Thank your for the reviews for the last chapter, thank you guys for still sticking with me :D You can blame me for breaking Shane's heart, omg what I'd done :( But don't worry I promise a happy ending for everyone in this story.

So this is the update, hope you'll like it ;) I don't own Mendol characters and all mistakes are mine and only mine.


Chapter 8

Nami let out a groan and palmed her head as she walked toward bullpen. She started her work again from today. God, she really hated hangover. Since she saw Ray and Shane that night she would get drunk every night. Good thing was she didn't have her bad dream, but the headache was sucks. She turned to right and entered the room.

"Morning," She greeted the detectives.

"NAMI CHAN!"

"Whoa, stop. Stop. Stop!" Nami put both hands up to stop the younger detectives from hugging her. She didn't like hugging thing now.

"Why?" Leon frowned a little but then lightened up. "You are back."

"Yeah," Nami looked over his shoulder at Owen and detective Brandon.

"Welcome back."

"Thanks," Nami said to detective Brandon and smiled at Owen. The other detectives in the room were clapping and greeting her. She couldn't help but smiling at them. But seconds later everyone turned quiet.

"There's murder at the prison. Go."

Nami turned around and saw Lieutenant was standing behind her. He then turned his gaze at her.

"Welcome back officer Kawachi."

She straightened up her body and watched as the Lieutenant gave her a small smile before leaving the room.

"Okay, let's go. You too." Owen said to the detectives and then to his apprentice.

"Me?" Nami asked the older detective in disbelief. This was the first time she will join the investigation.

"Yeah, you. Let's go."

"Yes, sir."

They walked inside prison building heading toward prisoner chamber. Prisoners were shouting at them when they passed the chambers. Some were whistling when they saw her. She rolled her eyes mentally and followed the detectives. She suddenly felt sick as they entered the room. Brown reddish color colored the white wall, bed and floor. Usually she wouldn't get sick seeing blood or victim body, but today it felt like she will throw her stomach content. The blood plus the hangover made her sick.

"Jesus Christ, what's this, what happened?" Leon scanned the blood-colored room and walked toward the bed.

"Mike Brown, or well-known as Mikey, 51, he was found this morning lying on his bed dead." Brandon read the report file. He walked toward the bed and stood beside Leon. "Guess he lost most of his blood."

"Where's the body?"

"At healthcare."

Owen turned around and saw a fat man with uniform. The Prison Chief. "Can we see the body?"

"Of course. I thought she was your team."

"Yes she is." He had called Abigail and told her to come with her team. They must be doing the autopsy there.

"Okay let's go. What a busy morning, wasting my time."

Owen raised a brow and turned his head to his colleagues. "Remind me again why I hate this place."

"They're a shit ass." Leon said and put his fist up.

"Yeah," Brandon made the same and bumped Leon's fist. "Totally a shit ass."

"Let's go."

Leon started to walk but stopped and turned to his friend. "Nami chan what's up? Are you okay?"

Nami looked up at the taller detective. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

Nami nodded her head passing him. "Let's go." Honestly she didn't feel any good. She needed fresh air. This place was suck.

"What happened to him?" Owen asked the ME chief. Abigail was standing beside bed with the victim lying on it and looking at his wound. The other ME was cleaning the blood around his neck and chest.

"Cut on neck, it seemed cut to left common carotid artery, and stab on left chest. The weapon is something sharp, very sharp. Cause of dead probably is lost of blood. I need to do the autopsy in my lab. Can you manage it?" Abigail turned her gaze to the detective.

"I'll talk with the chief. You think you can get it within today?" Owen took glance over the body.

"I need to run some tests though I doubt he was killed by drugs or something, but I can make it today if you want." Abigail replied.

"Good." Owen turned around. "You two ask the officer and prisoner, and don't forget the record. And you stay here." He said to the detectives and Nami. He then left the room.

"Nami you're here." Abigail was surprised to see the other woman. "You start your work from today?"

Nami turned her gaze from the victim body to the ME. "Yah," She couldn't make another word as she felt nausea and her stomach was ready to throw out its contents.

