Gresham puffed his cigarette and stared at his daughter in disappointment, just as his wife did. He felt so let down that he could not be bothered to say a thing.
“Hmm?” Vera uttered as she squinted at the television showing Bonita’s silhouette.
“What’s wrong?” Gresham asked in puzzlement.
“Don’t you think Ms. Bonita’s silhouette is somewhat familiar when the camera is this far away?”
Gresham looked at the screen and looked at Bonita, his frown deepening the longer he stared at her. Even Trina stared at the screen, thinking, ‘I saw Ms. Bonita when I attended the press conference for the latest nanomaterial, but I stood far away from her. The camera just zoomed in on the TV. I must say, Ms. Bonita’s silhouette does look familiar.’
“Are you saying her stature reminds you of Bonnie?” Gresham asked bluntly. Then, he mocked, “The world is full of coincidences. It’s not that weird for people to share a similar stature. That said, Bonnie doesn’t compare to Ms. Bonita.”
Vera nodded in approval. “I guess you’re right.”
She watched the television again and said, “Ms. Bonita is so young. She looks almost the same age as Bonnie. Every parent would die to have a daughter like Ms. Bonita. I envy her parents! If only I birthed a child who’s also the country's backbone, I’d have no regrets. I’d be so proud.”
Gresham grew upset when he heard Bonnie’s name. “That’s enough. It’s pointless to say such things now. Reality is often disappointing. Bonnie is nothing short of a rebellious, pathetic prick. It’s a good thing we disowned her. Otherwise, I’d be pissed off whenever I see her.”
Vera was just as furious as her husband. She said, “Fine, I’ll drop it.”
Trian looked at her parents’ expressions and thought, ‘What a relief. I might’ve embarrassed them, but Bonnie will always be worse than me.’
…
Bonnie noticed Leo, the team leader, still had not moved an inch. Puzzled, she asked, “It’s almost time to leave. Why aren’t we moving?”
He replied, “We’re waiting for an important figure.”
“Hmm? Who’s that supposed to be?”
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