It was past lunch time, Nana and Fow kept waiting for Nui by the river side, but when she didn't come, they went to her place. Although both Nana and Fow found Mrs.Tan very intimidating but it was Nui's birthday and they wanted to spend the day with her.
The Manor House is usually quiet, but today it was wrapped by pin drop silence. "Where is Nui? Did she go somewhere? it's so quiet here", Fow asked the old stewardess.
"Miss Saue is in her room, please come."
"Is she unwell?" Nana looked concerned.
But, the stewardess didn't reply. So, they went straight to Nui's room.
Nui was sitting in front of an open window, overlooking the rush green fields in one corner of her room. Her open hair was blown by the breeze making it look messy, she was plucking the petals of a rose in her hand, lost in some unknown thoughts, there was a clear impression of worry on her face.
Finding Nui like that Fow rushed towards her, "Nui, what happened to you? Why do you look so terrible? What's wrong?"
The sight of Nana and Fow made her breathe some fresh air, Nui hurried to hug them and broke down in tears. Although Nana and Fow were clueless they went ahead to calm her down. Nui cried and heaved for a long time.
"Enough Nui stop crying now. your eye balls will come out. First tell us, what is it that made you breakdown like this? Did someone bully you?" Nana asked in an impatient way.
In the meantime Fow had went down to the kitchen she understood that Nui hadn't eaten anything, all three of them heard their stomachs growling and Nui laughed for the first time on that day.
Fow asked Aunt Lily to warm her some food which she brought to Nui's room.
"I know Nui you have a lot to say, and we have a lot to hear, but nothing could be done in an empty stomach. So let's eat first." Fow had a huge tray filled with delicious food in her hand.
For the rest of the afternoon Nui narrated her wierd situation to her best friends, and their faces told that it was as hard to believe for them as hard it was for Nui to live that reality.
"That can't be possible, we are just 18! didn't you plan to study at the university after this. How could this happen? You weren't even aware of this, I suggest that you back out. Nothing can be more precious than your life Nuinui." Fow who was always radical and impatient spoke in rage.
Nana rolled her eyes, she knew Fow's lack of temperance, "Fow grow some brains, Nui can't back out now, she isn't selfish, how can she put her own grandma into such grave danger?"
Then she hugged Nui like a mother hen, don't worry Nui, first let's do some research on this family, if they are rich and famous then definitely there will be some news stuffs on them in the internet. Secondly I think you must follow the advice of the Lawyer and read the documents tomorrow with a clear mind."
Nana and Fow decided to stay over with Nui that night, and Mrs.Tan didn't object either, in her heart she was happy that Nui had her friends with her when she was going through an emotional upheaval.
They browsed through the internet diligently reading any and every article about the Cinri Corporations, but those were mostly about their successful businesses. Apparently the Cinri's had their hands in all sorts of trade. They were one of the top notch families of the Zavik Megapolis. But since most of the men of that family were in the military or were ex army personnel they kept their private lives absolutely private. Other than a few old pictures of Senior Cinri, there were no photographs or details about his family.
"Fow, what if he is extremely old and ugly? What if he has many mistresses?" Nui panicked.
"I have heard in big cities rich old men take fancies in having young wives. They indulge in extreme sexual pursuits with young women." Nana whispered with wide eyes.
Nui was about to cry again, "Stop it Nana" Fow chided.
"Don't worry Nui we will find out, I have my cousin at the K City, it's not very far from here, he owns a hotel over there, he knows many important people, may be he could be of some help. But, we have to go there soon,we don't have much time, you have to take permission from Mrs.Tan."
"IMPOSSIBLE, she won't allow me to go that far, you know that right?" Nui said as a matter of fact.
"Tell her that you need to shop new clothes before you leave, and we will accompany you, you can even take Aunt Lily if you want to" Nui nodded but she wasn't convinced about it at all.
Nui was of course oblivious to the fact that her roller coaster ride had just began.