Abigail noticed that her friend's face was pale. "Nami are you okay?" She pulled off her gloves and walked toward Nami.

"No, not good."

"You had breakfast today?"

"No." Nami shook her head lightly.

Abigail took a good look at her friend. "You skipped breakfast and had hangover. You feel nausea and vomit?" Nami nodded her head. "You must put something in your stomach. Drink water and try to eat bland foods, you can eat crackers or bread. If you feel you have bad taste in your mouth rinse with baking soda, salt and warm water before eat."

"No, my mouth is fine."

"That's good. So you just need to eat something, but don't take big meal. And take rest."

"Yes, doctor." Nami smiled a little.

"You should tell us if you feel sick." Leon said to the shorter woman. Nami looked pale.

"Sorry." Nami said sheepishly.

"You can leave and take rest." Brandon added.

"I'll drive you." Leon offered himself.

"No, I'll call Jason. You guys do the investigation. Tell Owen I'm heading back." Nami said.

"Be careful." Abigail patted Nami's shoulder lightly and watched as her friend nodded her head and left the room.

Nami walked toward entrance ignoring the prisoners and officers. Once she was outside she grabbed her phone and called her partner. Twenty minutes later Jason came and they went back to headquarter. Luckily she didn't vomit, and after had light meal at café she took rest for a while.


"Hey, how're you feeling?" Abigail asked as Nami entered her office. Nami looked better than before.

"Much better. Thanks for the advice."

"I'm a doctor remember?"

"Yeah, dead body's." Nami replied and let out a chuckle.

"I'll take that as compliment." Abigail giggled and put the report in her folder.

"Finished the case?" Nami sat down on the ME's red couch.

"Unfortunately no. We know the cause of the dead but Owen and the others still looking for the murderer. But I'd finished my job, for today. Want to go somewhere? You think you can eat dinner?"

"I suppose yeah. But today is my turn to decide the place."

Abigail let out a giggle. "Okay. Let's go."

Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Dinner. They took a booth at corner. After the waiter took their order and left Abigail looked at the woman before her. "So?"

Nami lifted her brows. "So what?"

"Do I need to say the question? You had hangover which means you drink a lot of alcohol more than your body can handle, you has red pimple on your chin, and you are rubbing your thumb nail. Those are indicator of stress." Abigail cocked her head slightly.

Nami looked down at her hands, she was rubbing her thumb nail unconsciously. She put her hands beside her side and leaned back into seat.

"Nami what's wrong? You still have bad dream?"

Nami let out a soft sigh before replying. "No. Yes. Sometimes. But it's not about the dream."

"O-kay?" Abigail waited.

Nami took a breath and looked at the doctor and then down at her hands. "If…if you have someone you love…and…she has someone else now…what will you do?" She rubbed her hands.

"Tell me about her."

Nami told the doctor about their past except Persona. Ray being a top diva, their dates, their scandals, Shirota, their argument, her insult to Ray and Ray left Japan. Also about what she had seen at Ray's house.

Abigail gazed at the woman before her. No wonder Nami felt like her world turn upside down. Seeing your love with someone else but you could do nothing was worse than any nightmare. She understood it more than anyone else. "I have someone I loved back then when I was at Medical School. We were same grade and he would always help me with my study and my social life. I wasn't a social person since I'm more interest in dead body than life body. But he always talked to me and didn't see me as a strange girl.

"We were best friend but someday I realized that what I feel toward him is more than friendship. He's my first love. But I couldn't tell him, because he's a famous student and me, I just an odd girl with an interest in dead body. After we graduated he asked me if I want to go with him to his family's hospital. But I rejected it for I want to become a medical examiner. After that we lost contact.

"I wished I take the offer or at least I tell him my feeling. Because I know that he won't mind if I love to talk to dead body or whatever person I am. The last thing I know about him is he got married five years after we graduated and he died two years later by accident."

Nami pushed her body forward and said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you remember him."

Abigail offered a small smile. "It's okay. It was a past. Though sometimes I regretted myself that I was a coward. That I didn't take the chance. That's why Nami, you should tell her. Tell her about your feeling."

