First hospital.
Natalie walked out of the consulting room pulling her IV pole along as she did. She turned to go back to her ward when she saw two familiar figures walking towards her. Natalie stopped in her strides and looked at them cautiously.
''Elder sister, I thought that you would be laying down but you are already up and roaming around the hospital. At this rate, I bet the hospital feels like a second home now, right? You just keep coming and going''
Mimi and Dindin walked closer and stood before Natalie.
''I didn't know you were keeping count of the number of times I come and go in this hospital. Makes me feel special. Like I have a fan. But, don't do it too much. It becomes creepy knowing that someone you barely think about is watching you… like a stalker. Tsk, tsk, tsk'' Natalie brushed her shoulders and shook her head.
''We just came to visit you. Can't you be politer? Mimi already has a busy schedule and I still need to work on my designs. We left our work to come and visit you'' Dindin spoke.
Natalie turned to look at her. Her gaze shifted to the fruits basket in Dindin's hands and smiled.
''You brought pawpaw, grapes and mangoes for me? You brought fruits I am allergic to. Are you afraid that I am not hurt enough? Or, have you forgotten how you once mixed pawpaw in my fruit juice and I drank it and almost died? Figures, the first one to throw a stone always forgets but the one the stone hits never forgets''
Mimi flushed as the realisation dawned on her. She looked at the fruits basket and stuttered.
''It has been so long, how am I supposed to remember that?'' Mimi turned to Dindin, ''quick, throw the basket away. I will be careful next time''
''No need to be careful next time. Mimi, I don't want you near me. I want you to stay away from me from now onwards''
''What?'' Mimi's face turned green.
''If you keep appearing in front of me and telling everyone that we are related, I am going to get a restraining order against you. Your obsession with me is a turn off for me. Besides… I am interested in men''
''Hey!'' Mimi yelled and people turned to look at them. Some of them recognised her and watched interestingly.
''Hey? Is that how you speak to people older than you? Hey? Hey? Did you really grow up in a civilised home? Why do I feel that your fans are so blind? Or are they simply stupid… like you?''
''Hey! Don't think I won't dare to touch you just because you have the Sun family backing you up. If I got you once, I will definitely get you the second time''
''Are you admitting that you know about what happened to me five years ago?''
Mimi's body tensed up. She looked at Natalie with a frightened expression. Her forehead became sweaty.
''Natalie, do you remember what happened five years ago?'' A familiar male voice asked from a distance making them turn.
''Daddy, Natalie… she was''
Daniel looked at Mimi with a stern gaze and she became mute. She hid beside him as he walked closer to Natalie.
''Natalie, did your memories come back?'' Daniel asked and looked at Natalie with a strange gaze.
Natalie smiled as she said to him, ''I was referring to the time she fell off the stairs and lied on me that I was the one who pushed her down''
''You mean that one?'' Daniel's lips curved.
''What else did you think I was talking about?'' Natalie looked at him with an innocent gaze.
Daniel seemed to have relaxed after hearing her, but he was still suspicious of Natalie. He looked at the papers in her hand and the IV pole that was connected to her other hand.
''I came to see you. After all, I was the last person you were with before you passed away. Where is your ward? I brought you a cactus plant. They are fresh and just from the flower shop'' Daniel was holding a flower pot with a cactus plant in it.
''This way, please'' Natalie started walking away and Dindin followed with the fruit basket.
Daniel turned to look at Mimi. ''Don't jump to conclusions and say what you shouldn't. Natalie is smarter than you think. Don't meet her alone without my knowledge. Do you understand?''
''Yes, father. I will be careful''
''Good!'' Daniel walked away and Mimi followed behind.
After they entered the ward, Detective Wales came out of his hiding. He watched them close the door before he said into the phone.
''Aunt, I suspect that cousin remembers the incident that happened five years ago. You are right, Daniel Song just came to visit her with some flowers. I am suspecting that he wants to be sure Natalie doesn't remember anything. Don't worry, the bodyguard Mikael left behind followed them inside, but I will still be around until the two leave''
''Thank you Wales. I was looking into his clothes and I found the address of a building. I don't know where it is but it is in Yuk City. He has been receiving a call from someone over there for a long time. I am suspecting that he is dealing with some illegal business over there. He said he will be going over tonight''
''Don't worry, tonight, I will be following him everywhere he goes. Just get some rest. Tomorrow, when you go to the hospital for your monthly check-up, you might get the chance to see cousin''
''Alright, bye''
''Bye, aunt''
…
Inside the ward, Mimi looked around and scoffed. ''Are you sure you are in a hospital? This looks more like a hotel room to me. You have a television, an expensive couch, a well-laid bed and so many interior designs in this ward.
''I can't help me. This was done by my husband. He wants me to feel as if I am not in the hospital''
''Natalie, I should apologise for my behaviour the last time that caused you to get a relapse. I didn't intend to make you feel pressured'' after placing the flowerpot with the flowers in it on the table, Daniel turned towards Natalie and spoke.
''I just wanted to do something to help the relationship between your mother and you. I thought a lot about what I should do. this project seemed to be the only way out for me''
''You don't have to apologise for anything. I am the one who is not off good health. I stressed myself a lot for the past few weeks. I haven't gotten enough sleep so I ended up being a burden. About the project, since you have such good thoughts I can't say no.
Life is short and one doesn't know when they will die. After almost losing myself, I feel that I should appreciate my life and also the efforts of other people who care about me. I should give the same energy to the people who love me''
''Since when did you become a philosopher? Saying such sentimental words don't suit you, Natalie'' Mimi said as she sat on the couch eating some of the grapes she brought to Natalie.
''You should go easy on the fruits, little sister. Aren't you afraid that you are fat enough? Are you not the ambassador for that slim tea company? I wonder what people will think when they see you becoming fat from overeating? What if they blame it on the slim tea and call the company a fake?''
The bodyguard who was standing by Natalie's side the whole time chuckled and covered his mouth.
Mimi paused and her hands froze just when she was about to put another grape in her mouth. She quickly threw the grape back into the basket and frowned. She was really having a big appetite lately and her weight was becoming a little noticeable.
Natalie hit her where she hated the most.
Mimi stood up and went to the sink to wash her hands.
''It's good that you are having such thoughts, Natalie. I was afraid that you would misunderstand me after waking up. By the way do you remember what happened before you fainted?''
''Have you forgotten who I am, Natalie? You shouldn't forget me that easily. After all, that we went through, if you forgot me so easily, then I would be forced to re-enact everything all over again''
The words resonated inside Natalie's head. her hands quivered and she culled them into a fist. She looked up to meet Daniel's gaze and smiled.
''No. I only remember that I suddenly felt suffocated and could no longer breath. Luckily, Mr. Daniel was there to save me. This time, I really owe my life to you'' Natalie never broke eye contact with him. She knew if she flickered, he would begin to suspect her. her smile also never faulted.
In short, it was mind games played between two extremely intelligent people.
''Your company is investigating into the matter. I know that a lot of people are suspecting that I did something to you because of how complicated our family is…''