Chapter 87 - Theres No Rush (2/2)

”Well, he's still alive and well. He'll be arriving tomorrow with Liam. They were supposed to be here today but got held back by last-minute work.” Marian shrugged and then smiled. ”Ah! My kids will be here tomorrow too. My in-laws took them on vacation so Liam will be bringing them with him.”

”Oh! You have two babies right?” Yanee's eyes sparkled as she liked kids and kids liked her back.

Marian chuckled. ”Yes. My eldest is four, and my second's two years old. They're so cute but really little devils inside.”

Yanee shook her head but laugh nonetheless. To her, all kids were all little mischievous angels. It was only natural.

”Ah, but I think you won't have any problems dealing with them. I heard you used to volunteer as a kindergarten ȧssistant,” Marian suddenly said that surprised Yanee.

Seeing as she might have said something that's supposed to be not known, Marian looked at her worriedly. ”Sorry. I just… Well, I heard from Tohru… I mean…”

Ah…

Yanee realized where the information came from. It was probably from Chummy. Since finding out that her boss liked her in a romantic way, all the teasing Chummy did, started to make sense. She must have known that their boss liked her and of course, knowing Chummy, she would have fed Tohru everything she knew about her.

She was a bit depressed about that since Yanee was sure that Tohru knew about her past too— about Shimizu Kyo. But this was something she didn't have to think about tonight. In any case, there's still a lot of time. Tohru wouldn't push her.

”I'm sorry,” Marian sounded depressed too and Yanee realized she'd been quiet too long.

”Oh no! I'm so sorry. I don't really mind. I have nothing to hide anyway. I was just spacing out.”Yanee felt bad for making Marian worry.

”Oh no! Maybe you already had enough of the hot water.” Marian quickly stood up to take the towel and handed it to her.

Yanee was used to dipping in the hot springs and she could endure soaking in it for long. But she didn't argue when Marian handed her the towel and dried herself. She and Marian went to her room where the other continued to chatter about her life with her children and things they did there at the Cypress Gardens while she dressed. The servants placed a delicate yukata the color of gold on the bedroll for her earlier and she decided to put it on.

”Oh my!” Marian looked at her in delight as she stepped out from behind the screen. ”You really look so gorgeous.”

”Thanks,” Yanee answered good-naturedly and she humored Marian when the latter asked her to turn around so she can see.

”Do you like it?” Marian asked.

Yanee nodded. ”I'm actually surprised. It fits nicely.”

Not just that. The color itself was unusual.

Marian grinned. ”Tohru has a good eye,” she said meaningfully making Yanee pause as she looked at the other quizzically. ”Yes, he's the one who chose that for you. Too bad it's one for sleeping. Else, he'd love to see you in it.”

Upon hearing that, Yanee's heart skipped and her face turned so red that even if the lights were dimmed Marian was still able to see it.

”Well, I won't tease you anymore. I will let you take a rest and just see you tomorrow, okay?”

Marian walked towards the screen door. But before she pushed it open, she turned back to face Yanee with an enigmatic smile. ”Yanee…”

Her soft but firm voice made Yanee look at her with full attention. ”Yes?”

Marian studied her face for a while before a mischievous glint sparkled in her pair of knowing eyes. ”My story may sound all fun and frustrating,” she began and Yanee inclined her head to listen attentively since it was about the story. ”But the crux of all that rollercoaster set of emotions and events, one thing is clear. Misunderstandings, they're so easy to fix. You just have to be truthful to yourself. Regardless of what other thoughts you might have— either good or bad, as long as you are honest to yourself, you can solve any problem.”

”Uhmm… Yes?” Yanee was not sure what Marian meant exactly since she felt that what she said was something related not only to her story but to her and Tohru as well.

She's correct.

Marian chuckled this time. ”Also, no matter what people do or say to you, no one can also push you to do something you're not ready to. I love Tohru, but I love you too even if we just met. As long as you are not sure about yourself, just relax. Love is something people don't plan. It just happens. There's no rush. But do give the little brother a chance that he's worthy of your love.”