Nami then looked down at her plate. "I want to, but I don't want to push her. It's my fault we broke up. I didn't trust her. I'm afraid if I tell her about my feeling she will push me away. She didn't say it but I know she still didn't forgive me."

"I don't say you push her with your feeling. Just tell her, let her know that you still love her, that you wish another chance. Just let her know, and let her to decide it. If she still loves you then she will take the chance. But if no then she doesn't deserve you."

"But I don't know if we have chance. I meant look at her, she's engaged to the man. They look like perfect couple."

"Hey," Abigail lowered her head so she could catch the other woman's eyes. "You can't judge by the look. They may look like a perfect couple, hell every couple did but there're many divorce cases, but you can't tell their heart. You won't know her heart until you ask her."

Nami looked up at the older woman. "How do I know whether she still loves me or not?"

"Don't worry about it." Abigail smiled at the small woman and winked.


Andrew leaned his body against wall as he saw his younger sister sitting on a chair beside fireplace. She was holding a glass he was sure is Scotch and closing her eyes. It meant something was bothering her since she only drinks the liqour when she is thinking of something. Or she had a problem. He noticed that she was quiet these days. Couple of days ago she was smiling and she looked happy. He wondered what had happened. Was it about Nami? Or Shane? Sometimes he wished he can change the past so his sister doesn't have to walk this path. He pushed his body from the wall and approached her.

"If you get drunk again I'll have to carry you."

Ray slid her eyelids open and smiled as she saw her brother. "That's your job."

Andrew let out a chuckle and took sit on chair opposite from her. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong what?" Ray gulped the liquid and felt it burn her throat.

"C'mon spit it out."

Ray let out a sigh and stared at the wall full of photos before them. "If there are two persons in your life, which one will you choose and why you choose them."

"Can you ask something easy? Like how to get hit by woman, or how to ask model for dinner, I can handle that."

"Seriously," Ray rolled her eyes and turned to her brother.

He chuckled and crossed his leg. "Sorry. It's her and him right?"

Ray nodded her head. "I told him that I want to learn to love him."

His smiled vanished as he heard the words. "You what?"

"I accepted his love. He's…" Ray rubbed her eyes and inhaled. "He's good man."

He looked at his distressed sister. "Why do I sense a 'but' there?"

"I…"

"You don't love him." He finished the incomplete sentence. She nodded her head slightly. "So, that means you still love her?"

There was a pregnant pause until Ray answered the question. "Yes…and no."

"What do you mean?" Andrew knitted his brows in confusion.

"Yes, I love her. But," Ray let out a sigh. "I still couldn't forgive her. For her words."

He couldn't blame her for the hatred she feels. It was a word she won't ever forgive. "It's not only that, right? You're afraid to trust her again, you're afraid that she will leave you again."

Ray inhaled and nodded her head. Yes, she was afraid that Nami will leave her again, that she will once again doubt her love. Because she didn't think she can love again if that happens.

"So, what do you want? What do you want her to do?"

"I don't know."

"You know that she had come here, into this big country and I don't think for vacation or because she wants to meet Hollywood stars."

"I know." She said softly. She was truly happy to know that Nami had come here because of her, perhaps one of the reasons was her. However it wasn't enough to make her forgive her.

For moments they were sitting in silence. Andrew let his sister to think and listen. Listen to what her heart wants. Not only what she thinks but also what she feels. But he knew what she needs, what she wants the other woman to do. Because it was what he was doing now. He then stood up and looked at her.

"Proof."

Ray turned her gaze at her brother in confusion. "What?"

"Proof. It's what you want from her. You want proof that she won't ever leave you again, that you can trust her again." He then walked toward door. "Don't drink too much."

Ray leaned her head on headrest closing her eyes, finally realized what she wants. Yes, it was what she wants.

Proof.


"You okay?" Asahi asked the short woman beside her. They were standing at entrance of Ray's house, attending her birthday party. Nami had told her and Hinata about Ray and Shane. As a best friend she felt sad for her. To tell the truth she never thought Ray will do that. Well of course they were engaged but it didn't mean she loves the man. Plus she and Nami were getting along lately so she thought perhaps they will get their chance again. However, it seemed thing is more complicated than she thought.

