CHAPTER 71: DAY OUT (2)

Shelby watched on as Suzie hurried past her when they got closer to the South Wing, balancing the tray of snacks expertly on her hand and opening the door of the kid’s room. Suzie stepped aside and held the door open for her.

Shelby sent a smile of thanks her way and stepped in. There were a few discarded clothes here and there, as well as some toys scattered on the ground. Other than these, the place was relatively clean. Her roaming eyes finally landed on the two kids on the ground. Gabriel’s back was to the door, so her eyes met that of Ingrid first.

The girl lowered her eyes immediately, even before they made contact with hers.

Shelby sighed.

’We must do something about this child. She is too painfully shy.’

Ingrid looked like she wanted to disappear in her large sweater and tried to shrink back into it like a tortoise.

Her behaviour told Gabriel that they had company, so he also turned to the door.

"Mama Shelby! You came!" He shouted and pitter-pattered his little feet in a run towards her. Shelby went down on one knee just in time to receive his hug.

"You didn’t leave me..."

Shelby rubbed his back affectionately and replied, "Why do you think that I would leave?"

"I-, I- d-idn’t see you an-"

"Shhhh!"

She sat down on her hind legs and took a good look at the boy, who was now in tears. The distress on his face was too disheartening.

’He’s really just a baby. A child who only longs for more affection.’ Shelby thought as she pushed his slightly long hair out of his face.

’... and he needs a haircut!’

"Gabriel, I am very sad today..."

Gabriel leaned more into Shelby’s embrace and asked, "Why are you sad, Mama Shelby?"

"Because Gabriel does not believe in me..."

"I-"

"It’s okay, I understand, Gabriel. But I want you to trust my words, okay? I will not leave you. I promised, remember? I will make another promise now: I will tell you if I have to go somewhere far, okay?"

He nodded and threw his arms around her neck, "I’m sorry, Mama Shelby."

"It’s okay, Gabriel..." She patted his back, only to raise her head and see Suzie sniffling on the side. She shook her head and gently pried Gabriel’s hand away from her.

"Mama Shelby, where is he?" Gabriel asked excitedly after he had received his acknowledgement that his mama was there to stay. His eyes sparkled with a childish eagerness that made Shelby rack her brains.

’Was he talking about Murray? But we had agreed not to talk about him in front of others. Or did I miss something?’ Gabriel’s next words had her gaping, though.

"My brother!"

"What brother? Gabriel?"

"Suzie said that you will bring me my brother soon. Is it now? Did you bring him?"

Shelby glared at Suzie over Gabriel’s head, finally understanding his words. She schooled her features, trying to calm her haywire heartbeat from the thought of a child between her and Ian... or rather, the process of making that child. She also wondered how many people in the estate knew of her semi-escapade with Ian in his room that morning.

"Don’t worry about this now. I am here to play with you. Do you want me to go a-"

"No! no! Please stay"

"Hahaha, of course! Show me what you have been doing all day..." She got up on her feet and held his hand.

From the time the duo entered the room, Ingrid was trying to figure out if she could disappear and get the earth to swallow her up. She shrunk back a little and then got startled back to reality when Shelby called out to her.

"Ingrid, how are you?"

This direct address made her somewhat happy but, at the same time, too self-conscious.

Over the few times Shelby had visited them, Ingrid went out of her way to avoid them. It was easier to do so when Samantha was with her as she could have used Samantha as her shield, but not on this day.

’Why is she talking to me? Does she want to ask why Gabriel was sad? What should I do?’

With each thought that occurred to Ingrid, she further lowered her head. Her hair fell like a curtain covering her face as she twisted her hands nervously.

"I can see that you are doing well. I am glad. I brought you some snacks..."

"Yay!" Gabriel jumped up and down, still holding onto his mama, but they got no response from Ingrid.

"Suzie, please place the snacks here for them. But I think you should send the cream puffs back. Ingrid does not look to be in the mood for anything today..."

Shelby peeked from the corner of her eyes as she saw Ingrid straighten up. Over the few weeks spent trying to get closer to the kids, she had noticed some of their likes and dislikes, and for Ingrid, she loved any form of pastry, but the best for her was Cream Puffs. Shelby had accidentally stumbled on that information and decided to use it.

She walked up to Gabriel’s’ bed and sat on it, pulling him up with her.

Suzie placed the tray down and sat cross-legged on the floor, looking at the harmony between the mother and son.

’Miss Shelby is good with children. When her child comes, he will be very happy!’ Her gaze settled on Shelby’s flat stomach as her thoughts veered off totally into the dreamland of the unborn child.

"Have you eaten, Gabriel?"

The little boy shook his head, and Shelby frowned. She had seen a lot relating to the children in the home. Casual dismissive attitude of the workers as if the children did not exist among others. It seemed unfathomable to her no matter what, but she could only do as much as she could to help them.

"Well, help yourself,"

Gabriel nodded vigorously and picked a small cupcake smearing himself with it but managing to shove the whole thing in his mouth.

He grinned widely at Shelby as if to say, ’Look! I did it!’

Shelby used a paper napkin to clean his mouth and offered him a small strawberry milk drink, his favourite.

Shelby turned her head slightly, noticing Ingrid inching towards them. She pretended as if she had not seen her, but when Ingrid managed to get close enough, she picked up a delicate cream puff and handed it to her without looking at the little girl.

Ingrid only hesitated a bit before she grabbed it and nibbled. Shelby kept her focus on Gabriel and added a box of strawberry milk to Ingrid’s. She watched on as the girl munched on happily.

"Suzie, can you go check on their dinner for me, please?"

"But where is Samantha? Why don’t I see her?"

She noticed that the relaxed Ingrid tensed up yet once again, and she wondered what that was about.

"Mama Shelby, Sam also left me today. Ingrid said that she would come back soon but she never did!"

Ingrid mentally slapped herself. Gabriel was a blabber mouth who kept nothing from his new mother. He idolized Shelby to the point where he freely shared everything. Ingrid started panicking, knowing that the next questions were coming to her.

However, Shelby looked over at the bundle on Samantha’s bed and deduced what may have happened. She decided not to ask Ingrid anything.

Turning to Gabriel, she said, "I’m sure that she’ll be back soon. I came to you, didn’t I? So trust your sister, okay?"

Gabriel nodded this time as his mouth was filled with another mouthful of cake.

Ingrid visibly relaxed and looked at Shelby. A little of her vigilance remained, but she was thankful Shelby had not asked her anything!

Shelby, who pretended as if she was uninterested in Ingrid’s reaction, smiled subtly.

"Let’s play a game of Scrabble!"

"I don’t know that game." Gabriel’s enthusiasm deflated just as rapidly as it had shot up.

"It’s alright, I’ll teach you." Then, turning to look down at Ingrid, she asked,

"Would you like to play?"

Ingrid nodded and shifted a bit there. Scrabble was also one of the games she liked. Very soon, she was so engrossed in the game that she relaxed her vigilance around Shelby. Shelby also played along and did not do anything to make the little girl self-conscious again.

A little later, Suzie brought over three bowls of noodles for them. While Shelby fed him, she said,

"I won’t be able to accompany you tomorrow...."

"Why Mama Shelby?"

"I’ll go out for a bit, but I won’t be long..."

"You’re going out?! Can I come with you?" His little eyes opened wide with expectancy.

Shelby did not have the heart to turn him down. She thought long and hard about it and then,

"Only if you behave like a gentleman!"

"I will! I promise!" he held out his pinky. Shelby laughed and hooked hers around his little one.

"Would you like to come along too Ingrid?"

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