Paying The Price

Pearl's brain : (Processing information........)

Ding

"Oh it's a bra size!" Pearl exclaimed loudly.

"Silly me, I heard Hailey say in the mall that Mom is a B cup too, I totally forgot. But wait a minute, I don't wear bra why does uncle like me then." She asked Wayne.

From one hard question to another, what's he gonna say this time.

As he contemplated on what to say, Gabriel bailed him out "Your uncle likes you without the bra."

"Oh, OK then." Pearl walked to the genuine leather sofa by the window, she faced the window to enjoy the view.

That's it! Just those simple words and she's satisfied.

Wayne felt Pearl was making things difficult for him on purpose. She didn't ask Ronin about B cup and Gabriel's simple reply didn't trigger any further questions.

It could be his imagination. All kids ask burdensome questions, right?

"Well, lesson learnt." Gabriel remarked.

"Never ask a moron to babysit." Wayne added.

"Uh, I was going to say 'mind what you say when there's a kid around' but that's right too." With his hand stretched out, Gabriel continued "I look forward to working with you, just like old times."

Wayne fixed his eyes on his daughter, not returning the shake "I doubt." Like before, he wasn't doing it for adventure and fun. This time he actually wanted to save something willingly. His broken family. Spending each second with Pearl made him realize he had one, one that he loved.

"Pearl, let's go." He called out to her.

Pearl was almost at the exit, when she haulted her steps and turned to Wayne "Did you know Mummy is a B cup."

That topic was long over, why did she bring it up again. OK, maybe it was just one minute ago but it was over.

"Sign, yes." Pearl could sense his great mental stress, so she decided to let him be.

'Wait, he doesn't deserve it.' She thought.

"Did you ever buy her a bra?" She asked yet again.

It's confirmed.

She was targeting him.

"No, no I didn't."

"That's too bad, Zach buys for her."

"He does!" Leon examined in incredulity.

"Of course not, am just kidding." Pearl chuckled. "But he does buy gifts for mummy and I, he's not stingy." She shoot Wayne a look at her last statement.

Once again, she left first, leaving a room of astonished a.d.u.l.ts.

"Wow, Wayne, I almost feel sorry for. Almost." Joe commented.

Felix entered the office to remind Wayne that the car was ready. If he had known of the task ahead, he probably wouldn't have come.

"Compile informations of every Zach in Denn City." Wayne couldn't take it anymore, he had to find that Zach no matter what.

......

In the car, Pearl asked "Where are we going now Mr?"

"Am taking you back to your mother, I have something to take care of, so I wouldn't be around for now."

"Oh." Pearl was saddened by his reply. "Work really is important to you." She commented unhappily.