The Substitute Bride

"I found it." The policeman had gotten some clue. "The target that we are looking for is located at a small housing settlement built by the government in the south. However, the layout of the place can be complicated to navigate. Then, to make our job a bit more tricky, there are many children and old people living the compound. If we want to force our way in, it may be very difficult."

"Then what do we do now? Do you mean we are just supposed to wait here and do nothing?" said Charles, with a confrontational tone.

"You have to calm down first," the policeman said. "I think your previous idea might work. You can try to lure Leila out first. Then we enter the room to get the kids out. What do you think?"

Though Charles was not fully convinced, his overwhelming concern for all the things that could possibly take place, compelled him to agree.

The second day, Leila brought some food for the kids to have for breakfast, but Charlie still stared at her with caution. Leila sighed, "Stop giving me that look. This is not I want either. Do you think I would have gotten this if I had been given another choice?"

Looking straight into Charlie's eyes, she said, "Charlie, don't worry. You are my son. Are you willing to go with me?"

"No! I will not go with you," Charlie replied firmly. "I will stay here to take care of Shirley. I don't care where you go. I will not follow you anywhere."

Angered by Charlie's words, she stormed at him, "It is not up to you. You really believe that woman is going to be nice to you? I am sure that you will regret that decision one day!"

Charlie quietened down. The day before, he surveyed his surroundings carefully. It was on the ground floor. Because it was a room for rent, there was no anti-theft structures in place. Therefore, the windows did not have bars on them. Once the window was open, he could clearly see the courtyard. However, the window was too high for them to reach and escape.

After what he felt was way too long, Charles still couldn't find them. Hence he stopped merely waiting for help, and decided he had no other choice but to try and find his own way to escape.

After Leila went out of the room, Charlie fed Shirley, as usual, but he was prepared

h a gentle smile, Holley said softly, "Well, she is your mother, after all. Whatever she did to me, she only wanted the best for you. I like to believe that she meant well."

Lying her head on his shoulder, Holley continued, "I know you quarreled with her because of me. If it weren't for me, there wouldn't be such a huge wedge between you two. But I really don't want you and her to continue going on like this."

Staring at George, she continued, "If she chooses to live in Y City, it will be impossible for you to hide from her for the rest of your life."

"Stop it. I know what I'm doing. Just leave it alone!" replied George. The bugging vein in his forehead signaled his aggravation with the whole conversation.

Ignoring his obvious cues for her to leave the subject alone, Holley continued, "Perhaps... I can invite her for lunch and we can settle everything face to face. What do you think?" Then she looked at him with a sly grin that told him she wasn't going to give up on this.

George sneered at her and replied, "Do you really think you can settle everything?"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "You want to be nice to her, but she may not want to be nice to you. I think, it is better for us to stay away from her instead of giving her another chance to attack us."

"But..." Holley wasn't ready to give up just yet. "Then the problem will never get solved? Do you think we can set the problem aside forever? What about us? Don't you want to marry me?"