"Aunt Eli. May I have some cookie?" Emblem asked as she laid her back against the comfy cushion of the couch inside the booth.

Even if her mom had taken care of my leave of absence, I talked to our HR and have it on a half day instead.
I wouldn't dare to take a leave nowadays when expenses are on high.

"Sure, Emmy. Help yourself. It's just inside the bag." I whispered to her and she grinned at me.

"And we are back! Now that Halloween is fast approaching, let me give you some creepy yet fun vibes to your likings! Here's Zombie by Alanis Morisette and Thriller by Michael Jackson! Happy listening!" I said cheerfully and played the songs on my list. I removed my earphones for a while and turned off my microphone before I let out a big yawn.

"Oops, you're sleepy, Auntie!" Emmy exclaimed and when she realized what she had done, she covered her mouth and mouthed a sorry.

Emblem is a bubbly and enthusiastic toddler who also happens to be a smart one. I have to give it to DJ Everett. She raised her well.

Emmy knows her do's and don'ts. Her values and curtsy. And she is one happy kid.

"Yes, I am, deary. Shall we go home after this?" I asked and she nodded.

"I'm sleepy too. But, I can wait for you." She said sweetly.

Now, I know why DJ Everett doesn't want to leave her too long.

Funny, it has been the second day yet, I don't receive any texts or calls from her asking how her daughter was. If I were in her position, and with a kid that is so young, I don't think I can live another day without having he beside me.

This is just so unlike her.

I couldn't help wondering about a lot of things about her now.

Are there no signals in her location? Where exactly is she going? And, why didn't she take Emmy with her?

"Hey, auntie. I think, he's talking to you?" Emmy snapped me out of reverie when she pointed at someone on my glass window.

It was Mr. Robert Carusso. He was showing me that I am on air again.

I gasped and I nodded. I even heard Emmy giggled as I shook my head.

Focus, Elisse! I groaned inwardly.

After playing five more songs, I bid goodbye to my listeners and DJ Ivory took over the other half of my segment. I patted her shoulder for a thank you and she grinned, waving at me and Emmy as we treaded out of the DJ booth.

"Who wants spaghetti and chicken today?" I asked while holding her hand tightly as we got out of the office.

"Really? Really?" She asked in excitement and I nodded. "You're the best, Aunt Eli!"

"You've been great today and helped me earlier. I think we both deserve something delicious, right?" I said and we stopped when we reached the intersection.

The stoplight was on red for pedestrians so we have to halt. The famous fastfood chain is across the street and Emmy is one ecstatic kid right now.

I'm afraid she might ran to the store and I won't be able to stop her.

"Uh, Auntie, your grip is too tight." Emmy said doubtful of her words when she looked up at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry, deary." I apologized quickly and loosened my grip. She mustered up a smile at me and nodded.

"It's fine. I know you just want me safe." She said and I sighed when she got my point even without saying so. "I'll behave so you don't have to worry."

My forehead creased with her words.

Is it just my imagination or there is more to it? Is Everett doing something else to her when she misbehave?

"Oh! It's green already! Let's go!" Emmy cheered and people started walking to their destinations.

Making sure that my sling bag is placed in front of me, we crossed the street and sashayed to the fastfood chain. When we arrived, it was almost full.

I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that it is only ten minutes passed seven. Time for dinner.

No wonder this place is packed.

I was torn between having her sit alone on an empty table at the far corner of the store or having her beside me. I was scared that kidnappers are around and my instinct to protect her at all costs surfaced again.

"Is it fine with you if you come with me at the counter so you can choose what you want to eat?" I asked her and she nodded.

After a couple of minutes, we got our orders and found a vacant table beside the window. We spent an ample time to enjoy our food before we go home and call this a day.

When we arrived home, I immediately helped her get dressed into comfortable clothes and had my turn after. She busied herself with the cartoons while I sat beside her.

I frowned when I saw one side of my bookshelves disarranged.

Have I forgotten to fix them this weekend? Or am I too beat to return one of my books lately?