Sugar

Signs

Tiffany’s PoV

“Good morning, Tiffany.” Huh? Isn’t it too early for visitors? Why are Yuna’s parents here?

“Good morning. Care to have breakfast with me?” I offered.

“It’s alright. We had ours before coming here. Is it alright if we go to see Thomas?” I guess so; since they’re here, I might as well go.

“It’s alright. I think he’s awake now.” The couple thanked me before being led by the maid towards Thomas’s room.

“Keep an eye on them and find out why they’re here.” Another maid nodded her head before excusing herself. I didn’t expect to have such a lively breakfast all on my own.

Isn’t it weird for the couple to come and see my brother? After what their daughter did, aren’t they feel even a bit of shame? How thick is their skin?

“Miss Tiffany, the couple came to see the young master because they want to borrow money. It seems their business isn’t doing so well. They need some capital so that their company won’t go bankrupt.” Is that so?

“Once they leave Thomas’s room, tell them I’ll be waiting by the lounging area. I would like to see them in person.” The maid nodded her head before I went to the lounging area and waited for the couple to come.

While waiting, I took this chance to watch the stock news. It seems today is a good day for Iscariot and me.

“Miss Tiffany, I’ve brought Mr. and Mrs. Choi with you.” I smiled at the couple before inviting them to have a seat on the couch.

“Do you want something to drink?” I asked.

“Coffe would be nice.” I smiled and asked the maid to prepare the couple each a cup of coffee.

“I’m sure you both know why I asked you to be here. I would like to know the real situation between my brother and Yuna. If Yuna wishes to leave my brother, it’s better to tell us now before things go south. I heard that Yuna didn’t even bother to visit Thomas before she went to Korea.” Mr. Choi kept his head low as he apologized to his daughter.

“Why would you apologize to your daughter? I want Yuna to do it herself. Thomas loves her with all his heart. Why does Yuna act this way after the accident? Is it because my brother can’t use his legs properly like he used to? I want to take this chance to say that he’s trying his hardest to go back to the way he was because he thinks it’s the best way to have Yuna back in his arms. Mr. Choi, I don’t want to be rude but does Yuna even see how much effort my brother put into the relationship?” The couple kept their head low.

I tap my finger on the armrest before asking Mr. Choi about his meeting with Thomas moments ago.

“How much did Thomas agree to give you so your company won’t go bankrupt? Does Yuna know you’re here begging for money from my brother?” Mr. Chois shakes his head no.

“The company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and we need nine hundred thousand dollars to get it back into the business.” Nine hundred?

“How much did Thomas give you two?”

“Three million dollars.” It seems my brother is too generous towards his in-laws.

“Even after what Yuna did to him, he still helped you and your company through these troubling times? Aren’t you lucky to have a son-in-law that cares so much?” Mr. Choi didn’t say anything.

“It’s not Yuna’s fault.” Mrs. Choi suddenly said while her husband placed his hand on her thigh.

“No- let your wife speak. Say whatever that is in your mind, Mrs. Choi.” Mrs. Choi seems like someone who has a lot on her mind.

“Yuna is innocent. From the start, the engagement was not her decision. It’s our fault because we force her to do something she doesn’t like. We thought that Yuna had finally had feelings for Thomas since they seemed friendly, but little did we know that Yuna didn’t reciprocate Thomas’s feelings. We feel sorry for Thomas because he genuinely loves our daughter.” Somehow this pisses me off.

“Is that so? They have been together for almost five years, and now that Thomas has paraplegia, it’s convenient for Yuna to do whatever she wants? Is that why you let her go to Korea? So that she could be with her lover?” The couple looks up at me with their eyes widen.

“So you knew all along?” Excuse me? Wait- I was trying to trick them. So Yuna does have a lover behind Thomas’s back?! I was about to say something when I saw Thomas in his wheelchair, placing a finger on his lips.

Should I let my brother do this? But Thomas seems like he knows more than anyone in this room. Does he know that his fiancée is cheating on him? If so, why did he continue to pay for Yuna’s living expenses?!

Ii

“Of course I do. Who do you think I am?“ Mr. Choi suddenly kneeled on the floor and continued to apologize. I child to take responsibility. We planned to inform Thomas after Yuna’s trip, but somehow the man refused to take responsibility. We have to think of another way, so the child and Yuna’s future is secure.” Oh-

“So, if the man who made her pregnant didn’t want to take responsibility for the child, you expect Iscariot will? What makes you so bold to do such things?!” I slammed my hands on the table in front of us.

“Tiffany!” I clicked my tongue in annoyance when Thomas decided to intervene.

“Thomas?! How long have you been listening?” Mr. Choi stood up from the floor.

“Long enough. I would take responsibility for Yuna if her lover decided to bail on her.” I- I can’t believe this. Has my brother lost his mind?! Our mother would agree to this!

“Thomas-“ Thomas raised his hand.

“I have my reason, Tiff. Please understand why I’m doing this.” How could I understand such a bogus request?

LATER THAT DAY,

“Welcome home, miss Tiffany. Would you like something to drink before cleaning yourself?” Lia took my briefcase from my hands as I walked toward the couch.

