Chapter 32: The mother daughter moment
Don't you ever run out like that again, You made mummy scared." Chelsea's mother cried out with her daughter in her arms, her eyes brimming with tears.
Chelsea nodded at her mother. She was so frightened when she lost track of her mummy in the mall that she broke into tears. She was scared her mummy had abandoned her because she was acting spoiled in the mall.
Her mummy explained to her that there was no spare money to get a new toy, but she kept whining for one after they walked past a toy store, and she spotted a new doll that was trending. Almost every girl in her class had one.
Her mummy got pissed by her spoiled behaviour and reprimanded, but she got angry and ran off when her mum was not watching because her mum was busy on an important phone call. Chelsea felt her mum didn't love her because she refused to get her the doll she wanted and also reprimanded her for her behavior. After running for a while, she realized her mother hadn't chased after her and was lost.
She could not find her mother in the large crowd, and she was tired of running around and just wanted to go home. She immediately broke into tears and started searching for her mother anxiously.
Vanessa's eyes felt soured as she watched the heartwarming reunion of the mother and daughter duo. She also missed her mother, it brought back memories of when she acted spoiled and her mother reprimanded her while her dad also indulged her.
"Okay, continue acting a good girl, Chelsea. Mummy would be very proud of you" She praised her daughter who was acting very obedient. " Yes I will be a good girl mummy, I will listen to you and stop acting spoilt" Chelsea promised her mother who laughed lightly at her daughter's vow. Chelsea was still a little girl, she was sure her daughter would break her promise eventually. She was just relieved currently she found Chelsea and she was safe.
"Mummy a nice lady helped me search you." Chelsea chimed at her mother. She was happy Vanessa successfully helped her find her mother. "Where is she, I must thank her for her kind act," She was astonished a passerby helped Chelsea, she was previously thought it was one of the guards who found Chelsea wandering around alone in the mall.
"The beautiful aunty with brown hair standing over there is the one" Chelsea pointed at Vanessa who was standing a few distance away from them. ".. While the Aunty with blonde hair standing next to her was the one who said if we come to this room filled with computers I will find you" Chelsea displayed her little teeth grinning at her mother while she pointed at Jemima that was standing next to Vanessa.
Chelsea's mum's eyes almost popped out in shock when she saw the two stunning women, she was so focused on her missing daughter that she found that she failed to realize the presence of the ladies. She held Chelsea's hand and immediately walked up to the ladies to express her appreciation.
"I am deeply grateful for your help. I appreciate the fact you went out of your way to help my daughter." She smiled brightly at her benefactors.
"It was nothing I felt obliged to her, a cute girl like Chelsea. It isn't safe for children to roam about, she could have gotten kidnapped" Vanessa replied Chelsea's mother while Jemima just nodded in acknowledgement.
"Yes, I am aware of that, I was petrified when I lost her. This city is very busy and missing children is not a rare occurrence. Please can I know the names of my benefactors so that I would be forever grateful to you" Chelsea's mother requested her benefactor's names, that was the least she could do?
" I am Lilac and my friend here is Jemima" Vanessa replied to the request. Jemima refused to say a word, so Vanessa decided to introduce themselves together.
Chelsea's mother observed the blonde lady who was dressed in expensive clothes had been silent throughout, but she decided to overlook it. The lady must be well-off, it was a miracle she even helped Chelsea.
Chelsea's mother searched her bag for some money she had on her. It wasn't much, but it was all she had. "Please can you accept this little token, it is all I have? I wish I had more to offer" she offered Vanessa and Jemima who rejected it immediately they didn't help because of a reward. They did it because they felt like it.
" There is no need for that, ma'am, we just wanted to help," Jemima spoke out for the first time. Chelsea's mother insisted, but they were adamant on rejecting it. There was no way they could take money from her for just a little favour. Her words of appreciation were enough.
Because of the official documentation, the security requested all the witnesses' statements and valid proof that Chelsea her mother and her mother were indeed related. After the official procedures were over, everyone was allowed to leave.
Chelsea hugged Vanessa and Jemima before they parted. " Thank you for helping me. I am glad I found you" Chelsea beamed a smile at them before she left with her mother.
"I am sorry for the inconvenience Jemima, so what are we doing today," Vanessa apologized to her client. After the mother and daughter duo were far gone.
"It is okay as long as I still have my full-time. I didn't mind delaying helping someone, after all I have all the time I need today" Jemima replied she was glad the drama was already over. It was finally time for her to go on a shopping spree.
"Sure, that's not a problem I also have some leisure time but I hope you don't mind the fact I told the lady your name," Vanessa asked again if she was hoping she hadn't done anything to make her client angry. Her client looked like those rich Mistresses she had encountered before, who easily took offense at most little things.
"It is okay, all this search and stress already made me hungry. Do you want to catch a quick bite?" Jemima asked Vanessa if she was interested because she was craving some snacks at the moment. Jemima brushed the words Vanessa it wasn't a big deal after all her real name wasn't Jemima.
"Sure no concern," Vanessa would never turn down free food. She wasn't particularly hungry, but she could grab a bite. It was her job to accompany her client anyway.
"Okay that's great, I know a French food franchise that owns a shop in this mall. You are going to love their pastries," Jemima chimed excitedly as she led the way. The Security main room was on the first floor so Jemima decided to take the glass elevator to the top floor which would be faster than the escalator.
Due to the transparent nature of the elevator, you could see the floors as it ascended. The Delight Mall was huge and had very lovely architecture, which is why it was among one of the most visited malls in Port Marino.
Vanessa had been living in Port Marino for over 2 years now, but she had never been to the Delight Mall because of her tight schedule balancing work and her studies. The mall was at a considerable distance from her apartment, so it was not the best choice if she had to get something because she always likes to manage time and transportation costs the best she can.
When they got to the top floor, well the French shop Jemima wanted to go to was located. Jemima easily guided Vanessa to the shop. The shop was very popular as it had a considerable number of customers eating there. The interior was unique having that antique look along with some French touches.
The owners probably wanted to give their customers the French experience in Port Marino. Jemima and Vanessa were led to a free table, after which they were offered the menus. Vanessa's eyes almost popped out when she saw the price tags on the Items. The prices were so exorbitant, how could so many people afford this?
The menu was written in both English and French so Vanessa did not have any issues understanding it since she has an excellent command of both French and English, but she was caught in a serious dilemma as she couldn't bring herself to place an order because under normal conditions there was no way she could afford this at all.
Even though her client was well-dressed it didn't mean Jemima had enough money to spend if she ordered something too expensive. Having a poor mentality was a major issue.
"You still don't know what to order," Jemima questioned 'lilac' who had a knot formed between her brows while she was going through the menu.
"The menu has so many options I don't know what to choose from," Vanessa nervously replied. She told a white lie because she would rather not admit she couldn't decide what to order because of the price range. She could not afford to offend her client or bruise Jemima's ego.