christopher’s greeting, the middle-aged woman in a wheelchair with a beige nket over her


    Feeling a catch in her throat, Be felt upset.


    Sophie was around M’s age, but she was silver-haired and a


    shadow of her former beauty.


    “Son, you’re back.”


    Sophie smiled. Although she aged significantly, her smile was


    beautiful as always. It was clear that she was a stunner back in the


    day.


    Christopher went up and gave her a hug. “Mom, Ms. Thompson is


    here to see you.”


    “Ah… Be? Is it Be?”


    Sophie was perky, like a child, her eyes reflecting her tenderness for


    Be. “Zelda! Zelda!”


    “I’m here, Mrs. Iverson,” Zelda responded.


    “Hurry up and get Be some juice and candy.”


    “Alright.”


    Zelda grabbed a handful of candy from the coffee table and presented it to Be. “Here you go, Ms.


    Thompson.”


    Though surprised, Be took the candy.


    It never urred to her that Sophie had such a different approach to


    hosting guests.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    “Chris, you must bring your friends to the house. Don’t worry about disrupting my rest. I don’t want you


    to be alone and have no one to


    y with.” Sophie looked worriedly at her son.


    Be looked at Christopher in shock,


    “Don’t worry, Mom. I don’t feel lonely with Be by my side.”


    As sadness fleeted across his eyes, Christopher patted Sophie’s back. “Even if all the kids won’t y


    with me, Be won’t ignore me.”


    “Alright. Be, you must visit us often.” Sophie looked at Be as if she were still the little girl from 15


    years ago.


    “Thank you, Mrs. Iverson.”