"That's nice to hear," Jay said warmly, leaning back in his chair.
"Well, I really need to head out now," Leo replied, rising to his feet. "But I'll be in touch."
Jay's expression sharpened. "Don't forget the agreement we made."
Leo gave a small, knowing nod. "I won't." With that, they both stood, and Jay saw him out.
---
Later that afternoon, Aurelia returned to her desk, a lightness in her step. "Thank you so much for today, Dr. Ken," she said with genuine gratitude as they walked back from the lab.
Ken chuckled, waving off her formality. "No need to be so polite. We're friends, aren't we?"
She nodded. "We are."
"See you later," she added, settling into her chair. Pulling out her phone, she quickly typed out a message to Amy: Exams done!
Before she could even finish thinking about what came next, her mind wandered to Amy's long-promised vacation. So fast, she thought with a smile, hitting the call button immediately.
---
12
Amy answered on the second ring. "How—what happened?" It was the only thing Aurelia could manage at first.
"It's my dad," Amy said, her voice light but tired. "He forced me to take a vacation. And since you were in the middle of your exams, I didn't want to disturb you."
"Don't feel bad," Aurelia replied warmly. "You needed the rest anyway. You've been working so hard you barely have time to breathe, let alone take care of yourself."
A soft laugh drifted down the line. "Aww, love you. I've got a plane to catch—talk later!"
"Bye, take care," Aurelia said, and the call ended.
She blinked at her phone. "Well, that was fast," she murmured, shaking her head before turning back to her work. On her desk was a case file on a patient with a brain tumor—non-critical, but requiring careful medical planning.
By the end of the day, exhaustion weighed on her. As she stepped out of the firm, she stretched her aching shoulders and sighed. "What a hectic day," she muttered to herself. "I feel sore everywhere."
---
13
Her complaint was still hanging in the air when a familiar voice called out. "Miss Bill!"
She turned to see Dr. Ken waving her over.
"Come on," he said with a friendly smile. "I'll take you home—I'm heading that way."
She shook her head politely. "Don't worry, Dr. Ken. I'm not going in that direction, but thank you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll just have to bother you until you accept," he teased.
Laughing, Aurelia gave in and climbed into his car.
They had barely gone a few blocks when her phone buzzed insistently in her hand. "Excuse me," she murmured, answering.
"Dad?"
"Aury, come home now."
"Dad…?"
"Now. It's urgent." The line went dead.
She drew in a sharp breath. "Dr. Ken, could you drop me here? I need to change directions."
"I can take you wherever you need to go," he offered.
She shook her head. "No worries, Dr. Ken. Thanks for today, but I'll get down here."
He studied her for a moment, then nodded and pulled over.
---
Aury sighed inwardly. Of all the days for him to call, it had to be today—when she hadn't driven. She dialed for a taxi, the low hum of traffic in the distance filling the pause before her ride arrived.
When she finally stepped through the familiar front door, she forced a tired smile.
"Good day, Dad. Good day, Mummy B," she greeted, her voice tinged with fatigue.
Bunila, ever attentive, noticed at once. "You look exhausted," she said, pressing a cool glass of lemonade into Aury's hands.
"Thanks, Mum," Aury murmured, sipping gratefully before glancing at her father. "Dad, you wanted to see me?"
Leo didn't look up from his magazine. "We'll have the conversation after dinner," he replied casually, turning a page and sipping his tea as if he hadn't just planted a seed of mystery in her mind.
Aury nodded, though curiosity pricked at her. Dad could be infuriatingly cryptic sometimes.
"Aury, come help me set the table," Bunila called from the dining room.
"Coming, Mum," Aury replied, forcing her restless thoughts aside as she joined her.
---
In the dining room, Bunila lowered her voice. "What do you think your dad wants to say?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," Aury said, arching a brow. "If you don't know, then who am I to guess?"
"Let's wait, then. Since no one knows," Bunila said with a little shrug, returning to the cutlery.
Moments later, her warm voice floated toward the living room. "Come on, honey, food's ready."
Leo nodded slightly before joining them at the table.
Aury took her first bite and smiled. "Mum, your cooking is still as amazing as ever."
They were halfway through the meal when Leo spoke again, his tone unhurried but deliberate. "I met Jay today."
Aury's head lifted. "It's been ages since I saw him," she said.
Leo's gaze lingered on her. "We talked about many things." He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. "He mentioned Brenda's last wish."
Aury's fork stilled midair. Already, her mind was running wild.
---
Leo set his utensils down. "Her wish was for you to marry Austin Richard."
The words landed like a blow. Aury choked, coughing hard until Bunila pressed a glass of water into her hands and rubbed her back gently.
---
Aury's P.O.V.
I'd always known Mummy liked Austin. She'd teased for years that we were meant for each other. But this? That she actually wished for me to marry him? That wasn't teasing. That was… what even was that?
---
Leo's eyes softened. "I know it's a lot to take in. But that's what your mother wanted."
Aury set down her glass, still unsettled. "I'll think about it," she said, pushing back her chair. "I'm full. I'll leave now."
"I'll walk you out," Bunila offered, standing with her.
Outside, the evening breeze brushed against them. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Aury," Bunila said gently.
"Don't worry, Mummy B. I'll take care of myself," Aury replied, managing a faint smile. "Bye, Mum."
"Bye. Take care," Bunila said, watching her step into the waiting taxi.
---
Across town, Mika burst into Austin's room without knocking. "Austin, it's dinner time."
Austin gave her a pointed look. "Mind your manners, young lady."
"Dad said you should come down for dinner," she replied breezily, "and I should come with you."
"Oh, wait for me," Austin said, getting to his feet. Mika grinned—and bolted for her life.
Downstairs, Jessy glanced up. "Where's Austin?"
"Mum!" Austin's voice called from the hallway as Mika slid into the seat beside her father.