Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

“Lara?” the voice on the other end of Lara’s phone answered in a low tone. Lara could conclude that the voice belonged to Andre’s sister, Shanon.

“Shanon?” Lara asked before continuing her conversation. She wanted to make sure that Shanon was indeed the woman she was referring to and not someone else.

Lara had somewhat forgotten how Shanon’s voice sounded. Dozens of years had passed, and today was the first time they had exchanged greetings again since the misunderstanding incident about Lara’s mother’s accident.

“Yes, it’s me, Ra. Shanon. Andre is driving, we’re heading back to the apartment.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll wait here.”

“Alright! We’ll be there soon, Ra. Wait for us, okay! I’m bringing some warm food from my favorite restaurant in Jakarta. Hope you like it!”

Lara agreed, then ended the call. Her heart was still filled with doubt. She was still unsure how to act after being at odds with the wrong person for dozens of years. Hopefully, Shanon was the older sister figure she had always longed for.

Before that unfortunate incident, Shanon had always been a role model for Lara. She wanted to grow up to be a brave and beautiful woman like her. Since Andre’s father passed away, Shanon had become the father figure in the family.

And why not? She was ten years older than Andre and very courageous. Her physique was also masculine, with a tall stature and broad shoulders. According to Andre’s mother, Shanon was originally expected to be a boy, so when she was born, she turned out to be a girl.

Perhaps that’s why Andre’s parents’ upbringing seemed strict and masculine because they had a sprawling business that required a male heir. Shanon was raised in such a way that she was worthy of being called the heir of the Ramsey family business. Ten years later, when Andre was born, the tough education for Shanon suddenly stopped. The family finally found the perfect heir, a true male figure.

Shanon was very grateful, instead of regretting the shift in attention, she graciously accepted her brother’s presence with all her love. Ten years later, their father passed away. Shanon eventually replaced their father’s figure while waiting for Andre to grow up.

“Hhh… time really flies,” Lara murmured as she looked at the Ramsey family photo displayed in the living room. Memories flashed by as Lara’s eyes traced each family member smiling happily in the photo.

The family photo was not large, just the size of a postcard, hidden on the side of an old flower vase, seemingly belonging to Andre’s grandmother. Lara had seen it when visiting Andre’s house before. The vase was unique, Lara couldn’t forget its shape.

“Perfection hidden to cover up sadness, huh?” Lara concluded to herself again as she looked at the giant photo of Andre, Shanon, and their grandmother displayed on the wall.

Andre wanted to show that the real family was just the two of them, not their parents. But instead of throwing away or burning the memories together, he placed the photo in an unseen corner.

“That’s human nature, Ndre. So is my feeling for you all this time. I hated you so much, but… I still keep the memories with you in the corner of my heart. Thankfully, those memories can be relived and experienced with you again-”

“Is that so?” Andre’s voice suddenly broke the silence in the room.

“Wow! So sweet, Lara!” Shanon commented, dragging a handsome bespectacled man, presumably her husband, along.

“Eh! When did you guys arrive? I-” Lara said, confused. She was lost in thought and mumbling to herself. Now, the people from the portrait she had been looking at suddenly appeared.

“We just got here, but you didn’t hear the doorbell. So, yeah, I let myself in,” Andre said, approaching Lara and embracing her waist. “How are you?”

“Ndre… th-there’s Shanon,” Lara pushed Andre’s body away as he approached, whispering to him. Andre chuckled. Shanon and Darren laughed along.

“It’s okay! Just pretend we’re transparent humans,” Shanon joked lightly. Lara smiled, apparently, the awkwardness she had anticipated didn’t happen. The conversation with Shanon flowed as usual. Lara felt relieved. Shanon didn’t actually hate her.

“And… who’s that, Shanon?” Lara asked, looking at Shanon’s husband who didn’t let go of his wife’s hand.

