Chapter 13

While eating at a simple restaurant, we saw a grand carriage outside.

"Seems like some high aristocracy," Noah observed as he gazed at the carriage parked in front of the restaurant.

The carriage stopped and there were two little children with their mother. I waited for the carriage to move to fully see their faces, and as soon as I saw their faces I immediately recognized them.

Now, at all times? Really? Is this what they call fate? destiny? or is it purely coincidental?

When I realized the lady was facing the restaurant we were in, I looked down and continued to eat.

"You know them?" Noah asked, he must've seen my reaction.

Of course, my actions were too obvious.

"They're my father's new family." I simply answered. I have nothing to hide from them, and why would I have to hide it from them?

"They're heading here," Mia said, making me anxious.

Kye held my wrist, "Have they seen you before?"

I shook my head, "No."

I'm not so sure about the little girl...

"Then they won't recognize you, so feel at ease." He said, making me calm a little.

He's right... They don't even know me.

I sighed and was going to reach for the water in front of me to help calm my heart, but then...

"Oh? I know you!"

I had a mini heart attack when a small hand held my other arm along with his high childish tone. I held my chest as my hands grew wide while I looked at him.

"Huh?" Still in a state of shock, I said unconsciously.

It's her...

my father's daughter...

"Oh! I'm sorry, she must've mistaken you for someone." I heard a sweet and mature voice, and I already knew that it's her mother. Her face was flushed off with embarrassment.

I was stunned. I don't know how to react.

She's transparent...

Just like my mother.

"Excuse me, are you all right?"

"Ahh! Please don't worry about my friend, she's easily startled, hehe. Our apologies!" Ara remarked and bowed in front of my father's wife right away.

"Yella, please apologize to the young miss."

The young child named Yella bowed her head, "I apologize for my rudeness."

"Ah... it's fine," I faint a smile.

I noticed the young boy looking at me as they walked away from us. He resembles father.

They walked away and sat at a different table, a little further away from us.

"Are you okay?" Mia asked.

I nodded as I stared at her.

"I was so shocked..." I sighed, "I forgot that father's daughter saw me before..."

I didn't expect her to remember me though.

"I'm glad father is not here." I said.

We forgot about what had transpired and went on with our meal. The restaurant may appear modest, yet it is elegant, but I believe only a few aristocracy dine here.

"Ahh... I'm stuffed." Caz said as he rubbed his stomach. Plates were piling up in front of him.

Caz has always been the heaviest eater among us, yet he is petite due to his fast metabolism.

"So where are we going now?" I asked.

"Want to go to your mother's grave?" Mia asked.

My mother's grave?

"You know... I feel like this trip is only for my sake, what about you?"

"What do you mean? That's just what you feel." Ara said.

"But--"

"Even if we really do this for you, so what? Don't mind us, we don't have any happy memories here, so here we are making one." Noah said.

"He's right. You're thinking too much." Kye said.

"I am?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Oh... I guess I really am. HAHAHA" I just laughed it off.

We decided on walking towards the grave of my mother since it's only a short distance away from where we were. The only problem is, it's close to my father's mansion, which makes me wary.

We also bought flowers along the way and a small candle.

"So that's your home?" Caz asked, his gaze drawn to the mansion near my mother's grave.

"Yes. However, it appears to be more alive now than when I lived there." I stated.

The lights were always dimmed, as if no one lived there. The doors as well as the windows are also closed, as if the mansion was abandoned, but now, it's open. The windows are even decorated with fresh flowers.

Must be refreshing…

I turned away from our mansion and sat in front of my mother's grave, removing the leaves that had fallen on top of it. I set the flower next to it and lit the candle.

'Hi, mother. I'm sorry it's been a long time since I've last visited you. You know... a lot of things happened... a lot. I'm sure you know by now, since you're just there, watching over me, right? I experienced different hardships in life, but never did I tell myself to give up. You're the one who told me never to give up, and I know I can always count on you.

Oh right, I met a lot of friends too... They're the ones with me right now. I had two other friends who passed away, I hope they're with you. I hope they're having a nice life there and I hope you get to meet them.'

I looked behind me and saw my friends standing there, looking at me with a smile.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing!" Ara sat next to me, "Hi mother! Don't worry about Avi, okay? I'll be her assistant so you can put your trust in me. We might never get the chance to meet personally, but still, I know you're a great mother to Avi. Despite the harsh past, she's still smiling and fighting."

I chuckled quietly as my tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Mother! Hi! I also want to tell you something, but Ara has already told you the things I wanted to tell! Tsk!" Ara sticks her tongue out, teasing Caz, "But just like what she said, you can put your trust on us."

They told my mother various stories about me, some of which were nonsense. We sat there for about two hours, simply talking to mother.

It does feel like mother is right in front of us. It feels like she's in front of us, listening to their funny stories about our lives before.

How I miss you mom...

It feels good to visit my mother's grave after a long while.

"We'll get going now, mother!" We bid our farewell to our mother's grave.

"It appears that someone is in that room," Noah stated, directing our attention to my father's mansion.

There is, in fact, someone there.