Awkward silence filled the air when Sharmaine and Merry got out of that place. There was nothing Sharmaine could hear but the faint sound of tea dripping in the tea cup. Its fragrance covered her nostrils, so much that she could gulp all of it in one sitting.
"Here is your tea, miss, the other one was thrown out since it got cold." Merry's voice was too sweet. Thinking back now, her identity was merely a mystery for Sharmaine. She saw a different side of her down at that place, and her words somehow stuck.
The fact that she did not bring up what had happened bothered Sharmaine, and even the way she's acting now also did not help her situation. She could not say a single word, perhaps an excuse or the truth. She glanced Merry's sweet almond-shaped eyes and smiled.
"Thank you, Merry." She raised the cup and took a sip of the hot tea. It was unexpectedly tasty, and mildly refreshing. As she placed it back down, her eyes were focused on the words of the printed pages of her book.
'Family Genes', it said. Oddly, it struck her—she looked too much exactly like her mother, which was a weird statement coming from a daughter, but somehow, she did not feel a mother-daughter bond in Iris' presence. The fact that her life still remains a mystery was also not a good sign.
She glanced yet again to Merry, and with a curious tone, she asked, "Merry, what do you think of my mother?"
Merry paused. "Well, I think she's the greatest woman I've ever seen."
Greatest could be acceptable. Iris did build a company worthy of reputation after all, and she even got her hand on the media. But for Sharmaine, it was simply the vaguest answer she heard. How great her mother to Merry was unknown, and the way Merry appreciates Iris was also a deep and hidden mystery. Just how could this woman worship another so much?
Hours went by in a blink of an eye, and slowly, the books started piling up, and tea was running out. The last page of the medical book was finished. Sharmaine stood up to stretch her body. Glancing to Merry, who stared at the pile of books, she wondered how great was Merry as she stood beside her for more than six hours silently.
"Shall we head out?" Sharmaine asked. Merry nodded silently. In perfect timing, the one and only maid entered the vicinity and greeted them both.
"I will clean this up, you may go to the garden if you wish."
Oddly enough, Sharmaine thought that an old woman like her would not have been able to hear what she said, alas, it was proven wrong. Sharmaine smiled and nodded, gesturing to Merry that they should go out now.
The garden was a nice place to be alone. The insects flew around her as if she had just entered a magical garden—like those in fairy tales. Lush green leaves filled the area as they give out this refreshing scent that went into her nostrils.
"This is certainly one of a kind," said Sharmaine, twirling along the short grass. Merry smiled as she followed Sharmaine wherever she goes.
"I do have to remind you that Miss Iris would like to talk to you after lunch." Merry had this monotonous tone, but looking at her eyes, it was filled with light. After a few minutes of walking around, Sharmaine's tummy grumbled loudly. Sharmaine laughed loudly while the silent Merry smiled.
"Perhaps it is time for your lunch." Merry lead her to an outdoor table and chair setting, where she could get a nice view of the plants. On the table, piping hot chicken and rice awaited for her. She offered merry some, but gladly refused.
Sharmaine frowned. "You should eat."
"Pardon, Miss, I had already eaten," she said, but Sharmaine knew that it was a plain lie. As she gently gobbled up the chicken, a familiar figure stepped out of the glass door.
"M-Miss Iris."
She looked at Sharmaine and then to Merry. "Sharmaine dear, please go to my office later."
"Why?"
"Oh, we'll need to talk about something."