Chapter 151 - An Apology

The next few days went by quickly as Shen threw himself back into investigating the mole at Moshi Corporation and running facial imaging over the years of Tachi and his associates. 

That was the one thing he had decided to keep from Lina. Her reactions to Tachi had been distressful and seeing her make such a strong recovery, dealing with so much at once made Shen resolve only to tell her once he had something solid. 

Lina also began focusing more on her investigation of the Country A case back at work and a few other things that required her urgent attention. But most of all, she kept thinking back to the beach cottage from her dreams. 

In her heart, she knew without a doubt that the mystery behind her past was hidden behind a thin veil. The beach cottage was a secret that lay just beyond that veil and she needed to hold on to it and move closer. 

Most of all, she knew that the two people from her dreams were her mother and father. And the little girl her mother called 'Lili' and her father called his 'angel'…that little girl was her. 

She smiled softly to herself, thankful that she had had a good life. Her parents were good people. And they had loved and treasured her. 

'Ah…I want my memories back. I want to appreciate and be thankful for all the good people in my life. I have my Shen back, I remember him and everything he and I shared. And Mana…I have her back too. Now I just want my memories of mom and dad back' 

There was a knock at her door. 

"Come in!" she called out, jerked away from the thoughts she had been pondering. 

It was Mei. She poked her bouncy little head in and announced an arrival. 

"Boss, Miss Mana is here to see you, she is waiting outside." 

Lina frowned slightly. The last time she and Mana had seen each other was at the University fair. It had started out quite well as both of them had had a great time, and she had also suddenly remembered Mana in her life before the assassination attempts. 

It had been a precious time of friendship and recovery, only to be soured by the arrival of a strange and shameless character. Loren. 

Mana had thrown a tantrum and had a breakdown in a way Lina was sure she had never remembered seeing. But perhaps Mana had something to say and it would be better to sort things out face to face as soon as they could. 

Lina nodded at Mei and said, "Please ask her to come in Mei and bring us some tea and the cookies that mother sent for Shen and I" 

Her sweet mother in law never forgot to look after her. The previous day Rika Moshi had baked delicious chocolate chip cookies and had some sent to her son's place of work and another batch to her most precious daughter in law's office. 

As Mana walked in, Lina sensed an unusual awkwardness in her demeanour. 

Mana was also dressed differently. She was wearing a short dress that was tight and a bright shade. It was strange because it didn't suit Mana's figure. 

But Lina ignored the discrepancy. As long as they could talk things out, it would all be okay. 

Lina gave her a warm hug as she welcomed her in. Mana returned the hug after a second and then sat down with Lina on the large sofa in her office. 

"Li…I have something to say" she said, her eyes trained on her fidgeting fingers placed on her lap. 

Lina couldn't look directly into Mana's diverted eyes. If she had, she would have known the true feelings Mana harboured. 

Lina let Mana speak, giving her the time she needed.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you at the University fair" she mumbled. 

Lina smiled. She was relieved. She didn't have too many people she could trust and there were only a handful of those she could actually remember. She had beautiful memories with Mana. 

"Don't be silly. All friends have disagreements…especially those as close as we have been!" Lina said as she waved her hands, trying to comfort Mana. 

Mana looked up, she still looked awkward. But she started to smile. 

"Really? It's just that, I lost my temper in the moment, and I shouldn't have. It's been a while since I met someone I liked" she said. 

Lina giggled. 

"Trust me, you will find men far better than that creep!" 

Mana grit her teeth. The heat was beginning to rise to her face. That creep? Did she just call someone as refined and cultured, a descendant of royalty a creep? 

What did this ignorant woman know? 

Remembering what Lila said, Mana controlled herself. 

"I hope so, I really do! It's settled then! We're going to go out tomorrow night. After all, I need to get over 'that creep'" Mana said, a wide smile plastered on her face. 

As she said this, Mei came in through the door and set a tray of fragrant oolong tea and warm chocolate chip cookies on the table by the sofa. 

Mana, ignoring Mei, went on chattering. 

"Li, there's this new club that has their opening night tomorrow. It's called Tresor, and a coworker of mine can get us on the list. Please Li, please, come with me!" Mana begged. 

Lina looked slightly baffled. If the recently regained memories served her correctly, Mana was a little more introverted than she seemed to come off right now. She never really had a penchant for partying and had kept to herself. 

As Mei left the room, Lina sighed, still patiently listening to Mana ramble. 

"Mana, I need to check my schedule first…here, have some tea."

Mana looked at the tea tray in disdain. Sure, the tea tasted nice, but a plate of normal chocolate chip cookies was what the great Madam Moshi offered her? 

The Lim household was so much classier, with the beautiful assortment and pastries they had put out for her. 

As Lina took a bite of the cookies, she looked deliriously happy. 

'Mmm! Mother's cookies are truly special!' she thought to herself. 

Mana tried to hide her disgust at Lina's complacence. How could she ever compare to an elegant mistress like Lila who's mother was an actual princess. 

But Mana didn't drop the topic. 

"Li, if you don't come to Tresor with me tomorrow, I will be very hurt. It's my way of making up to you! Do it for our friendship" she insisted. 

Finally, Lina let out a long sigh. It was one night. A night out with her best friend. 

Why not? 

She'd just let her husband know she was going so he wouldn't worry. 

"Alright, let's do it!" she said, as she nodded smilingly at Mana.