After lunch, the kids sprawled out on lounge chairs for a nap, and Nina's smartwatch buzzed with a call. Blinking her eyes open, she saw it was from her mom.
"Mom, are you back?" "Nina, find somewhere private to talk. | need to speak with you." "Okay." Nina stood up and jogged down to the beach.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSheryl's voice cthrough, "Where are you now?" "We're at Silver Surf Beach. Uncle Leopold and Uncle Arnold are here, and Dad brought along Ms. Jelena." "In an hour, I'll be at Silver Surf Beach. Sneak out to meet me, and don't tell a soul," Sheryl instructed.
"Not even Mira?" "Tell no one, especially not Mira. She's too clumsy and might spoil everything." "Okay." Nina obediently replied, missing her mother terribly.
An hour later, she received a text from her mom, directing her to the resort's entrance.
Nina excused herself to go to the restroom and slipped away.
Spotting Sheryl at the entrance, she dashed over, "Mom!" Sheryl hugged her, kissing her cheek, "Miss me?" "So much," Nina nodded earnestly.
Sheryl presented a box of chocolates, "I got these for you to share. Give the green ones to Aunt Aurelia, Ms. Jelena, and Kane. The red ones are for you and the rest." Nina flinched slightly, "Is there a difference between red and green?" "These are custom-made, dear. Green is for Kane and Aunt Aurelia's favorite flavors." Nina blinked, "Can | try a green one?" "No, you can't," Sheryl said quickly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Why not?" Nina looked puzzled. At nine, she was sharp and more aware than her peers.
"Because there are only three green ones. If you eat one, there won't be enough for those who like them." "But why order Ms. Jelena's favorite?" Nina had many questions, and Sheryl was growing impatient.
"Don't ask so much. Just do as | say. Don't you wantto cback?" "Of course, | do," Nina nodded vigorously.
"If you give them the green chocolates, | can cback," Sheryl said, placing the chocolates into Nina's pockets by color, "Remember, tell no one about this, and never let anyone find out where the chocolates cfrom, or you'll never seeagain." Nina held a strange glint, "Mom, you're not poisoning the chocolates, are you?" Mira had ended up in the hospital last time, eating poisoned cotton candy, and nearly losing her life. It hadn't occurred to Sheryl that her daughter would think of such a thing.
"Absurd! Why would | do that? | am the kindest person in the world." "That's good then, Mom. Just don't poison anyone. If you hurt Kane and Aunt Aurelia, Uncle Leopold will be furious." Sheryl twitched her mouth, "There's no poison, | promise. Just give them the chocolates." "Okay," Nina agreed, "So, Mom, now that you're back, can we go hand live with you?" "Not yet, wait a few more days," Sheryl caressed Nina's hair, "And remember, don't tell anyone about seeingtoday." "Not even Mira?" asked Nina.
"Not even her. She's a walking disaster."