Lisa saw Lester, he was holding the car door for her. She smiled at him and sat inside. Lester sat in the driving seat but didn’t drive. Lisa got confused and asked, “Why you’re not driving.?”

“I am waiting for my boss,” Lester replied. Just then, the door opened and Augustus sat inside. Lisa thought Did he tell Lester to bring me? Did he even notice that I left?

Augustus looked at Lisa’s angry face and he felt a desire to kiss her again but he stopped himself. Lisa felt his gaze on her. She turned and asked irritably, “What?”

Augustus was lost for words and then he looked at Lester. “Lester, do u like tiny women or tall.?”

Lester frowned hearing his boss’s question. Before he could answer, Augustus said in a harsh tone, “You know, height doesn’t matter more than a person’s nature. Like Bella, if I helped her or gave something to her. She would return me with all respect and gratitude. Not like some other, who doesn’t show gratitude to someone’s kindness.”

Lisa’s body got stiffened, she now understands why he is treating her like this. Yesterday she handed his hoodie to Lester and left without thanking him so he thought that I didn’t respect him at all.

Lisa turned to him and asked straightly, “Are you talking about me.? Mr Augustus.?”

“Did I mention your name Ms Lisa Mathew.?” Augustus asked coldly.

“I..” Lisa was out of words.

“Lester..! Did you hear me mentioning Ms Lisa’s name.?” He asked Lester.

Lester hesitated at first, then he shook his head and said, “No Boss.”

Then Lisa suddenly said, “Lester, if I am not wrong Mr Augustus was in a meeting yesterday, right.?”

“Lester, if someone really wants to see me they can wait for some time right.?” Augustus retorted.

By hearing them both quarrelling like this. Lester didn’t know what to say, he scratched his forehead and said, “Boss and Ms Lisa. I think you both are right from your perspective.”

Lisa and Augustus nodded together and kept silent. Lester dropped Lisa at the hotel and then left. They both didn’t even bid goodbye to each other.

After that day, Lisa didn’t see Augustus again nor did Bella meet her again.

...

This weekend, the school has decided to take kids to the Bioparco Di Roma, a zoological garden.

Instead of going to school, Lisa went straight to the zoo to meet her son. Other parents were also there to accompany their kids.

When Lisa entered, she spotted Simon and went to him. Simon hugged her mom, he was very excited to see the animals.

After that, both kept walking together in a queue. The teacher was explaining about the animals whenever she reached someone's cage.

Simon was excited and happy seeing all the animals. He fed some animals too. After walking for a while, the teacher took all of them to a small garden to rest and eat. Lisa got herself busy feeding Simon, just then she heard someone singing. She tried to look at the man but it was crowded with all women, probably all the mothers of the kids.

“Who is it.?” Lisa said curiously looking at crowded women.

“It’s Tony’s uncle, mom,” Simon said suddenly.

“Oh, you’re friend Tony. Right.?” Lisa asked.

“Hmm.” Simon nodded.

“Won’t you introduce me to your friend.?” Lisa asked while wiping Simon’s face.

“Ok Mommy, let's go.” Simon took his mother's hand and led her to the crowded place.

Lisa followed and she saw the man singing, she was stunned and amused. By the time they approached Tony the song had already been finished. All the women had started clapping and looking at him admiringly.

Simon yells, "Tony... This is my mom."

Tony and his uncle looked at Simon in unison. Then at the woman beside him. The man was also stunned looking at her and smiled wickedly. He stood up, put his guitar aside, and said, "Are you following me?"

"Oh no..! I got caught." Lisa joked.

Simon and Tony looked at each other and then the two people standing in front of them and asked confusingly, "Do you both know each other.?"

"Yes," they both answered in unison.

"We are friends," Lisa explained to Simon.

"That's good, Mommy. See Tony, my mommy and your uncle both are friends just like us." Simon said excitedly.

At that time, the teacher shouted from a far distance, "Who wants to see a penguin? Come over."

"Let's go uncle. I want to see penguins." Tony said, pulling  Cristian's hand.

"You both kids go ahead. We will join you." Cristian said.

