BLACK ROSE

Chapter 8

Shin couldn't stop himself from staring at the woman, and he couldn't understand why he had this feeling of unexplainable solace just by seeing her. As if he was staring at his mother whom he misses a lot.

The principal fakes a cough to get everyone's attention.
"Ahem! Hello our dear parents, good afternoon and to our boys over there." the principal motioned his hands to the boys sitting on the couch.

"This is Mr. and Mrs. Xiao, the Chairman and the CEO of the Xiao Empire. Mr. Jackie Xiao, and Zoe Xiao.
Mr. and Mrs. Xiao, they are the five students that you'll be sponsoring for a scholarship and they are their parents." Introduced by the principal.

Both parties shook hands and greeted each other with modesty.
"Hi, good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Xiao. I am Shin Wei. Nice to meet you and thank you very much for sponsoring our studies," said Shin, and then bow and thank the couple.

"Hello Shin," Mrs. Xiao then smiled so sweetly at him.
"Where are your parents, Shin? Why are you alone?" She asked.

Shin lowered his head and suddenly felt stuffy. He suddenly yearns for his parents. His heart began to swell and sadness could be traced on his face.
"We are now his legal guardian, Mrs. Xiao." Said Feng as he notices Shin's discomfort. "His parents passed away almost a year ago, so my wife and I decided to take care of Shin." He added

Mrs. Xiao felt a sudden pang in her heart upon hearing what happened to Shin's parents. She subconsciously hugged Shin and patted his back and Shin began trembling.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I didn't mean to remind you of sad memories." She said

Shin was surprised at Mrs. Xiao's actions, but he gladly returns the hug and rubbed Mrs. Xiao's back as well to reassure her that he is fine and he doesn't blame her for reminding his parent's tragic death.

The two hugged for quite some time. Both of them couldn't decipher the unexplainable longing they felt for each other. Shin felt like all his sorrows and yearning for his parents had vanished.
On the other hand, Mrs. Xiao could feel a sense of familiarity with Shin. As if he was embracing his son. The feelings when she first held her son are the same as what he feels right now. She could feel the emptiness in her heart suddenly fill.

They completely forgot the people around them. They were crying like they had reunited again after a long time of separations. Shin tears were streaming like rivers so were Mrs. Xiao.

Everyone in the room was quiet and they couldn't comprehend what is happening, hence feeling emotional as well.
Mr. Xiao gently pats his wife's shoulder and Mrs. Xiao realized they were not alone.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Xiao, I think I wet and dirtied your dress, I'm very sorry." Said Shin while wiping his tears with his fingers and palms.

"No, it's okay, it is just a cloth. I should be the one to say that. Look at your uniform, it's wet now." Mrs. Xiao opened his bag and took out a handkerchief. She wiped Shin's polo shirt that is drenched with her tears.

Shin took the handkerchief. "Thank you, Mrs.Xiao, I will return this to you after washing it." He said

"You can keep it," Said Mrs.Xiao and smiled at him. The people around them smile awkwardly. Then Mr. Xiao fake a cough.

"Ehem! My wife is fond of kids, she's just missing our son." He said and then continued. "Anyways, let's proceed with the reason why we're here. Mr. Kim, the papers, please." He motioned attorney Kim.

"Yes, Sir," replied Mr. Kim. The Xiao family's lawyer and advisor.
Mr. Kim took out the documents and began to explain the details carefully.

"Dear parents, I know you all are worried about your child. But we will assure you of their safety at all times. And to ease your worries, you can accompany them before the classes start. In that way, you'll know what kind of place the children will be living for years until they graduated.

In addition, they can always come home back home every semester break and holidays if they want. Or you could also visit them. Don't be worried about the expenses, that's part of the contract.
And of course, Mr. & Mrs. Xiao won't allow them to live on their own because they were still kids. Two of Xiao's loyal attendants and one Butler will be living with them." Mr.Kim long explanation.

Mr. and Mrs. Xiao nods in agreement with what Mr. Kim said.
Both parties agreed and the children were also very happy and excited.

"So kids and parents, if you haven't decided yet which school you want to study at, we'll give you time. So maybe two weeks from now let us know your choice. So we can settle down all the things that are needed." Added by Mr. Xiao.

"So after the graduation ceremony enjoy your vacation kids, okay? see you all in three months." Said Mrs. Xiao.

They bid goodbye to each other. Mrs. Xiao couldn't resist the urge to hug Shin once again. Shin also returned the hug. The two seem like a magnet, they do not want to be separated. Both Mrs. Xiao and Shin let go of each other unwillingly then bid another goodbye.

Shin just stared at Mr. and Mrs. Xiao while walking away. Without him realized, his tears trickle down from the corner of his eyes. Shin wipes the tears immediately with the handkerchief Mrs. Xiao gave him when he feels his cheeks being dumped. He didn't want others to see him crying again. He couldn't fathom why his heart feels empty and hurting seeing the couple walking away from him.

Inside the car, Mrs. Xiao's tears were dripping nonstop. She couldn't explain and doesn't understand why she is unwilling to let go of the kid. As if the hole in her heart becomes bigger than before. As if she lost her child once again. Her eyes were red and swollen and she couldn't utter a word. She just keep on sobbing while Mr. Xiao rubbed her back gently to comfort her until she gradually calmed down.

"Honey, if our son is still alive, do you think he looks like Shin? He has the same mole on the lower lip like our Riri." Said Jackie Xiao.

"I miss him so much, hon." Said Zoe Xiao and then began sobbing again.
"I shouldn't have reminded you." Jackie then hugged his wipe again.

Two and a half months passed.
Marius, Riley, Luke, Dylan, and Shin went to Shin's parent's grave.

"Mom, Dad, I am leaving in two weeks. I won't be able to visit you for a long time. Will you be fine with it? Mom, Dad, I'm sorry for not getting the justice you deserved. Today is my birthday and also your death day. I promise myself, I won't celebrate my birthday again until I find Justice for you. I will avenge your death, I will find the responsible for your death. Mom, Dad; just wait for me, okay?"

"Mom, the other day I visited our burned house. And guess what I saw, black roses have grown in your favorite garden. I don't know how it happened, but the black roses were very beautiful mom. They were in full bloom. Yet, it symbolizes Death, maybe your favorite garden is also mourning your death. Ever since the place has burned, no other flowers nor plants grow there as if the black roses won't allow it. As if they were telling me to seek justice for you." Shin talks to his mom and dad as if they could hear him.

"And you know Mom, Dad, I meet a couple just like you. They were so nice to me, you and Mrs. Xiao seem to have similarities, mom. When she hugged me, it feels like I'm embracing you, mom. I really...really miss you, mom…Dad." He said while his tears began dropping one by one until he couldn't hold them in anymore and broke into a cry once again. Shin covered his eyes with his arms while sobbing. He wanted to stop but his longing for his parents overpowered him.

Marius, Luke, Riley, and Dylan couldn't bear seeing him crying so they also broke into crying along with Shin until they all calmed down and sat beside the tomb.

"Aunt Katelyn, uncle Warren, please don't worry about Shin. We will take care of him, so please you can rest in peace and be happy wherever you are," Said Riley.
"Yes, that's right, leave Shin to us," Dylan, Marius, and Luke in chorus.

Shin smiled and then they made a group hug.

"Aunt Kate, uncle Warren, We love you!" They shouted.

Once again, Shin bid goodbye to his parents.
"Bye mom, bye Dad," Said Shin and then put two stems of Black Roses above his mom and dad's grave.