Wendy is a nice change. Much more pleasant.
After that, Wendy led Sasha into the dining room.
âNow, Ms. Wand, you take your time with the broth. I have to get busy. Mr. Ian has requested calzones
for dinner.â She rolled up her sleeves briskly.
âCalzones, huh?â Sasha repeated.
She felt guilty. Even though Ian was her flesh and blood, she knew nothing about him and what he
liked. At that moment, she made it a point to learn everything about him, and offhand remarks such as
these were stored away carefully in Sashaâs mind.
âYes,â Wendy nodded. âItâs one of the things I donât know how to make, so Iâd better figure it out now. I
sure hope heâll like it.â
âOh, itâs a good thing that I do! Can I come in with you?â Sasha exclaimed, looking enquiringly at
Wendy. This was her chance to cook something for her son, which she had never done.
Calzones were one of her specialties. Matteo and Vivian loved them. In fact, she had made a big batch
not too long ago.
Hearing that, Wendy was delighted. âHow fortunate! I appreciate it very much, but your armâ¦â she
hesitated.
âThatâs not a problem,â Sasha said quickly. âYou can prepare the dough, and Iâll do the wrapping.â She
brushed off the inconvenience of her arm for fear of being excluded from this endeavor. Wendy
examined her for a moment before agreeing to let her help.
After a hectic afternoon of unpacking and wrapping calzones, it was dusk before Sasha finally had a
chance to rest.
âPhew, finally done!â Wendy wiped her brow. âHowâs your arm, Ms. Wand?â
âOh itâs fine,â Sasha replied, waving her good arm. She then excused herself to wash her hands.
Meanwhile, Wendy was in a fantastic mood. Touting the tray of unbaked calzones, she said, âIâd better
give Mr. Hayes a call to come home early tonight. Itâs not often we get to have such a delightful dinner
together.â
The moment Sasha heard that, she froze while still bent over the kitchen sink.
Sebastian?
Sheâs asking him to come back earlier?
Out of nowhere, Sasha felt a pang of anxiety. She then tried to think of something to say.
âMs. Wand? What do you think?â Wendy probed.
âOh? Thatâs⦠thatâs a good idea. But are you sure this is something he would like?â Sasha answered
distractedly, trying to dissuade Wendy.
Wendy, however, was determined to carry through with her plan. After she assured Sasha that
Sebastian was not a picky eater, the former went away to call him.
Sebastian is not a picky eater?
Doubt arose in Sashaâs mind as she recalled clearly that this was not the case.
He was extremely picky to the point of being incredibly annoying!
Nonetheless, Sasha had no choice but to go along with the plan. Extracting the piping hot tray out of
the oven, she followed Wendy upstairs.
âIan,â she called, âThe calzones are done!â
She opened the door to Ianâs room and exclaimed. âMatteo! Vivian! What are you two doing here?â
The children, who were deep in thought with plotting, stood up hurriedly at the sudden unannounced
entrance of their mother.
Wasnât she making calzones? Why is she up here?
Vivian was the most nervous, as she wasnât used to lying to her mother.
On the contrary, Matteo was the first to respond. âMommy! We were just playing, and Ian is
unbelievable!â
âIs that so?â Sasha smiled. âMatteo, you are unbelievable too. All my babies are unbelievable.â
Luckily for them, she had no idea what they were up to. Matteo smiled widely at his motherâs
compliment.
Since the children were all there, Sasha placed the tray on the table so they could all enjoy.
âIâm hungry, Mommy,â Vivian whined.
âMe too, Mommy,â Matteo added. âIs that pork in there?â
Vivian and Matteo were big fans of her calzones. She would always try her best to make the best
calzones she could for them.
As they were greedily munching, she turned to look towards Ian, who was standing slightly away from
them.
âLittle Ian, why are you standing there? Didnât you ask for calzones today? Come and have some. I
made them myself,â Sasha beckoned.
However, Ian hesitated.
He had never had calzones before. His father never allowed him to as they were too oily to be healthy.
Besides, he was used to much more exotic meals than this at Frontier Bay.
Slowly, Ian shuffled forward. Watching his siblings devour one bite after another, he finally relented.
Sasha smiled and fed him a bite. âIs it good?â she asked.
âMm-hmm,â he nodded as his eyes shone with delight.
Huh? This child⦠Didnât he ask for calzones?