Nami turned her gaze to the taller woman. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"Let's go inside." Hinata said. She turned to the doctor and nodded her head. They decided to go together. Now Abigail was part of their group. She found the woman is smart and easy-going. She liked to talk with her.

It felt like eternity until they could enter the house since many people is coming to the party. Nami eyed the room trying to find Ray. After moments she caught her figure at the center of the room. She motioned to the other and they walked toward the birthday person. She passed men and women but her eyes glued to Ray. As she approached her she then noticed her fiancé was standing beside her. At moment she thought to just turn around and leave the party. However, she knew Ray will be sad to know she doesn't come to her birthday. So she gathered all her strength and brought her feet forward.

After greeted the woman, a director of another fashion company, Ray turned her head and a breath was caught in her throat. 'Nami' She forgot she had invited her to the party. Part of her felt happy seeing the woman, but looking at her she couldn't deny the pain inside her. No, she had decided to choose him so she had to let Nami go. She had to forget Nami. However as they say easier said than done. She looked at Nami, the other woman looked stunning tonight. Nami wore long black evening dress that fit her perfectly. She liked the way Nami has her hair tied up but has some fell over of her temple.

"Happy birthday." Nami said to the freezing woman. She wanted to hug her but she thought it is better she doesn't do it. So she extended her hand instead.

Nami's word broke her frozen and she managed word out from her mouth. "Thank you." She looked down at the extending hand and shook it. "Thank you for coming." She felt Shane's hand on her waist pulling her toward him a little. She forgot her fiancé was standing beside her. She noticed Nami dropped her gaze down and then looked up again. Honestly she didn't like the feeling she feels at moment. These two persons standing near her were tearing her heart apart.

"Hello Nami, how are you?" Shane greeted the other woman. He didn't know what had happened to them back there but now Cassie was his fiancé and that mattered the most.

"Hey Shane, doing well. Thank you for asking." Nami smiled a little. Somehow she sensed something was different with him. Did he know about her? Did Ray tell him? That night she didn't hear the whole conversation. She arrived in front of the room and saw Ray was standing before him and telling him that she wants to learn to love him. The word still pained her heart. She shook her head slightly, now wasn't the time to feel jealous or heart-broken.

"That's good. You should be careful next time."

"Yeah, thanks." Nami replied but knitted her brows a little. 'What does that mean?' Is this just her or he was trying to warn her or something? She thanked God that her friend noticed the slightly tense air and stepped in.

"Ray, happy birthday." Asahi stepped forward and did cheek-kiss. She noticed the tense air and decided to interfere.

"Thank you." Ray then turned to Hinata as Asahi stepped aside and shook her fiancé's hand.

"Happy birthday Ray. Wish you the best." Hinata said and gave a little hug.

"Thank you." Ray said after pulled off from the hug. Her smile vanished as she realized the woman who stood behind Hinata. "Doctor Clark, right?"

"Yes, but call me Abigail. Happy birthday." Abigail extended her hand and smiling at the Hamilton owner.

"Thank you, Abigail." Ray stared at the doctor and shook the hand.

Abigail looked at the woman before her. For the first time in her life she couldn't read someone. She was good at reading people. She always could read them easily. However she found herself couldn't read the woman. She didn't know why but somehow it felt creepy. She took a small breath and pulled back her hand. Cassandra was smiling at her now.

"I hope you enjoy the party." Ray said to the doctor and then to her old friends.

Nami nodded her head and turned around. She wanted to leave the spot as soon as possible. Maybe she needed something stronger for tonight. They grabbed their drinks and heading toward the back of room. Nami wanted to look at anything but Ray, however her eyes still locked to Ray. With the floor length white dress, she looked like a bride. The thought made her sad because it was him who stood beside her. A month ago she thought they can be a friend, if the man can love her more than she could then she will step back. However she realized now that she couldn't. She couldn't think Ray as a friend. She couldn't bear seeing her with Shane. She couldn't stop loving her. No, she couldn't. And she didn't want to run. She wouldn't run this time. She was going to tell Ray tonight.


