17 Her Mother

July 7, 20xx

Paris, France

On a clear sunny day, Yan Shi would prefer outdoor seating to bask on the sun and enjoy watching people passing by the sidewalk. But they opted out due to the mid afternoon heat that's been assailing the city for the last three days. The minute she walked inside the bistro,the smell of Italian food was triggering her hunger and the sound of stomach complaining was heard.

Once the food was served, no words were said and both woman concentrated on eating.

"Yan Dengfeng already signed the documents. Once I hand this to you, it means you are no longer part of the Yan family. Are you certain about this?"

Yan Shi took away her attention to the plate of ravioli in front of her and met her friend's questioning eyes but didn't open her mouth. Instead she nodded in response.

Truth to be told, the only reason she stayed with the family was because of her grandfather. But with his sudden death three weeks ago, there was no reason for her to be connected them any longer.

Her heart tightened at the thought of his passing. She never had a chance to say goodbye to the old man, even at his last moments. She stumbled on the news of his cardiac arrest the second day she was in Delhi and called the old house. The butler's confirmation sent ripples of pain inside her.

"You're grandfather left you shares. Do you really want Wang Nanfu to take everything?It was your mother's money that help revived the company." The 24 year old Captain prodded.

But silence followed her question.

Yan Shi had no idea that was the case, till the family lawyer contacted her a few days ago and explained her grandfather's reason for giving those shares. But she has no intentions ofputting herself into a steaming pot and with the old man's three children clamoring in taking over of the company,it's a waste of her time.

"Let them have it. That family can have their redemption in hell."

"You're too soft." Injin commented as she leaned lazily on the chair.

'Has she?'

Refusing to accept, Captain Yu suggested"Let Leona do the works. "

Leona Cheung is both their investment manager who's based in Hong Kong. The woman was able to multiply her investments and she has no doubts of her ability.

However, instead of agreeing, she refused.

"No. I just want to live my life in peace like how my mother wanted me to be. I promised it on her deathbed.As for money, it can be found. It's not as if I am lacking any of it."

The trust fund her mother was more than enough to survive a lifetime.Long before Laura Ricci went to China, her name was already known in the art world as a realist painter.She created charcoal drawings and oil paintings of beautiful scenery. Because of her unique style, similar to the famed Hudson River School artists, her artworks raked millions. Two of her paintings hung inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Which left her daughter in wonder why the Italian woman had to go to China in the first place when she already made a name for herself.

Her mother might had been stupid in love but not with her earnings.She invested most of it in profitable businesses.

"Fine. Up to you."she mumbled.

Captain Yu understood her but if she's on her shoes, she'd do the opposite.

"I've investigated the incident 19 years ago. The car was traced to a man who was killed in a boating accident, three months after his car swerved and hit your mother.I share the same conclusion with the police's initial investigation, that there was no motive andit was an accident."

There had always been doubt in her regarding this incident.Perhaps the unsettled feelings rose from dreaming of her these past weeks.

She trusts her friend so she accepted that it was a happenstance.That she was just at the wrong place, at a wrong time. Plus, who would want to kill her softhearted mother? She's the most unlikely person to anger anyone.

As she was in deep contemplation, she never noticed Injin scratch the skin behind her earlobe.

*****

On the way back to the apartment, a tall and lanky man in green military uniform drove the car while the two women sat behind and chatted.

There was obviously humor in Captain Yu's tone when she asked the question.

"What's wrong about being married? Don't you know, it has many benefits?"

Her thick soft angled brows lifted and asked "Like what."

She grinned.

"Physical exercise. It burns the calories faster than any form of physical exertions."

Yan Shi gave out a small laugh at her friend's remark and retorted "You talk like you experienced it. Why are you still single then?"

"Because I chose to. C'mon. Life is too short to be dwelling with uncertainty.So what if you die tomorrow?Do you know why soldiers enjoy their life to the fullest once on vacation? Because they'll never know when a bullet hits them."

"But mine is different. The whole point is that, I don't want him to suffer in the future because of me."

"It's similar. It's not actually your illness that's holding you back. It's your inner fears.There is no doubt that you wanted to give it a try but afraid it will fall apart like your previous relationship.Additionally, to take on the weight of pain is his choice to make, not yours. "

A crease suddenly appeared on Yan Shi's clear face.

"When did you start studying psychology?"

Injin shrugged her shoulders. She just wished the woman to be happy.

"What's that famous marriage vow again? In sickness, we die?"

Yan Shi was unable to hold her chortle.That's one of the things, she liked about the Captain, the way her photographic memory translates logic.Hilarious at times.

Most of the time, it's misunderstood. But after 7 years of being friends, she understandsthe woman's way of thinking.

"In sickness or in health, till death do us part."

"See?"

The woman in black rimmed glasses shook her head in resignation. What Captain Yu meant was, if the wife gets sick so as the husband. Conversely, if one dies, the other follows.

If taken as the whole context, that's not the meaning.

It's just the woman likes to argue using semantics.

When the woman got off the military hummer, the man in front asked "Where to Captain?"

"Back to the base. Call Leona. Tell her, start implementing the plan."she commanded without taking her eyes off from the receding figure in the dark.

"Sorry Blythe. Some things are best kept hidden. " she murmured.

*****

When Yan Shi entered the apartment, a figure was sitting in the dark. The only light that illuminates the room was coming from the laptop in front of him.His piercing dark brown eyes only landed on her when she spoke, "We need to talk."