City Airport.

Mikael walked into the airport with Natalie to receive Mrs. Regina. When the latter saw them, she called them with excitement.

''My two lovely children''

''Mother, she looks so excited''

''Aunt'' Natalie hugged Mrs. Regina first.

''Natalie, how are you doing sweetheart? Look at you, you are even more beautiful than when I last saw you. Your face, your skin is glowing''

''Thanks, aunt. You look beautiful too''

''Ladies, this is the airport, we can't risk been discovered by people'' Mikael said as he adjusted his face mask.

''Let's go. I have so much to talk to you about. You have to sit with me at the backseat''

''Are you making me the driver?'' Mikael asked looking at the way his mother clung unto Natalie excitedly.

''Yes, you are going to be the driver for us. Let's go, Natalie'' Mrs. Regina pulled Natalie along, leaving her luggage with Mikael.

Mikael smiled and picked up the luggage, following them.

When they got to the family house, Mrs. Regina pulled Natalie into her bedroom and they chatted. She told Natalie everything about her trip, the fun places she had been to and also gave her the gifts she had bought for them. she bought gifts for everyone, including Alice, Xia and Mikael.

''Aunt, did you just say that these two shirts are for Mikael and I?'' Natalie asked as she looked at the matching shirts that looked more like couple shirts.

''Yes, why? Don't you like it? when I saw these shirts hanging in the store, I knew they belonged to you two. I just love these shirts''

''But aunt, these are a pair of couple t-shirts. Mikael and I are not a couple. He is my brother in law. People would find it weird when they see us wearing couple t-shirts'' Natalie said as she looked at the shirts with an uncomfortable gaze.

Mrs. Regina sighed. ''I didn't think that far. I just saw a pair of matching t-shirts and wanted to buy for my son and daughter in law'' Mrs. Regina said innocently and looked at Natalie. ''So, Nat, are you rejecting my kind gesture? I can't throw them away now that I've bought them, right? It will be a waste of money''

''What will be a waste of money?'' Mikael asked as he entered the room.

''Mikael, look at me. I am so silly. I saw these beautiful pair of matching shirts and decided to buy it for both of you, but it seems I've hurt Natalie's feelings. I didn't know you youngsters had a name for such things''

Natalie bit her lips as she looked at Mikael. He picked the shirts up and smiled saying, ''these are beautiful, mom. You have eyes for good things'' he praised his mother.

''Natalie thinks it's a bad idea for the two of you to wear the same shirts and go out. I didn't mean anything else by buying them'' Mrs. Regina's voice sounded pitiful.

''We don't need to wear them out then'' he said and Natalie looked at him.

''Yes, that's true. You can just wear them indoors. When you are home, you can wear them. it will strengthen your bond'' Mrs. Regina hurriedly added.

''But, people will misunderstand''

''I don't care. Mom, thanks for the shirts. We will wear them. Food is ready. We should eat and go home so that mother can rest''

''Alright, aunt let's go and eat'' Natalie held Mrs. Regina's hand and they walked out.

Mikael turned back when he got to the door. He looked at the pair of t-shirts and smirked. ''A pair of couple t-shirts? You are so sly, mother''

Natalie sat beside Mrs. Regina at the table. she picked a few dishes and placed on the older woman's bowl saying, ''aunt, eat more. You must have missed homemade food a lot''

''Don't even say. I missed homemade food and I missed my country food. All these foods that are fried are not tasty as compared to the food prepared by my handsome son. Natalie, tell me, had Mikael been bullying you? I will seek revenge for you''

''No, aunt. He hasn't bullied me. he has been good to me''

''Really? Then, has your perception changed about him?''

''Yes, I guess''

''That's good. As long as your perception about him is good, we can start from there. Mikael, I'm counting on you to take care of Natalie. If someone dares to bully her and you don't make sure they get what they deserve, I will kick your legs and put all your baby photos on the internet''

''Mom, are you threatening me?''

''Yes, so be careful. I love Natalie more than I love you''

''This is being biased mother''

''I don't mind. Natalie, eat more'' she said, placing meat into Natalie's bowl.

