Between sips, she teased Peter, “Just be careful. He might outsmart you one day.”
Peter radiated confidence.
“Sure, he’s a big shot outside, but at home, he’s still the boy we saw grow up. I can read him like a book.”
Lina, growing tired of the topic, sipped her tea in silence, thinking to herself about the complexities of relationships.
Downstairs, Edwin had finished smoking two cigarettes.
Peter, on his way to take the trash out, was surprised to find Edwin still there.
“Still here, Edwin?”
“I heard Laura’s leaving today and wanted to see her off,” Edwin replied, his voice even.
Peter joined Edwin outside, the two men sharing a smoke.
Peter, ever the conversationalist, mentioned, “Lina scolded me for drinking with you. But it seems you and Laura are making amends. Did you reconnect in Duefron? We’re like family and we should stick together, I always say.”
Edwin offered a small, knowing smile, which Peter took as affirmation.
As he stamped out his cigarette, Peter reminisced.
“You used to dislike her, remember? Ripped up her drawing. But Lina fixed it. Said it was a drawing of your mom in her wedding dress. And it was.”
At this, Edwin’s fingers quivered, a pang of remorse striking his heart.
A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y
Edwin vividly remembered that incident-his unjustified anger, his loss of control, and the hurt it caused Laura, who back then couldn’t even voice her feelings.
Overwhelmed, Edwin abruptly announced, “I need to head to the office.”
Peter, quick to respond, put out his cigarette.
“Of course! Don’t let us hold you up,” he said cheerfully.
Edwin opened his car door, got in, and drove away rapidly.
A few minutes into the drive, he realized he was unconsciously heading towards the airport.
The GPS voice was soothing, yet his heart was in turmoil.
He didn’t turn back, driving straight to the airport. At the terminal, Edwin saw Laura with Dylan.
Dylan was handling the luggage check-in while Laura, small and seemingly vulnerable, stayed by his side.
After getting the tickets, Dylan gently tapped Laura’s shoulder, guiding her towards security.