One More Chance (COMPLETED)

Part 7

Nadine glanced at watch on the table and started to arrange the files as it was almost lunch hour. From her place, she could see Bret was too focused in doing his job, and he would certainly skip his lunch if she didn't remind him. When she was about to press intercom button, the familiar figure that she could see from the corner of her eyes made Nadine speechless as she didn't expect that person to pay her a visit.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" she was quite surprised to saw Mrs.Tania here, and she responded by smiling at Nadine.

"I come to have lunch with my daughter-in-law," Mrs.Tania replied which her words slightly flustered her. Checking the surrounding before her sight glued at Bret, she sighed in relief that no one was around at that moment.

"Mom, have you forgotten that no one here know about my marriage including Bret? I told him that you and Dad are someone I know from the past," Nadine explained in low volume, for she afraid someone might hear them. No wonder she looked fluster, for Mrs.Tania had made small mistake just. Then her gaze drifted onto her empty finger, which made Nadine slowly hid her hand behind her.

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Mrs.Tania sipped her coffee as she watched Nadine who likely to stay quite in front her. They were in nearby restaurant to have lunch, and sigh escaped from her throat when Nadine reached the ring inside her bag before she put it back on her finger.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I have no right to let everyone know about this marriage. James won't like it," she said faintly with dropping head. Because of that, she didn't even dare to tell Auntie Sang Mi about it.

"Including your mother?" the silent from her was enough for Mrs.Tania to know the answer, and she sighed again with hand reached for hers.

"Nadine, it is not your fault. I'm the one who beg you to have this marriage, so don't feel sorry," Mrs.Tania squeezed it firmly, giving Nadine the strength to face this problem. This marriage was so sudden, and of course it was difficult to inform her mother about this. Few seconds stiffened with unspoken words, Mrs.Tania finally found the solution for this problem.

"Nadine, how about I meet your mother and explain everything to her? Anyway, I haven't pay her any visit back then," she suggested and that made Nadine instantly lifted up her head in surprise.

"No, you can't meet her!" Nadine objected it, for that wasn't totally a good idea. Watching her fluster reaction just now, Mrs.Tania looked at her suspiciously. Why Nadine didn't want her to meet her mother.

"I mean I will explain everything by myself. I just need a time to do so," she quickly explained to her mother-in-law, which Mrs.Tania finally accepted her decision. If she needed the time, then Mrs.Tania would wait for it. Nadine smiled in relief before Mrs.Tania changed the topic.

"Nadine, can I ask you a question? I hope it won't bother you," although she hadn't asked yet, Nadine's heart beat in nervous when she seemed could predict Mrs.Tania's question through her serious face, but she still nodded as response.

"Where were you exactly five years ago?" Nadine didn't surprise by her question, but she neither could answer it easily. To her, she preferred to stay quiet, but the people around her eager to know about the past. Gripping the ear of cup tightly, she looked at Mrs.Tania's face calmly.

"I was in Japan with my mother," she replied shortly.

"Did you go there...by using the money you asked from late Lola?" Mrs.Tania questioned her again, and this time Nadine couldn't look at her as she felt ashamed with herself. Mrs.Tania should know the answer even if Nadine didn't tell her.