Chapter 18

Meeting Gabriela's gaze, Vien gulped and glanced at Blair, who was enthusiastically patting the seat beside her. Clearing her throat, she watched as her daughter beamed at Gabriela, motioning for her to sit with them. Gabriela hesitated, looking at Vien for permission.

Vien let out a soft sigh. "Go ahead," she said, scooting closer to the window to make space. Gabriela nodded, moving her ice cream to the table before settling in beside them.

"See? We're like a happy family!" Blair declared with a bright smile, her words making Vien stiffen.

Gabriela froze, momentarily caught off guard. Her gaze flicked to Vien, whose expression was a mix of irritation and surprise.

"Don't look at me like that," Vien said, her tone sharp but her cheeks slightly pink.

"Like what?" Gabriela asked, feigning innocence.

"Like you're enjoying what Blair just said," Vien accused, raising an eyebrow.

Gabriela chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Well, I won't lie—I like the sound of it," she admitted, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Vien.

Vien swallowed hard and averted her gaze. "That's just an illusion," she mumbled.

"Maybe," Gabriela replied with a shrug. "But maybe not. Want to give it a try?"

Vien whipped her head around, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Stop playing games with me," she snapped.

Gabriela tilted her head but said nothing, turning to Blair instead. "Your mommy's such a snob, isn't she?"

Blair giggled, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, Gabi!"

Gabriela laughed, holding out her hand for a high-five, which Blair eagerly gave.

"You two—ugh!" Vien groaned, glaring at Gabriela.

"Mommy, stop being so snobby," Blair said matter-of-factly as she scooped more ice cream. "You're gonna scare Gabi away."

Vien raised a skeptical eyebrow at her daughter. "Blair, who raised you? Me. Not your 'friend' Gabi. So why are you taking her side?"

Blair giggled again, swinging her legs under the table. "Because you're snobby, Mommy!"

Vien rubbed her temples in mock frustration. "Unbelievable," she muttered, shaking her head.

Blair turned to Gabriela with a curious look. "Gabi, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Gabriela replied, her smile warm.

"What's your breed?" Blair asked innocently.

Vien choked on her ice cream, her face turning crimson as she struggled to keep from laughing. Gabriela blinked, momentarily baffled. "My what? Breed? Like Labrador? Rottweiler? Doberman?" she asked, laughing softly.

"No!" Blair huffed, puffing out her cheeks. She turned to Vien. "Mommy, what's the word again?"

Vien covered her face, her laughter spilling out despite herself. "Nationality or ethnicity, Blair. Not breed," she managed between chuckles. "Oh my God, I can't—" She dissolved into laughter, her face a deep shade of red.

Gabriela couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Right! Yes! Nationality and ethnicity!" Blair exclaimed triumphantly. "I'm American-British, Gabi, just like Mommy. And I'm also an American-Swiss citizen. What about you?"

"Well," Gabriela said, clearing her throat, "my ethnicity is Polynesian-Samoan, and my nationality is French-Swiss."

Vien tilted her head. "Dual citizenship?" she asked.

Gabriela nodded. "Yeah. I grew up in France and moved to Switzerland later for work."

Blair smiled brightly. "Do you look like your mom too, Gabi?"

Gabriela stiffened slightly, her expression faltering. Vien noticed the change and gently patted Blair's head. "Blair, maybe Gabi—"

"It's okay," Gabriela interjected with a faint smile. "I'm not sure if I look like her, Blair."

"Why not?" Blair asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Gabriela exhaled softly, her smile bittersweet. "Because I never got to meet her. She passed away right after I was born."

Vien straightened up, her demeanor softening. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said quietly. She turned to Blair, her tone gentle but firm. "Alright, enough questions, okay?"

Blair nodded sheepishly, and Vien playfully pinched her chin. Then, she turned back to Gabriela, her expression full of concern. "Are you alright?"

Gabriela nodded quickly. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, clicking her tongue in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Vien bit her lip. "I'm really sorry," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Gabriela let out a soft laugh. "It's fine, Vien. Really." She smiled, and the tension in the air seemed to dissolve.

Glancing at her wristwatch, Gabriela pulled out a pushcart and was about to enter the supermarket when her cart collided with another.

"I'm sorry—Vien?" Gabriela blinked, surprised to see the person beside her.

Vien looked at her and scoffed. "Wow," she mumbled. "We've been running into each other a lot lately, huh?" she chuckled.

"Gabi!" Blair chimed in, bouncing with excitement. "Are you here to go shopping too?" she asked eagerly.

