Chapter 24：Sacrificing the friendship of Matthew and Renae

Auntie Tiana called for the chauffeur to pick them up outside Auntie Ann's house. The chauffeur arrived in a few minutes time and the two of them got inside a black Jaguar XF. On the way back to their house, Auntie Tiana asked Min an important question. "Do you really want to marry Matthew?"

Min's response was immediate. It was as if she predicted that her mother would ask her that question. And well of course, her answer would be a yes. "Alright then," her mother said.

Meanwhile, Matthew drove over to Renae's house. She had no idea he was coming over, he didn't inform her. A knock on the door caused Renae to jumped up from where she was at and ran to see who was at the door. "Hey, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming over," Renae said to Matthew.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, could we go on a drive?"

"Sure," Renae agreed though she really didn't want to go out. Yet, she didn't want to reject him as she could tell that he was already disappointed about something.

They walked towards the car. After they both buckled their seat belts, Matthew drove them to a park. The same park that they always went to during their childhood. They walked towards the swings and sat down. Matthew started talking, it was obvious he needed someone to talk to.

"First, sorry I didn't tell you that I'll, so called, hang out with you today in advance because I, myself didn't know that I'd come over to your house. Secondly, do you mind if I talk to you about everything I need to say?"

"Let it all out, I'll be here listening."

"I thought that today would be a day I won't see Min, but I was wrong. She was at my house with my mother and I saw them when I came home. My mother told me that she had planned an arranged marriage for me and Min. I don't get why I must marry her! Shouldn't it be my decision to choose who I would marry?"

Renae didn't know how to reply him or what to say, she was shocked that he was to marry Min. But she kept calm and comforted Matthew by patting him on his back.

"No matter what happens I'll always be here for you to talk to, to hang out with you and obviously I'll always be your friend," Renae said frankly. These words came from her heart and not just because she wanted to comfort Matthew.

After hearing Renae's words, Matthew was touched. Renae gave Matthew a warm friendly hug to feel much better. The hug lasted for about 30 seconds before Renae backed away. Little did they know, Kaiden was walking to the library nearby and saw them hugging. He was turning green with envy, unconsciously frowning. After all, the girl he liked was hugging his best friend. He just told himself that they are just hugging as friends, and nothing more. He forced himself to move forward and pretend that scene he saw never happened. He walked away quietly so that they wouldn't notice him.

Since his parents were the ones who put him in his current state and planned out the arranged marriage, he decided to boycott them. When his mother called him out for dinner, he'd pretend she wasn't there and take the food on the table to his room to eat.

Other than ignoring his parents, Matthew also wanted to show that he has feelings for Renae. He decided to stay in his angry, annoyed mood to get Renae to be close to him, hoping to become more than just friends. Renae being close to him would also stop his foul mood from hurting others.

On the way to school, Matthew asked Renae, "Could you stay by my side today? To stop my horrible mood from affecting others? I know I'm asking a lot from you and I'm sorry about that..."

"Of course! That's what friends are for, to be here for one another, right? And stop apologising, you didn't do anything wrong," she said with a smile.

"Thanks for being here for me..."

"OK OK I get it, you're thankful but it's cringy," she replied.

After that last sentence Renae said, they sat in silence the rest of the way to school. They walked into school as usual and saw Kaiden. Kaiden was about to say something to Matthew but Renae cut him off. "If you have anything to say to him, it better not be something that can make him upset. He's already in a bad mood," Renae whispered to Kaiden so Matthew wouldn't hear. Kaiden nodded his head and walked the other direction to his class. Then, the boring lessons began.

During lunch break, Kaiden felt like Renae was sitting really close to Kaiden. He was envious that Matthew was getting all the attention from Renae. The image of them hugging the day before popped up in his mind. Was the hug really just as friends? Even if they were in a relationship, Kaiden was certain that he would still like Renae and that he'd still chase after her. Will chasing after Renae cost the friendship of Matthew and Kaiden? Kaiden didn't wish to think any longer and he just wanted to clear his mind.

Cathy noticed that Kaiden didn't seem like his usual self and asked if he was alright. He replied that he was OK, sat there with them in silence and he didn't eat any food, which was very unlike him. Cathy also realised that Matthew seemed a bit off that day but Renae already told her that he was in a foul mood, so she didn't really bother asking him if he was feeling ok.

That day after school as planned, Kaiden and Renae went to the police station for yet another meeting with Ms Lee. The 2 policemen that went undercover to find out the proof Lana was going to create, reported the information they got during the meeting.

"OK, so the 2 of us went undercover and found out the fake information that Lana will present to support the reason for them suing us."

"We saw people taking pictures of others dressed in fake police outfits and people to pretend to be Renae and Kaiden. And there was Lana ordering the people what to do. Those people were probably hired by Lana. This is to pose as the policemen, Renae and Kaiden. We snapped a few pictures of them doing so."

"Good work," Ms Lee said as she looked at the photographs taken by the policemen.

"Ok, so we'll use this against them when they show their picture. And we'll use Renae's plan, that the investigation was only published after the investigation was completed. I'll see all of you again on the day of the court in 2 days time," Ms Lee told them with a grim expression.

The policemen, Renae and Kaiden listened to Ms Lee's words carefully and attentively. They agreed with Ms Lee.

Before Ms Lee left the room, she noticed the bruises on Renae's arm. "What happened to you, darling?" She walked closer to Renae to get a closer look at her bruise.

"It's nothing... I just fell down a flight of stairs," she lied.

"Are you sure? This bruise doesn't look like you just fell from a flight of stairs. Are you OK?"

"Yes, Ms Lee. I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about."

"OK, take care," she said benevolently.

"I promise I will."

Ms Lee nodded her head and left the room. Following behind, Kaiden and Renae walked out, leaving the policemen as the only ones in room.