Selena extended her hand, introducing herself, "Hello, my name is Selena. I'm not sure if you remember me, but you supported me some years back. I'd always hoped to visit and thank you in person, and I'm grateful that Tara brought me along this time."
Her face wore a serene, polite smile that she had rehearsed countless times, appearing calm on the surface while a storm of nerves churned underneath. Tara's father's piercing gaze, though familiar to her now, still made her feel slightly uneasy, as it reflected years of natural authority. The pause that followed seemed endless, each second stretched and intense. But Mr. Tan finally shook her hand, his expression softening slightly. "Well, it's good to meet you, Ms. Shen. You're very welcome here."
Seeing Tara's parents smile, if only slightly, helped Selena relax. She handed the bags to the house staff who had followed them out, and Tara took her hand again, her own palm warm against Selena's, now slightly damp with nervousness. Feeling the subtle trembling in Selena's hand, Tara squeezed her fingers in gentle reassurance and leaned in with a teasing look, whispering, "Sister, you're just as nervous as I've ever seen."
Selena shot her a warning look, tightening her grip, and pinched Tara's fingers with mock ferocity.
Tara let out a soft laugh and murmured beside her ear, "You're honestly too adorable."
Selena glared at her, thinking that if it weren't for Tara, she wouldn't be feeling this way at all.
Tara's home was grand.
The entranceway held an enormous 2x3m family portrait—a formal shot with Tara and her parents. Only Mrs. Tan wore a faint smile, while Tara appeared solemn, almost subdued, and Mr. Tan's expression was as stern as ever.
Naturally, Tara noticed Selena gazing at the portrait, and a rare blush crept up her cheeks.
As they entered the living room, Mr. Tan settled into the leather armchair, motioning to them. "Ms. Shen, Tara, come in, don't just stand there."
"Thank you," Selena replied with a smile, and as she and Tara took seats on the sofa across from her parents, one of the housemaids arrived with a pot of tea, pouring a delicate, rose-colored tea into a glass for Selena. "This tea was specially prepared for you, Ms. Shen, by Mrs. Tan," the maid explained.
Selena took the tea with both hands, catching the gentle, sweet aroma that held a mysterious floral hint she couldn't quite place. Inwardly, she reflected that Tara's parents weren't as severe as Tara had hinted.
"Ms. Shen, you've remembered us all these years," Mr. Tan began, his words forming what could almost be considered a faint smile. "That speaks well of you. We helped more than a few students back then, but you were the first to honor our agreement, which I remember clearly."
"Yes, that's right," Mrs. Tan added, her own smile brightening, "so when you wanted to visit us, we refused. We knew you were a student with potential. We had so many of those kids in the program come by for a few years, but then they disappeared. And now here you are. You've come back, and with more sincerity than any of the others."
What really made Selena stand out, though, was that she'd come back with Tara by her side.
Tara had been away for two or three years since leaving for college, and the family's relationship had become strained. Mrs. Tan knew that her own insistence wouldn't have been enough to convince Tara to come back.
Selena and Tara sat close together, their legs almost touching, giving a sense of easy intimacy.
Mrs. Tan leaned forward, eyeing Selena with warmth. "You're Tara's first friend to come to the house. She's been so private, ever since she was young. How did you two meet?"
Tara's mouth twitched at this, recalling her upbringing, where even something as simple as drinking water had been regimented. She never had time for friends.
But she didn't argue with her mother now, only responded, "Selena is my boss; she's always looked out for me. She's very capable."
Her tone was clipped, her face composed in a way that felt disconnected from the warmth in the room. She sounded as though she were discussing a work contract, so Selena jumped in quickly, smiling, "She stood out to me right away—she's incredibly skilled. But I found it even more natural when I discovered she was your daughter. It all made sense then."
"Hmph," Mr. Tan muttered, though his expression softened. Every parent loves to hear praise for their child. Tara's lips curved into a small smile, and at last, Selena allowed herself to relax.
From then on, conversation flowed easily.
Mrs. Tan, animated with pride, recounted Tara's childhood stories, much to Selena's delight. Tara was visibly flustered, trying to stuff fruit into her mother's mouth, attempting to stop the flood of anecdotes.
Mr. Tan, his hands resting on his knees, chuckled as he watched Tara, one minute covering Selena's ears, the next practically shoving fruit at her mother.
After a story about Tara getting stuck in a drainpipe during a game of hide-and-seek, with a car accidentally parked above her, Mrs. Tan finally relented, flashing a smile at Selena. "What do you think? Quite a character, isn't she? Sadly, she's much less adventurous now."
Tara's hand gripped the arm of the couch, looking as though her very soul had been wounded. She thought desperately that her dignity was ruined, thoroughly shattered in front of Selena.
To make matters worse, her sister actually seemed to be enjoying it, giving her a sly grin as she teased, "I didn't know you were so entertaining as a kid. You really put on a show, huh?"
Her fox-like eyes sparkled playfully, and she batted her eyelashes at Tara with mock innocence.
After chatting a while longer, Mrs. Tan stood and took Selena's arm. She had clearly taken a strong liking to her daughter's friend—Selena was educated, accomplished, and carried herself with kindness. She was pleased that Tara had chosen someone like Selena. Smiling, she said, "Come on, Ms. Shen. Let me show you to your room."
Selena returned the smile. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Tan."
Mrs. Tan led her upstairs to a room full of sunlight, decorated with cozy touches. Opening the wardrobe, she showed her a collection of new clothes for every season. "Your room is right next to Tara's," she said, patting Selena's hand. "You can talk all night if you like."
Tara, however, couldn't resist, and leaned in with a grin, "We should just stay in one room—then we wouldn't need two, right?"
Mrs. Tan misinterpreted the comment, thinking it was just Tara's lingering annoyance over her childhood stories. "Oh, you! You're never happy," she scolded lightly before turning to Selena with a warm smile. "Ms. Shen, I'll go and start preparing lunch for you both."
With a gentle click, the door closed, and Selena finally let out a sigh, feeling the tension seep from her shoulders.
Tara strolled over, a glint in her eye as she circled Selena, and slid an arm around her waist, leaning in close to murmur, "Sister."
Selena instinctively leaned closer, straining to hear her.
Seeing Selena move nearer, Tara's gaze grew warmer, her lips curving into a deeper smile as she let her breath brush Selena's ear. Selena shivered as she heard her speak, voice low and lingering, "You certainly know how to charm people, don't you?"
"My parents are completely smitten with you."
"But Sister, now I'm feeling a little left out. What will you do about it?"