Natalie yawned and stretched herself. She stood up from her desk and did a little neck exercise before murmuring.

''I'm hungry'' Natalie picked her bag and her phone rang.

''Who could be calling me?'' she muttered as she took out the phone.

''Hello''

''Natalie, this is Detective Wales, can we meet up and talk?''

''Mm, sure. Where do you want to meet?''

''Where are you? I will come there''

''I'm at Song Group. Then, let's meet at the café across the road''

''Sure''

Natalie looked at the phone and frowned, ''what could be so important that he wants to see me?''

…

Natalie stirred the coffee in her hands as she sat by the roadside of the café. It was an open space which was wide and free.

''Natalie, hi'' Wales said after he walked to her.

''Hi, sit down. I ordered juice for you'' Natalie said and Wales smiled, taking the glass of juice.

''How are you doing?'' he asked.

''I'm fine. It's everything alright? You sounded serious over the phone''

''Hmm'' Wales sighed. He placed a big brown envelope on the table and pushed it towards Natalie. Natalie looked at the envelope suspiciously.

''What is this?''

''I didn't want to be the one giving you this news, but I am at a difficult spot. Aunt is the only family I have left and I don't want to lose her. Maybe you can help me out''

''What are you talking about?'' Natalie placed the cup down and opened the envelope. She removed the papers inside it and started reading them.

''What… what is all this, Wales?''

''I am Wales Ash, your cousin. Your mother is my aunt''

''No, what is this papers? Why are these test and MRI results papers?''

''They belong to your mother. She is sick. She has stomach cancer and it's already at the last stage but the doctor said she can live a little longer if she agrees to a surgery but aunt doesn't want to. She thinks the best way for her to pay for what she did to you is to die''

Natalie's hands quivered. She picked the cup and sipped the coffee before looking at Wales.

''This results came out a few months ago. Why did you keep this to yourself and only telling me about it now?'' Natalie yelled at him.

''Natalie calm down''

''Wales, you said I was your friend… no, I am your sister. How could you keep this from me and only tell me about it now?''

''I wanted to tell you, okay? I wanted to tell you but aunt made me promise her not to but I couldn't keep it anymore so I had to tell you. I am telling you because the surgery date is almost up. I am supposed to sign the papers on her behalf but the hospital needs her direct relative to sign since I've already signed most of the treatments she underwent''

''So… you only decided to tell me about this because you need me to sign as her daughter, giving her the permission to go through that surgery. Wales, why do I feel that you are only coming to me because you need my help? She is my mother; didn't you think I deserved to know what was going on? Even if my mother was stubborn but you shouldn't have kept this from me''

''I'm sorry. I don't have excuses to make''

''Where is my mother?''

''She is accompanying Daniel to meet a business partner along with Mimi Song''

'She is not well, yet she is still playing the part of a good wife and mother''

''Natalie, we need to finalise the documents so that the hospital can schedule a day for the surgery. Before that she has to be admitted for a week before the surgery''

''Which hospital is the surgery taking place?''

''First Hospital''

''Let's go and get the paperwork down first. when the date is out, I will personally bring her there for the surgery''

''Thank you so much, Natalie''

''What is there to thank me for? She is my mother''

''Actually, I was afraid you would react to this emotionally but, you acted so mature''

''Will me acting emotional get her healed? Let's go'' Natalie stood up and removed a dollar bill and placed it under the mug before going with Wales.

…

First Hospital.

Natalie and Wales got down from Wales car and went into the hospital. Natalie followed Wales to the doctor in charge of the surgery to be conducted.

After introducing them, they didn't waste time. They went to get the paperwork done and also paid the necessary fees.

After half an hour, they were done and left the department. When they walked out of the elevator, Natalie turned to Wales.

''Go first. I want to meet a friend here. she is a doctor''

''Will you be okay alone?''

''I am not fragile. Go back to your work, I'm fine''

''Okay''

Natalie smiled and waved at him as he walked away. Natalie turned to go and saw a familiar figure. a man wearing a white doctor's coat was walking towards the NICU.

''This… he the one. He is the doctor that worked with Daniel that time'' Natalie said and hurried after the man. She ran in order to catch up with him but when she got to the NICU where there were a lot of people walking to and fro, she lost the man.

Natalie looked around, at every corner like a crazy person.

''I definitely saw him…'' Natalie frowned and turned. She coincidentally saw the man inside the NICU with two nurses.

''What is he doing there?'' Natalie walked closer and locked eyes with the middle aged man. when the man saw her, his eyes seemed to have twitched.

Natalie walked to the glass window and looked at the man from there. Every step the man took, her gaze followed him, don't letting him get out of her sight.

The man looked at Natalie until he got to the door. He smirked and opened the door and came out. Natalie turned to face him as he walked to her.

''Miss, is there a problem? I noticed that you looked at me since a while ago''

''You look like someone I know but I'm not sure''

''I see. Then, you must have mistaken me for someone else'' the man said.

''Dr. Ranford, you work in the NICU?'' Natalie looked at the nametag on his coat.

''You even know my name?''

''No, you have it on your nametag. I'm sorry for bothering you, I will be on my way now''

''Natalie…'' Dr. Ranford called when Natalie turned to go.

''You know who I am?'' Natalie turned to face him.

''You go to Dr. Andrea for consultations. Our offices are just opposite each other''

''Oh, I see'' Natalie looked at him and bowed before going out.

''I know you remember me, Natalie Jun'' the man said.

''I know you lying, Dr. Ranford'' Natalie muttered.

…..

Drek Restaurant.

''Thank you for this wonderful time, Mr. Song. I really our time here''

''I am glad that you honoured my invitation, Mr. Fred''

''Look at them, I think my son has taken a fancy to your daughter'' Mr. Fred said and they turned to look at Mimi and Chile chatting as they walked slowly towards them.

''If they continue this way, we might just end up becoming in laws'' Mr. Fred added.

''That won't be bad. Chile is a handsome man and also very responsible. He will be a good partner with Mimi'' Daniel said and turned to look at Solace. Since arriving, she hadn't said much except exchanging pleasantries with the father and son.

''Mrs. Song is a little different from what I see on TV. You seem more reserved'' Mr. Fred said to Solace.

''Solace is just a little under the weather. You know how women are at some time of the month?''

''I understand'' Mr. Fred laughed and turned to look at Solace. The glare she gave him shut him up and he didn't laugh anymore.

''Dad, I want to go and see the city. Mimi has agreed to be my tour guard since I don't know anywhere''

''Really? Mimi, you would show Chile around?'' Daniel asked, he couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.

''Yes, dad. Mom, I want to show Chile around'' Mimi said cautiously as she looked at Solace.

''Sure, be home early''

''Alright''

''Then, we will leave first. see you at home, Dad'' Chile said to his father before going away with Mimi.

''Alright, I won't keep you anymore. I have a meeting that I must attend to tonight'' Mr. Fred spoke.

''Alright, go ahead'' Daniel said and turned to Solace. 'Let's go''

''What did you mean by that comment, Daniel? Do I have to be on period to act cranky or be a bitch? I can be a bitch and not be on my period. I just don't want to say something bad so I keep quiet. Since we are done here, I have another appointment that I need to be at. I will take my leave now''

Daniel watched Solace walking away and he sneered, ''looks like it's time to get rid of you. You are becoming a thorn in the flesh''