. She was in no danger. She squatted down to his level and

t her witho

he? Did you

s deep eyes, dark like obsidian

number?" she asked. "I can call

on. The boy was

y could be. She knew he would not say anything unless he wished

ad one bedroom and one living-room, both of which

, Nicole went to fetch a cle

le wiped it off carefully, revealing a fai

oy's

a tellin

rely into his eyes. "You can't take other people's things even w

He fished the packing bag out of the trash can, opened it

d what he was trying to s

d exp

ermarket that needed to be sent out and thrown a

bbed his forehead. "I'll cook noodles for you. You

nutes and put a steaming bowl o

green vegetables, red toma

ood, his eyes lit up. He was about

hot. You need to

ks. He tried to get a piece of noodle

lize that he didn't know

let me f

o much time for Nicole to teach him now, so

ensively. He took the chopsticks on the table and ex

rprise. She put the bowl down

s and ate them deftly. He gave Nicole a

re amazing!" Nicole pa

eaming witho

y. He had delicate facial features, and his skin was fair and smooth.

re he lived once

numbers? I have to call your pare

jumped down from the sofa. He took

cked on her phone a few times. A hoarse m

ar

times on her phone befo

? Are you h

a jolt of surprise. That voice! Hoping he w

liar to Nicole, but sh

house. Let me exp

ntence, she was interrupted. "

d him her address. The stranger

p later. What's

name is

d by the call. She looked at her reflection

nned widely at her and clapp

for him and started

fa, hugging a pillow. His sleepy little head was bo

he edge of the bed and gently patted his back.

it would be at the same age

there was a kno

he boy!' Nicole stood up in

doing here?" s