Chapter 30: Chapter 30

I gasped when I saw Reiko and Ren who stepped out from the apartment. They looked so different since the last time I saw them in Okinawa.

I observed that Reiko got thinner but she became more beautiful as always.

Meanwhile, Ren, who had this boyish smile back then suddenly became a matured man.

I want to get out from the car ,run towards them and give them a bear hug. I wanted

to tell them how I miss them...

But I held herself on my seat. Since I am know as Seira Yoshida, I wouldn't want to scare them off and ruin all of my plans because of that. I have to talk to Van first.

Once Reiko and Ren are out of sight, I turned my attention back to the apartment. My eyes widened in shock when I saw Van looking at my direction!

"Someone is walking towards us, Miss Seira. What are we going to do?" informed my driver, in a worried tone.

I didn't say anything, as I anxiously watch making his way towards my direction.

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Van knocked on the car window where Seira Yoshida was sitting.

At the same time, I calmed myself and pushed the button for the car window.

"Well, it's now or never... I can't run and hide forever." I encouraged myself.

"--Just like what I thought... It's the famous heiress. Is there something that I can help you with, your highness?" he said in a mocking tone.

"I didn't come here to argue with you." I calmly stated.

"Whatever. So, what are you doing here?" he interrogated me.

"I want to talk to you." I replied rightaway.

"Well, come with me inside the apartment and let's talk there. We can have privacy inside." Van seriously offered.

He then glanced at my driver.

"Drive around and be back for your lady boss in an hour..." he instructed.

The driver hesitantly looked at me, and I just gave him a nod. The driver nods back, and then he closed the car window and drove off.

Once the car is gone, Van grasped my hand.

"Let's go." he said.

My chest started to thump again, just like the first time Van held my hand back in Okinawa...

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Inside the apartment.

Once the door is locked, Van abruptly loosened his grip on Seira's hand, like he got burned.

"Take a seat. I know my place is different than yours, but please feel at home." he casually said.

Seira took a seat.

Van's preparing coffee for the guest, but his mind is in deep thought...

"Why did I you ask her to come to my apartment?" he suddenly asked himself, while feeling confused.

He then laid down the coffee on the table.

"I just prepared coffee for you because the temperature's really cold today. Anyway, let me go back to my question. Why are you doing a surveillance on me? Did your father ask you to do it?" he interrogated the heiress.

Van's personality has changed after 8 years. The friendly, warm and sensitive Van is gone... She's not looking at a cold, aloof and angry version of her first love.

"P-Please don't scare me like that..." I pleaded.

"Then let me answer my own question. You were spying on me, right?" Van probed again, as his eyes turned to slits.

"P-Please let me explain..." I croaked.

Van took a step forward. He had this grim smile on his face, and there were sparks of anger in his eyes.

"Van, I know this may sound crazy, but please listen to me first!" I frantically begged at him.

"Alright, I'm listening. What's this "crazy" thing that you're talking about?" Van decided to listen to her.

I really wanted to tell him that I'm Nao Nishikawa, but how can I explain to him that I'm trapped on Seira Yoshida's body?

In the end, I've decided not to continue with my confession.

"Let's just... forget about it. I apologize for disturbing you. And don't worry, I'll do my best not to cause any inconveniences in the future." I finally bid goodbye to him.

I immediately stood up and made my way outside....

======================

Dinnertime.

I forced myself to join my "father" at dinner, since he just came home from a business trip overseas.

I was aware that he was talking about something, but then I really couldn't catch

what he was saying since my mind is still thinking of what happened awhile ago at

Van's apartment.

"Seira? Is something the matter?" Mr. Yoshida suddenly asked me.

I absent-mindedly looked at him.

"Huh?" I mumbled.

"I've observed that you've been acting strange since you came out from the hospital... I thought you were just having a hard time adjusting with your new life after being comatosed for eight years." the old man started, while looking worried.

"If you only knew that I'm not your real daughter, Mr. Yoshida." I secretly thought.

"You know what, I have an idea. You need to get away from Japan, Seira. You have the right to live a normal and peaceful life. I want you to go to New Zealand and live there until you are fully recovered..." Mr. Yoshida suggested.

I snapped out from my reverie when one idea suddenly struck into my mind. I stared at him again.

"There's no need for me to get out of the country,father. But I actually have one place in mind that I'd love to go to." I finally spoke

"Where?"

"Okinawa."

The old man became silent for a moment.Then he gave out a small smile.

I smiled back at him.

"Thank you,father." I said.

Mr. Yoshida nodded in return, then afterwards, he continued on eating his dinner.

"I'll find the answers to my questions for sure..." I said to myself.

========================

Another week quickly flew by.

I came out from the car and looked at the small town that I truly love. Some local residents are looking at me with fascination and curiousity. Just like the first

time I came to this town as the adopted daughter of Doctor Nishikawa, a prominent and kind doctor in a small city of Naha...

Nothing much have changed on this town,except for one thing.

A gasp escaped from my lips when I saw a vacant land... The Nishikawa house is totally gone, and what was left is only a messy, vacant land!

I almost fainted because of shock. I can hear many people talking on my back, and I tried my best to calm myself. I don't want to breakdown infront of these people.

"Oh, I remember you now! You're that hotel heiress,right? The one who got into an accident as Nao Nishikawa..." inquired a certain housewife, with a sad expression

on her face.

My eyes flew open and stared at a familiar face.

"She's Mrs.Koide, and she's one of my mother's patients..." I recalled to myself.

"---did your father send you here?" some people interjected.

"---do you think you can compensate for what your father did to Nao?" the others cried out, while looking angry.

"No, I'm----!" I tried to explain myself, but the people are now getting angry.

"Leave this town now! You're not welcome here!" they all shouted at her.

My driver quickly walked towards me.

"We should leave immediately, Miss Seira." he advised me.

I gave one last look to all of them, then afterwards, she went inside the car. The driver started driving the car, away from those angry people.

The driver worriedly looked at the through

the front mirror.

"Are you alright, Miss Seira? You should take a rest once we arrive at the hotel..."

the driver spoke.

"No, just make a turn on the next street. I need to talk to someone." I abruptly ordered the driver.

==========================

After few minutes.

"You can stop here." I said to the driver, as I saw the familiar palm tree where I used to park my bicycle whenever I visit the snackhouse many years ago.

Bittersweet memories started to engulf in my mind. That summer. It feels like it all

happened yesterday.

With shaking hands,I opened the car door and stepped outside.

"Do you want me to accompany you?" I heard the driver.

"No,thank you..." I replied,and then I took another step forward.

I saw one familiar figure standing by the gate. It was none other than Uncle Taka, Van and Ren's father!

He still had the same teasing grin just like Van... His hair is already graying a bit, but he still has this youthful glint on his eyes. And he's still fond of wearing Hawaiian poloshirts...

It made me smile a bit.

"Wait.You looked familiar... You're that famous hotel heiress,right? Seira Yoshida." Uncle Taka inquired.

"Y-Yes." I forced myself to answer.

Uncle Taka gave me a big smile.

"You looked different in person than what I see on the newspaper and television. But what's wrong? You looked troubled today, dear..." he observed.

I wanted to say that I'm Nao Nishikawa, but I know he won't believe me. I decided not to stay longer, because it breaks my heart to see that Uncle Taka knows me as Seira Yoshida...

"Can I ask you a question?" I politely asked him.

"Sure, what is it?" the old man replied.

"Where is Nao Nishikawa's final resting place?" I inquired...