“Ah… this is my husband, Darren Kennedy. Honey, this is Lara, my future sister-in-law,” Shanon said casually. Lara blushed and nudged Andre’s ribs. The man just glared and shook his head slightly, indicating that it wasn’t him boasting. It was all Shanon’s nonsense, her own sister.

“Ah, hello Sister-in-law! I’m Darren, nice to meet you!” Darren offered his hand with a broad smile. Lara shook his hand and awkwardly shook hands. Andre just held back his laughter and glanced at his sister. Shanon responded to that glance with a wink. They really succeeded in fooling Lara.

“Sis, I want to apologize for what happened back then,” Lara suddenly talked about the past. Shanon was surprised, but she tried to act normal. She approached Lara and stroked Lara’s head as she used to, when they both still didn’t understand that there was a bad fate about to tear them apart.

“I also apologize, Ra, for all the harsh words and mistreatment in the past. We’re both victims. Our parents should have sorted all this out, but for some reason, they disappeared….”

“Sis… tell her,” Andre suddenly spoke. Shanon had told Lara about the fate of Lara’s father and their mother. Actually, she didn’t want to say this, but Lara deserved to know the truth.

“Your father and my mother have passed away, Ra. They fled to Bali and lived there for dozens of years. Your father suffered from heart disease, my mother fell ill when your father suddenly died, and they were buried in the backyard.”

“W-what?” Lara suddenly shed tears.

“Yes, that’s the truth. So, you can erase those bad memories because your father is gone, Lara,” Shanon said, hugging Lara tightly. She knew that no matter how much hatred Lara harbored for her father, she would still hold the love that was worthy of the parents who had cared for her since childhood.

“We’re starting a new life, Ra, with peace in our hearts. Hatred will only ruin our lives,” Shanon said wisely. Andre nodded, as did Lara. But she still couldn’t stop crying. Lara cried for some time in Shanon’s embrace, Andre also hugged them both.

“Done crying? Let’s eat now!” Shanon asked Darren to place the food box on the table. She then prepared the necessary utensils herself. “Wash your hands, and let’s eat peacefully, okay?”

“Okay, Ma’am!” they all exclaimed almost simultaneously.

Lara’s smile had widened, although her eyes were still swollen. She felt grateful to have found a new family to replace her old family that had long been gone. Shanon’s personality and her firmness made her suitable to be a leader in any situation. She always controlled every situation perfectly, no matter the atmosphere.

***

While Lara, Andre, and the others were enjoying dinner, something different happened to Miriam. She sat shivering in the interrogation room after undergoing a series of questions from the police officers.

A lawyer hired by her father accompanied Miriam, but still, the accusations against her were serious. Miriam’s career was at risk of being ruined, and she had to be prepared to bear all the consequences of her actions.

“You will be presented as a key witness at tomorrow’s trial. Please be prepared,” the police officer said. Miriam was allowed to go home with various restrictions, including travel bans. Miriam was not allowed to travel until the case was settled.

“Damn! Bastard! Arrgh! I will never forget this!” Miriam raged and acted completely unlike herself. She was so stressed and couldn’t control herself properly.

“Calm down, Ma’am. Everything will be fine,” her lawyer said politely, but Miriam was still angry.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“I want to see My Dad!”

“Sorry, I’m afraid you can not meet him at the moment. He has flown to America a while ago.”

“W-what! How dare he leave me at a time like this! Dad! Damn it!” Miriam slammed the interrogation table again. The police officers had to drag her out and the lawyer ultimatumed to calm her down to avoid causing a scene there.

“Come on, Ma’am. Let’s go home,” the lawyer said, dragging Miriam to the black sedan.

“I want to see My Dad! Take me to My Dad!”

“Can’t do, Ma’am! Your dad is in America!”

“Take me to him!”

“Driver, let’s go!” The lawyer managed to get Miriam into the car, albeit with difficulty. They immediately drove through the empty streets of Jakarta, back to Miriam’s apartment until the trial time arrived.

***

“Mrs. Miriam. You are here as a witness. Please give your testimony honestly under oath….”