Both Simon and Tony held their hands and ran straight to see the penguins excitedly.

Lisa turned around and looked at Cristian. "Uncle... huh.."

Cristian chuckled. "Mommy.. huh.."

Both laughed and walked over to the kids to see the penguins.

"I didn't know you were married," Cristian said while walking.

"Widow. I am a widow." Lisa corrected him.

"Oh..." He said in a deep voice.

"Where's your sister.?" Lisa asked to change the topic.

"Busy. She is on the flight. She tried but she couldn't get leave. Today is the weekend so she asked me to accompany Antonio." Cristian explained.

Lisa raised her eyebrow in confusion, "Antonio?"

"Yup, that's Tony," Cristian said.

Soon, they reached the nearby pool but couldn't find the kids. After looking for a while, Cristian pointed at the corner and said, "There they are."

Lisa and Cristian walked to them.

"What are you doing here?" Lisa asked worriedly.

Both kids turned around and then Lisa saw a beautiful blonde hair coloured girl, her features were so beautiful, red cheeks, rosy lips, and big brown coloured eyes with beautiful long lashes covering them. The girl was crying and both boys were trying to comfort her.

Lisa crouched down and asked the girl, "Hey what's wrong.? Are you a lost princess.?"

The girl looked up at her with her big watery eyes.

"Mommy, she is Maria, my friend," Simon said to Lisa.

"Oh... why is she crying.?" Lisa asked.

"Her father didn't come today to accompany her. He broke his promise, that's why Maria is sad." Simon said with a sad face.

"Auntie, she wants to feed penguins but she can't go there alone, so she is crying more. Will you help her.? Auntie.?" Tony asked suddenly.

Lisa frowned and looked at Maria. Maria looked at her with tearful eyes. Lisa's heart sank and she immediately said, "No worry. Auntie will take you. Come."

Lisa stood up and held her hand. However, Maria didn't move at all. Lisa looked at Maria more than at Cristian. Cristian came forward and said, "Hey beautiful girl, if you don't hurry. They will finish all the fish and you won't be able to feed the penguins."

Maria looked up, and said in a low and cute voice, "Daddy said, don't go with strangers. They are bad people."

Cristian and Lisa both looked at each other helplessly. Just then Simon said, "Stupid Maria, she is my mom, not a stranger. Let's go now. Come on." Simon took Maria and Tony's hand and rushed towards the pool. Cristian and Lisa followed too.

Lisa took Maria to feed the penguins. She was so happy and excited. She fed a whole bucket of fish to them and later they both took a horse ride together.

In the end, Lisa fed all three kids meals and played a lot with them. Soon it got dark and the teacher called the kids to go back. Lisa kissed all three kids and said goodbye.

Just when she was leaving, someone held her hand, Lisa turned and looked at Maria, "What is it?"

"Thank you, Auntie, for playing with me," Maria said.

"It's a pleasure to play with you." Lisa pinched her cheek and Maria smiled shyly.

"And remember princesses don't cry," Lisa said, patting her forehead. Maria then hugged her and kissed her on the cheek then left.

Lisa was stunned by her sudden hug. "She likes you," Cristian said from behind.

"She is a very cute girl, I wonder why her father didn't accompany her today," Lisa said disappointedly.

"Who knows? Shall I drop You off? It's dark." Cristian said while looking up at the sky.

Lisa nodded and both went together to the car.

...

In The Hotel

Lisa's phone rang. She picked it up with a smile, "Hello..!"

"Happy Birthday Sister," Laura and Daniel shouted over the phone.

Lisa put her phone away and said irritably, "Are you both going to blast my eardrums? Huh..?"

"You're no fun.. sister" Laura complained.

"How's your study going.?" Lisa asked in a serious tone.

"It's fine sister. Don't worry about me. How is Simon? I missed him." Laura asked.

"He is absolutely fine," Lisa answered.

"By the way sister, guess who is coming to Rome tonight to celebrate your birthday.?" Laura asked her.

"Who?" Lisa asked, confused.

"Daniel," Laura shouted gladly.