2
Freen's POV
After the funeral, I booked two one-way tickets to Chiang Mai. The place holds favorable memories when mae and I lived with grandma to care for her. I’m grateful that my school friends May and Babe live there, moving after our graduation. I think about how life would be if I’d gone with them but I couldn’t bear to leave mae and Nat.
Chiang Mai will be a fresh start for Nat and I. Job hunting is priority then getting Nat into a good school for his education.
Nat and I are waiting in the drop-off/pick-up zone for my school friends.
“Freennnnn,” a voice shouts behind us. May opens her arms wide while Babe trails behind with flowers and balloons. “We're all here!”
“Finally you're here,” Babe says, handing the flowers to Freen and taking their bags. “We missed you so much 😭”
“I’ve missed you both.” Nat grips my hand a little tighter, peering around my arm at the two. “This is Nat, my-”
“Mae,” Nat tugs on my sleeve, tightening his hold around my fingers. “Balloons…?”
Babe and May’s eyes widen comically. Babe hands the balloon to Nat, making a loose knot to tie the bunch around his wrist.
“Do you like piggyback rides, Nat?” Babe kneels down to get eye level with him.
Nat nods furiously, his eyes sparkling as he holds his arms out to Babe who pulls the boy atop his shoulders. Nat’s laughter twinkles out like Christmas bells, warming Freen’s heart.
May grabs their bags by Babe’s feet and leans into Freen to whisper, “I thought Nat was your brother.”
“He is,” Freen whispers back. “Mae thought it’d lessen the heartache if he thought of me as his Mae.”
May wraps an arm around Freen. “I’m sorry about Nun.”
Freen makes a watery smile, blinking back tears. “Hmm… thanks for supporting me. Let's go to yours now na…”
Rebecca POV
Everyone’s gathered around the dining table for breakfast by the time I make my way downstairs.
“Good morning,” I hug my parents and lay a kiss atop Mum’s head. I nod to Richie and he grunts back around a mouthful of bacon.
“Becky, there’s an urgent shipment of supplies that needs to get sorted at one of the satellite offices,” Dad says, sipping at his coffee. “Take care of it first thing today, alright.”
“Doesn’t Richie take care of supply shipments, honey,” Mum questions, spearing a piece of cantaloupe with her fork.
Before dad can answer I lay my hand over Mum’s. “Richie might be busy, Mum. I can handle it.”
Richie’s busy alright. Dad is introducing him to the administrators of our Mafia and getting him settled in all the administrative work that Dad’s been taking care of since I took over as head boss.
A shipment of untraceable firearms are being delivered and I’ve got to represent the Armstrong family. It’s unfortunate that Mum is kept out of the loop but we do it to protect her. Mum has made her distaste for the Mafia very clear from the moment she knew of Dad’s affiliation. So Dad left his sister in charge while raising his children to be successors. While he’s taken more of a backseat in leadership of the Mafia, Richie and I have stepped up as his successors. Especially after our aunt’s hospitalization from a drug bust that rival gangs set up. Mum assumes that our aunt — her sister in law — was involved in a car accident.
Mum is very soft hearted and doesn’t raise her voice when scolding us. One of my biggest fears is Mum finding out about her kids’ involvement in the Mafia. Could she accept it?
Freen POV
“AUNTIE MAY,” Nat squeals as pancake batter splatters on the counter. His paper chef hat is crinkled and there’s fruit stains on his little apron. May is whisking haphazardly and laughing maniacally as she dodges Nat’s little hands attempting to take the bowl away. I giggle at their antics and wipe off the batter on the counter with a clean rag. I continue prepping the fruits for our delicious fruit pancakes.
”Alright, Chef Nat,” May salutes with her free hand, setting down the bowl near a heated pan. “It’s time to make the fluffiest pancakes you’ve ever seen.”
”Yes Chef May!” Nat salutes back, stepping on the step stool and preparing to ladle the batter in the pan.
May carefully assists him in making the pancakes while I go about cleaning up their mess and setting the table with plates and cutlery. After placing the fruit on the table, I wander over to Nat and May’s cooking station.
Nat proudly shows off the three pancakes he made and is happy to let May continue making the rest of the batter.
