Chapter 9 - Words That Hurt

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. You brother thinks I have a hand in your death. Only you know the shock I am still in. What if someone says we don't care about her?''

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''

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 Song 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 Song 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 Sun 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 who 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 backwards away from him.

''You are quite brazen than I thought'' he tilted his head arrogantly 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 Jun 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''

''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''

''Really? Then, I should report you first for killing my brother, your husband''

''I did not kill Thomas Sun. 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 Sun looked at her and chuckled.

Natalie Jun 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''

''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 Jun looked at her phone. She found the address that Mimi Song sent to her.

''Let's go to Amor Café, thank you''

''At your service Madam''

Amor Café.

Natalie Jun entered the café and looked around for a while before seeing Mimi Song and Solace Song. She clenched her fingers around her bag nervously as she walked away.

''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 Jun sat across them.

''Don't you know how to greet your elders?'' Solace Song asked as she sized Natalie up.

''Mom, sis is still mourning. Don't be too hard on her'' Mimi Song said as she touched Mrs. Solace Song'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 jotter 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 than you'' Natalie said to the waiter.

''Yes, Ma'am'' the waiter noted it down.

''You should have something else, we are paying after all'' Mimi Song said to Natalie.

''That's why I asked for water. Water is free'' Natalie Jun answered indifferently.

''You are still arrogant even after losing your husband?'' Mrs. Solace Song glared at Natalie Jun. 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''

''How are you doing?'' Solace Song asked.

''As you can see, I am doing well and not dying anytime soon''

''Elder sister, mom is worried about you. when we heard about your husband, we just couldn't stand by and watch…''

Mimi Song 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? 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'' Nicole 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?''

''Leave her, Mimi. What do you expect from someone who grew up in the slums?'' Mrs. Solace Song said as she glared at Natalie Jun.

''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 face of her mother change.

''Watch what you say, Natalia. How dare you slander mom this way?''

''Blame me, if that will help you sleep at night''

''What?'' Mimi Song frowned.

''Hey, 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!!''