Chapter 17 :                                                                                               

Speak of the Devil my oh my ~Niki

Elle puts her best poker face on as she stands near the entrance door to her elementary school. She subtly scrutinizes the surroundings with her bleary eyes. Throngs of kids her age prancing around with that familiar blue uniform, showing off whomever has the most expensive bag or who got the new trendy shoes or even which part of the world did their family went for a vacation to.

The 10 year old shook her head. It takes no genius to think that how much a buffoon these little brats are. She is secretly thankful that she wasn’t born in a family where money is above everything.

As she was lost in her own thought, Elle can feel that someone was staring at her. She quickly turns her gaze and was welcomed by a sight of chunky looking kid glancing at her.

Ah, it’s the Japanese transfer kid from her dance lesson, the one kid who keeps on messing up the routine and holds back everyone in the classroom from jumping to the next lesson. Jesus, why can’t she see that she can’t dance?

“What do you want Hirai?” Elle asks

The sternness in her voice didn’t falter the Japanese kid from grinning from ear to ear, basically bouncing to greet her, “Hello Elle! I was wondering if you could be my partner…”

“No” Elle simply utters, looking at her watch, hoping that her ride would come.

“But, but nobody wants to partner up with me…” the sodden looking girl sighs

“Gee I wonder why’s that” Elle mutters under her breathe.

“They said I m a bad dancer…” Elle made a mistake by looking at the Japanese girl. The latter had her head down, wiping what it seem to be tears. She wasn’t sure whether the Japanese is faking it or just overly sensitive.

 “But… but… I promise you, I’ll get better. I’ll work hard. I won’t let you down” she added

Elle internally groans. She taps her foot impatiently, praying hard that she wouldn’t give in to the gap tooth chunky kid.

“OKAY FINE!! GEEZ”

The Japanese girl squeals. She engulf Elle in a tight bear hug, happy that she finally managed to get a partner for her dance class…and secretly hoping that the cat eyed girl would be nice enough to be her friend.

“Hands off Hirai” Elle struggles to peel of the chunky kid off of her. She glares at the poor soul who still managed to smile even after Elle forcefully pushes her aside.  

“Momo”

“What?”

“Call me Momo, that’s my name” Momo musters a big smile. Elle couldn’t help but scowl at the too-cheery-persona kid. Urgh to sunshiny

“No, I’m going to call you Hirai” Elle says with such definiteness in her voice causes Momo to squirm. It’s true what people said that Elle is such a scary kid, but she’s too happy to even care.

“Okay” Momo stands next to the latter “Are your mom picking you up? My dad said that he’ll be running late though…”

There’s a slight blush appears on the 10-year-old face. Mom. She smiles to herself thinking about one particular woman in her life.

“Elleeee” Sudden voice broke her from her little bubble.

Elle waves happily to an older woman who steps out from a sleek black car.  

“Wow… your mom is so pretty” Momo eyes widen in surprise,

“She looks like a model. Is your mom a model?” Momo says, clearly is in trance. Elle’s mom is by definition of the prettiest Moms around. Mama is still pretty but Elle’s Mom is on top of her list.

 “Is your mom an angel?” Momo gasps, she hides behind the pillar, sneaking a glance at the older woman. Elle kinks an eyebrow, choosing to ignore her ridiculous remarks and she didn’t even bother to explain.

New comer, Wendy gives a bright smile and wave at the chunky kid. Momo squeals and shyly wave at the older woman back.

“Your friend?” Wendy asks

Elle shrugs “not really”

Wendy chuckles, she took the black lunch box from the little girl, ushering the both of them back to her car. Not before, Wendy turns to bids the strange kid goodbye “Bye Elle’s friend”

“Your mom couldn’t pick you up. She has extra lectures, but we’ll see her for dinner at Grandpa’s house”

Elle nodded slowly. Wendy couldn’t help but notice the latter’s demeanour “What’s wrong?” She looks somehow troubled.

“Does she have her ziplock bag today?”

Wendy couldn’t help but coos at the girl “Don’t worry, I packed your mom extra food today, that includes her favourite fruits “Wendy pats Elle’s head lovingly “You’re so sweet I can’t even”

**

When they reached the familiar Mansion, Elle notices a familiar figure standing in front of Mr. Kim. Her mood turns sour in an instant.

“Uhh, look, your ‘dad’ is here” Wendy teases the younger girl, knowing for a fact that the latter isn’t fond of hearing it. Wendy restrains herself from laughing when she heard the not so subtly grunts coming from the younger girl.  

“Ah, there’s my favourite bubbly strawberry shortcake” Jackson greets her when she steps out from Wendy’s car.

Elle’s eyes twitches. There’s soo much greasiness in that simple sentence alone. This is probably one of the many reasons why Aunt Chayeoung dislikes the man in front of her.

“My favourite daughter-in-law and my precious grandchild are here” Mr. Kim utters, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’m the only daughter-in-law you have Mr. Kim” Wendy smiles, giving the older Kim a tight hug

“Wendy-ah, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that, you’re hurting my feeling” Mr Kim chuckles “Beside, you’re go