Estella had stayed up late waiting for her father to reach home the night before. Moreover, she had taken to lazing around in bed in the mornings lately as she did not need to attend school for the time being.
Early that morning, however, she was awoken by a persistent knocking on the door. Estella got up blearily and made her way to the door grumpily.
She scrunched her brows begrudgingly as she took in the person standing at the doorstep. “You’re finally awake, Essie. Why don’t I help you wash up and prepare for school?” Aubree was all smiles.
Estella pursed her lips and shook her head. She refused to let Aubree send her to school as she’d spanked her previously.
Aubree patiently coaxed, “It was my fault for being so irrational in the past. I promise to be nice and never force you to do anything you don’t want to, okay?”
She intended to bypass Estella and make her way to the bedroom. Aubree had barely taken a step before Estella moved into position and blocked her passage.
The smile on Aubree’s face froze.
“Come now. We’ll be late if we tarry any further. I heard from your Grandma that you only went to your new school for one day. Now that school has reopened, you should leave a positive impression on your teachers and classmates.”
Estella recoiled even further at Aubree’s words. She did not want to go to school, let alone allow Aubree to accompany her there.
“Don’t you want to make new friends?” Aubree patiently inquired.
Estella once again shook her head stubbornly. “No!”
Aubree’s eyes lit up. This was the first time Estella had spoken to her when they were alone.
She used to avoid her and would refuse to utter a word in her presence. Does this mean that our relationship has improved since she is willing to talk to me?
Aubree was encouraged at the possibility and her tone softened even more.
“I know you dislike being in crowded places and
new environments, but this is part and parcel of life. I’ll wait for you outside your classroom if you feel scared.”
Estella eyed Aubree dubiously as she seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Hadn’t she any clue I’d detest it all the more if she followed me to kindergarten?
Aubree extended her hand to pat Estella’s head and seemed to have more to say. The astute Estella nimbly evaded her touch by taking a step backward.
Aubree’s hand hung in mid-air awkwardly. Then, Estella scrutinized her expression..
Aubree would always become upset whenever she avoided contact with her. As such, she was taken aback when the person before her didn’t seem affected by the least.
It was a peculiar sight indeed. Although Aubree’s attitude had improved vastly, Estella was convinced that she was merely putting on an act based on her past experiences.
Estella’s standoffishness was off-putting, but Aubree was willing to overlook it. At the end of the day, Lucian’s acknowledgment took precedence over Estella’s rejection.
Hence, Aubree had no choice but to think of another way to persuade Estella since time was running out.
“I also believe it’s better that you study at home, but your daddy thinks otherwise. You wouldn’t want him to worry about you not going to school while he’s still recovering from his hangover, would you?”
