Jayden was back at home. He was grumpy, and getting more and more violent. His mom was worried. She called Sherly to find out what had happened to her precious son that made him turned out to be this way.
"Hello" Sherly answered the phone at the first ring.
"Sherly! It's auntie."
"Hi auntie! What's up?!"
"Do you know what happened to Jayden? He became very quiet after he came back from S country."
"I don't really know auntie.. You should ask him" she crossed her finger. She knew that Jayden would kill her in cold-blood if he knew she told on him. Sorry Auntie I lied to you. This is brotherhood. (Or perhaps sis-bro-hood?)
——-
"Mom, can I talk to you?" Jayden entered her study.
"Yes! Of course" Mrs. Oh was glad that finally Jayden was willing to talk. "What can mommy help you my dear?"
"Remember when you asked me to go Italy to study gemstone and craftsmanship?"
Mrs.Oh immediately sat up straight. "I thought you refused it adamantly the last time I mentioned it?" She inquired. Confused by the sudden change of mind.
"Yeah... I had been thinking about it. I think I should go." Jayden told her.
"Really?!" Mrs. Oh was delighted since it's necessary for Jayden to learn from the expert about gemstone and such as he was the heir to their corporation.
"Yes,mom." He replied composedly.
"But are you sure about it? You have gone on and on convincing your dad about how it's too fast and too early for you to learn about the company and so on, until your dad finally agree. " Mrs.Oh looked at him questioningly.
He was reluctant before because he wanted to be with Joyce for a longer time, but now he had no reason to postpone.
"Yes mom, I'm sure."
"In that case I'll arrange everything for you."
She went over to him and hugged him excitedly.
———
It was one month later, Joyce was relaxing in her room, when her mom called her. "Joyce! Mrs.Chua is here!"
Confused as to why Lily's mom had come to look for her, Joyce quickly went down to meet her.
"Hi, Auntie! How are you?" Joyce asked with face full of questions she dare not asked.
"Hi, Joyce. I am fine." Mrs. Chua had a serene look on her face and an inner calmness now. She was different from the Mrs. Chua Joyce know when she was left by her child. She seem a little mad from extreme anguished. She was a little dazed and quiet when Joyce last saw her. She wondered what would have caused the change in her. However, positive changes is always a good one for Mrs. Chua since Joyce sincerely hope that she and Mr. Chua would finally find peace and be able to let go of Lily.
"Is there anything that I can help you with, auntie?" Lily asked after a brief moment of silence.
Mrs.Chua took out her tote bag and brought out a small book. It was Lily's diary book. Joyce looked at the book and recognized it. However she waited patiently for Mrs.Chua to say something.
Finally, Mrs.Chua gave the book to Joyce. Joyce was surprised but she took it nonetheless. She looked at Mrs.Chua questuoningly.
"Lily wants us to give this diary book to you. it was in her letter for us." with a red-rimmed eyes, Mrs.Chua continued on.
"That silly girl actually never really expected to truly be cured of the cancer. So she had actually prepared letters for Mr. Chua and I, including you. She told us to take good care of ourselves and not to make her worry or she won't be able to be an angel in the heaven..." Mr Chua was choking and tears were running down her trembling cheek. "Sorry...." she took in deep breath and tried to control her emotion.
"It's okay auntie" Joyce took some tissue and handed it to her. She squeezed Mrs.Chua's hand lightly and had turned red-eye too. The warmth of Joyce's hand had broke the tear-dam and Mrs. Chua broke down and continued crying violently
After while, Mrs.Chua had finally calmed down and wiped her tears while gave her best effort to smile.
"Sorry, it's still painful to think about her death. But she wanted me to remember how she was when she was alive. She did not want me and her dad to wallow up in anguished because of her as it will make her sadder and hard to leave So, Mr.Chua and I have been trying our best to let her go peacefully. She wrote a lot of things in her good-bye letter. Honestly, with that letter, she saved my soul and my life. I could finally move on. I was on the verge of losing my mind, when I stumbled upon these letters as I brought her things back from the hospital. However I didn't have the courage to read them until last week; so that's why I only give them to you now. I hope you won't blame me..."
After saying all that, she took out a white envelope with Joyce's name on it "
Her hand trembled when she took the letter from Mrs.Chua. Suddenly she was overwhelmed with emotion and had turned speechless. Looking at the letter on her hand as if it was surreal.
"She really ... really.... had a letter for me...." She said to herself in disbelief. After Lily threw her tantrum suddenly, she thought that Lily must have hate her to the core somehow, and did not even dare to hope for anything. Seeing this letter makes her realized how totally wrong she was.
"Are these really for me?" she asked Mrs.Chua again. Her face showing hope and happiness that's somehow full of uncertainty.
"Yes, she asked me to passed these to you. I think you should read them." Mrs. Chua smiled and tapped her softly on her shoulder...
She was shaking inside but Joyce tried to remain calm.
After chatting for awhile, Mrs.Chua finally started to left.
She suddenly turned and hugged Lily tightly before letting go. "Thank you for being such a good friend to my child until the end."
Joyce eyes turned hot and tears rolled down silently. She sobbed silently and Mrs.Chua patted her back gently to appease her. Finally Mrs Chua left. Lily went to her room and sat down. She took out the white envelope and tore it open. Then she took out the letter and stared at it. After taking a deep breath, she started reading.