Chapter 26

"I knew that I had seen this from somewhere before," said Zachary as he stared down at the handkerchief. Haine had handed it over to him while he was sweating a lot from his nightmare last night.

"It's the one you gave me right outside the hospital at Sydney," answered Haine, whom was sitting in Zachary's office at the moment, "I've been keeping it with me ever since then, you can have it back now though…"

"Just keep it with you," he said, and then added, "By the way don't you have any work today?"

"I'm on night shift today," said Haine cheerfully and as she leaned towards Zachary's desk and took the handkerchief back into her hands, Zachary had snuck a kiss on her cheek, which was unfortunately spotted by Sarah who had entered the room right at that very instant.

"I can't believe it!" screamed Sarah as she stared at the sight of both of them, causing Zachary and Haine to break away immediately. "Zachary's actually gotten himself a real girlfriend!"

"Cut it out Sarah," said Zachary at once and much to Haine's surprise, she saw for the first time that Zachary had gone slightly red.

Sarah laughed and continued to say, "I know that my brother will fall for you sooner or later," and she turned her gaze over at Haine, "you seem to be way better than Amber by far!"

Before she could say anything else however, Zachary had interrupted, "If you've got no business here then leave, this is an office for your information."

"Speak for yourself," said Sarah who looked over at Haine. "I was trying to get you to accompany me to buy some dresses but looking at you right now," and she stared at the stack of files on Zachary's desk, "Seems like you will be staying in the office all day long again as usual…"

"I can go with you if you like," said Haine suddenly, "My shift is at night after all…"

"Really?" replied Sarah, who beamed over at Haine, "That's excellent!"

"Keep an eye on her," said Zachary over to Haine as the two headed towards the door, "and make sure she stays out of trouble."

"Don't worry I will treat Haine real nice! After all she's my older brother's darling girlfriend now," said Sarah who gave a wink over to Zachary. And then the two left the room.

"So how did you do it?" Sarah asked Haine as they entered a fashion shop. "I mean how did you make my brother confess to you?" added Sarah as she noticed Haine's puzzled look, "He is a real klutz most of the time so I wouldn't think that he would actually have the guts to admit to the girl he likes. He must like you a lot to have taken the initiative…"

"Well actually," said Haine, "I was the one who had confessed…" and at that, she turned scarlet.

"That's amazing!" burst out Sarah before could stop herself, "I didn't think that any woman would dare do that with that cow hanging around him…"

"Cow?" asked Haine.

"I mean Amber," answered Sarah, "She sticks around my brother all the time, which makes me feel really sorry for my brother at times. I mean he has told her many times before that he regards her as only a friend but that woman forced herself on him by threatening suicide when my brother had refused her… But I'm glad that my brother has finally found his true love now," and Sarah smiled at Haine, "Take care of my brother will you?"

And before Haine could reply, Sarah had already pushed a purple coloured dress to her and forced her into the changing room. "You'll be my model for the day then!" said Sarah as she closed the dressing room door. When Haine had finally come out, Sarah said, "Not bad, it matches your pale skin. But I think I will pick another though…" and right after saying that, Sarah proceeded to the changing room herself and changed into a brownish-gold dress.

"What do you think?" asked Sarah as Haine had just gotten out of the changing room and changed out of the dress.

"I think it looks really good," answered Haine, "It matches your beautiful brown hair…"

"Guess I'll take it then," answered Sarah merrily.

And as she went towards the counter, she told the cashier, "I'll take the purple and brown one please!"

"But I thought you didn't like the purple one very much," said Haine who looked a little confused.

"That's for you," said Sarah, and while smiling, she added, "For my future sister-in-law!"

As they both walked out of the fashion stall, Sarah had suddenly said, "Will you go with me to the park nearby please?"

"Of course, Sarah," and Haine followed her until Sarah had finally stopped at the side of the river.

"You know, I am in fact very worried about my brother," said Sarah as she continued to stare at the river surface, "I am not someone who can see the light, so someday I will grow old and die of old age just like any other. My brother on the other hand is forced to live on in this world even after I am gone… If I would, I would rather prefer to be able to see the light as well, even if it means I will die once… I would like to stay with my brother to the very end but I know I can't," and at that, Sarah suddenly had a single tear falling from her eye, to which Haine placed her hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry so much Sarah, just treasure what you have at the present," and right after, Sarah immediately placed her arms around Haine and said, "Please take care of my brother for me, even after I am gone Haine."

And Haine, while patting her head, answered, "Don't worry Sarah, I promise to take care of Zachary no matter what happens so cheer up and don't think so much. I'm sure Zachary would want you to have a long and happy life," and at that, Sarah smiled in spite of herself.

"I can see why my brother likes you now," she said as she wiped the tears out of her eyes, "You really are a nice person…"

"Let's go back to the mansion now, we've already been out for 3 hours," answered Haine who was eager to change the topic and hide her embarrassment.

When the two had finally reached the mansion, they parted ways at the fountain with Haine saying, "Thank you for the dress today Sarah, when I get my pay check I will definitely treat you to a buffet," and Sarah laughed as she walked away.

By the time that she had placed the dress in her wardrobe and gone down to the administrative block, it was just about time for her shift to start. Apparently, Amber was there as well.

"Working hard?" Amber asked sweetly as she walked pass Haine.

"I am trying my best to," replied Haine, who felt slightly uncomfortable at the sight of Amber.

"Well enjoy your last few days in the mansion then," Amber said in the same sweet voice as she turned to walk away.

"What do you mean Amber?" asked Haine, sounding slightly alarmed now.

"I meant that in a few days time all of us will be going off to China to chase after the goods there ever since we failed in the last mission," replied Amber, "It's likely we will be staying there and leaving the mansion for quite some time so I merely suggested that you should enjoy the few days in the mansion before you leave for China."

"Oh," said Haine, sounding relieved now, "I see, thanks Amber…" and after that, as Amber started to walk away towards the lift with her back facing Haine, she smiled discreetly to herself while thinking, "Enjoy your last few days in London, Haine… We will never see each other again…"