Gabriela nodded. "Yes, just need to restock some essentials," she replied with a small smile.

"Me and Mommy too!" Blair exclaimed, grinning. She turned to Vien with bright eyes. "Mommy, can Gabi come with us while we shop?" she asked.

Vien sighed, rubbing her temple. "Sweetie..." she began but paused when Blair gave her a wide, puppy-eyed look. "Gosh, fine! But only if your friend wants to," she said, relenting.

Blair beamed. "Do you want to come, Gabi?" she asked, her tone brimming with hope.

Gabriela glanced at her cart. "How about I grab what I need first? Then, if you're still here, I'll join you. How does that sound, Blair?" she suggested.

Blair pouted but quickly nodded. "Okay! But be fast, Gabi!" she giggled, holding tightly onto her mother's hand.

Gabriela chuckled softly, shaking her head as Vien and Blair walked ahead. "Such a cute kid," she murmured to herself, steering her cart toward another aisle.

She was busy tossing chips and sodas into her cart when the sound of giggling caught her attention. Frowning, she glanced over her shoulder and spotted Blair peeking at her from the end of the aisle, her hands covering her mouth.

Gabriela's eyes widened. "Blair?" she called, quickly walking over to the child. "Why are you here? And where's your mommy?" she asked, glancing around.

Blair grinned mischievously. "I escaped from her," she said, playfully skidding her shoes across the tile floor.

Gabriela sighed, pressing the bridge of her nose. "Blair," she said, crouching to the child's level and gently patting her cheek. "Your mommy must be worried sick. Didn't I tell you I'd come find you after I was done?"

Blair nodded, her expression faltering.

"Then why did you come after me? Mommy's probably looking everywhere for you, and you're making her worry. Do you want to see her cry because she can't find you?" Gabriela asked softly but firmly, her eyes searching Blair's face.

Blair bit her lip, fidgeting with her fingers. "No, Gabi," she mumbled.

Gabriela sighed, clicking her tongue. "Let's go find your mommy, okay? And," she raised her index finger, "you'll tell her you're sorry for leaving her side. Deal?"

Blair nodded obediently, her small hand reaching for Gabriela's.

Just as Gabriela was about to pull out her phone to call Vien, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Blair Briar!" Vien's voice rang out, her pushcart abandoned as she rushed forward. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled as she crouched down to Blair's level. "What were you thinking, little missy? Leaving my side like that?!" she hissed, her worry evident.

Blair sniffled. "Sorry, Mommy," she murmured, looking up at her mother with teary eyes.

"I saw her following me," Gabriela explained quickly. "I was just about to call you."

Vien's face darkened with a mix of frustration and relief. "That's it," she said, standing up and placing her hands on her hips. "I told you not to leave my side. Why didn't you listen?" she demanded, her voice firm but not unkind.

"I..." Blair hesitated, swallowing hard. "I'm sorry, Mommy. I won't do it again," she said, her small hand tugging at the hem of Vien's shirt. "Mommy, please don't be mad."

Vien shut her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Gosh, Blair, you scared me to death," she muttered, crouching down again to cup her daughter's face. "I told you not to leave my side. Do you want me to stop bringing you shopping with me?"

Blair's head shook furiously. "No, Mommy. I'm sorry. Please?" she pleaded, her voice small.

Vien softened, brushing Blair's hair from her face. "Didn't Gabi tell you she'd come to you once she was done? Why didn't you wait like you promised?"

Blair nodded tearfully. "She did, Mommy. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Please don't be mad at me," she whispered.

Vien's breath hitched, her worry turning into a gentle reprimand. "I'm not mad, Blair. I'm just so worried. You're lucky it was Gabi you followed, but what if it wasn't? Do you know how dangerous that could be? Never do that again, okay?"

Blair nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mommy. I'm sorry," she said, turning to Gabriela. "And I'm sorry to you too, Gabi."

Gabriela smiled and patted Blair's head gently. "See? I told you your mommy's worried about you. Listen to her, okay? Don't make her worry again."

Vien glanced at Gabriela, her expression softening. "I'm sorry Blair disturbed you," she said.

Gabriela shook her head, chuckling. "It's no trouble. I'm done with my groceries anyway."

Vien's eyes shifted to Gabriela's cart, her brow lifting. "You're done with your groceries already? Why is your cart full of just chips and sodas?"

Gabriela laughed sheepishly. "That's all I need. I don't usually cook, so... there you have it."

Vien blinked at her in disbelief. "Are you trying to kill yourself with that kind of diet?" she asked incredulously.