Ray let out a chuckle and giggled as he spun her around. They were dancing on dance floor with other pairings around them. Shane was a good dancer actually. One of things she liked from him.

"You look beautiful tonight." Shane said after pulled her back to his arms.

"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself."

"I know." He let out a chuckle as she rolled her eyes playfully. "But I meant it. Well you look beautiful every day but today is more. What do you say in Japanese? To…temo kirei. Is that right?"

Ray nodded her head smiling at him. "Yes it is. Where did you learn that?"

"My teacher, Google?" He pulled his lips up to side-way smile.

She giggled as he spinning her again. She encircled her arms around his shoulder and let him leading the dance. "You should ask me instead of Google?"

"Okay, I'll ask you now. What do you say for 'I want you to be my girlfriend'?"

"Watashi to tsukiatte kudasai." Ray let out a giggle as he knitted his brows. "Repeat after me. Watashi to,"

"Watasi to,"

"Tsukiatte,"

"Suki…ate?"

"Tsu…ki…atte,"

"Yes that."

Ray pinched his shoulder as he started to laugh. "No, repeat after me. Tsukiatte,"

"Tsukiatte…"

"Good. Then kudasai,"

"Kudasai…"

"There you go."

He pulled her slightly and said. "Watasi to…su-tsukiatte…kudasai."

"That's it. You can say it." She patted his shoulder.

"No, I asked you now."

Ray raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. "You still remember we're engaged, right?"

"Really, are we?" He pretended getting confused but then let out a laugh as she gave him a pouting face.

"Fine. You can use that and find some girls out there."

"Who said I like girl." He cocked his head.

Ray pulled her head back slightly lifting an eyebrow. "So, Mr. Shane Morrison here plays for the other team?"

"What!? No! I meant I like woman not girl." Shane said quickly.

Ray laughed as his face slowly turning red. She bit her lips to hold her laugh since the other pairing was turning their gaze at them now. "You're blushing." She giggled and touched his warm cheek. She couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"Thanks to you." Shane curled his lips down but then joining in her laugh.

However Ray's laugh stopped as her eyes caught a figure. 'Nami' Nami was looking toward her. For moments it felt like the world stops its spinning. She wanted to turn her gaze away but couldn't. She held her breath unconsciously as she looked into the other woman's eyes. She couldn't read Nami's expression. There was no anger nor jealousy or sadness. Nothing. And somehow it made her heart ache. She knew that she shouldn't think about Nami anymore for they are just friend as she had told her that day. Not to mention she had another person in her life now. Yet to see her looking at her like now she felt pain inside her and it made hard to breathe. She felt guilty.

Suddenly she felt Shane leaned his cheek against her head. Glad with the interruption Ray closed her eyes and leaned her head against him.

"Don't worry, you can do it." Abigail said to her friend who stood beside her.

Nami took a deep breath and turned to the ME. "Thanks." She let out a soft sigh and watched Ray with Shane. 'Did she really decide to love him? Was she happy with him?' She couldn't stop the thought to run inside her mind. She shook her head slightly, she won't give up. Besides she needed to know if Ray still loves her or not. Wait, Abigail didn't tell her about the plan? How was she supposed to know Ray's feeling?

Abigail looked at the woman dancing at the center of the room. She would go with her plan, but she needed better place. She turned to the other women. "Why don't we get something to eat?" She then nodded her head toward a table near marble staircase.

"Finally someone brought it in, I'm hungry." Hinata patted her belly and walked toward table covered with many foods.

The three just let out a chuckle shaking their heads. They followed the eager woman heading the table.

Ray turned her head looking for Nami. There were so many people that she couldn't find her. She then decided to grab something to eat. She told Shane that she will go to grab something for drink and he nodded his head. She left him heading the table. She walked around the long table to take an apple tart. Her eyes then caught Nami's figure at the other end of the table. She immediately forgot the tart. Asahi, Hinata and, for her dislike, Abigail was standing beside her. Nami's back was on her so she didn't see her. She was talking with them. She wanted to approach her but afraid and her mind kept telling her that she had decided to accept Shane's love so she shouldn't think about Nami anymore. Her thought was disrupted as someone stood beside her.

