Love Stories Over A Cup Of Coffee

A: Totally Flipped

Secretary Na and I were on the same car, while August is tailing us. I was waiting for him to ask why August is in our house but he didn't bother to ask. I feel like Secretary Na doesn't really like August. But he is being civil since he isnthe fiancée of the Chairman's granddaughter. We were silent the whole journey to the mansion.

The mansion, true to it's name, is very huge with a huge garden. But it looks modern. It is literally a glass house, but it's tainted in a way that it is transparent from the inside.

Speaking of the inside, I thought that there will be a lot of furnitures and decorations but it's so minimalist. The color combnation is also very minimalist, only black and white. Thus it looks more spacious.

Secretary Na immediately brought me to the Chairman's room, a very spacious room with floor-to-ceiling doors. He didn't bother to introduce me to anyone, we jist literally went straight to where the Chairman is.

There were three people inside the room. August's fiancée and an elderly couple, maybe a bit younger than my mom. All of them looked happy and relieved when they saw me.

When I saw the Chairman, I felt weak and afraid, afraid that I will once again feel hopelessness and sadness. The same emotions I felt when my mother passed away. I didn't notice my tears are already flowing. I tried to wipe them but they never stopped.

I went closer to the Chairman. He opened his eyes and smiled. I felt relieved. He is still alive. I can still be with him. I smiled back at him. He held out his hand and reach my face to wipe my tears. With that, I broke down. I cried so hard. And for the first time, I hugged him.

I hugged him for a long time. He was caressing my back, telling me that everything is going to be alright. I nodded but the fear is still in my heart. When I let go, Secretary Na offered a chair for me to seat on. I sat there the whole night, talking to the Chairman, telling him all the moments he missed while I was growing up. He was apologising the whole time but I keep on reminding him that it wasn't his fault, and he shouldn't feel guilty. We just talked and talked until he felp asleep.

Secretary Na invited me for a drink when he finally see that the Chairman is peacefully sleeping.

It's already 2 in the morning. We're having warm milk, at the patio. Our surroundings is dark, only the candles on the table are giving us illumination.

He asked me if I'm okay. I nodded but explained, "I don't like this feeling. I don't like the feeling of being hopeless, not being able to do something to ease their pain. I hate the fear inside me that any moment they'll be gone."

He stood up and came to sit beside me. He then put his arm around my shoulder and began patting lightly my arm. I stiffened because I do not know how to respond to this gesture. We stayed like that for a long time in silence until I fell asleep, I guess. Because the next thing I knew, I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Secretary Na was sleeping on the sofa inside the same room where I was.

I stayed in bed while waiting for Secretary Na to wake up. But even before he can wake up, someone already entered the room so I was forced to at least get up. It's the elderly woman. I suppose she's the mother of August's fiancée.

"Good morning, dear. It's time for breakfast." She said warmly with a smile. I nodded. "I'll see you and Secretary Na downstairs, then." I nodded again. Then she left.

I woke up Secretary Na. I really did everything I could because I do not want to go there like an idiot not knowing where the dinning areas is, and not knowing who the people I'm going to meet.

When I assured that he is awake, I dragged Secretary Na out of the room. When he heard me say we're going to eat breakfast, he began fixing his hair and clothes. After a few fixing, he looks as sleek as ever.

When we entered the dining area, there are already 4 people in side. The capital is empty. I suppose only the Chairman is allowed to seat there.

"Good morning, everyone." Secretary Na said. He's very composed as if his hair wasn't messy a while ago.

Everyone stood up.

"Khun," He looked at me to tell me he is talking to me, "I'm pleased to introduce to you Khun June," the elderly man from yesterday smiled, "he is the nephew of the Chairman. He is the only child of the Chairman's older sister. He owns a manufacturing company specialising in school and office supplies. And beside him is Khum May," the elderly lady from yesterday smiled as well. "She is Khun June's wife. She is an architect by profession but she sometimes teaches at the University. She owns her own architectural firm where she works with their only child, Khun July," and August's fiancée smiled, "who works as an interior designer." Secretary paused for a while. "Beside Khun July is Khun August, who will be soon part of the family, that's why he is here."

I just nodded.

"Everyone, I would like you all to meet, Khun Apple, the daughter of the late Khun Manaw, the only child of the Chairman."

And everything after that is a blur. I can only remember a few things. I remember that everyone in the room seemed delighted to know who I am except for August who is obviously in shock. I remember  the elderly couple came to hug me and talk to me. July also came to me and tolde m she is happy to finally meet me. I remember Khun June said ever since my mother left the mansion, he searched for her but to no avail. Khun May said that my mom was her senior mentor at the University. She said she is thankful to my mother for introducing her to her husband. I remember, July asked me to help her with Tawan. I just can't remember if I said yes or no. And I remember clearly how silent August was.

"What's with that serious look on you face?" Secretary Na asked me. We're already on our way to my house.

I shook my head. "Nothing." And I kept my silence.

"Don't worry about Khun June's family. They're kind. They will not bring you any trouble." He said, trying to assure me that there won't be any lakorn-type of drama between us.

I just nodded. I trust him. I believe in what he says. He's that reassuring.

It's another Friday and as usual, I woke up late. While I was going down the stairs, I saw the kids - Ohm, Fluke and Earth - at the foot of the stairs.

"Hey-" I wasn't able to finish my sentence because all of them hushed me.

Apparently, they're all eavesdropping. I took a peek and I saw Mew and August at the living area. They're standing, facing each other.

"You should know by now that Apple is still asleep. It's a Friday." Mew told August. "Why are you here again, anyways?"

"I came here to apologise." August's tone seems different now. It sounds softer and kinder, I guess.

"Oh? Really? Good for you." Mew said sarcastically.

"I really mean it." August's tone became serious.

Mew let out a sigh. "Okay, you can try to wait for her to wake up so you can apologise to her personally. Or if you do not want, I can relay it for you."

Then Mew began to walk away. He hasn't walked that far from August when he suddenly stopped. The four of us held our breath because we were afraid that Mew might have seen us (we're afraid that he will scold us). But he didn't he stopped to say something more to August.

"Ah, if you are expecting that your apology will fix whatever that is broken, and will bring everything back to normal, you're wrong. Apple is just like Tawan, when he made up her mind, no one can stop her. Also, once she turn her back on anyone or something, she will never look back. The moment she signed the divorce paper, she already turned her back on you. That means whatever you used to have, and whatever feelings she used to have for you, she turn her back.on all of those. So do not expect anything from her. Just keep your distance. Anyways, you were the first one to ask her that." Then he turn around to face August. "Also, just because you are going to be part of her family doesn't mean she will treat you like one. You already let go of that chance. But don't worry, she'll be as civil as much as she can."

"How sure are you about that?" August bravely asked. I heard the irritation from his tone.

"Because I know her. How about you? Do you know her? Didn't you yourself said that you do not even want to remember unless the memories come back to you naturally?" Mew reminded him. And that made August silent for a long time before leaving without even waiting for me.