Caught off guard, Rachel met Justin’s eyes.
Before they could formulate an answer, another staff member said confidently, “Don’t you see it? It’s obvious they’re a couple, but their immature sister-in-law wanted to tag along. She wants to stay with her sister now that she’s injured.”
“But they don’t look alike at all. She looks like she’s from abroad,” the first staff member refuted.
“The pretty lady is called Regina Hudson. Didn’t you hear what Miss Hudson addresses her as?”
Rachel checked in yesterday, so the staff all knew her. Also, she introduced Regina to the rest before dinner, so they were obviously family based on their names. Besides, Regina also kept calling Rachel her sister.
The only thing that they were curious about was Regina’s looks. She looked like she was from abroad and was as pretty as a doll.
“The barbeque is ready. Let’s eat.” Justin knew Rachel did not want to stay on the topic, so he changed it.
However, Rachel answered them, “She’s my half-sister. We have different moms.”
Her candid answer left the staff dumbstruck.
The owner shot daggers at the two staff members in displeasure and chided, “The food can’t stop you lot from talking, huh? You know you’re not allowed to ask about the customer’s privacy.”
“It’s okay.” Rachel smiled.
The owner felt sorry for Rachel as she discovered that Rachel’s mother had passed away when she was younger. Considering Rachel’s age, she figured that if Regina was Rachel’s sister, they were probably half-sisters. That was why she didn’t inquire further.
Alas, she did not expect her staff to be so dense as to keep asking.
“Everyone, let’s eat.”
“Yea, yea. We should eat.”
Luckily, Rachel had a good personality. Without Regina by the side picking on the food, the meal went smoothly.
On the other hand, Regina was lying on the bed alone, staring at the ceiling and gritting her teeth. She was sure that Justin was the reason why Rachel did not welcome her with open arms. So, she had to think of a way to get rid of him. Just then, she whipped out her phone and dialed a number. “Hello? When are you guys arriving?”
The person on the other end of the phone tried to answer.
“Hurry up! When you’re here, find a place and hide first. Don’t come to me yet, or else they’ll know.” It was better to let sleeping dogs lie. It would affect her and Rachel’s relationship if they were discovered.
Kinship was a magical thing. Regina had never met Rachel, yet she felt a natural affinity with her. It could be due to the fact that Regina did not have siblings growing up, so she liked the idea of a big harmonious family. She was determined to bring Rachel back home with her.
Rachel was planning on staying in Somerset Mountain for a bit more.
“There’s nothing much happening in Riverdale, and the company’s running smoothly. If you’re worried, I can get Frankie to help out. It won’t be a problem,” Justin offered.
“Yea. It’s fine. I’ve talked to Mr. Carter. He’ll be helping me supervise the company.”
“That’s good. Did you manage to contact Jolly?”
“Not yet. It’s better not to, in case her whereabouts are exposed.”
After lunch, they were strolling in town and casually chatting. Even though he did not mention it, Justin would stay a few more days with Rachel. He didn’t feel at ease leaving her alone.
“So, what are you going to do with Regina?” he asked.
“Someone will be coming to pick her up in a couple of days. He won’t let her be alone outside for long,” Rachel answered curtly.
Justin gave a quick nod. She was usually very accepting toward people younger than her, like Jolly and Gloria, and treated them like sisters. Nevertheless, he knew why she was impatient with Regina despite being her biological sister.
As they strolled down the town’s pathway, they eventually reached the entrance of a lookout point. As it was the off-peak season, there were few people on Somerset Mountain. Instead, they saw a few groups of tourists carrying hiking equipment and ambling into the mountain’s entrance.
At first, Rachel was planning to return to the homestay, but Justin gently tugged her hand. “Since we’re here, let’s go up and take a look,” he suggested.
Rachel was surprised, but Justin had gone to buy the tickets before she could say anything.
Walking into the main entrance was a different experience compared to entering from the small trail. It made them feel like a real tourist and lightened the mood.
“The view up here is pretty nice,” Justin said as he held onto her hand while walking along the trail. “You should come out more often and stop worrying about other people’s problems.”
“I’m fine. I don’t worry about people’s problems.”
“Is that true? Let’s see. We have Gloria, Victor, and Jolly. You were worried about them a lot, though. Now that your troubles are here, you don’t seem too bothered by it.”
“Am I not bothered? I’m out here with you now.” After so many years, this was the first time she was doing what she truly wanted.
“The more often, the better.” It was like Justin could read her mind. “Being selfish isn’t a bad thing.”
Rachel nearly missed a step when she heard his words. “Loot out!” Justin warned while holding onto her tightly.
They continued walking and chatting. Some of the things they talked about were trivial, while some were serious, but as they walked in the mountain, nothing seemed to matter anymore.
“I wished Grandma was still here. If she saw Somerset Mountain as it is now, she would go on and on about staying here for retirement.”
After six years, it was the first time Rachel talked about her grandma with Justin.
He could only tighten his hands around hers. He did not have any say regarding what happened with Nancy. He felt guilty because even though he did all he could, if it were not for him, Nancy would not have been kidnapped.
Rachel inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling; with each breath, she could feel the tightly wound stress uncoil. “I wonder if Grandma had anything to say to me when she passed.”
“She had.” An assertive voice came from beside her.
Rachel looked at Justin in surprise.
He continued, “Even though I didn’t see her during her last moments, before that, Grandma had told me to take good care of you.”
She asked in disbelief, “When did you meet Grandma?”
“Grandma was the one who came looking for me.” Justin had never told anyone about this. He planned on keeping it a secret to himself, and even Gloria did not know about this. Yet, as he watched Rachel lament about Nancy’s last words, he decided to tell her.
It was a sunny day, not long before the kidnapping happened. Nancy visited him at the Burton Group before he brought Rachel to a different city.
At that time, Nancy did not have ill intentions toward him. On the contrary, she treated him like family, as her granddaughter’s husband, and advised him on Rachel’s likes and dislikes.
“It’s not easy to become husband and wife. Fate plays an important role in this. But, no matter the reason, you have married her. So, you should take good care of her. She’s a good child.”
Justin could clearly remember being envious of Rachel for having an elder who had her best interest at heart.
The mountain breeze blew past them, and the leaves rustled. Justin held onto her hand tightly and said earnestly, “Grandma asked me to take good care of you.”
