Mikael looked at her and retreated his hand when she tried to touch him but Natalie ignored him and looked under the table and pulled out a first aid box. She placed it on the table and sat across him and stretched her hand towards him.

''What?'' Mikael asked as if he didn't know what she was going to do.

''Let me see your hand''

''It's fine. I just banged it on the table and it happened''

''You're not fine and you have a cut'' Natalie forcefully pulled his hand and looked at the cut. ''Did you bang your fist on the table because you got angry? You and your brother have the same habit'' she shook her head and started to clean the cut.

Mikael looked at her with a serious gaze and watched everything she was doing. When she looked up, he turned away his face and started looking at the ceiling.

''If you don't clean and apply ointment on a cut immediately, you will get infections later on, do you know that? If you don't want me to touch you, then, you must not harm yourself''

Mikael hissed when she applied the antiseptic. ''I'm sorry. The news. Mimi is targeting me, not you. She just doesn't want to see me happy. I'm sorry you got dragged into this. You and Alice are just a piece of the bigger chess''

''Why do you allow her to continue to hurt you? Was it like that even when my brother was here?''

''I do not allow her to hurt me. I don't even know why, but her mere presence brings me my anxiety disorder. She is not happy; can't you see that? Is because, nothing she does affect me so it drives her crazy. Thomas could have easily ended her years ago, but, I asked him not to. If there is anyone to put an end to our ill-fated relationship, then, that person is me''

''I can help you destroy her. You just need to say the word''

''I know, but, now is not the right time. You must have heard from Assistant He about the fact that I went missing five years ago on the day of Alice first audition. I think Mimi knows about what happened to me that year. Before I destroy her, I need to know what role she played in that and why I breakdown at the sight of her and Mrs. Solace. I need to know what happened to me that year because I can't remember anything from that year'' Natalia put a band aid on the cut and smiled. 'Finished''

''Thank you''

''If you need to know anything about Thomas, you can ask me. I bet I know a lot about him than you do. I can tell you what he thinks about you''

''Tsk. Are you bragging now?'' Mikael chuckled.

''Is it obvious?''

''Yes, it's so obvious you are robbing it in my face''

''I guess I'm bad at hiding my feelings then''

''I don't have anything other relationship with your sister different from what you know'' Mikael said and Natalie tensed up.

''Why are you telling this?''

''Just because. I don't want you to misunderstand me. I am good to her because of you. because she is your younger sister''

''I'm joining the others at the hall. I guess I will see you around''

''We live in the same house, so you will definitely see me'' Mikael said lifting one of his brows suggestively. Natalie nodded her head awkwardly and left the study room.

''I guess I'm beginning to know why you married her Thomas. She doesn't even know the effect she has on people. she is cute and fits right in my hands'' he said and chuckled, ''you are crazy, Mikael''

Later that night, after everyone left Natalie made a cup of coffee and went to stand by the window watching the rain pour. Alice had gone back with Niania so the house was unusually quiet.

The night seemed melancholic reminding her of when Thomas was still alive. Whenever it was raining, he would make two hot cups of coffee and bring to her and they would sit next to each other watching series. Thomas never really like movies but he would often do it because of her.

''What movie are we watching today?'

Natalie turned and suddenly saw the scene play out in front of her. She watched the hall with a smile.

''Today, I saw a movie online and people are leaving good reviews about it. It's called 'Final Destination'

''That sounds like a horror movie to me'' Thomas said and frowned. He didn't like horror movies.

''Exactly!'' Natalie laughed teasing Thomas.

''I don't want to watch horror movies. Let's watch romantic series'' Thomas pleaded but Natalie shook her head.

''Romance movies are so overrated, there is nothing good about them. I hate how they portray romance''

''What do you even know about romance?''

''Nothing''

''How about this, I will take you out shopping''

''Thomas, you might not know this but no amount of money could ever buy the expression on your face when you are scared. it's simply priceless''

''You wicked soul''

Natalie chuckled as the scene disappeared from her sight. She turned when she heard footsteps.

''What is funny, Miss Jun?'' Mikael asked as he stood by her side.

''Nothing much. I was just reminded by your brother. It was always fun to tease him''

''That's true. When we were kids, he would always fall prey to my pranks'' Mikael looked outside the window, ''it's raining rather heavily today''

''That's true. The world must be filled with a lot of sad people so their tears are causing a flood tonight''

''I remember you'' Mikael suddenly said and Natalie turned to look at him.

''Huh?''

''I said I remember you. You used to come to our house often when you were in high school with my brother. I was in middle school. I remember you were such a happy kid back then''

''Look who is calling me a kid?'' Natalie frowned, 'you do realise I am two years older than you, right?''

''But, I am a man and no one would believe that you are older than me''

''Are you saying I am retarded?''

''No, I am saying you age like wine'' Mikael said and smiled as he gazed upon the rain outside.

Natalie's hands quivered and she turned to look at him. her face became red and she bit her lips.

''Do you know that often?'' Mikael turned to look at her.

''Do what often?''

''Bite your lips and then look lost for words? Do you do that often?''

''I…' Natalie bit her lips again and quickly let go before answering, 'no. I don't do that in front of strangers because I hardly talk to people I don't know''

''Don't do that in front of other men, especially your boss. He might get the wrong idea''

''Huh?''

''Want a refill?'' Mikael asked as he took the empty mug from her.

''But, I do that in front of you'' Natalie said and he smiled.

''You can do that in front of me, I don't mind. but, we can't have other men misunderstanding you for something you don't even realise you are doing'' Mikael refilled the mugs and took them back to her. He handed her mug over to her.

''Thanks'' Natalie robbed her shoulders.

''I will turn off the air condition'' Mikael took off his cardigan and placed on her back, covering her up before going to pick the remote.

Natalie blushed and touched the cardigan. She pulled it over her body and smelt it murmuring, ''it smells like him''

''How do I smell?'' Mikael asked and sipped his coffee. He turned off the air conditioner and went to stand next to her again.

''Why are you asking me? Don't you know how you smell like?''

''A lot of people tell me I smell different every day; I was looking for an objective opinion''

''Well, you smell like purple rose. It has this unique fresh wood spell which could be mistaken for coffee beans''

''You are the second person to get it so accurately''

''Who is the first?''

''My brother''

''Thomas was good with smells''

''Tell me, where did you go that time?''

''Which time?''

''Do you remember? It was raining heavily one time and your umbrella was broken. Thomas didn't go to school that time so I let you have my umbrella. But, you refused and asked us to share it together.

While we were going home, you told me this…''

''Doesn't it feel weird to be you?' and I answered, ''why would it feel weird?'

This was your answer, ''because everyone wants a picture with you. You are a pretty boy''

And when I asked what you thought about me, you simply smile and stood on your toes and kissed my cheek before running off with my umbrella.

''My umbrella, is it still there?'' Mikael asked and turned to look at Natalie. She had a look of surprise in her eyes as the memory came to her.