Meanwhile, Van didn't dare to blink when she caught the famous heiress' eyes... If
only he could get his hands on her beautiful neck and take her life in exchange of Nao's life, he would be willing to sacrifice his life.
That girl should have died instead of Nao...
Before he knew it, he was tightly gripping the camera.
"Hey, Van! What's wrong?" his boss asked him.
Van tried his best to control his emotions when he heard Mr. Matsumoto. He then forced a little smile and took some pictures as if nothing happened.
He decided to focus his lens to the other guests at the party. If he'll take a look at
Seire Yoshida again, heaven knows if he could control himself again.
Then, the party began.
The host of the party called the ever-famous company President, and Seira's father, Mr. Hide Yoshida to come up to the stage and make a speech. The crowd cheered as he made his way to the centerstage.
"I would like to thank everyone who came today... This is a welcome party for my only child, who finally woke up from her deep sleep after that terrible accident few years
ago." the President started.
Van gritted his teeth as he heard the old man.
"We share the same nightmare, Mr. Yoshida..." he sarcastically muttered.
"-----Thank you for celebrating with my daughter with me tonight. Please enjoy yourselves..." the President finally ended his speech.
All the guests gave him a round of applause.
"The President really adores his daughter, huh?" said Mr. Matsumoto ,as he picked up two goblets of wine from the passing waiter. He gave the other goblet to Van.
Van drank it again in one gulp.
"I doubt it." he responded.
He remembered the scene before that accident 8 years ago... Seira Yoshida is a spoiled brat who has no respect for other people.
No daughter would act that way if her father had been keeping an eye to his daughter.
"----Thank you for the very touching speech, Mr.President. Let's officially begin the party, and please, enjoy yourselves, everyone!" the host merrily announced over the microphone.
The crowd cheered afterwards.
============================
After few exhausting hours...
I was staring at the room's ceiling while my mind is racing. Many things happened on my "welcome party" there's so many things that I didn't understand...
I'm also having a hard time trying to figure out on how did I became someone else...
I can clearly remember the time on how the time stopped when I saw Van at the party. I almost cried when I saw his eyes... There was so much hatred in his dark eyes while he was looking back at me.
I suddenly shivered at the thought of it.
What happened in those years while I was under "comatose?"
A tear suddenly fell from my eyes... I br ushed it off with my hand, but my tears just
keeps on falling...
"Why is this all happening to me?" I painfully whispered.
I suddenly got up from the bed when I heard someone knocking at the door.
"Seira? It's Papa. It's okay if you don't want to open the door. I just want to say goodnight to you." Seira's father spoke.
"What would the real Yoshida Seira say to her father in this kind of situation?" I asked at the back of my mind.
"I'm sorry if I'm acting like an old fart, dear... But there's just one thing that I want you to know. I'm so happy and grateful----that you didn't leave me alone. I'm so thankful you're alive." the old man said.
After that, I heard his footsteps walking away...
My eyes suddenly went to the picture frame on the night table. There was the real Seira, looking grim and sad at this picture. She has strong facial features that can make everyone think that she doesn't need anyone to care for her, but her eyes can't lie.There was a deep sadness with those pair of eyes...
"Please give me back my life..." I whispered to myself, as I continued with my silent cry...
================
Matsumoto Publishing Company.
It was already midnight, but Van is still in the office. He's all alone. Once the party ended, he told his Boss that he's going to the office to start working on the article about the famous heiress, Seira Yoshida.
He couldn't take his eyes off from his computer screen as he stared at her face.
This selfish princess is the main reason why he's been in deep pain for the passed 8 years...
Van's train of thoughts suddenly stopped in a halt when he heard his mobile phone riinging. With a deep sigh, he picked up the phone. He frowned when he saw Ren's number on the caller screen.
"Ren,what's wron" he answers the call rightaway.
"Van, this is bad!" Ren answered on the other line.
"Why?What happened?" Van inquired.
"Reiko's having an asthma attack, and it's getting worse! We're on our way now to the hospital!" informed his younger brother.
"Tell me the hospital's name and I'll follow you,guys." Van anxiously asked. He stood up and grabbed his bag.
Once Ren told Van the location of the hospital, he quickly went out from the office.
=========================
Van finally reached the hospital.He quickly made his way to Reiko's designated room.
"Reiko!" he called out,while gasping for breath.
Ren and Reiko looked at him.
Van quickly went towards Reiko's bed.
"How are you feeling,Reiko?" he worriedly asked her.
"Van... I'm sorry if you have to rush over. You don't need to worry, I'm alright now." Reiko assured Van.
Van took a deep breath ,as he collapsed to the nearest chair.
"I'm so glad to hear that. Tell me, what did you do that triggered your asthma again?" he started asking Reiko.
"I said I'm fine, Van. By the way... I saw on tv awhile ago. The welcome party for Seira Yoshida." Reiko said, while looking sad.
Van knew that Reiko is feeling guilty again
because of what happened 8 years ago...
She tightly grasped Reiko's hand.
"Reiko... Please don't start that again. It's not your fault, okay?" Van was trying to comfort her.
Reiko shook her head wildly, as tears started to stream down her face.
"No, it's all my fault! If didn't persuade Nao to come with us on that summer trip, then she'd still be alive today. And you won't be hurting like this!" she insisted.
Van chose not to say anything... He knows that Reiko has been carrying the guilt of
Nao's early death. All he can do right now is to stay silent.
Van clasped Reiko's hand tighter,as he and Ren watched her cry...