The Family Business

Chapter 13: Alarm Bells Ringing

"All I'm saying is that, maybe this is a whole new level of family misunderstanding." Mac shrugged before taking the last bite of her vegan bagel as they walked the stretch to Tàiyáng Inc. tower.

"Family misunderstanding in our household has always been a tricky thing, and now even more detrimental, imagine my dad actually considering disowning me just because I refused to marry one of his business partners' son or daughter." Ali countered, throwing her empty coffee cup into one of the bins present in the area.

"Had Eleanor called after they talked?"

"Mom did, but she didn't divulge anything important apart from assuring me that she's safe, she seemed to be keeping her voice and tone in neutral so Althea and I decided to take her out to lunch on Friday instead."

"Why not now? I mean any day earlier than Friday?"

"We could've but, dad suddenly brought in one of the most important parts of mom's project and she'll be busy for the next few days."

"It's crazy you know, your dad strikes me crazy." Mac shakes her head, she didn't have the best experience with her own parents when she was younger but time sure heals all wounds and provides a space for people to be more understanding and accepting of what is and what will always be; Mac was lucky.

"Tell me about it. Although he wasn't always like that according to mom, she met him when he was still this young, eager, and passionate scientist basically the time before he took office and before grandpa passed away. After the tragedy, mom slowly and painfully watched my dad turn into someone else, someone aloof and rigid and borderline toxic." Ali recounted pain evident in her voice and expression.

"Come here, Tàiyáng." Mac said, pulling Ali into a hug, making Ali giggle.

"Sorry for ruining bagel morning walks because of my petty family issues."

"Hey, not one bit. I'd listen to you yak about it everyday."

"And I love you too." Ali smiled as she placed a kiss on Mac's cheek for being so supportive and understanding about everything.

"Are you sure you're going to be safe here? Want to ask Batchi for a few -" Mac worried as they pull away.

"I'm good, I can handle myself. I know self defense." Ali winked.

"Still, call me if anything, okay?"

"Got it." Ali nodded before walking towards the lobby of the building, Mac waited for her to get inside one of the elevators before leaving. Mac felt her phone vibrate as she was hailing a cab to the police department.

"Hello Althea?"

+

"Are you having your usual Batchi?" The purple haired petite woman standing behind the counter asked soon as Batchi walks inside the coffee shop. It isn't one of those prized cafes like Noonan's but Big Bad Wolf is a specialty coffee shop located in one of the establishments of downtown New York nearest to 17th on the Park.

"Good morning, Lyra. Usual please and thank you." Batchi awkwardly smiled as she sat by one of the bar stools in front where the baristas are crafting their specialty coffee.

"Have you already solved that puzzle you're talking about last time?" Lyra asked as she started making Batchi's usual herself. Lyra is Batchi's spunky, free-spirited, music major crush, she's been pining about for a couple of months now, James has told her countless times to ask her out already but Batchi can't seem to find the perfect timing. Perfect timing as in when she's not caught up with any of her projects and outside problems like keeping Althea and Jade alive; so said timing is really way out of Batchi's league at the moment.