NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

Sayuri smiled, saying, "You look like the old Kyle like this. These kids must be truly special."

Kyle gave a slight laugh then agreed, "Yes, they are truly special. I don't know if they'd remember me, though. After all, they knew me as Rex and not Kyle."

"You'd be surprised," Sayuri said, "Kids are highly observant and intelligent. I'm sure, even if they don't recognise you at first, they'll remember you. Just give them a bit of time."

"I hope so," Kyle said under his breath.

It would be much harder if they did forget him.

It was already going to be hard enough to get close to his kids without meeting himself; which was why he had opted to come and stay in Country M for this entire year. It would give him the time to slip himself into their lives.

It would not be impossible, just harder.

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"Why are we hiding again?" Sayuri asked, perplexed as they were high up in the tree, watching the kids from afar.

"You didn't have to come," Kyle said nonchalantly, as he crouched on the branch.

"You said I could!" Sayuri protested.

"I told you we had to be low key," Kyle pointed out.

"I didn't think you meant THIS low key!" Sayuri argued.

"Why else would I ask you to wear something that would make climbing easier?" Kyle asked.

Sayuri whacked the back of Kyle's head in frustration, muttering, "What sane person would think you'd be referring to this?!"

"What sane person can actually follow me up so high without being spotted?" Kyle countered back, not avoiding the hit.

"Come on, spill," Sayuri hissed, "What is the deal here?"

"Nothing much," Kyle said, "Their parents don't know I know their kids and I don't want their parents to know."

Sayuri stared at Kyle's side profile and noted how intensely he was staring at the two kids. She kept quiet and turned to look.

If it wasn't for the fact that the kids were in their teens, she would think they were his kids or something.

According to Kyle, Joseph, the older one, was 13 while Lianne was 11.

The picture of the perfect family appeared in front of them, as they were having dinner.

"Why can't they know?" Sayuri asked.

"It's complicated," Kyle answered, "I may tell you about it one day."

Kyle's eyes did not leave the family of four having their meal.

He remembered this day, of course, for it was her birthday. They always had a celebratory lunch or dinner and naturally, Kyle would remember this day.

His last birthday meal.

Tomorrow would be the start of her downfall.

When she discovered that anomaly, then started digging up what should not be dug up.

Whoever it was at Rex Industries that was in charge, found out about the download pretty quick.

Kyle clenched his fist.

Next month, she would die.

So he had only this month to get his kids to know him again.

Kyle remembered clearly how popular Joseph was at school. Handsome, kind and sociable, he was the type that attracted girls to him. He remembered very well how innocent his son had been at every confession - never taking it seriously. It wasn't that he was playing with their feelings but rather, he just wasn't aware of how serious they were about him.

Kyle laughed to himself.

Guess his 'special kind of stupid' was inherited by his son.

He never realised that before until now.

Joseph was like Xing Han. Friendly, bubbly and innocent - highly popular and sweet. Of course, Kyle could be extremely biased but he didn't think so. The only problem was, Joseph was a bit dense in some areas.

Not stupid, but just unaware.

He was also a very kind boy that felt deeply about things. Be it animals that he picked up or friends. He treated them well and loved them whole-heartedly. Kyle was worried about this.

Not just because the world was full of darkness … but also by how the death of his mother would affect him. Joseph was extremely attached to his mother. Always ready with his hugs and kisses, never being ashamed of it despite him growing older.

He was her ray of sunshine.

Lianne wasn't as overtly expressive but Kyle knew how much Lianne loved her (him), too. She was just the type that was not comfortable with hugs but she would hug him once in a while, and it took a lot out of her to do so.

She tended to overthink things and was highly mature for her age. One would think that she was the older sibling due to it, if it wasn't for the fact of how the brother towered over her petite frame.

They were still growing, but it was obvious that Joseph took after the father's height while Lianne was of a smaller nature.

Lianne may not show her closeness overtly, but it was obvious that she was very close to her mother as well. Kyle remembered all the times his daughter would turn to him for silent comfort, or for encouragement, to do something.

His heart clenched at the thought of how they must be after his death.

How is he going to help them cope?

Would they let him?

He certainly hoped so.

While Kyle was lost in thought as his eyes stared at the family, Sayuri's mind was in a whirl.

It was obvious that the family in front of them held significant importance to Kyle.

She took note of their names and made a mental note to gather intelligence about them. They were important to Kyle, and she wanted to get to know them.

Nothing too deep, just their background.

Once Kyle trusted her enough, she was confident that he would tell her why the two kids were so important to him.

Until that day, she would stay by his side and support him in everything.