"Happy birthday sist."

Ray was startled and turned around. "You scared me," She rubbed her chest. "You're late."

"Sorry. Anyway, love you and wish you the best." Andrew leaned forward and kissed his sister cheek. "So, why are you here? Not to mention alone?"

Ray turned her gaze back to the table and took a tart. "I'm hungry."

"Where's Shane dude?"

"With his friends." She took a bite of the tart.

"He leaves you alone for his friends?" Andrew shook his head making a click sounds with his tongue. His sister punched his forearm and rolled her eyes at him. "Just kidding."

Ray took another bite and then stole a glance toward the other woman.

Abigail looked over Nami's shoulder and found the Hamilton owner was standing at the end of the table on the other side. She noticed that the other woman will take a glance now and then toward them. That meant they got her attention. She would run her plan. She leaned toward Nami and said.

"You aren't going to eat something?"

"Nah, I'm good." Nami said in the doctor's ear since the room was filled by people chats and music.

"You have diet program officer?" Abigail raised an eyebrow and looked down at Nami.

Nami let out a chuckle. "Yeah, I gained three pounds you know. I think I should stop drink beer for a while."

Abigail placed a hand on Nami's shoulder and said in her ear. "Don't worry you still look sexy. For someone." She pulled back and winked.

Nami was surprised to feel the touch but she calmed herself, Abigail was her friend she didn't need to be afraid. But seconds later she chuckled.

Ray turned her gaze to the tart in her hand. Suddenly felt an urge to throw it away. 'What was she doing? Was she flirting with Nami?'

"You see grandpa?" Andrew put the champagne glass on table eyeing the room.

Andrew's voice broke her thought, she forgot that her brother was standing beside her. "I saw him with aunty at garden." She took another glance but regretted it immediately as she saw Nami was leaning toward the doctor, her hand on the doctor's waist. They were laughing. She looked away and inhaled sharply.

"Hey," Andrew nudged as he noticed she was quiet.

"What?" Ray asked annoyingly.

Andrew wanted to ask the matter but stopped as he saw the most beautiful woman in his life, besides his mother and sister of course. The woman was talking to her friends. He knitted his brows as he noticed her friends. "Cas, you know her?"

Ray turned her gaze to her brother. "Who?" She then turned her head following his gaze. "That's Nami."

"I know." Andrew said in duh tone. "Not her. The woman with her."

Ray rolled her eyes mentally and answered him. "Abigail Clark. Nami's friend."

"She's beautiful."

Ray knitted her brows and turned at him. "What? Seriously?"

Andrew ignored the harsh tone from his sister. "Can you introduce me to her?"

Ray wanted to doubt her hearing. "What?"

"Introduce me," He pointed his fingers to his chest and then nodded his head toward the woman. "…to her."

"Do it yourself." She grabbed her glass and passed him but he grabbed her arm.

"C'mon Cas, for me." He pleaded.

"What are you, thirteen? You can flirt with my models but couldn't introduce yourself to one woman?"

"Come…she's looking here." He quickly turned his gaze to his sister. After moment he glanced back at the woman. She was talking with a fat man he recognized was a designer from Spain. "She speaks Spanish." He said in astonishment.

Ray rolled her eyes. "I can speak Spanish, France, Japanese and Italian."

Andrew turned his gaze to his sister frowning. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." She took a gulp from her drink. She wanted to know it herself, what was wrong with her.

"First, you're jumpy and now, you're grumpy."

"I'm not…grumpy." She said a bit loud and then decreased her tone as some guests turned toward them. At moment she hated her stupid brother.

He pulled the corners of his lips up. "You're jealous, aren't you?"

"I'm not jealous." She said warningly.

"Someone is jealous." He sang playfully and walked away before she can punch him.

"Andre…ehem." She drank the champagne and silently cursed her brother. She would save the punch for later. She glanced toward her brother but her eyes met Abigail's. She was surprised when the doctor gave her smile. She looked away and left the table. She hated Nami. And her brother.

