Chapter 35：A new leaf

"Rest well okay? I've got to head home now, you guys should too, it's getting late," one of their policeman's friends said with a smile. "Yes, we will," they replied pretty much in unison. Because of that, they sounded like a bunch of kids replying to their preschool teacher. The policeman realised and he chuckled. After which, they said their goodbyes and the policeman left.

That's when Kaiden's phone sounded. "Sorry, give me a sec," he said as he accepted it and walked to the side to take it.

"Hello, erm... what happened today?" It was Cathy on the other end.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you guys not check your miss calls? I messaged Renae and it delivered but she didn't read it, then I called her and she didn't answer, so I called you and you didn't answer. I had no choice... I had to call the rich man Matthew. He didn't pick up either. You only picked up now and it's almost night. What's up?"

"Oh, I'll explain later. It concerns Min, but it'll be settled soon. I'll call you later tonight," Kaiden said.

Cathy agreed and they hung up.

"Who was it?" Renae asked. "It was Cathy. She called us a bunch of times but apparently we all didn't realise. How damn caught up were we with what was happening that we didn't notice that our phones were ringing?" Kaiden asked as he laughed. "Speak for yourself, I was kidnapped, I didn't have my phone," Renae refuted. Matthew also had an excuse, "My phone was left in the car when I reached the abandoned house so I didn't know either. So speak for yourself!" Kaiden's face reddened. "Seriously? Speak for myself indeed... how did I manage to not realise? Damn..." Kaiden mumbled. The two laughed in response.

"You have to explain to Cathy what happened, right? I'll fetch Renae home, no worries," Matthew said, giving him a thumbs up. Kaiden could feel the wing man-ness from where he stood. Matthew was misunderstanding and... or maybe he wanted to push him to Cathy so he could have Renae to himself? With that thought in mind, he actually didn't feel that upset. Mm, what was going on in his heart? Even he didn't know.

"Okay, goodnight then. See you guys tomorrow?" Kaiden said, waving them goodbye. They waved back and said their goodbyes before they got into their cars and zoomed off. While in the car, Matthew's phone rang. Since he was driving, Renae picked up instead.

"Hello?"

"Is this Matthew? It's the police station calling here."

"Oh, this is Renae. Policeman 1? Matthew is driving right now."

"Oh! Renae, this is good then. I won't have to explain twice. So Min and the other men who helped's punishment is either death penalty or 10 years in prison plus canning. Min had decided to settle this in court and try to pay the punishment off so we'll have to get you guys a lawyer. Since Kaiden was helping us out as a part of the police team, he isn't involved in this incident so it's just you and corner boy. Any questions?"

"Oh, no questions. Corner boy's name is Matthew, geez." Soon after Renae said that, a male voice was heard in the background. "Hey! Did he call me corner boy again? Hmph..." Matthew grunted, adding a pout to look "cute". Renae rolled her eyes. "Ignore the crazy man in the background, please..."

Policeman 1 laughed and asked, "Will do. Oh, for your lawyer, we'll be getting Ms Lee again. How's that?" Hearing this, Renae was pretty happy. "Ms Lee? Of course! She was a really chill lawyer, she's so patient too... I would be so happy to have her back oh my..." Renae replied, it was clear from her tone of voice how elated she was. "Okay then, everything has been covered. Before I hang up, may I ask, is corner, erm, Matthew, your boyfriend?" Renae wasn't drinking or eating anything, but she almost choked on her own saliva after hearing that question. "Hah? No! Do we look like a couple to you? If we did, I would've happily ran into his arms when we were free after you guys came.... I think. OK, maybe I've been reading too many books, but still! I don't think we act like a couple..."

"That's not it. It's not that you guys act like a couple, it's that you guys match each other very well. For someone to disapprove of your relationship, if you guys ever start dating, then they must be crazy," the policeman said, making Renae's cheeks turn a slight tint of pink. "Whatever! Since you're done talking, I'm ending the call. Do we need to go over tomorrow?" "Nope, I heard that..." Before he could finish his sentence, Matthew interrupted him and ended the call.

"Hey!" Renae reached out for the phone but Matthew didn't let her take it. "It's my phone and you guys were done talking so it's fine," he said, getting out of the car. "We're here by the way." Renae got out too. "I can tell," she responded sarcastically.

"Can I stay for a little while? I'm worried someone will try and do something..." Matthew said as Renae unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Oh, sure. Come on in." She did an inviting gesture and they entered the house.

After they settled down comfortably on the couch, Renae got a phone call but she was lazy to get up and receive it privately, so she just did it when Matthew was there.

"Mum? Dad? What's up?"

"We won't be able to return by tomorrow, we're so sorry, Renae..." At first Renae was confused about what her parents were talking about, but only understood what they meant when they added, "But we'll celebrate your birthday together as a family when we return, okay? We'll eat your favourite food, so please forgive us this one time!"

"Don't worry, I don't blame you guys at all. You guys don't have to do anything special, it's just a birthday... I'll see you guys soon then, goodbye!"

Matthew's head jolted up. "Hey, was that your parents?" He asked, curiously looking at Renae. "Mmhmm. Why?" She asked, her focus was on the television. "Didn't you say they returned and you went to see them back home the other time?" He asked, raising his eyebrow in suspicion.

Renae silently cussed. She had completely forgotten about it! She froze for a second before replying, "Yea, they had to go on a business trip again, hahaha..." Her laugh was so awkward, it sounded like she was sad. Matthew got that idea and immediately felt guilty. "Oh, I'm sorry for asking. I didn't think about it before I said it..." Renae was puzzled. What? Sorry for what? But she didn't want to blow her cover so she just shook her head, implying that it was fine.

"I'm really sorry. It's alright, you can cry as much as you want if you need it," Matthew got up and walked over to hug her. Renae was startled. They hugged each other for quite some time, and during that time, she realised that Matthew thought her awkward laugh meant she was secretly upset her parents weren't going to be there to celebrate her birthday with her, so she went with it.

"I... I'm upset but I won't cry. I feel much better now, thank you... for the hug and being here for me," Renae said, her cheeks unconsciously flushed a beautiful red. Looking at Renae like that from above, Matthew also blushed, but he was embarrassed so he turned the other way. "It's... It's nothing," he replied shyly.