Natalie placed some flowers on the gravestone of Thomas and sighed. She looked at the bright smile of the man staring back at her and murmured.
''Thomas, I still can't believe that you're gone. What really happened that night? How did your plane malfunctioned and crashed? I don't understand what is going on."
"Your brother thinks I have a hand in your death. Only you know the shock I am still in.''
Natalie sat down on the gravestone and started talking more to herself. ''Do you remember your reaction when I first suggested this contract marriage?''
She chuckled. ''It was so epic. Your eyes bulged out and I almost thought they were going to shoot out of their sockets. You always had the cutest reactions to whatever I say. You even thought it was the most ridiculous request ever.''
Natalie sighed ''You jerk. How could you do this to me? I thought that you would be with me forever. Why did you leave without a word? You promised to call me after touching down.''
Her phone buzzed in her bag and she wiped away her tears before taking it out. She frowned before answering the call.
''What do you want?''
''Sister, mom wants to meet you!'' Mimi said arrogantly over the phone.
''What is it this time?''
''I will send you an address and time, make sure you are there on time.'' Mimi said and hung up immediately.
Natalie looked at the phone and shook her head. She stood up from the gravestone and turned to go, seeing Mikael at a distance. He walked to her and placed the flowers in his hands on the gravestone before looking at Natalie.
''Coming here to cry buckets of tears will not help you, Miss Jun!'' Mikael said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Because of his well-built physique, he was looking down on Natalie whom was shorter. Her slender body coupled with her checkered top and skirt that she wore made her look like a high schooler as she stood in front of him.
''I wasn't crying!'' Natalie stepped back, away from him.
''You are quite brazen than I thought?'' He tilted his head smugly and cocked his brows at her.
''I don't know why you're behaving this way towards me, Mr. Sun, but, I hope that you don't regret the way you treated me one day.''
''I will never regret treating someone like you bad. You know why? Because women like you don't deserve to be treated well.''
''I will be on my way'' Natalie decided not to talk to him anymore because she knew that he wouldn't believe anything she said to him.
''I heard you were friends for five years? Did you seduce him after finding out he had money?''
''Do I have to answer that question?''
Mikael held Natalie's hand tightly and said to her. ''Don't be smug with me. I can easily get rid of a rat like you and no one can do anything about that.''
''You're hurting me Mikael!'' Natalie said and tried to free her hand from his grip.
''I told you to call me Mr. Sun. We are not close enough for you to call me by my name. Hearing you mention my name disgusts me!''
''You might be powerful but the police are also there to protect the weak and helpless. If you do anything to me, I will report you to the police. You are not above the law and I know my rights.'' Natalie stated and Mikael laughed.
''Really? Then, I should report you first for killing my brother, your husband!''
''I did not kill Thomas. I understand the pain of losing someone you love but Mr. Sun, don't project your regrets unto me. You keep accusing me when you know very well that what happened was an accident. Do you think it will make you feel better as long as you continue to blame me? If you have regrets about not getting to know your brother before he passed away, then, deal with it yourself. I am also dealing with the pain of losing not just my husband but my best friend. Someone who meant the world to me.'' Natalie said word for word, having had enough of his rudeness towards her. If he thought she was someone he could easily bully, then he was wrong.
''Hey, how dare you?''
''Mr. Sun, I am two years older than you, don't call me ''hey, you!"'' Natalie glared at him before walking away. Mikael looked at her and chuckled.
Natalie increased her steps, afraid that he would come after her. When she got to her car, she got inside and leaned against the seat.
''Whoa, way to go, Natalie Jun. What if he decides to come and kill you while you are asleep? Wow, he is so scary!'' She shook her head.
''Madam, where do you want to go to again?'' The driver who was sitting in the front seat quietly finally spoke.
''Just a minute!'' Natalie looked at her phone. She found the address that Mimi sent to her.
''Let's go to Amor Café, thank you!''
''At your service Madam!'' The driver replied.
.....
Amor Café.
Natalie entered the café and looked around for a while before seeing Mimi and Solace. She clenched her fingers around her bag nervously as she walked towards them.
''I chose this corner because we are public figures. We wouldn't want people going crazy over seeing mom and I here, you don't mind, right?'' Mimi Song asked politely as Natalie sat across them.
''Don't you know how to greet your elders?'' Solace asked as she sized Natalie up. She felt that Natalie was becoming more difficult to talk to.
''Mom, sis is still mourning. Don't be too hard on her.'' Mimi stepped in and spoke as if in support of Natalie but was indirectly driving a wedge between the mother and daughter pair. She touched Mrs. Solace's hand affectionately. ''Big sis, what would you like to have? They had delicious snacks here that you can eat.''
The waiter arrived and looked at them with her small notepad ready to take their orders.
''My mom and I will have expressos with double shots and…'' She intentionally paused as she looked at Natalie as if waiting for her to make her order.
''Water, a glass of water will do thank you!'' Natalie said to the waiter.
''Yes, Ma'am!'' The waiter noted it down and walked away.
''You should have something else, we are paying after all.'' Mimi said to Natalie.
''That's why I asked for water. Water is free!'' Natali answered indifferently. She didn't want to owe them anything. Water was free in the cafe.
''You are still arrogant even after losing your husband?'' Mrs. Solace glared at Natalie. anytime she looked at Natalie, she would be reminded of the past she couldn't erase. She was the past that stained her perfectly well planned life. Like an ink on a white paper.
''To what do I owe this invitation? You said we shouldn't contact each other so I don't think we are here to catch up.'' Natalie cut to the chase.
''How are you doing?'' Solace finally asked. Even if she wanted to act indifferent, she was still worried about her daughter.
''As you can see, I am doing well and not dying anytime soon.'' Natalie stated.
''Elder sister, mom is worried about you. when we heard about your husband, we just couldn't stand by and watch…''
Mimi didn't finish when Natalie interrupted her saying. ''You should have stood and watched. We don't mean anything to each other. We don't have any relationship for you to be worried about me. Don't forget you were the ones who told me not to tell anyone about our relationship. No?''
''Drop that arrogant behaviour. Is this how you speak to your mother in law Mrs. Regina? Then again, I never expect you to behave in a dignified manner.''
''Mrs. Song, tell me exactly why you called me out? I am a very busy person.'' Natalie said and took the glass from the tray before the waiter could serve her. She drunk half of the water before putting the glass down.
The waiter realising the tension immediately put the mugs down and left.
''Do you have to speak that way to mom? Can't you see that mom is genuinely worried about you, big sis? Besides, how busy can you be when you don't even have a job?'' Mimi smirked with a mocking stare.
''Leave her, Mimi. What do you expect from someone who grew up in the slums?'' Mrs. Solace said as she glared at Natalie.
''Aren't you grateful for that? You should be grateful to me who grew up in the slums. Because, as a result of that you were able to take all the money my late father left and even got married to his best man and inherited an obedient white lotus.'' Natalie Jun smiled when she saw the look of distain on her mother's face.
''Watch what you say, Natalie. How dare you slander mom this way?'' Mimi glared at Natalie.
''Blame me, if that will help you sleep at night!''
''What?'' Mimi frowned.
Solace chuckled and looked at Natalie with a mocking gaze. "I told you this, five years ago, right? If you want to see me dead so much, then, you first of all have to kill all the bitterness in you. But I don't blame you. You just lost your husband and must be feeling SAD. LONELY AND HURT!!''
Every word of Solace hurt Natalie to the core and her facial expression made it evident.