Aunt Julia’s steps extended as she approached the man. She even dropped her bag in a rush, leaving Adele perplexed. She shoved and smacked the man in the chest while she was in front of him. So Adele runs towards them.
“What are you doing here, you asshole?” She slapped him across the face, but the man didn’t let go of the umbrella he was carrying and simply stood there. Aunt Julia didn’t appear to mind. “Get the hell out of here!” Aunt Julia was out of breath because of the intensity of her punch and slap on the man. It seemed as if she was the only one who was hurt, rather than him.
“Aunty, take a deep breath. If you become like that, it will be bad for your heart.” Adele then turned to face the man. He’s a beautiful man, ideally shaped from every perspective. If he were to be compared to Hugo, he would be on par.
Adele rubbed Aunty Julia’s back gently to calm her down. Adele didn’t have any water and didn’t know what to offer Aunty Julia, so she was astonished when the man pulled out a bottle of water. Aunt Julia yanked the man’s hand away and diverted her gaze just as Adele was ready to accept it. “Leave right now.”
He instantly bowed his head, showing that he was saying his goodbyes. Adele inquired after he had left. She believes it would be even more embarrassing if she posed a question out of the blue. “Aunty, who is that? Why are you so upset with him?”
Aunt Julia didn’t say anything, but she sat in front of Adele’s sister’s grave and tidy it. The tomb was not as filthy, with a light burning and a red rose on the ground. Perhaps it was carried by the man. Adele said again, still not moving.
“Aunty?”
Aunt Julia looked up, pulled wet wipes from her bag, and talked while cleaning the sand-covered hand from the grave. “Don’t be concerned about it. He isn’t worthy, therefore he shouldn’t be given any attention.”
“But you wouldn’t be so upset if he wasn’t such a big deal. What happened?” Adele persisted in questioning Aunty Julia until she freely yielded and told her the story.
“I don’t want to tell you because I don’t want you to be mad at him. It’s enough for me I am only the one who despises that man.” She pulled out a candle and a match and lit it. “He’s the boyfriend of your sister. You didn’t know him since your sister didn’t share stories very often. I don’t even personally know him either.” She is currently touching the name of her sister to the tomb. “Perhaps I wouldn’t have known she was carrying a lot if I hadn’t merely found your sister weeping one night.”
“Then why did they break up?” Adele thought that she didn’t know what was happening to her sister. It hurt, but she didn’t even show it to her. Her sister always said that she was okay, but the truth is that she is not.
“He started as your sister’s employer, got along well, and eventually became a boyfriend and a girlfriend. I’m not sure how they met, because your sister didn’t tell me. That’s all she said.” Aunt Julia pulled something else from the bag, which shocked her since it was a snapshot of her sister and the man hugging and smiling. She hadn’t seen her sister so cheerful in a long time. “However, she told me that their relationship didn’t continue long.”
“Why?”
“Because your sister lacks the assets that a man possesses. She lacking qualities such as those desired by a man’s parents. They quickly learned about it and sent him to run their business in that country. He abandoned your sister. Those were the first and only times I saw your sister vulnerable.” Aunt Julia sobbed and brushed away her tears as well. “I didn’t help her in any way. All I did was stand by and watch her be wounded.”
Adele ran over to Aunt Julia and gave her a bear embrace. “That’s not true; simply being present for her is enough. You’ve done a lot for us. I’m sure my sister is relieved that you’ve been with her numerous times, especially on her depressing part.”
Adele peered into the distance and noticed that the man was still looking at them. Aunt Julia couldn’t see the guy since she was bent down, so she devised a method of approaching him. “I’ll just go out and grab us some food, Aunty. Don’t go anywhere and wait for me.”
The truth is, Adele doesn’t feel angry. She was not with her sister at the time when her sister was hurting. She feels she has no right to be mad.
The man was about to walk away when Adele saw him. “Wait! There you are.” When she finally got closer, the man looked at her in surprise.
“I’m aware of your and my sister’s relationship. Even the fact that you abandoned her. What brings you here? Are you too guilty for her death?” Adele’s question was earnest. There was nothing there but the desire for her to discover the man’s motive. “Don’t be concerned if you are guilty and your conscience hunting you for her death; you have been compensated. You don’t have to feel that way... and I hope you don’t return here.”
Adele was about to pass him when the man said something. Adele was taken aback by how manly the voice was. “I’d want to express my regret for what happened to your sister. If I hadn’t abandoned her—”
“Is there anything further you can do to express your regret?” “You’re not to blame for my sister’s death,” Adele murmured.
Adele came to a halt, and a thought occurred to her. “But if you want us to forgive you for what happened to my sister. Why don’t you cooperate with me to identify the perpetrator of the crime against her?”
“I began my investigation after learning what happened to your sister. So far, I’ve got a lead and... I can only say one thing to you. Don’t put your trust in the people around you first. You’re still young and easily deceived.”
After saying that, the man close his umbrella and walked inside his BMW, while Adele was bombarded with questions.