“These are for you, Mae,” Nat beams, pushing the plate into my hands. “Auntie May says these pancakes are delicious because they’re made with love. I made these with all the love I have for you.”
I set the plate down on the counter and scoop Nat up into a tight hug. “Thank you, Nat.”
”Let’s eat!” May says, holding a stack of pancakes as she ushers us to the table. I take Nat’s special pancakes for me and hold his hand tight, leading him to his seat.
”Yum!” Nat hums around a mouthful of pancake.
I’m grateful for May, letting us stay in her apartment. I told her I’d find my own place but she assured me that I’d be doing her a favor since she’s over at her girlfriend’s place more often than not these days.
“So May,” I point a strawberry in her direction. “When do we get to meet this infamous Fay?”
May blushes. “I’ll see when she’s free to meet up. Her job keeps her pretty busy.”
“Speaking of jobs…,” Freen groans, wiping crumbs from Nat’s chin. “I managed to schedule my first job interview with Armstrong Group Inc. tomorrow.”
“That’s great, Freen!” May’s ecstatic tone lifts my spirits slightly.
“It is. I’m just worried. It’s an entry level position but I don’t know if they’ll want to hire a barista for this office position.”
The next day…
I’m up early as I get ready for my job interview. Babe dropped by with freshly baked pastries and much needed coffee. May and Babe wish me luck on the interview and make promises to not feed Nat too much sugar. Nat sleepily murmurs his I love you’s and gives me a good luck kiss on my forehead. I lay little pecks on his squishy cheeks and don’t stop till he’s in a giggle fit. I leave the apartment with a smile on my face and determination to face the day.
Chiang Mai is such a busy city, I don’t bother with trying to hail a taxi during rush hour. I’m glad that May’s apartment isn’t too far from the job site so I decided to walk. I’m in the middle of a crosswalk when the old man in front of me collapses.
“Sir! Are you ok,” I rushed toward him.
Suddenly, a car stops abruptly in front of the old man before I can reach him. The car narrowly avoided mowing down the old man in the crosswalk.
Rebecca POV
During rush hour, I got word that some rivals attacked one of our outposts on the city limits. They’re working on narrowing down the list of suspects but the Armstrongs have a lot of enemies. The altercation left a bitter taste in my mouth as I drove to the office. 😮💨
“…shit,” I muttered under a sigh, glancing up from my phone in time to slam on the brakes. An old man collapsed in the crosswalk. I don’t get out of the car, gathering my bearings because this whole situation could be a set up. I’m tense after the incident this morning.
A blur of brown hair flutters across my windshield as a young woman helps the old man up. He wais to her and takes the outstretched hand she offers. They make their way to the other end of the crosswalk. The old man continuing to bow and the lady wais back, waving him off.
Then she turns and steps toward my car.
…my god.
If I thought her side profile was beautiful then her facing me in all her glory is blinding.
My palms feel sweaty gripping the steering wheel and my face feels flushed. I barely register rolling down my passenger side window.
What’s happening to me?
“Excuse me miss, are you okay?” Her smooth, clear voice trickles into the car.
I try to find words. Any words. I clear my throat and nod my head slightly.
I lift my head and catch her eyes. My breath seizes. Those disarmingly charming honey chocolate colored eyes.
“You look a bit shaken up,” she sounds concerned. For me. A complete stranger. “Do you want me to call anyone? Should you go to a clinic?”
“I’m alright.” I muster what remains of my voice. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt empathy/concern from someone who isn’t family. “Are you ok? And the old man, is he alright?”
I still haven’t ruled out that this could be a ruse. That old man could be off informing his colleagues and this lady might just be stalling for time. But I find it hard to believe that someone like her could have anything to do with illegal activities/crowds.
“I’m fine. And the old man said everything was well. He just stumbled and lost his footing,” she explains, glancing at her watch. “I need to get going. Take care of yourself. Safe driving.”
The woman flashes a quick smile and throws me two thumbs up before darting away.
She left before I could get her name. Her number.
Immediately, regret fills me at this lost opportunity.
Rebecca Patricia Armstrong regretful.
Today has been an awful morning.