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"11...12...13... here I come ready or not!!"

I playfully say. I remove my hands from my eyes and look around what's in front of me. For a second, it was quiet. It was too quiet for two toddlers. In the silence I heard a soft, muffled giggle.

I scrunch my eyebrows together as I look around the opening, this time quickly seeing light purple move behind the water fountain from the corner of my eye,

"Cupcake where are you? Is she behind the tree? Hmm..."

I say as I walk towards the tree in a slow manner, my hands behind my back. I look around the tree jokingly, a pout playing on my lips,

"Aw cupcake is isn't here, where could she be? And where's my handsome?"

Almost instantly, from my left, a masculine giggle rung through the air. I smirk as I follow the sound of the giggle, now standing in front of the bush. I could clearly see Jake as he wrapped his arms around his knees, trying to stay hidden.

Letting him hide a little longer, I reroute back to the water fountain. I sit down in a defeated position. My elbows placed on my knees. I let out a sigh as I pushed my head back, looking at the setting sky,

"Where could they both be?"

From the corner of my eye I see a purple figure tip-toe towards me. I suck my lips in as I tried to hide my smile. I waited in anticipation for her to come closer. Once she was at a safe distance, I spring out and hold onto her shoulders making her scream out loud;

"Handsome!"

She welps out, asking for help. Running out from the bush, Jake makes way towards us both as I pick her up and off the grass. Wendy wraps her arms around my neck as I spin on the spot, her laughter mixing with mine. Jake stands in front of us making me stop,

"Let cupcake go"

He spoke confidently,

"Why are you calling her cupcake? She's my cupcake"

I questioned. Jake only retaliated,

"No she's my cupcake"

I give him a look of disbelief,

"Handsome help me!"

Wendy interjects as she stretches out her arms. I look at her as I speak, giving her an equal look of disbelief,

"Why are you calling him handsome? He's my handsome"

"No he's not, he's my handsome"

Wendy spoke like she was on cloud nine. Out of the blue, she placed her hands on my neck and tickled me. If there was one thing that was my weakness, it would be attacking my neck. On instant, my grip loosens at her actions.

My eyes widen as my reflexes act fast, grabbing onto her before she made contact with the ground. I bend down to place her on the floor as I speak in a motherly tone,

"Right handsome, cupcake. I think it's time to go back inside, don't you think? We've been here out for long and the sun is setting. We don't want your mummy to be upset do we?"

Both toddlers shake their head as they moved to holding each other's hand. They both faced away from me and skipped their way back inside. I watch them both as they skipped their way back inside. I shook my head a little, my hair moving in sync, nevertheless I call out after them,

"Cupcake! Handsome! Wait for me!!"

I say with a small laughter as I heard them giggle once more. Just before I took a step inside, a thought ran though my mind; maybe these toddlers can be my quick escape from the heartache just maybe.

As I walk back inside the building, I took note that the guests were now gone. Staff were already packing away. I give them all a soft smile, thanking them for their efforts. I was a couple of steps away from the main hall until I heard a loud shatter.

Since there was a staff next to me, I face them with widened eyes. I don't think neither of us were expecting a crash. It was silent and then I felt chills run down my spine as I heard the broken, shaky voice of Wendy,

"Uncle Nono!"

"No!"

The voice boomed across the building. I followed the booming voice and took a step inside of the room. I come face to face with all the adults hold a look of shock as they stared at a man who wore a fitted, black suit stood in front of a table with his back towards me.

Wendy stood close by the man, her mouth trembling, the tears threatening to spill as Jake hid behind his mother's dress. Wendy whimpered a little making the man speak low and monotone without even looking at the small toddler,

"If you're going to cry, cry on the inside"

If someone dropped a needle in the room now, all eyes out be on that needle. The room fell silent as the ladies present gasped quietly, shocked by his words. The men all stared at the man in shock clearly taken back by his words.

I look at the back of the man before my eyes fall on Wendy, her body was shaking with fear a little. How the hell can you make a 3 year old fear you?! I could feel my angry rise slowly as he made no move to change or take back his words.

I look around the room taking in everyone as they didn't realise I was present in the room. At the end of the room, I see a vase that was once filled with flowers now smashed to small bits, the glass pieces scattered around the flowers.

"Son listen-"

"No! How else do you want me to phrase it?!"

The man beckoned loudly. He looked around before he placed his hands on the edge of the table, his expensive watch on display. Someone had to stop him but no one did, before I acknowledged what was happening; my voice filled the silent room,

"Hey!"

"Great just fucking gre-"

The man spoke, his hands no longer on the table as he began to turn. By now all eyes were on me and my presence only. He halted his sentence has he turned around fully. Even my breath hitched.

Emerald.

I met emerald eyes.

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