As we step inside the house, Mrs. Freyson and Mr. Freyson are glaring at each other fiercely in the living room. They both are in their office suit and from their eyes, I can say that it’s safe to just go to the backyard instead of the living room.
“Oh is that what you think?” Mrs. Freyson snaps.
“Look, I’m just trying to make things better, ok? We’re in enough difficulties, and you’re not helping!” Mr. Freyson shouts back.
“Don’t even say word “help”! You even don’t know what help means! I lent you over $500,000 and you still able to state that I’m not helping?! Watch your mouth!” Mrs. Freyson retorts. “Oh…I understand…” she walks a circle, “…you use me up, right?”
“What?” Mr. Freyson seems totally angry and Mrs. Freyson is out of control. Mr. Freyson holds his head with two palms. “What the hell was that?! You think I’m that kind of person, aren’t you?!” he retorts.
The 5 of us stand in front of the door dubiously. And Vi is near to tears, seeing her parents shouting at each other. “I think we should just go to the backyard.” I whisper and everybody slowly walk to the backyard, ladled with shopping bags. But Vi stands still in the guest room and she slowly walks to her parents. At that time, I, Ian, Jeremy, and Hayley are turning to the backyard door, avoiding the uncomfortable family situation happening.
We sit ourselves down and stare into nothing. We know we all still try to eavesdrop some words from the living room. And from where I sit, I can see Vi is shouting to her parents from the small gap between the turning wall and the living room. Then she runs and goes out of sight. It’s such a small gap where I peep so I can’t see further.
I’m now staring at blank space where a small part of sofa can be seen. “Guess it’s time for me to chase her.” I say. The others are silent, then Jeremy says, “you go and do that. But don’t push her too hard.” And afterwards, I go back to the living room and sneaks behind the sofa where Mr. Freyson sits alone and Mrs. Freyson’s no where in the room. She must has already left.
Vi is in her room, burning her head in the pillow and says nothing as I come closer to the bed. I take a seat beside her but she doesn’t even look up to me. “Vi… are you ok?” I ask slowly, afraid she might bursts into hysterical cry.
“I’m ok.” She says in a low voice.
Oh, right…it’s not a hysterical burst.
“Sure?” I ask again in a concern tone.
“Sugar! What should I do?!” She suddenly looks up and without any warnings she hugs me tight. “I know this will happen. I had a dream a week ago that my parents divorce!” she cries.
“My goodness! Don’t you believe your dream then. It’s not always right!” I say encouragingly.
“But what if it is?” she release the hug and look at me in the eye. Her face is pink.
“No way! I mean, they’re perfectly fine! It’s just a small bump in every marriage!” I try to sound confident.
“No it’s not! They’re arguing about the company, Sugar! Dad’s sold half of the Freyson Perfumery and made it a joint company with some unknown woman! This is crazy! Situation might get worse! And mum knew nothing when Dad made the decision!” Vi sounds really frustrated.
“What? Unknown woman? What you mean?”
“I don’t know! Dad doesn’t talk business with me and he has been very discreet!” Vi says in a high pitch.
Alright… so Vi’s dad has made his company a joint company without discussing this to his wife or daughter. This is insane!
A silence plunk in the middle of the room and I can virtually see our brains revolves in our own thoughts. This isn’t good, I mean, Vi’s dad, and her mum, and….omg, I haven’t told Hayley bout the shop keeper! Ok, ok think fast, in like 2 days I will be back in the state and I have to tell Hayley before we all get back there.
And about Vi’s parents, I have no idea how to cheer Vi up! What if I say they won’t break up and actually they will? I mean, the situation is really fragile and their divorce can be announced at anytime!
“Could you please leave me alone, Sugar?” Vi suddenly asks.
“Oh, okay. Everything will be fine, I’m sure it is.” I say as I head to the door.
When I enter the backyard, Jeremy, Ian, and Hayley are still there, sitting with a plate of cakes and cups of coffee. “How is she?” Jeremy stands up as he sees me.
“Not better. She really is sad! And her dad’s been discreet about everything while the company situation is on danger.” I say, taking a seat and reach for the cake.
“And?” Ian asks.
“That’s all. She wants me to leave her alone. And I was stuck with no encouraging words. To be honest, I don’t really think everything will be just fine. I mean, it’s not safe enough to say that her parents won’t get divorce or…”
“Divorce?” Jeremy puts in, “what are you talking about? Are they going to get divorce?”
“I don’t know! That’s just possible. And Vi got this dream about her parents got divorce! And could you please lower your voice?” I hiss.
As I say that, I can hear a footsteps coming and as the backyard porch door opened, there stand Mrs. Freyson. Her face is pale and tense with a black shadow under her eyes. Her cheek is tear-stained and as she catches a sight of us sitting there, she stammers, “Oh… I thought this place is….. vacant. Well then..” she gulps.
“Oh no, Mrs. Freyson. We’re just going to go upstairs!” I say cheerfully, afraid she might hear our conversation before. Then, we all get up and head to the living room awkwardly, she passes us a weak smile as she closes the door and let herself in a more peaceful place.
“Do you think she heard us?” Ian asks in a low voice as we have all sat down on the couch.
“She might…” Jeremy answers.
It’s the most uncomfortable dinner we had today. Mrs. Freyson doesn’t want to go downstairs and have dinner and so it’s just the 5 of us and Mr. Freyson. Since the last 20 minutes, the only sound heard are just clanks of spoons and forks and some low voices asking for salts or pepper or if the food is too far, someone would say “Could you spoon that for me please?” in a low voice too.
Suddenly, Hayley’s phone rings and it makes us all jump in horror. And she takes the phone abruptly and she leaves in a low voice. Gosh! Can someone please talk? Anything? In a normal voice?
“So…what did you do today?” Mr. Freyson’s voice also makes us all jump although somehow, it can melt the ice in the room.
“Just go shopping.” Vi answers shortly.
“and what did you buy?” Mr. Freyson asks again, chewing his salads.
“Some clothes.” Vi retorts.
“And what about you, Sugar?” Mr. Freyson turns to me.
“Err…just some tops and dresses.” I almost add “sir”. This is more like an interview with a general!
“What about the others?” Mr. Freyson addresses Ian and Jeremy.
“Just coats and shirts.” Jeremy answers, smiling. Thanks God! Someone can actually smile!
“Shirt and shoes.” Ian answers lightly. As he says that, Hayley’s walking back to the dining table, she clutched her phone, her face is bright.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“My sister will take me out to
“Wow!” I say, aghast.
“I know!” she squeaks back. “It’s for the celebration of her new joint company!”
“Wow! Lucky you!” Jeremy says.
“You all can come too if you want!” she says.
“Oh no…that would be…” I say
“yeah…inappropriate…it’s your sister’s and….” Vi says.
“…we don’t know your sister…” Ian ends. We all give reasons in turn.
“Oh…” Hayley seems a bit disappointed. “That’s ok. But I really-really am hoping you all will come to the launching..” she says.
“Oh yes, sure we will. In
“In
In a swift, Mr. Freyson rises from his seat and says, “Well….errr…I should go back to work..” he says.
“But you haven’t finished your dinner!” Vi says.
“Yea, I’m full already.” Then Mr Freyson comes to kiss Vi’s forehead and he leaves for the working room.
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