"You think what I'm thinking now?" Hinata leaned and said to her taller friend.

"Yeah. Abi's plan did work. She's definitely jealous."

"Yah, anyone can see it. She's totally jealous." Hinata turned to Asahi beaming.

"Now it depends on Nami, can she do it without screw it up."

Abigail smiled as she watched the other woman walking down the hall. She might not be able to read her before, however this time she could read her easily. Ray was jealous. It meant she succeeded her plan. And more importantly it meant Ray still loves her friend.

"Nami, how are you?"

Nami turned around and saw Andrew stood behind her. "Hi Andrew, I'm doing fine. How about you? Not see you lately."

"Glad to know you're doing well. You know busy." He gave her a wink. "Anyway," He tilted his head subtly.

Nami let out a chuckle as she got the hint. "This is my friend Abigail. Abigail this is Andrew."

Abigail looked at the handsome man before her. She had read about the older Hamilton before. "Hi, Abigail Clark. It's a pleasure to meet you." Shaking the extended hand she released the breath she didn't realize has been holding.

"The pleasure is mine." Andrew pulled back his hand and looked at the woman. She was indeed beautiful.

Nami eyed the room looking for Ray. Her eyes caught Shane was talking with some men and women but Ray wasn't with him. 'Where's she?'

"She's at balcony. Second floor." Andrew whispered to the shorter woman. His sister undoubtedly would go there.

Nami was startled as Andrew whispered on her ear. He then gave her a wink. She gave him a grateful smile. Abigail, Asahi and Hinata nodded their heads. She smiled back and then turned on her heel.

They saw their friend leaving her spot heading stairs. "Should we follow her?" Hinata asked her tall friend beside her.

"For what?"

"Just to make sure everything went good?"

"You just want to eavesdrop. Forget it. No, we won't."

Hinata let out a disappointed growl and looked at her side. "Where's Abi?"

Asahi looked around and found the doctor with Ray's brother walking toward the other side. "It seems Nami wasn't the only one who gets someone tonight." She smiled a little.

"Yeah." Hinata said and then turned her gaze to her boss, and friend. She wondered if he knows the truth. Of course she wanted her best friend get her woman back but she also felt sorry for him. He was a good guy. Perhaps the best man she had ever met in her life.


Her heart was beating faster with each steps on the stairs. She inhaled and exhaled like she needs breathing exercise, in fact she needed it. Her hands started to tremble slightly as she stood on the top of stairs. She eyed the floor and found a corridor on her left. She stepped forward toward the corridor. She then turned right and saw a balcony at the end of the long corridor. Walking along the corridor she heard voice from party hall slowly decreased. The door was open widely and the night wind blew the curtains. She took steps forward until she reached the door. Standing at the balcony was Ray. Ray was facing the other side so she didn't notice her presence. Looking at her back with the three-quarter moon shining on the dark sky it was like looking at a picture. The sight was too beautiful that she didn't realize she was holding her breath. She stepped into the balcony toward the taller woman.

Ray was standing at balcony looking at the garden below. She liked the view of the garden at night, especially when the moon was shining its beautiful light like tonight. The view calmed her and made her forget her dilemma. For the first time in her life she was confused with herself. With her feeling. She decided to accept his love, yet when her eyes landed to the other woman, her heart screamed at her to forget the past and just run toward her. Despite of her stubbornness to admit it seeing Nami with another person pained her heart. She just wished she can end this whatever battle inside her. Sometimes she thought to run far away to the place where she can start new life. Or she wished she can have new memory so she wouldn't need to remember the pain. If only she could end this long journey of herself to find her true love. If only…Unconsciously she took a step forward and then another. However footsteps from behind stopped her. Turning around her eyes widened as she saw the person.

'Why she looked sad?' Today was her birthday yet what she saw from her eyes are sadness and despair. Nami offered a small smile and walked toward Ray. "Sorry for interrupting."

