The wedding finally came to an end and Harriett went back to her parent’s house with Tony. When she arrived, her mood was sour as she occasionally remembered her previous encounter with Damien.
“How dare he come up to me when he is still with that woman.” Harriet grumbled, referring to Evelyn as she tucked her children to bed and retired to her room.
While she laid on her bed, she tried forcing herself to sleep but it proved to be fruitless as she found her thoughts continuously drifting to her ex-husband. By the time she was finally able to sleep, it was already 12:45am.
*
*
“Su ji. Since it is Tony’s first time in New York after ten whole years, why don’t you show him around. I’m sure New York has changed a lot since the last time he was here.” Harriett’s mother suggested and Jake Edwards nodded in agreement.
“Mum, please. It’s not like I’ve been here all along. You’re forgetting that I have been away for four years.” Harriett countered with a groan.
“Oh, come on. Four years isn’t a lot. I’m sure you still remember most places here.” Her mother continued, earning a smile from Tony who sat directly opposite Harriett and the twins.
“It’s alright, Aunt. I’m not sure Harriett would want to leave the children just to show me around. I can do that myself. It might be a bit boring all myself but I’ll manage.” Tony said with, putting on a fake hurt expression and Harriett threw a napkin at him which he skillfully dodged and brought his tongue out, mocking her awful attempt.
“Nonsense. I agree with your mother. As for the twins, I’m sure they don’t mind spending the day with their grandparents. Right, my darlings?” Jake Edward asked, smiling sweetly at his grandchildren and they immediately started screaming happily.
They were always ecstatic about play dates with their grandparents as they didn’t hold back on spoiling them with the best gifts.
“We want grandpa and grandma. Pwetty pwease, mummy.” They pleaded with doe eyes knowing fully well that their mother couldn’t resist that look.
After a few minutes, Harriett groaned and turned to the twins.
“Fine. You both can spend the day with grandma and grandpa while I show Tony around.” Harriett accepted defeat and the children squealed happily.
After breakfast, Harriett’s mother, Ha Young, pulled Tony to a corner, making sure that Harriett wasn’t in sight.
“I’m sure you know why I asked Harriett to do that.” She started, referring to the conversation she earlier had with Harriett and Tony shook his head, confusion spreading across his face.
“I don’t think I do, Aunt.” He chuckled awkwardly. Ha Young slowly grabbed his right hand before she looked up at him.
“This is an opportunity for the both of you to alone. I know that Harriett only hangs out with you along with the twins which is why I decided to take care of them today.” Ha Young said and Tony’s eyes widened as he was starting to understand why she asked Harriet to show him around the city.
“Get her to fall in love with you, Tony. She deserves someone like you.” She finally blurted out, her eyes pleading with Tony.
“Now that Damien knows she is back in New York, he might try to come back into her life using the children as an excuse. I don’t want my daughter to be with that man. Not after what he did to her four years ago so you are our only option.” She continued while Tony struggled to believe that this was actually happening.
Harriett had filled her parents in on the details of all that happened at the wedding. From meeting Damien and to him asking about the paternity of the children.
Hearing Harriett talk about Damien, Ha Young feared that she might still have lingering feelings for her ex-husband which was why she was trying to get Harriett to fall in love with Tony before her feelings become strong.
“I don’t think there is another man out there who would accept and love her children the way you do. Make Harriett fall in love with you and marry her. You have the support of I and my husband.” She assured him.
“Aunt.. I..” He breathed out, picking his words carefully.
“Harriett is my friend and she will always be. I also love Addison and Adrian like I would my own children. But, love isn’t something I can force my way through. I cannot force Harriett to love me. It is something that has to happen naturally.” He explains, his heart aching slightly as he imagined his friendship with Harriett ruining because of a decision like this.
He was still unsure about his feelings towards her. One thing was certain, he loved and cared about Harriett.
Romantically? He wasn’t so sure yet. This was something that even he wanted to confirm.
He had always known that her parents wanted them to end up together but he saw it as them trying to protect their daughter from men like Damien.
Whenever he looked at Harriett, he felt the strange urge to be there for her, to protect her, to care for her.
Could that be love?
“I know. At the end of the day, It all depends on what Harriett wants but we will never know how she feels about you if we don’t give her a little push.” Ha young said suggestively and Tony finally began to see some sense in what she was saying.
“Just promise me that you’ll continue being there for my Harriett. She went through so much during her marriage and her heart is still scarred. I doubt she’d want to let anyone in again.” She said, a tear slipping out of her eyes and Tony gritted his teeth as he remembered that it was because of how Damien treated her that she lost hope in love.
He hoped he didn’t have to see that man again because he wasn’t sure he would be able to hold himself from ruining that perfect face of his.
Ha Young opened her mouth to continue when the door suddenly opened to reveal Harriett.
“Mum?” She said, looking between her mother and Tony suspiciously.
Ha Young bit her lips, hoping that Harriett didn’t hear their conversation.
“What are you both doing here? I’ve been looking for you guys everywhere.” She asked and Tony was the first to speak up.
“Aunt was giving me a few tips on how to survive in New York. She says it’s a lot different from ten years ago.” He lied with a bright smile and Harriett nodded slowly, not fully convinced. But, she decided to let it go.
“Addy wants you to pick her dresses because she feels you have a better fashion sense.” She chuckled and her mother smiled.
“Of course. Little Addy understands these things better than anyone. I better go dress her up before she throws a tantrum.
“Is a three year old meant to understand fashion?” Tony asked the second Ha Young walked out of the door and Harriett threw her head back in a loud laughter.
“Certainly not.” She said and turned to him.
“We should get going if you want to see a lot before it gets dark.” She said, checking her phone and he nodded before grabbing her arm.
“Sure. Today, I’ll be your passenger princess.”