“Leave them here on the bed beside me,” Iris instructed the butler and the houseboy.
The items were placed on their master’s side of the bed. The butler and houseboy set everything down as gently as possible, careful not to make any unnecessary movements that might jolt their mistress’ fragile body. They left after the mistress thanked them.
Iris looked at all the items. There was a huge bouquet of pink carnations, a dozen novels by her favourite Russian, British and Japanese authors, and finally a big basket filled with high-end chocolates and pastries decorated with lovely silk ribbons.
She took the bouquet and read the attached printed card. It was written in Russian. No wonder the butler didn’t know if the sender was a Mr. or a Miss. It said:
“To Dearest Mother who is the most beautiful, most talented, smartest and classiest in the entire world and beyond,
“Please get well soon and give birth safely.
“Thank you for being the best mother ever to walk in the history of this planet.
“Please don’t believe anyone stupid enough to dare tell you otherwise. They are just a bunch of envious nobodies who are not as classy as Mother and deserve to be squashed like the pests that they are into oblivion. Your beloved son will destroy them alongside the city where they live in. Please do not worry about useless people like them.
“Forever your son,
“P.J.”
Tears filled Iris’ eyes after reading the sweet yet vicious letter. “Oh, Bacon.”
“Does Mother like Bacon’s presents?”
“Oh, yes. I love them.” Iris wiped the drops of tears that escaped from her eyes.
Bacon’s fluffy, black tail rotated into a blur.
“Meowowow! Little Kitty Brother Bacon is so sweet and thoughtful to our mommy who is the bestest mommy in the whole wide universe. Ketchup is so touched! Meowowow~”
Iris chuckled and smelled the pink carnations.
“In flower language, pink carnations symbolize a mother’s undying love,” Bacon explained. “Bacon hopes that Mother likes them.”
“Of course, baby. Thank you so much.” Iris placed the bouquet beside her and examined the other presents.
The novels were much appreciated, especially right now that she had no choice but to stay in bed all day for half a month. Reading would help alleviate her increasing boredom.
Finally, the big basket of snacks made her eyes light up. She was about to unwrap one of the chocolates but her strict AI son stopped her.
“Mother, the doctor says that you can only eat a little of sweet snacks after a proper meal. Please wait until after dinner.”
Iris sighed and returned the chocolate bar to the basket with great reluctance. She was regretting letting the houseboy place the basket on the bed beside her. This was such a painful temptation!
She took the bouquet again and placed it on top of her abdomen to admire. Her son was so thoughtful, just like his dad.
“P.J. Panther Jin. What made you decide to buy these presents for me?”
Bacon didn’t reply right away. His fluffy, black tail was swishing in tiny, side-to-side movements like a shy boy swaying his body.
“Oh, Ketchup knows the reason! It’s because my little kitty brother Bacon doesn’t like to be outdone by the cute and mighty me when Ketchup told Mommy and Daddy that I love ya lots forever and ever yesterday! Bacon doesn’t want to destroy his aloof image to tell Mommy and Daddy that he loves you too so he ordered presents instead to show you his love instead of saying it. Such a little tsundere kitty! Hihihi. Meow~”
Bacon pounced on Ketchup again but the white cat was ready this time. She dodged her little brother and continued laughing with glee.
Iris also laughed with her AI daughter, a loving expression on her face. Indeed, Ketchup was right. Bacon was a little tsundere. She let the two AI cats play around.
Warmth filled her heart.
She knew that she was far from being the best mother in the world. In fact, the fear of being a bad mother was still embedded deeply in her heart but her AI children and husband’s belief that she was the best was like a balm gradually soothing and healing this insecurity of hers.
Her hand rubbed her flat belly, as she imagined two little angels who chose her as their mother despite her incompetence.
‘I’ll protect you with my life. Forgive Mommy for being reckless and endangering you. And thank you for holding on inside me despite the danger I put you through. Mommy promises that I won’t do it again. Your daddy and I and your older siblings and the rest of our family already love both of you. We can’t wait to meet you.’
###
Jin Corporation.
“Dismissed.”
Jin Liwei stood up and left the meeting room. His assistant, Xu Tian, was closely following behind him. He wanted to stay at home and accompany his wife but Iris persuaded him to return to work. He was reluctant but the company was indeed extremely busy during this period.
Although his wife had a lot of people and two extremely overprotective AI cat children watching over her, he still couldn’t help but worry. He ended up commanding his helicopter and pilot to be stationed at the company’s rooftop so that he could leave and rush to his wife’s side anytime in the fastest time possible if an emergency were to happen to her again.
Jin Liwei returned to his office. There was a lot of paperwork piled up on his desk. Xu Tian was also as busy as him.
He just finished a phone call with his lawyer regarding Zhu Ning’s matter when Xu Tian entered after knocking. His assistant was carrying a long, rectangular package.
“Sir, you have delivery from a person called P.J.”
Jin Liwei scowled. “I don’t know anyone named P.J. How did that package slip through security? Throw it away. I’m busy.”
“Father is so despicable,” a familiar child’s voice said. “Bacon took the time to choose Father a present but he wants to throw it away. It’s not classy.”
Before Jin Liwei could react, his AI son who appeared just now disappeared once again.
“Uh oh, Daddy! Ketchup’s little kitty brother ran to Mommy crying again. Poor Bacon! That was so mean, Daddy! Meowuwuwu!”
