''Actually, we'd like to look around first. You can attend to the other customers. if we need help, we will look for you.'' Natalie said to the manager and she nodded her head excitedly.
''Then, I will be over there. Let me know when you find something that you like.'' The manager said before going to attend the other customers. She murmured as she turned to look at them once again. ''What a respectful rich mother and daughter. Hard to find humble and rich people like that these days.''
Natalie and Mrs. Regina walked around and the former stopped in front of a yellow woven net bag and smiled. She looked at it and said to the elderly woman. ''Aunt, look at this. i
Isn't it beautiful?''
''It is; do you like it?'' Mrs. Regina Sun looked at the excitement in Natalie's eyes.
''Mm!''
''Then, let's take it!''
''Aunt, are you going to buy everything here if I like them?''
''Yes!'' Mrs. Regina Sun replied and looked into her bag and her face turned pale.
''What is it?'' Natalie asked.
''I might have left my card at home.'' The woman said with a frown.
Natalie chuckled and shook her head saying, ''I knew this would happen. Well, guess what, we're using my card!'' Natalie said and removed her card that she had picked while leaving the house.
''That won't be fair. I was the one who called you out first.'' Mrs. Regina felt bad using Natalie's card for their purchases.
''Rock, paper, scissors'' Natalie said suddenly and Mrs Regina lost.
''That is cheating, young lady. I wasn't aware we were playing that and you didn't give me enough time to prepare.''
''You lost, aunt. Accept defeat!''
''Fine, but, I am buy refreshments after shopping.''
''Okay. Aunt, look at this bag too, this will complement any dress that you were perfectly.''
''This looks flashy for an old hag like me.''
''No, is not. Look, is almost the same as the one you have here. This is the limited edition bag. There are only five of this in the world, mom. We're so buying it!'' Natalie took the bag from the hanger and the manager walked over to them after serving the other customers
''Do you need anything?'' she asked with a polite smile.
''Yes, we will take this bag'' Natalie said as she handed the bag over to the manager.
''You made the right choice, Miss. This bag is the only one of its kind in the whole country and there are only five of that in the whole world''
''Can we get a dress to match with the bag and some accessories?'' Natalie asked.
''Yes, this way!'' The manager said excitedly as she led to the dresses section. Buying a single item in the group would let her gain bonus from the sales so she was happy that they were going to buy a lot of things at once.
''Let's go, aunt!''
''Wait. If you buy these for me then I will also pick a dress for you. Whatever I pick, you will wear that for the dinner we will be having later on.''
''Alright, but let's get you a killer dress first, aunt.''
''You're just impossible to deal with. When did I say I wanted all these?
''The moment you lost this game. Let's go!'' Natalie pulled Mrs. Regina along to the dresses section.
''I will bring some of the new dresses and gowns that we received yesterday in the evening.'' The manager said as she walked over to a group of workers and started instructing them.
It didn't take long before the workers brought out some gowns and dresses.
''Let's take a look!'' Natalie said as she walked over to the workers
.....
Hello! Restaurant.
Private room.
Natalie's mouth watered as she looked at the various dishes that was being served at the table. she was sitting across Mrs. Regina inside the private room.
''Whoa. Are we having a feast, why did you order so much, aunt?''
''Someone is joining us. We are having a family dinner, remember?''
''Mikael Sun is joining us?'' Natalie asked as she clasped her hands together under the table. She felt nervous since the last time they saw each other was at the graveyard and it wasn't a pleasant one.
''Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand. We are a family no matter what. Since he came, we haven't had the time to sit together for a meal, so I thought it was best to do soon''
''No, is okay. But, I don't think he will like it if he comes to find me here, though. He… doesn't like me...''
''Don't worry about that, I already informed him about you. He won't act like he did the last time. You have me here, what is there to be afraid of?'' Mrs. Regina said and touched Natalie's hand, trying to reassure her.
The door opened and Mikael walked in. He was in a formal suit and pants. He looked at Natalie before turning to face his mother saying. ''When you said family dinner, I didn't think she was part of the family?'' Mikael remained standing as he spoke.
''Mikael, Natalie is part of the family'' Mrs. Regina said sternly.
''By family, I thought just the two of us. Since when did our family include her?'' He asked and looked at Natalie.
''Mikael, give her some respect. She is your late brother's wife and also someone older than you.''
''As far as I am concerned they never got married. I am not eating with her.''
Natalie stood up nervously and picked her handbag saying. ''I will leave first!''
''No, sit back young lady. You two will sit and we will have this dinner. Mikael get you butt on that seat, sit down!!"
Mikael sat down before Natalie also did before the elderly woman said to the both of them. ''Both of you will learn to tolerate each other because none of you is leaving this family. You will learn to also respect each other or I will make your lives miserable as the head of the family. Do I make myself clear?''
''Yes, mom!''
''Yes, aunt!''
''Natalie, you will address me properly from now onwards. I am your mother!'' Mrs. Regina Sun said and Mikael and Natalie looked at her.
''Mom, I think you are taking this too far'' Mikael said and Mrs Regina glared at him.
''Aunt, what are you saying?'' Natalie asked, she was also confused.
Mrs. Regina opened her bag and brought out two papers and gave it to each of them saying. ''Do you remember when I asked for you seal at the shop today?''
''Yes!'' Natalie replied and gasped as she looked at the adoption paper in her hands. ''Aunt, what is this?''
''Mom, what is the meaning of this?'' Mikael also asked.
''Are you blind now? Do I need to get you lenses?''
''Mom, how can you adopt a grown 25-year-old woman?''
''Why can't I?'' Mrs. Regina asked back as she looked at them with cocked brows.
''This isn't right, aunt!''
''Mother, you will call me mom from henceforth and you, Mikael Sun, she is your elder sister now. Learn to address her properly.''
''Mom, this is ridiculous. Natalie, leave us alone. My mother and I need to talk!'' Mikael said and Natalie stood up and Mrs. Regina Sun pulled her back on the seat and said to her son.
''I said you should address her properly. She is now your sister!''
''I will never accept this!''
''Let's eat, all discussions are on hold till we are done eating.'' Mrs. Regina said and picked her cutlery and started eating.
Natalie nervously took the glass of water by her drink to drink as her hand quivered under the penetrating gaze of Mikael. She placed the glass down and picked her cutlery, separating the meat from the vegetables.
Mrs. Regina sighed and looked at Mikael's plate, he had finished cutting his steak into pieces so without thinking twice, the elderly woman picked the two plates and exchanged them.
''Natalie, eat this one. Mikael, you can cut the steak into pieces and eat. Natalie doesn't eat vegetables.''
Mikael frowned as he looked at Natalie ''Doesn't she have hands?''
''Do you want me to send another letter to my lawyer disowning you?''
''You are threatening me'' Mikael said and turned to the plate. He looked at the vegetable that Natalie Jun had separated and asked. ''Do you eat only protein?''
''Yes!''
''Why?'' Mikael remembered this information wasn't included in the report he received.
''Nothing. I just like it that's all."
''How is work going, Mikael?"
''Is okay. We are starting shooting this week. I already gave instructions to Assistant He. I might not be around for three to six months.''
''I see. Just be careful.''
''You don't have to worry about me. I just hope by the time I return, my sister in law here would have decided what exactly she wanted to do with her life. She can't be freeloading like before. She needs to work to earn her own keep.''