Ray shook her head and returned the smile. "It's okay." She couldn't decide what she feels at moment, relieved or resentful that Nami walked in and had stopped her stupid thought. What the hell she was thinking anyway, she wanted to slap herself.

"What are you doing here?" She stood beside Ray.

Ray turned her gaze to the dark sky. "Just looking at the night view. It's beautiful isn't it?"

Nami scanned the garden and the night sky. "Yeah, it's beautiful." 'Like you' she wanted to say it but stopped herself. They were just staring at the view for moments until she broke the silence. "I have present for you."

Ray turned to the other woman. "Really? For me?"

"Yeah, but…just little present. I don't know if you'll like it or no."

Ray gazed at the other woman, she has a bashful smile on her face. "It's a present. Big or small, cheap or expensive, it doesn't matter."

Nami's smile grew bigger. "But I need you to turn around."

She cocked her head a little but smiled and turned around. Nami put a necklace around her neck. She touched the pendant and turned around. It was a small oval pendant with 'Trust' written in Japanese characters on it. She knitted her brows in confusion as she looked at the other woman.

"I want to apologize. I'd said that I want to be your friend." Nami tried her hardest not to look away. She needed Ray to see through her eyes. "But I can't. I can't be your friend. Trust me I have tried but couldn't.

"What I feel toward you, it didn't change, I couldn't change it. Please let me finish it." She said as Ray opened her mouth to speak. "I know you are engaged to him. I know you still don't forgive me. I don't tell you to forgive me.

Nami took a step toward the freezing woman before her. "I want you to know that these eight years I didn't forget you, I couldn't. I couldn't stop loving you...I love you Ray."

Ray stood freezing on her spot upon hearing the words. Her neuron seemed stop sending signals since her brain stops its activity. After moments finally she could make it works again. "I…we can't…" It seemed this time her mouth was disconnecting with her brain. She turned around avoiding Nami's eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look at those eyes or she will break in front of her. "Why are you telling me this?"

Nami stepped to Ray's side. "I want you to know that I won't give up. I won't give up this love."

Ray shook her head as she felt tear slowly watering her eyes, she still avoiding Nami's eyes. "You contradicted yourself. I have Shane now remember?"

Nami knew the fact yet she felt her heart ache. "I know. That's why I need to know." She took a deep long breath. "Do you love him?"

Ray wanted to yell at the otherr woman to ask such question. She knew the answer however she couldn't make the word out.

"Do you love him?" Nami stepped closer to the taller woman.

Ray took a sharp breath before replying. "Yes, I love him."

"You're lying." Nami said softly.

"Whatever idea make you think that?" Ray finally turned her gaze to Nami.

"Then look at me and say it." Nami looked at Ray's eyes searching for the love. Her heart drummed inside her chest as she suddenly felt fear, fear that she will find it.

Ray looked away again. "Why would I do that?"

"Then you're lying."

"I'm not lying!" Ray yelled and glared at the short woman.

"Tell me that you love him and you're happy with him." Nami closed their distance and looked up at Ray.

Ray looked into Nami's eyes. It wasn't a selfish demand because she could see fear in the other woman's eye. Nami was looking through her eyes, searching for the truth. No, she couldn't let Nami see through her or she will know the truth. She moved her gaze to look away but Nami grabbed her cheeks and held it.

Despite their closeness Nami leaned forward slightly. "Tell me that you love him and you're happy with him. Tell me it's what you want and I'll walk away and I promise you'll never see me again."

Ray kept her gaze at Nami's. She could feel Nami's breath on her skin. She wanted to push the woman away, but she couldn't. She couldn't say any word either as she looked at those brown teary eyes. With those eyes penetrate through her soul how could she tell a lie? Could she bear losing the other woman again?

Nami knew it was selfish for her to ask, but if Ray said she loves Shane then she will keep her word. She would walk away from Ray's life. She would forget her, although she doubted if she could.

Nami looked into Ray's deep brown eyes. She felt Ray's warm breath on her skin and her heart started to warm. She didn't know when or how but the next thing she knew was the gap between them was gone and her lips were on Ray's.


Finally! There you guys what do you think :D

Thank you for reading!