Chapter 67 - Splitting Image

"Don't say that dear, as your sons are grown up now and are leading their own private lives and since you were missing their presence, instead of being sad at home you opted to engage yourself in other activities. I am very proud of you, as you look after our charity foundation where many orphans and old people are benefiting because of you. You take care of them so well and make such good arrangements for them. I am really lucky to have you as my daughter-in-law and don't worry about not being able to spend time with me. I have my two old men so stop thinking and bothering yourself with such thoughts."

"Thank you for being so understanding father."

Anthony smiled in response.

They then talked about his two friends and chit-chatted about random things. Anthony did not want to worry Catherine with stuff happening around Rachel so he did not tell her anything about it.

After some time Catherine called Rachel. After a few rings Rachel answered the call and wondered who was calling her as she didn't have Catherine's number saved in her phone.

"Hello" 

"Hello Rachel, this is Catherine Morris, Anthony Morris' Daughter-in-law" Catherine sounded nervous.

Rachel too got nervous as she didn't expect her to call her so suddenly but there was something in Catherine's voice that made Rachel want to listen to her some more, her voice was tender and soothing, "Hello aunt Catherine, How are you?"

Catherine felt nice hearing Rachel's voice, she answered, "I am fine dear, I was planning to call you for a long time but thought you might feel awkward and today I was finally able to gather the courage to call you, am I disturbing you right now?" Catherine blurted out all her thoughts.

Rachel chuckled hearing her words and understood Catherine was as nervous as her, "Yes aunt Catherine, I understand, we didn't meet for a long time so it was obvious for us to feel like this."

"Rachel will you be free today, can we meet?" Catherine hesitantly asked her, she felt like she was troubling Rachel.

"Sure auntie, I am absolutely free after my work hours."

Catherine was very happy hearing Rachel's reply.

"Should we have dinner together then at my home?"

"Absolutely, I would love that." Rachel was genuinely excited to meet Catherine, she vaguely remembered how Catherine used to take care of her when she lost her parents and one day James told her all the stories and she was really thankful to her.

"After work directly come over here, and what do you like in food? I'll ask the cooks to prepare it for you."

"Anything is fine with me."

"Rachel please give your aunt an opportunity to host you well."

"How about some baked lasagna?"

"Perfect, see you tonight then."

"Sure, auntie."

After the call Catherine felt very happy and got excited to meet Rachel.

…

That day Rachel did not have much work and everything was wrapped up by 3 pm, she called her grandpa.

"Hey grandpa"

"Yes dear"

"I won't be having dinner at home tonight, aunt Catherine called me today and I made plans with her."

"That's really good to know, she must have been on cloud nine."

"Haha I guess, she sounded very happy and excited to meet me."

"That's good, when will you get off your work?"

"I guess right now, I am already done with work, I was planning to go for some shopping and then head to Morris' mansion."

"I have a better suggestion, why don't you meet Catherine now and you guys can go shopping together." James didn't want Rachel to be alone.

"Oh yeah that's an even better idea, I'll do that."

Then Rachel called up Catherine and asked if she would be available for shopping, Catherine too was onboard with her plan and she was more than happy to go out with her so they preponed their meeting plan and they then decided to meet in West-field Stratford City.

…

West-field Stratford city is Europe's largest shopping center which is a part of London. There were large food courts and some lovely places where everyone could spend their entire day and not get bored, with multiplexes on one side and branded stores on the other, there were multiple choices of restaurants to choose from in this shopping center. 

Rachel was waiting in Barista for Catherine. Since Rachel got off work soon they changed their plans to meet here first, have some snacks, do some shopping and then have dinner outside instead of at Morris' house. Catherine informed Harry about this in advance and he was glad his wife is finally meeting their best friends' daughter.

Catherine reached Barista and saw Rachel sitting at one of the tables, she quickly recognized her and stepped towards her table. Seeing the happiness on Catherine's face, Rachel immediately recognized her and both the ladies hugged each other as a formality.

"Oh my god, you are the splitting image of Liz" Catherine happily commented, Rachel looked a lot like her mother, Catherine's best friend and seeing Rachel she felt like she was just looking at her and remembering Liz she became a bit emotional.

Rachel felt happier knowing that she is the splitting image of her mother, she never knew this as no one ever mentioned her mother, her grandpa always tries to avoid talking about her parents as that might hurt her but Rachel always wanted to know more about her family but she never asked grandpa as she knew how painful this topic is for her grandpa too. 

Their parents' photographs and all memories have been compiled and were put in a store room and she never had the courage to go there and go through all that stuff. She therefore felt nice when Catherine mentioned her mother.

"So, my mom really looked like me?" Rachel asked as she wanted to know more.

"Yes, your face is very similar to hers but your eyes they are exactly like your father's"

"Since how long did you know them?" Rachel was curious to know more about her parents and she felt a level of comfort with Catherine although they are meeting for the first time after all these years, so she asked her without any hesitation.

"Me and your father were childhood friends so I knew him since we were born and I met your mother during my college, she was my classmate when I was studying architecture."

"Oh my mom was an architect?" Rachel asked, surprised.

"Yes, your grandpa never told you?" Catherine was shocked that Rachel didn't know the basic information about her parents.

"Yeah he didn't and I too never asked him because I know it would only bring bad memories and I didn't want him to go through that pain."

Catherine held Rachel's hand lovingly and said, "I am really sorry for what all you had to go through Rachel but I hope from now on life will be much better for you and we are all there for you, if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to come to me."

"Thank you so much auntie" Rachel felt emotional hearing Catherine's words and regretted not staying in touch with her all these years.

"I am so sorry I lost touch with you after moving to the US." Rachel felt guilty.

"No Rachel please don't apologize it was not your fault and it was your grandpa's decision and there was a reason behind this tough decision and this decision was taken by all of us together. So please don't feel guilty about it."

"Auntie if I may ask, why was such a decision taken? I remember grandpa never even let me come to London and he was the one who used to visit me."

"Rachel, when the right time will come your grandpa will tell you everything and he should be the one who should inform you, so please wait patiently."

"Okay" Rachel decided to not insist further and put Catherine in a difficult situation.

Then they both ordered some snacks which were delivered to them quickly.

��And what's up with you Rachel?"

"Nothing much, I am working on a few projects."

"It must be tiring right? Taking so much burden at a young age"

"No no it is fine, I am used to it"

"Good to know"

"By the way, yesterday I went to Daniel's home, it is absolutely beautiful, did you give any ideas in designing it?"

Catherine was glad Rachel herself mentioned Daniel and didn't hide her friendship and was surprised with the fact that she was with him yesterday, 'Now I understand why Danny didn't call me yesterday, I thought he was tired with work but it seems he was busy with Rachel.' Catherine smiled to herself.

"No, he hired some other architect for it but yeah, I saw his house last week but I have not seen it after he arranged the decor."

"Yeah, he still didn't buy decor for his house, he will buy it soon."

"Oh good to know. If you don't mind may I ask you something?"