"Mom, dad," Ember said, seated in front of his parents, accompanied by his cousin-brothers, "I want to tell you something about Sabrina," everyone with their hand over hearts listened closely to, "and you too, Mr. Wilson."

"Speak."

"I would like to bring back the memories from the past about the death of Rosa Park's grandson. According to the news, according to Mrs. Parks, Arorhea Laghari killed her grandson. But how is this even possible, right?"

"Ember, I-" Mr. Wilson spoke.

"Sabrina did it-"

"Enough," Mr. Wilson stood up, "I apologize on her behalf. I knew about it for quite sometime now but I didn't have the courage to confess," Ember was shocked and so were Loraine and Maple, "please don't let this news spread out, I beg to everyone of you. She's my only family!"

Ember sighed, "Mr. Wilson, I recorded Sabrina when she admitted that she did all of that just to get rid of Arorhea. But Rhea deleted that for not making any trouble for Sabrina. What do you think?"

"Arorhea Laghari?! Is she here? Can I speak to her?"

Rhea, who was outside the door, peeking into the room, was pushed in by Sabrina though she wasn't aware of her presence behind her. At the sight of Rhea, Ember walked towards her and moved back to his original place, holding her hand in his.

"He-hello," she greeted the elders in the room. Aed just smiled at her.

"Miss Arorhea, I'm extremely sorry for my daughter's behavior and the trouble she has made for you. I sincerely apologize for everything that had happened with you. I know you went through a lot but please don't sue her, please-" He knelt down.

"Uncle, please!" She moved back, "please don't be like that! Of course I won't sue her! Please get up. Sabrina is my friend, I won't do anything bad with her, of course not!"

He got up on his feet with teary eyes, "thank you! Thank you so much, dear," he wiped his face, "I know you sneaked into the country...let me help you verify your passport again and your family's too. And remove your restriction in the country."

Rhea rejoiced but was also puzzled as she had known that Ember had already done that—fixing her password issue, "that would be so thoughtful of you, uncle. Thank you so much to you too!"

"What did you call me? Your uncle? Does that mean you take me as a close relative to you? That's an honor, thank you, Arorhea," he cried, without the acknowledgement of the kids in India who call everyone uncle and aunty. Literally everyone other then their parents.

"Eh-?" Rhea was about to say something but stopped. Mr. Wilson stormed out of the room saying a few words to her.

"You can come to me if you have any problem, don't hold back, miss Laghari."

Rhea tried sneaking out along with him but was stopped by Mr. Helberg. Rhea froze there.

"I'm sorry," Rhea bowed in fear, "I didn't intend on coming here, I swear, please let me go!"

Ember chuckled, looking at his father.

"Learn to speak the truth, young lady," said he.

"Don't be afraid, Rhea, tell us if you have something to say," said his mother.

"I-" She looked at Ember and then back at his parents, "I came back to prove myself. I didn't want to show Sabrina as someone guilty. Though I just wanted, at least you all to believe me.

I just want you to tell me that you don't hate me and then I'll take my leave from here and I promise to never come back. If you forgive me, I won't be regretful anymore."

"Why wouldn't we believe you?" Asked Mrs. Helberg.

"That's because he thinks that I almost killed his son. I didn't, you see, he's standing right here."

"It's true that you didn't," said Ember, "but I would die for you," he whispered into her ear and she blushed, taking a step away from him.

"Arorhea, you're indeed what his mother described you to me," he got up, "and now, I apologize to you too," he said sincerely, "please forgive me. I'm not as cruel as you think I am.

I'm an honest person and I just wanted the best for my son. So I allow you into the household. Just don't hold any grudges against me. You're welcome," he smiled and sat down.

Rhea smiled and nodded and received an incoming voice call, "Jessica?" She answered quietly.

"Your parents are here. You're in big trouble,"
Ember overheard their conversation, "come back asap, I've told them you went for a stayover with a friend."

"Whom did you say it was?"

"Alicia,"

"WHAT THE FUCK SHE LIVES JUST A BLOCK AWAY!!!" She covered her mouth as she eyed Mr. Helberg and his wife.

"Come back soon or you'll be a goner," she giggled.

"Okay, I'll get back home," she cried and ended the call.

Mr. Helberg laughed, "so you snuck out of your home to seek justice?"

"Well......"

"I kidnapped her here," Ember smiled, "she didn't have any intentions on coming back," Rhea blushed.