….

After eating, they chatted with Mrs. Regina for a few more hours and it was time for them to go home.

''Natalie, go inside and pick the gifts I brought'' Mrs. Regina said to Natalie.

''Yes aunt'' Natalie stood up and went to the room and Mrs. Regina moved closer to Mikael.

''Tell me, how is it going with Natalie? Any progress?''

''What progress are you talking about?''

''Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You clearly said you would never accept her as your elder sister. That means you took the other option. Have you been able to get her to like you?''

''Mother, how did you know I took the other option?''

''I am your mother. I am not stupid. Tell me, how is it going? What do you think about her?''

''I like her and I know why my brother married her. but, I don't know if she is ready to move on or not?''

''It's almost a year since your brother passed away. She can't remain single forever. Son, don't give up and keep pushing. She will open up to you''

''You are so different from other mother in laws. Do you know that? Which mother in law keeps pushing her son into the arms of her other late son's bed?'' Mikael looked at his mother and shook her head.

''Natalie is a woman after my heart. If you hurt her, I will disown you''

''I wonder who is your son here?''

''Aunt, I picked the gifts'' Natalie walked to them with the bags.

''That's good, Mikael help her carry the bags to the car'' Mrs. Regina said and stood up with her glass of juice. She looked at the two and her eyes sparkled.

When Mikael lowered his body to take the bags, she intentionally tripped and fell back, pouring the juice all over the two of them.

''Oh''

''Mom''

''Aunt, are you okay?'' Natalie and Mikael rushed to her side.

''Yes, I am fine. But, I ruined your clothes. What to do now?'' Mrs. Regina asked and frowned. She suddenly smiled saying, 'but, it's good I bought the t-shirts. You can change into that and go home''

''But…'' Natalie bit her lips.

''You can't wear the blouse anymore. It's wet and sticky. Besides, it's late at night, who is going to see you?'' Mrs. Regina asked.

''You will feel uncomfortable wearing the wet blouse. Let's just change into the t-shirts'' Mikael said to her and she nodded her head.

''Okay, I will go to the room and clean up'' Natalie turned and walked away.

''Tell me you did not just do that intentionally, mother?''

''Well…'' Mrs. Regina stood up and hurried towards the kitchen.

''Mom?'' Mikael sighed and shook his head.

Soon, they both came back to the hall wearing the pair of couple t-shirts. Natalie's own was light pink while Mikael's t-shirt was white but they both had a love symbol in front of them with a writing, ''she is mine' on Natalie's shirt while 'he is mine' was written on Mikael's t-shirt.

Natalie felt awkward as she looked at their shirts. Her face became increasingly red.

''Whoa, you two are shining like stars. I should take a picture. Mikael, hold Natalie's hand'' Mrs. Regina picked her phone. 'Okay, hold her hand'' she kept giving them instructions while taking several pictures.

''Mom, that's enough. We have an hour to drive from here to our place'' Mikael stopped her when he noticed how Natalie looked uncomfortable.

''Alright. I will send the pictures to your phones tomorrow''

''Aunt, get some rest. We will be leaving now''

''Okay, I will call you tomorrow, Natalie''

''Yes, aunt, bye'' Natalie smiled and went out with Mikael.

…

''Does it make you that uncomfortable?'' Mikael asked as he drove through the highway.

''Huh? What makes me uncomfortable?'' Natalie asked.

''Wearing matching shirts with me. You looked really uncomfortable''

''I…''

''I guess I've been doing a lousy job then''

''What are you talking about?''

''Nothing'' Mikael smiled and looked back at the road. The drive back became silent.

When they arrived, Mikael was about to drive into the villa when he saw a figure lurking around the gates.

''That's Mimi Song'' Natalie said, recognising the figure immediately.

Purplebride's corner:

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for reading and supporting this book.

I'm sorry I might not be able to update for a few days because I am ill and got admitted at the hospital this morning.

Have to do some tests and scans tomorrow so can't write.

My apologies to everyone and please don't abandon this book... I promise to do a mass release once I am out. Send your prayers to me. Thanks!