“Get me something cold. And Lia, please give this list of names to Kevin and tell him to investigate them thoroughly.” Lia nodded before she went to the kitchen to get me something to drink.

Many things happened today, and I don’t know where to start. First, my brother decided to father a child that was not his. Then when I arrived at my office, I found out that my cousin was embezzled the company’s money and refused to admit that he took it for his leisure. Just when I thought everything would be fine, a police officer tried to arrest me for something I didn’t even do. Can this day get even worse?

“Miss Tiffany- here is your could drink. Also, need I remind you that the party is tomorrow night. You haven’t found clothes that you wish to wear. Should I make the appointment with the boutique?” Oh- the party. I almost forgot about that.

“It’s alright. I just bought a new dress not long ago. I’ll wear that instead of going through the trouble of trying other clothes.” Lia smiled.

“As you wish, miss Tiffany.” Lia excused herself and went back to the kitchen. She’s probably preparing my dinner. I wonder what’s the menu for tonight.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but something is bothering me. And why do I feel uneasy for some reason? Maybe I need something stronger than this orange juice. Perhaps a glass of whiskey? I stood up from the couch and went to the bar to see Lia peeking her head out of the kitchen door.

“What are you doing, miss Tiffany?” Sometimes I wonder if she’s my maid of my mother.

“I thought I get myself something stronger to drink. I had an eventful day today. My morning started with Thomas wanting to father a child that was not his and my cousin being an ass. Do you see how stressful it is?” Lia sighed.

“Please don’t go overboard. You need to take care of your health. We wouldn’t want the same thing to happen again.” Does Lia need to remind me about the time when I passed out in the middle of an important meeting like that?

“I know. Stop lecturing me.” Lia sighed before going back to the kitchen. I decided to bring my drink to the kitchen and watched as Lia cooking dinner by the stove.

“What are we having?” I asked while drinking my whiskey.

“Grilled salmon, chicken salad, and strawberry ice cream for dessert.” Oh- sounds delicious.

“Would you like to add anything, miss?” I shake my head no.

“How was your trip back home?” I asked while eating some grapes on the kitchen island.

“Everything went well for my family. Thank you once again for your help, miss Tiffany.” I waved my hands.

“Don’t mention it ever again. I’m glad to be of help. You’ve been taking care of me since I moved away from my mother’s home. It’s time for me to take care of you.” Lia smiled while she cooked.

“Miss Tiffany, what are you doing with miss Yuna and her family?” It seems the maids from the main house like to gossip.

“I don’t know. But one thing for sure, Thomas doesn’t want to let go of that woman even if she’s carrying another man’s child.” I sighed while taking a sip of my drink.

“I thought Thomas was a smart man, but he’s not. I do admit that my brother doesn’t love just anyone, but if that person had betrayed his trust, he should be clever enough to know what is right and what is wrong.” Lia turned around while humming.

“I think I can understand how Sir Thomas is feeling. I once fell in love with whom I thought was my soulmate. But our relationship didn’t last because of a third person for which I was willing to risk everything for him. When I realized everything I did for him didn’t mean anything, I decided it’s time for me to leave as well.” If only my brother would think like that, but he seems adamant about keeping Yuna by his side.

“I love my brother, and I will never do anything to hurt him. But that doesn’t mean I will let him do things that might hurt him in the future. I am, after all, a loving sister.” Lia chuckled as she served my dinner.

“Would you like to have something else to drink? Other than alcohol.” Geez- here I thought I could have some fruit wine while I eat the salmon.

“Apple juice.” Lia smiled as she prepared the juice from scratch. Lia looks happy when k asks for juice instead of alcohol.

“Oh- Lia, please book a flight to Japan and Korea for me. I’ll be staying for a week in Japan.”

“How long will you be staying in Korea? Should I book your accommodation as well?”

“Four days. Book me a hotel with the best view. Also, please inform Kevin to find out more information about the people on the list before my trip to Korea. A complete file must be presented to me before landing in Korea.” Lia nodded.

“Consider it done, miss Tiffany.”

LATER THAT NIGHT,

I should have cleaned up my closet right after our breakup. Seeing my ex's things lying around my room is painful.

“Why do you need the huge plastic bag, Miss?” I smiled at Lia before putting my ex's stuff into the bag.

“Are you throwing away Miss Amanda’s things?” I nodded as I pick-up a whole collection of dresses in my closet.

“What about donating them to charity?” That’s a good idea.

“Do you have a friend who works at a children's home?” Lia nodded her head.

“I’ll make some calls. Do you want my help, Miss?” I nodded.

“Why don’t you pick all those meals up from the dresser and throw them away. It wouldn’t be sanitary for me to donate makeup. Even though it’s expensive too, it’s still disgusting. I don’t understand how someone could share the same lipsticks.” Lia chuckled.

“What about her perfumes?”

“Throw it away.“ I sighed as I looked through my ex's lingerie. She might wear these clothes while sleeping with her lover while I was away. Now that I think about it, I get so mad because how did I miss the signs?