Isn't It Love?
Chapter 46: Motherly Girl
The alarm clock rang at just the right moment as the morning sunlight started forcing its way in through the closed window curtains.
Kai turned off the alarm on the small table next to his bed, yawned a little, rubbed his eyes, and got up from the mattress to open his bedroom window.
Sunlight streamed in along with a gentle breeze to replace the stale air.
Today was Saturday, the weekend, the perfect time to go out. Looking out at the neighborhood street, Kai could see it was still quiet. Not that it was surprising, considering it was still 6 in the morning. Lots of people were probably still asleep.
Maybe a morning run would be the perfect routine. Kai changed his clothes and left his bedroom. Seeing his sister Risa’s door still tightly shut, he walked down the stairs.
"You’re already up."
Kai smiled at the person who had spoken. He walked over. "Seems like waking up early is a habit I can’t shake, Father. Weren’t you and Mom out of town and supposed to be back in a few days? Why are you home early?"
Kai’s father, John Clove—although Kai wasn’t that close with him, especially now that a different person was inhabiting this body—still, Kai had a good relationship with his parents.
Ever since he had fixed his relationship with Risa, both parents seemed to have changed as well. Basically, Risa and Kai’s parents were the typical old-school, quite rigid and traditional kind. They only wanted their child to be the best and do better than them. Even if in the process they seemed not to care too much, deep down, they cared a lot.
"Where’s Mom?" The question sounded like small talk as it left Kai’s mouth. He actually realized it was really unnecessary to ask. But as a good child, of course small talk was necessary to keep the parent-child relationship good.
"In the bedroom. Looks like she’s still dealing with jet lag."
"Hmm... not surprising."
Kai’s father watched his son sit on the floor by the front door, putting on his shoes. Once Kai had tied his laces tightly, he stood up and turned around. "Well then, I’m going for a morning run. Want to join, Father?"
"No."
John shook his head before his face formed a slight smile. Even though it wasn’t very noticeable, Kai was observant enough to see those lips curl upward.
"Alright then, Father... I mean, Dad. I’m heading out."
Kai left the house and jogged out of the housing complex, running along the sidewalk through the city in the morning.
He wasn’t sure how long he ran. He headed south, but Kai didn’t realize he had already reached Maurice Ferré Park.
Kai checked his phone in his pocket, because honestly he still didn’t know this city very well even though he had been living here for a few months.
"Haa... about an hour of running, yeah... haa... haa..."
Kai was truly amazed by this body. Compared to his "old" body, the body belonging to "Kai" was really something else. He was already smart enough, attractive enough, and very fit.
From Wynwood to this park, Kai went inside to enjoy some time to himself.
The view was quite beautiful, and the park still looked quiet even though there were already people walking around like him or having picnics, spending time with their families.
Kai kept walking until he found a bench to sit on. Enjoying this beautiful waterfront location: the bay, the skyline, and people strolling casually along the park pathway. A perfect view and atmosphere to enjoy the weekend morning.
"Kai?"
A girl’s voice made Kai turn to his side. One girl and two little kids. The brown-haired girl waved with a smile on her face.
"Daisy? I didn’t expect to run into you again so soon. And they..."
Daisy patted the backs of the two kids so Kai could see them. "They’re my siblings. Didn’t I tell you I have twin siblings?"
The two kids next to Daisy stood in front of Kai, who was still sitting. Looking at them, Kai tilted his head, which of course made the two little ones a bit scared because Kai’s default expression and eye contact really made him look like a cynical person.
Realizing his friend’s younger siblings were hesitating to speak, Kai got up from his seat and crouched down so he could be at eye level with the twins. Kai smiled warmly so the kids wouldn’t be scared.
"Hello, my name is Kai Clove. You can just call me Kai."
Daisy stroked the heads of her two siblings. The atmosphere of a perfect weekend and meeting someone she had hoped to see again today made it seem like a perfect week had truly come to her.
"Hey you two. introduce yourselves to my friend."
Daisy’s younger sister stared at Kai’s smiling face. Her behavior was just like Daisy’s: innocent and cute. With that short brown hair, it could be said that the younger sister was truly a mini version of Daisy. "Umm... I’m Jun Marigold. Little sister of Daisy."
As for Daisy’s younger brother, he stared at Kai’s smiling face with narrowed eyes. As if he was looking at the man in front of him, this man who claimed to be his sister’s "friend," as someone who wanted to do something strange to his sister.
"Umm... is something wrong?" Kai asked, noticing the suspicious look from Daisy’s little brother.
Daisy gently tapped her little brother’s head, which was staring at her friend. "Hey, don’t give him that look. He’s my friend."
"Ouch, sis..." the little brother said. He looked back at Kai, with a slight frown on his face, his voice a little annoyed, "I’m Gilbert Marigold."
"Hehehe... they’re such sweet twins, aren’t they?" Daisy said.
Kai just nodded before standing up again, his gaze turning toward Daisy. "I didn’t think we’d meet again so fast from yesterday."
"Hmm, actually I’m the one who didn’t think I’d run into you again here. My house is really close to this place."
Kai turned his gaze to Daisy’s siblings, who still seemed a little wary of him. "Um... do you guys want something? Let me buy it for you."
"Ah, don’t go to any trouble, Kai."
Kai shook his head. Seeing the sparkle in the twins’ eyes, Kai felt that making a good impression on Daisy’s family members might be okay.
And so, like a little family with two kids, the four of them went further into this beautiful park.