Three months later...
Natalie visited the Sun family house to check up on Mrs. Regina. Since the funeral she had locked herself up in the villa trying to mourn her best friend in her own way. This was her first outing after three months of mourning for Thomas and she wanted to see Mrs. Sun.
Mrs. Regina Sun looked at Natalie lovingly as she squeezed the latter's hand. ''Child, you should come out often. Why do you lock yourself up inside that big house alone? I was worried about you. You look so thin.''
''I'm doing well, aunt. You don't have to worry about me.'' Natalie faked a smile.
''Silly, if I don't worry about you, who will? Since Thomas' sudden passing away, a lot of things have happened. The company is in chaos and Mikael is tiring himself out with company work and his career. Recently, he got casted to act in a movie Thomas invested in.''
''Thomas really invested in a drama?'' She remember overhearing his conversation with Mikael over the phone but she didn't get the details of it until now.
''Yes, and the rights to that drama and the director's other three works are all in your name. He made you the biggest investor in the drama. Didn't you know about this?''
''No, I didn't. He didn't tell me anything.''
''I know. Actually, his assistant told Mikael and I a few days ago. So, I wanted to talk to you about it. What do you think?''
''I don't know, aunt. Why did he invest in that drama?''
''I heard that 'that woman and her daughter' are the main leads in that drama. Mikael got the male lead role and your sister got the villain role.''
''What was Thomas thinking by doing this? This is too sudden and also, I don't know anything about the entertainment industry. Maybe, you should let Thomas' assistant and Mikael take care of it. Aunt, I don't think I want to avenge anymore.''
''Why? Thomas bought the rights to the drama because the Song family wanted to. You will have full ownership of the drama. Once the acting is completed, you can decide not to air it as a slap to their faces. That will be the greatest revenge ever.''
''That will be a waste of the efforts of the entire crew, the supporting cast and also I don't want Alice to suffer because of this. I don't even know what happened to Thomas. Right now, I think is best if I stayed low key for some time. I still can't stop thinking about him. I dream about him every night.''
''I understand. Natalie, you have to be strong. You lost a best friend but I lost a son and a husband. If I see you breaking down, I won't be able to stop myself from following suit.''
''I will try my best. Actually, I also have something to tell you. Thomas' lawyer came to meet me two days ago. He told me that Thomas left the villa and some money for me.''
''Yes, I am aware of that.''
''Thomas wasn't just my husband. He was my best friend, my everything. He was the only one who understood me. Now that he is gone, I don't think I deserve to still stay in the villa and also have all that money.''
At the door, Mikael Sun stopped in his strides and listened to the two women's conversation.
''What are you saying, Natalie? Do you want Thomas to visit me in my sleep for mistreating you? I can never allow you to leave the villa. No, never."
''But…''
''Is that all my brother was to you?'' Mikael walked up to them. "Money bank? Now that he is gone, you want to run for it?'' He asked looking at Natalie disgustingly.
''Mikael, what are you saying?'' Mrs. Regina stood up and asked angrily.
''Mum, didn't you hear her? She wants nothing to do with the family now that my brother is gone. She doesn't want to waste her youth being a widow of the Sun family.''
''That's not what I mean Mikael.'' Natalie stood to her feet.
''Don't you dare ever call me by my first name. Did you ever really love my brother? Why didn't he ever mention you to me? I knew you were just a fake. A fake who was with my brother for his money and now that he is dead, you can't wait to leave!''
''That's enough, Mikael'' Mrs. Regina Sun stood up.
''No, mother. Listen to me!'' He turned to look at Natalie. ''If you think you can leave so freely and get into the arms of another available rich man then, let me bust your bubbles. You are going nowhere, in fact you are going to stay married to my brother until you die and you will stay in that villa until you grow old. Don't even think about leaving to anywhere because I have eyes everywhere!''
''I am not leaving the marriage nor your brother. Thomas meant the world to me and more. Don't talk to me as if you know me well!'' Natalie clenched her fists tightly. She hated been misunderstood and Mikael didn't seem like he was interested in anything she had to say.
''I seriously doubt that. Whatever you are hiding, I will find it out and make sure you pay. You were the last person he spoke to before he died. Don't tell me you really don't have a hand in it.''
''What? Are you suggesting that I had something to do with my own husband's death?'' Natalie exhaled deeply. Clearly, Mikael was making ridiculous claims.
''Yes. Do you not?'' Mikael's stand was clear. He hated Natalie and blamed her for his brother's death.
''Mikael, I said that's enough!!'' Mrs. Regina slapped Mikael out of anger.
''Mother, did you just slap me?''
''Yes, I did and I will do it again if you don't stop name calling Natalie.''
''My brother kept her name as his main benefactor. He invested in a movie for her, he assigned half of his fortune to her. Every damn paper I see is to her benefit. Don't you find it suspicious? My brother left her $ 50,000,00 dollars in case something happened to him.''
''What? No, that's not possible!He couldn't have left that much money for me!'' Natalie fell back on the sofa in shock.
''Keep pretending, but I intend to investigate the real cause of his death. Until then, you will stay where I can find you. If I find out that you have a hand in his death, I will kill you myself.'' Mikael touched his cheek before leaving the hall to his room.
''Aunt… I really don't know what is going on? Why would Thomas leave that much money to me? Is it ridiculous!'' Natalie tried to explain.
''Natalie, go back home and rest. You've heard too much for one day. I will call you when I look into this.'' Mrs. Sun felt exhausted from dealing with Mikael.
''Yes, aunt!''
…..
That night, Natalie brought out a bottle of wine. She poured glass after glass and drunk it all, drowning out her sorrows and frustrations.
….
The Song family Mansion.
Meanwhile, that same night at the Song family Mansion....
''Mom, I really like this script the more I read it. The more I feel it was made just for me.'' Mimi said to Mrs. Solace as she looked at the script of the drama. Her words were a little exaggerated.
''After reading it, I also fell in love with it.'' Mrs. Solace said.
''I've always loved the writer's works. She has a way of giving life to her scripts. I can't believe I am going to act as your daughter in law in this drama. Mom, do you know that in this drama you will be supporting my relationship with your son? The script is refreshing and interesting. I can't wait to start shooting it.''
''Yes, did you know that the male cast is Mikael Sun? You are going to be acting alongside him.''
''Yes, I heard it yesterday. But, mom, how about we visit sister? She just lost her husband of two weeks. It's been four months since then, we should show her our support.''
''She is no longer a part of this family. Why should we visit her? Does she even see us as her family?'' Solace was resolute in her words.
''Still, she is my sister. I feel bad for her. She got married and in less than a month she lost both her husband and father in law . Is sister really that unlucky? They didn't even go for their honeymoon and he is already dead!'' Mimi studied her mother's expression as she spoke. When she noticed her expression was still neutral, she smirked.
''Death can come to anybody. It doesn't happen because one person is unlucky.'' Solace stated nonchalantly.
''You are right, mom. I will call sister and arrange a meeting with her. We should still meet with you; mom I am counting on you.''
''You are so naïve and she takes advantage of your kindness to hurt you all the time. Are you stupid?''
''Mom, no matter what she is your daughter and I want the relationship between you two to be fine.'' Mimi's words were as fake as her smile.
''Alright, you win. Call her and arrange for a meeting. Make sure it is a place that isn't crowded, we can't draw unnecessary attention to ourselves.''
''Yes, mom. Don't worry, I know a place that is very serene and private.'' Mimi smiled and picked up the script again and started reading it. Her mood seemed to have lightened up that moment.
''I told you, Natalie, you can never escape from me!'' She murmured to herself.