CHAPTER 02

 🏵 CHAPTER 02 🏵   

" Hello, ma. I'm sorry I haven't been calling for days now. How have you been? " Lena was on the phone with Mrs. Amelia. She was eating the last piece of pancake after making sure the quadruplet has eaten to their full.

" I'm fine my dear. You shouldn't be worried about me. I should be the one asking how you're doing, Lena. How are you and the quadruplet? "

" We're all fine, ma. I'm trying my best to provide for them. I never knew taking care of four kids would be this hard but it's worth it since my adorable babies are the most understanding kids in this entire world. Seeing them happy and content with the little I give them is all I've ever wanted " Lena chuckled with a smile.

" You're so lucky, my dear. Those four troublemakers are way more mature than their age. One would hardly believe they're only six " Mrs. Amelia laughed heartily and Lena joined her.

" So tell me, dear, are you really sure about coming back? You can continue staying there if you want to "

" This place and the people here are amazing and nice. And if it's left for me, I will stay here. But...I want to come back for the sake of my kids. The children in their school and neighborhood have been bullying them a lot because they don't have a father and it has affected my little Ava a lot. I don't want them to grow up in an unhealthy environment "

" And also it about time I come back and secure what is mine. I want to show those two that I've been living fine without them and take back everything they took from me "

" I understand my dear. You're free to come back if that's what you want. But about Ava...how is she doing? " Lena's face died down in a sad frown and she dropped the piece of pancake she was about to eat.

" Her attitude towards me is becoming colder. She doesn't want to talk to me and always rejects me whenever I try to hold or hug her. She's too young for this, ma. I just don't know what to do " 

" It's ok, my dear. It's normal for her to behave that way due to all the bullying. But don't give up yet. Take it easy with her. Try talking and explaining things to her, ok? "

" I will ma, thank you " Lena mumbled and stood up.

" I have to go now. Let me go pack our bags and arrange everything " 

" Ok, dear. Take care and don't forget to always call me whenever you need someone to talk to, ok? I love you "

" I love you too, ma. Bye "

Lena ended the call and let out a deep breath. Where will she have been without this woman?

Mrs. Amelia has been her backbone for these past six years. Due to how busy she was, Lena barely made any friends. Well, except for one. And whenever she ran out of funds to take care of the kids, this woman is always there to send her some money.

Done doing the dishes and taking her bath, Lena headed to Aida and Ava's room. When she got there, Aida was already asleep while Ava was awake, staring at nothing.

" Ava, my dear " Lena called and the little girl turned. Seeing it was her, she quickly looked away. Lena walked up to the bed and sat down beside her.

" Why aren't asleep yet? Do you want me to read bedtime stories for you? "

" I can read you your favorite, "The Princess and the Frog", hmm? " She waved the book before her with a giggle but Ava only turned her back on her and covered herself with a duvet. Lena let out a sad sigh and kept the book back.

" Why don't you want to talk to mommy, Ava? Please tell me what's bothering you "

" I want to have a daddy " Little Ava mumbled and sniff back her tears. Lena didn't know what to say. She reached out and held her hand, squeezing it lovingly.

" Is mommy not enough for you? I am here, I can be your mommy and daddy at the same time " 

" No! " The little girl pushed her hand off.

" I want to have a real daddy! " She snapped and cried. Lena was already getting frustrated.

" I'm sorry, baby but I can't give you that. Please, forgive mommy for that, please "

" No! If you won't give me my daddy then I don't want to talk to you. I don't even want to see you ever again! " Lena was shocked.

" Ava!! " She exclaimed and glared at the little girl who laid back and covered herself once again, crying. Lena was dumbfounded.

She couldn't bare hearing her little Ava cry. Among the quadruplet, Ava was the one who took after her completely. Her hair, eyes, mouth, and even her character were exactly like that of Lena. And the fact that Ava was starting to despise her was killing and heartbreaking for Lena.

Lena stayed back and patted the little girl's head till she fell asleep before placing a kiss on her forehead.

