Everything To Lose ( FreenxBecky)

Chapter 51

"Are you for real? She saw that? In a dream?" Nam asked.

"Cai..." Becky said while flipping pancakes.

"Wow..." Nam said, reaching out for a berry, Becky whacked her hand lightly and gave her a look, wanting her not to touch those until everyone was downstairs for breakfast and they could all eat together.

"I hope you're still not blaming yourself for all of this, nong." Nam said.

"I don't know, phi. I was the reason she was coming home early that day." Becky said.

"You weren't behind the wheel of that truck."

"She wouldn't have even been a victim to that situation if I had just informed her in time that she doesn't need to leave early, P'Nam."

"How long are you going to do this na? Blame yourself for something no one could have helped."

"Phi! If P'Mind forgot everything about you, everything about the many years you'll have loved each other, how would you feel?" Becky snapped. And regretted it the minute it was out.

Nam sat back, folded her arms across her chest and looked away.

"I'm sorry na..." Becky said.

And when Nam didn't reply, she pushed the bowl of berries towards her as a peace offering. Nam looked at the bowl, then back at her, and then back at the bowl and picked up one and popped it into her mouth. Becky smiled.

That afternoon, after the kids were back from school, Becky drove them all to the gallery. It was awkward, getting into the car. Becky sat in the driver's seat, the kids got into the back seat and Nam waited Freen out, to see if she would sit in the passenger seat, but after she got in with the kids, Nam took the front seat.

Becky looked to her and gave her a knowing nod. Nam shrugged.

"My favourite is the painting of nong Sam that you did from his 2 year old birthday!" Emily said.

"Really now?" Freen asked, amused at her kids opinions about paintings she couldn't even recall.

"Oh cai! You captured his expressions so well!" Nam added.

"I think my favorites have got to be the one you did of Auntie Nam and Auntie Mind..." Beckett added.

"Ohhh CAI! Iconic!" Emily exclaimed.

"Iconic!" Sam repeated from Freen's lap, and they all laughed at his adorable attempt to learn new words.

"So I assume most of my artwork is based on friends and family?" Freen asked.

"Ka, Ma, you've always loved painting the people you love the most." Emily said, her eyes looking at Becky through the rearview mirror.

Becky looked back at her and smiled. And then Becky's gaze shifted to Freen who'd witnessed the exchange and then quickly looked elsewhere when she realized Becky's gaze was on her.

When they reached the parking lot of the building where the gallery was, everyone got out and started walking to the elevators. Becky caught Nam's wrist and slowed her down with her.

"What's got your knickers in a knot?" Nam asked.

"How about we keep her away from the paintings of me, for today? Please na ka..." Becky said softly.

"You don't want her to see her shrine of you?" Nam said rather loudly.

"P'Nam!" Becky whined.

"Okay, okay, no jokes. Uhh... okay ka... let's not try and bombard her with your divine nudity just yet. Roger that. No letting Freen near the shrine."