บท 23: Family

Mm…

Waking up today was easier than before. The mattress under me was warmer and softer. But that wasn't the reason I felt it was easy to wake up.

The warm body cuddling with me was comforting. Reno, I truly missed this cute little brother of mine. I gently touched his face, my mind looking back at our memories together.

"Reno, are you awake?"

"Mmm…. Nuuu… Just lemme sleep moree…!"

He curled on himself like a cat that was so bothered from my touches, hiding his face to be able to sleep more. That was truly a likable attitude of a kid.

Jeez. I keep forgetting Reno was not a kid anymore, he should be in his last year of high school now. I wonder if he was doing good with his studies without me?

Someone interrupted my thoughts by knocking on the door, ah, it was early morning already.

I pushed myself up carefully, suppressing the dizziness I felt by learning on the headrest, and called them in.

"Come in."

The maid opened the door and bowed, "Lady Klara is calling you and the young master to have breakfast together. Shall I inform her that you are coming soon?"

She said the last sentence after taking a glance at the sleeping Reno, I nodded to her. She must be new since I hadn't seen her before.

She bowed again and left after hearing my answer. So, I knew I needed to finish my things quickly. I shook Reno despite his struggle to wake him up.

"Wake up sleepyhead. Grandma wants to have food with us."

He tried his best to shake his drowsiness away, "Ah… Okies, though she hadn't been asking for that lately. Kinda weird."

"Hmm? Do you mean there is something important here perhaps?"

Nodding, he helped me up and helped me to change my clothes. While brushing my hair, he started guessing about what may be happening.

"Maybe some guests are coming. Not that I'd know."

"You don't usually spend much time with grandma anymore?"

"I do, but she's starting to focus more on work lately," He sighed, his hand movement slowed down, "Maybe that was why she got sick all of the sudden."

His words made me stop for a moment. Come to think of it, I'm yet to ask about the details regarding her sickness.

"Why is she sick? I was so exhausted and tired, I really couldn't ask her much. And she may not like it."

"Well," He hesitated for a moment, and then added, "I'm not sure as well. I just know that she's in a situation where she can drop dead if the exhaustion becomes immense."

I almost choked on air, shit, was it that serious? I didn't know. Oh god, my dear grandma…

No matter what, I need to spend more time with her. I'll also ask around for some doctors. She needed to be alright, I couldn't let her die like that.

Thinking of that all, I walked towards the dining hall with Reno's support. Upon arriving, I saw my smiling grandma, but next to her was someone I didn't expect.

"Ah, Christopher…?"

I blinked. What on earth is he doing here? I just wanted to spend some time with my grandma, away from work, I just wanted to be happy with my family.

Just as I was about to blurt out something rude, I remembered the scene at the hospital. How he had a gun, how he beat Marcos up to a meat paste, and how I shot Marcos' hand that day.

…So much has happened so recently. I was able to escape from those ones before in the past, but can I do it again now?

They say the tables will always turn around. I'm afraid that may be the case and the past, which I've been meaning to bury, would still strike me like a lightning bolt.

To my surprise, the thing Christopher said was nothing related to these worries of mine. But it was something way more shocking.

His eyes were slightly narrowed with an amused smile as he stood up and helped me to my seat.

"Mei. I'm glad that you seem to be alright. Since we are here, maybe I shall introduce myself again?"

Receiving a nod from grandma, he ignored my puzzled face and kissed the back of my hand.

"I'm Karla's son. Nice to meet you."

"What in the love of god…"

I stared tiredly ahead, then looked at grandma who was staring disapprovingly at Christopher. Though she didn't deny it…

Another fact of mine seemed to be twisted and broken beyond repair. What has my world come to? I'm unable to do anything seriously without realizing I've been tricked somewhere.

I'm gradually growing numb towards these surprises.

"I see…"

Whatever. At least, he has a reason why he had to protect me and help me. Mei should be happy knowing we have him as a backer just like she wished to.

Seeing my reaction, grandma nodded and gestured to the food, asking me to eat.

I did just that. And slowly, I filled my stomach with warm, savory soup. It was exactly to my taste, spicy too. My grandma had never forgotten what I liked.

Eventually, we were done with food and sitting on the tea table. Although it was a bit awkward, grandma managed to coax me to tell her about everything.

The look of horror on Reno's face showed how everything was so horrible for him. But oh boy, I just told you about the recent events. If only you knew what had happened to me before it?

At the end of our conversation, grandma was hugging me with Reno sobbing to my shoulder. I was the victim here, yet I didn't cry. This boy was so sensitive.

"Ha. You don't need to cry. And I'm okay, everything is fine."

I told them everything, though I hid the fact I shot someone. Christopher didn't seem to disapprove of that. And soon enough, his phone rang.

After a few words, he turned around and told me, "Diam is coming here to discuss the new role with you. I need to leave for something, I'll be back later."

"Mhmm, okay."

He patted my head and left, leaving me with grandma and Reno. I hugged them both while trying to calm them down.

But then, there was my marriage thing that I just remembered.

"Who's my husband again…?"

Unconsciously, I blurted that question out.