Souvenir - Chapter 5.2
She had reshaped my life in ways I had never expected.
I chuckled. “You’re making me self-conscious.”
“But it’s true,” she said playfully. “You’ve grown into yourself.”
“Well, you haven’t changed either. Still beautiful.”
She laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Then, she hesitated before asking, “Can we meet up again sometime?”
“Of course. We should go out for drinks.”
“What about tonight?”
I shook my head. “I can’t. My daughter’s waiting for me.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I have something important that day. Sorry.”
She tilted her head. “Hmm… Do you have someone special in your life?”
I thought for a moment, then smiled.
“Something like that.”
She let out a small sigh. “That’s a shame.”
I simply shrugged. “Time really does fly, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” she murmured. “It really does.”
While I was out, Suu was at home with Maria, reading books and playing.
On most evenings, I made sure to be the one to look after her. But when I had unavoidable late meetings, Maria stayed a little longer—though I never forced her.
She had a family of her own.
Maria was in her fifties, a kind and reliable woman. She had raised three children, all now grown and living on their own.
Lately, she had been splitting her time between work and caring for her husband’s elderly mother, whose health was declining. On days she couldn’t come, I had arrangements with another housekeeper, ensuring Suu was never alone.
I trusted Maria completely.
She was like another guardian in Suu’s life—one more person who cared for her, who made sure she was safe when I couldn’t be there.
And knowing that made all the difference.
Maria was responsible for taking care of Suu and preparing meals. The housekeeping was handled separately—I had a housekeeper come in every three days, and Maria alternated shifts with a younger housekeeper, Arlie, who was twenty-two.
However, Suu had made it clear she didn’t like Arlie.
It wasn’t that Arlie mistreated her—on the contrary, she was attentive and took good care of her. Yet, Suu had come to me directly and asked if I could replace her.
When I asked for a reason, Suu couldn’t give me one.
That left me at a loss.
I had once driven Arlie home when she was feeling unwell, only for her to miraculously recover and suggest we grab a drink at a bar instead. I had also noticed her making subtle advances on me in the past.
Perhaps that was why Suu disliked her.
Recently, Arlie had been offered a position in design—her dream career. Since it was a natural transition, I figured it was a good time to find a replacement. Suu had already made her request clear—someone like Maria.
Was it possible Suu had been jealous of Arlie?
A Child’s Valentine’s Worries
Maria had been telling Suu about Valentine’s Day.
“Valentine’s?” Suu tilted her head in curiosity.
“Yes. I was thinking of spending the day with my husband,” Maria explained. “I told Tommy—no, I mean your papa—about it too.”
“What do people do? Is it really that important?”
Suu closed the book she had been reading and looked up at Maria with serious eyes.
“It’s a day when couples and lovers spend time together,” Maria explained. “It’s also when men usually give gifts to women to express their feelings.”
“Hmm… then, will Papa be giving someone a present?”
Her voice sounded a little hesitant.
Maria chuckled. “I think your papa cherishes you the most, so he’ll probably spend the day with you.”
“…That would be nice,” Suu murmured, folding her hands on her lap.
Her book lay forgotten beside her.
It was a children’s story about a family of small mice navigating the world, constantly chased by bigger creatures, sometimes saved by those even smaller than them. A story about survival, resilience, and unexpected kindness.
Maria smiled warmly. “Your papa is very lucky. My daughter, when she was your age, only ever told her father to go away.”
Suu blinked. “Really? But Papa is amazing. He’s cool and really handsome.”
She said it with such confidence, as if it were an undeniable fact.
Maria laughed. “He’s certainly a good man. And despite his age, he still looks very young.”
Suu’s face lit up with pride.
“Thank you, Maria! I like you too!”
She threw her arms around Maria, who embraced her gently in return.