" I'm sorry I can't give you a father. I don't even know who he is and I pray I never cross part with him...never "

 Saturday, after making sure the kids ate their breakfast, Lena left for work. This is her last day in the company. Not wanting the kids to be all alone in the house, she seek the help of the only person she was close to...Noah.

Lena and Noah met in the mall two years ago and they became close friends. Since then, Noah always makes out time to visit and spend some time with Lena and the kids. Sometimes, he will take the kids out and buy them whatever they want. But there was just one tiny problem...

None of the kids liked him...not even Ava.

" Arghh...Mommy is going to call that annoying uncle again! " Aida groaned and slump onto the bed. The four kids were all in Ryan and Evan's room.

" I just don't like him. He's so fake and always pretending in front of mommy " Evan spoke up.

" And don't forget he's annoying and always making us do things "

" Ryan do this, Aida do that. Evans don't sit like that, Ava stop talking...blah, blah, blah " Ryan mimicked, trying to make his tiny voice sound deep.

" I'm sure he's just here to try and win mommy over so she can marry him. Ptfff...he's a bad uncle. I rather stay without a father than let mommy marry him " Aida snorted.

" I don't like his face " Was all Ava mumbled.

" We need to make him stop coming to our house " The intelligent one said.

" But how? " Aida pouted and asked. All of them let out a sigh, pouting unhappily. Just then, an idea entered Ryan's brain and a mischievous smirk drew up his lips.

" Oh, oh. Ryan is making that face again. He's up to something " Aida whispered to Evan who rushed immediately and grabbed a drawing book.

" Maybe...we can prank him " The prankster rubbed his hands together, chuckling evilly.

" What do you have in mind, Ryan? Tell us "

" My pen is ever ready to get down to business " Evan said and handed over the drawing book to Aida.

" Here's the plan..."

Ryan brought pamphlets out of nowhere and shared them among his siblings.

" Wait...where did these pamphlets come from? " Evans was surprised.

" You won't understand, big bro. Only pranksters will " Ryan shrugged with folded arms.

" So according to the pamphlets you're all holding, we have three things we can do to him. One, set him up to get hit by a speeding bus..."

" Two, throw him off into a dam or three...set him up to get bitten by a snake " Aida and Evans' eyes widened in horror immediately.

" Ryan! " They both exclaimed, sending him a glare.

" What? I'm trying to make things fun here " The little brat hissed.

" We're trying to prank him not kill him! " Evan threw the pamphlets away.

" We will definitely go to jail if you do any of these " Aida chimed in.

" Duh, I'm six years old. I can't go to jail " The little brat scoffed.

" Well according to the law, when a minor who isn't of legal age commits a crime worth punishable, the parent or legal guardian of the ward will have to take full responsibility which might include getting sentenced instead of the ward. Do you want mom to go to jail? " Evan explained and Ryan's lips parted in shock.

" How does he know all of this? "

" We have to look for another way " Evan rubbed the imaginary beard in his jaw, pacing to and fro the room. After sometime,

" Are you guys aware that there's a Hornet nest in our backyard? " Ava spoke up, turning everyone's attention to her.

" If we perhaps give those hornets a chance to destroy his ugly face...now that's a good show "

Everyone gaped at little Ava in surprise. Well, apart from Ryan who let out a happy chuckle.

" Now that's my sister talking, haha "

" Wait...you can talk? " Aida asked in disbelief.

" What? I meant it when I said I don't like his face " Ava hissed and looked away.

" So, yeah. We're going with Ava. Here's the plan... "

Ryan got down to business and explained the whole plan to them while Aida did a good job of sketching down everything he said. Just so you know, Aida is an amazing artist. She was damn good at it for a six-year-old.

" So, are we all in this together?..." Ryan asked and stretched out his hand.

" Am in " They all said one by one, placing their hands on Ryan's. Ava was the last person to join.

" Quadruplet in action; "Operation gets rid of the ugly face"! " They all exclaimed in unison...