**At Reuben's Family Mansion**
"Thank you for having us here, Melinda," Phyna (Amanda's mom) said gently, smiling cheerfully.
"You are always welcome here, Phyna. You and your daughter are like family to us, so consider this a family reunion," Melinda replied.
"Can we start eating now? It's late, and I'm hungry," Cece interrupted.
"Behave, Cece. Your father isn't even here," Melinda said, glaring at her.
"Be gentle with her, Mrs. Melinda. She's just saying what everyone is thinking," Amanda teased, making the women laugh.
"Amanda is amazing, just like you. I wish Cece were half as good as she is," Melinda said, looking at Cece, who rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"That son of yours isn't home yet?" Reuben's father, Gaius, asked.
"Honey, we have guests," Melinda reminded him.
"Well, tell your son it's 8 PM, and he isn't even home. He's probably out messing around like he always does," Gaius retorted angrily.
"Exactly, Dad. After all, I take after you," Reuben said as he entered through the door, wearing house slippers and heading straight to his room to change.
"Seriously, honey, this isn't the time for a fight," Melinda told him.
"Did you even hear what your son said to me? I told you he behaves better as a woman than a man. Cece wouldn't dare talk to me like that," Gaius added, taking a seat.
"I'm sorry for all of this," Amanda apologized as everyone looked at her curiously, wondering why she was taking the blame. "I overworked Reuben today, so it's my fault if he had to go somewhere to finish up his remaining work or rest," she explained.
"Thank you, Amanda, for letting him know that. You're just doing your job, honey," Melinda said, holding her hands.
"The sooner you stop worrying about that boy, the better for you because he's no good for you," Gaius advised as he snapped his fingers for the maids to serve the food.
"They are adults, and this sort of thing happens. Let's not allow this wonderful moment to be overshadowed by it," Phyna said with a smile.
"Thank you! Finally, someone voiced what I was thinking in a reasonable way," Cece said, glaring at her mother.
"We're sorry you have to witness this today; Reuben isn't usually late for dinner," Melinda told Phyna and her daughter.
"It's okay; we're not offended in any way," Amanda replied.
A few minutes later...
Reuben joined them for dinner, and his food was served as he sat down to eat.
Amanda silently glanced at her mom, signaling her to speak.
"Um... um," Phyna cleared her throat. "I heard from Amanda that you are now a makeup ambassador..."
Cece interrupted with a cough, almost choking on her food.
"It's Mari-kings perfume ambassador, Mom," Amanda corrected.
"Oh sorry, it must be because I'm good at makeovers that everything sounds like makeup," Phyna teased, eliciting some awkward smiles.
"Yes, he did. They made him an ambassador because of his dedication to the company," Melinda quickly added with a smile.
"It's just because of his looks. I'm sure Mari-kings will sue him if they find out he uses another brand, and the perfumes they gifted him are stocked in his mother's bedroom," Gaius snapped.
"Honey," Melinda called out, looking at him.
"He's right, Mom. It's just for my looks. I'm sure they could make Dad their ambassador too if they found out he sprays their perfumes like he's bathing in them," Reuben shot back as Phyna rolled her eyes at Amanda.
"You see why I say he is your son? He talks back to everyone," Gaius remarked.
Cece was busy stuffing herself with whatever food she could reach, oblivious to the chaos around the table.
"I'm sure everyone has their reasons for everything; we learn every day," Phyna said.
"Yes, dear, you are right, Phyna," Melinda agreed with a smile. "So Amanda, are you seeing anyone right now?" she asked, making Amanda pause with the food in her mouth at the unexpected question.
"She's as single as I am. She never has time for dates; she's such a workaholic. Sometimes I want to set her up with someone, but I haven't found anyone suitable," Phyna responded.
"I see. She's a sweet girl; she reminds me of my younger days. Gaius was my blind date, and we got married right away because we were a good match," Melinda said.
"Reuben is single too. He doesn't have time for decent women unless it's a fling... So now we're even," Gaius replied.
"Well, I'm not going to marry my blind date like you did; that way, I won't have to quarrel with my kids," Reuben remarked.
"So you're going to marry for love? Ha! You're not even capable of love," Gaius teased.
"You're right. He isn't," Cece grinned.
"Not you too," Phyna said to her.
*** Aliya's POV***
Aliya exhaled smoke from the cigarette she was holding while gazing at an old photograph in her hand.
"She probably thinks she can cut off her past just like that to have a better life," Aliya said, forcing a smile as she took another drag from her cigarette. "Life is like Facebook, always reminding you of your past memories. I wonder if she has ever looked for me after abandoning me for years," she pondered.
Suddenly, Aliya was distracted by a noise outside. She placed her cigarette on the edge of her empty coffee cup and stood up to investigate.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to kick your flower pot," the male neighbor apologized.
"You should kick it silently next time; I detest noise," Aliya replied, turning back toward her door, ignoring the neighbor's confusion.
"Your mail!" the neighbor called out.
"What about it?" Aliya responded.
"Someone sent you a letter. I mistook it for mine," the neighbor said, handing her an envelope.
Aliya opened the letter and quickly read through it. The short message sounded like a threat from her caretaker at the orphanage where she had grown up.
"I guess I have someone who genuinely cares enough to track me down to my new house," Aliya remarked.