started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Twenty-One

Mark chuckles. "I wish, but no. Our families are super close and I've basically grown up with Madam Jong all my life so she's basically my grandmother. Though, it would be nice if we were related."

"That would be horrid," Madam Jong chimes in.

"Aw, you know you love me," Zac says. I've never seen this playful side of him. I can tell he's really comfortable with Madam Jong and trusts her more than anyone else. "You are just too cute, Madam Jong." Mark leans and pinches Madam Jong's cheeks. Usually, it should be the other way around but with the way my life has been lately, I can't even tell the difference between weird and normal. The line is blurring into one.

"Anyways," Madam Jong begins, "I will be coming back in a couple of days – maybe tomorrow if my schedule clears up – and we'll go visit your mother together. I'll bring flowers and everything." She holds my hands in hers. "Laura, even though we haven't known each other too long, I feel a strange connection to you and if you're hurting, I'm here for you."

She smiles a little. "You know that, right?"

My cheeks are wet. "Thank you so much, Madam Jong." I don't realize what I'm doing but suddenly I'm engulfing her in a hug. Her floral perfume soothes me and I feel more close to a stranger I've only met than to any of the far away, distant relatives of mine.

Ross clears his throat. I almost forgot he was there. Almost.

"Madam Jong, are you hungry?" he asks. "You must've not had dinner yet – always so busy with work. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

She chuckles. "That would be delightful."

A phone rings.

"Excuse me," Madam Jong says, reaching for her pocket. Ross nods and heads to the kitchen where Zac follows.

"Mmm-hmm," she speaks to the phone. "Really? Oh my. Okay, yes. Thank you. Yes. All right. Goodbye." She snaps her phone shut and places it back in her pocket.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"It's fine," she replies, smiling. "Actually, more than fine. It seems my secretary has cleared up tonight so I guess I can stay for a while. But I have a meeting at noon tomorrow. I love my job, but I dislike it at the same time."

"I know the feeling," I chuckle, thinking back to my own job. It must be hard for Madam Jong, running everything at such an old and fragile state. But, something tells me that despite her looks, she's feistier than a wild bull. I mean, you can't become queen of the market without having a backbone. "Oh! Madam Jong! If you were not busy till noon tomorrow, would you like to stay overnight? My brother is back in town from college and Ross and Zac are staying over, too. It's kind of hectic without another female in the house."

"I don't know, Laura...."

"C'mon! It'll be fine," I reassure, patting her forearm. My grin is etched onto my face. "I can do your nails and hair and we'll do girly things. You need a break from work, too! Isn't it stressful?"

"Yes, but—"

"I'll even make you gourmet food!" Yeah, okay, Laura. Good lie.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Madam Jong! Please?"

Madam Jong looks around, her eyes passive and thinking. She starts chewing on her index fingernail and I can see her mind slowly changing. I grin even wider. She sighs. "Fine."

I almost lung at her like an animal but stop myself because I don't want to break her bones. I still hug her with a lot of force though. Enough to get oomph! out of her. As I hug her, her clothes feel so silky – but tight. "Thank you so much! I promise you're going to love tonight."