'Father ...'
Corale and her father Alfred did not know each other very well, but she was still saddened by the news that her father had passed away. She really hoped this was a dream. She wanted her biological father to welcome her to England badly, not her mother's friend, Zara.
"Aw …" Corale held her cheek which was just pinched by Raphael, "what's the meaning of this?"
"Don't make that face," says Raphael, "we can still communicate."
Corale just sighed.
"Corale, I know it's hard, but we're doing this for you," says Raphael.
Corale didn't respond. She had heard that excuse since last night from her parents, she didn't need to hear it anymore. She could not blame those who wanted her to inherit from her biological father.
That's right.
Her biological father, who recently died, left all his property and money to her, his only child.
'If I could trade it with you Dad, I would do it in a heartbeat.'
Corale has always been curious about her father, but because they live in different countries, it becomes the biggest obstacle.
"It's all up to you, if you don't want the money you can donate it to those in need," says Raphael, "we're all doing this because of the rules in England too, Corale."
"I see," Corale replied, hoping her brother wouldn't continue to doubt her, "promise me you'll come home often." With her later living in England, she realized her parents would be lonely and busier.
"I promise," Raphael responded firmly, "you must also promise to study properly there."
A strange promise, but Corale replied, "Of course."
They exchanged sweet smiles with each other.
"Oh," Raphael remembered something, "don't forget to check your bank account, I gave you some money as luck."
"What?" Corale couldn't believe her brother still giving her the money after buying her a ticket to England, "I'll give it back to you. I can't ask for more." She knew Raphael needed more money to pay for his studies.
Raphael shook his head, "Remember? Never refuse God's gift?"
Corale looked at her brother intently, moved by his kindness. Unable to stand it, she gave a tight hug, "I will miss you."
"Me too."
Corale tightened her embrace for a bit before letting go, "See you then, Raphael." She waved her hand warmly, holding back her sadness away from her family.
Raphael waved his hand too, "Stay safe, Corale."
"Of course," Corale responded, then stepped her heavy feet away from her brother, her face lowered to hide the tears that rolled down her cheeks.
*****
Raphael had made a promise to her, but Corale's feelings of anxiety couldn't be shaken off even after she arrived at the England airport.
The first thing Corale did was send a message to Raphael about her situation, then ask their parents' condition because previously they couldn't take her to the airport to work as usual to trick Victor's family.
They didn't even tell Gael about this.
Corale felt guilty, earlier she had made a promise to go to Strasbourg to see Gael's college today. She knew he will be disappointed in her, what's more, her number had been changed, and even her email.
"I hope he understands," Corale whispered with a sad expression as she read Raphael's reply regarding their family. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing things were fine there.
'I have to be strong, for my family and myself.'
Corale cheers herself up before exiting the airport looking for her mother's friend, Zara. She looked here and there looking for a woman who had promised her before she left for England.
So far, all she could see were people walking fast or cars passing by.
Corale tightened her grip on the pink suitcase containing the clothes she was carrying. She doesn't know that Zara is often late, her mother didn't tell her this.
'I can speak English, but ...'
Corale is afraid if she goes straight to her father's house, Zara arrives here and is disappointed to know that she is not there.
'I'll wait a little longer. Maybe Mrs. Watson is stuck in traffic.'
*****
Corale let out a tired breath.
An hour has passed, and there is no sign of Zara going to show up, not even the messages she sent get no reply.
Corale lost hope and was getting tired of standing by watching strangers pass by, wishing they had Zara. She couldn't wait any longer, the taxi driver kept offering her a ride too.
'I'll text Mrs. Watson that I'll go home alone.'
Corale took her cell phone, started typing a message for her mother's friend, but when she was about to send it, she was interrupted by a cheerful, feminine scream.
"Miss Corale~! Is that you?"
Corale stopped to tilt her head. Not far from her, there was a young woman with long brown hair in a ponytail waving her hand in a friendly manner, her dress which looked like a maid dress strikingly caught the attention of several people.
'Is there a cosplay festival or something?'
But the beautiful young woman who was almost the same height as she didn't seem confused, instead continuing to wave at her. Corale glanced around, then pointed to herself whether the 'Corale' in question was her.
The young woman nodded once, then approached with a sweet smile on her lips, "Miss Corale Vincent. Right?"
Corale refuses to answer because she doubts the woman in front of her is Zara. She remembers very well the body structure and face of her mother's friend.
"Sorry for being rude," the woman realized it scared Corale, "I'm Vega, the maid in your house, Miss Corale."
"Maid ...?" Corale muttered awkwardly. As far as she remembers, neither her biological father nor her mother ever said they had a maid named Vega.
"Yes~" Vega says cheerfully, "I came to pick you up because Mrs. Watson has other important business to attend to."
"Oh," Corale muttered in disappointment. It's obvious why Zara is still hasn't shown up and her messages are not being replied to. If she couldn't do it from the start, why did she agree to take her home?
"Please don't think negatively, Miss Corale," says Vega sympathetically, "Mrs. Watson would love to see you, but because of the suddenness of her business she can't."