"Come on Rhea, I'll help you pack," said Aed and took her to her room," but you must visit us often," Rhea nodded. Maple and Loraine followed them, discussing the time about the next flight to India.

Ember looked at his father. His father looked at him.

"I didn't know your love for her was so strong," he said.

"Dad...so you knew?!" Ember was shocked.

"Haha of course," he sat straight against the couch, "I noticed the sincerity of you two towards each other since the very first day."

Ember stared at him blankly, "SO DO YOU APPROVE OF US? DOES THAT MEAN YOU'LL CALL OFF THE ENGAGEMENT?"

"It was, on that day itself. Cancelled. But we were planning out other ceremonies..." He sighed, "I couldn't help it. Of course I didn't like Arorhea and Mr. Wilson could help us with our work. But it seems we won't be partnering anymore, so-"

"But dad, don't do that. Rhea would be upset knowing that you didn't work with him. She would feel guilty. She would blame herself as if it's all her fault."

"You get her so well? I'm proud of you, Ember, you're a grown man now," said he unwillingly, "but does she know about your affection?"

"I'm trying!!" He blushed and sprung out of the room. Mr. Helberg only chuckled.

* * * * *

"Rhea..." Said Aed as she locked the red suitcase, "you only came to prove yourself innocent in front of my husband, isn't it?"

"Kind...of, I guess."

"Why's that?" She smiled.

"Because he hated me so much. I couldn't live with that guilt when I didn't even do anything."

"Because he hated you? Or because you love Ember and feared that he wouldn't let you be together with him?"

Rhea stepped back as a natural blush appeared on her face, "n-no!" Aed laughed.

"You should come visit us anyway, okay?"

Rhea nodded, "yes."

She walked inside the living room with her suitcase, staring at Ember who was sitting on another suitcase, looking into his phone, got down and noticing her inside the approaching him.

"Here are your tickets," said Loraine as he entered the scene with Maple, "I've sent you the link. Download it," Ember nodded, "the flight was full so we're going on in the next one."

"Who and who?" Rhea enquired.

"Me and Lorry, obviously," said Maple with a smirk.

"What the heck is Lorry!" Loraine said with annoyance.

"It's the British word for a truck. You told me."

"Yes, it's a truck," Rhea laughed.

Ember slowly held Rhea's hand and moved towards her, pretending she's the one who pulled him, "we're getting late," he smiled. She flustered and pulled her hand back.

"Goodbye, uncle," she bowed.

Mr. Helberg laughed genuinely, "come back anytime you want once your passport issue is fixed," she nodded.

"Let's go," he smiled and rushed towards his mother to give her a hug. "I love you, mom."

Rhea smiled.

"I love you too, Ember," said Aed, "and I hope I was able to give you the love you missed."

Ember instantly looked at her with shock but a smile appeared on his face. His face lit up as Rhea wondered what was so wondrous about his mother's words that made him smile. But she was happy for him anyway.

All of a sudden, Loraine placed his laptop on the tea table and played a video.

"What are you doing?"

"Someone sent me the link to this video of a news channel," said Loraine, "let's watch it,"

"Good evening, America!" Said the news anchor, "former mayor of Los Angeles, Mrs. Rosa Parks, brings the hot topic of 6 years ago back. As you may remember, the death of her grandson was a very intriguing and controversial subject. After all these years, she talks about the incident again. Let's see what she has to say..."

"Mrs. Parks, can you please tell us something about the accident of...J-Jacob Parks?" Asked the news reporter.

She half smiled, "yes dear. It was Jacob's parents' sixteenth year death anniversary. We decided to walk to their tombstones. It was very unfortunate that he was involved in a car accident because of me. I know he was just trying to save me-"

"Ma'am, do you remember your grandson's girlfriend? You had put the blame on her for killing your him. Is that true? And what made you think so?"

"I hated Jacob's girlfriend back then. She stayed with us for a few months before I forced her to leave and return to her country. It was another few months later when we got into the accident. I was out of my mind. I was going through a lot at that moment. I wasn't thinking straight. As compared to then, look at me, I'm so calm," she laughed as a tear escaped her eye, "plus, I think she and I can be well versed now."

"Do you have anything to say about Arorhea Laghari? Was she really Jacob's girlfriend?"

"Oh, yes, Arorhea Laghari. Somebody had told me back then that it was Jacob's girlfriend's name and she was behind the accident. As I told you earlier, I was out of my mind. I believed in everything I heard. Plus my hatred for her wasn't less. So that was easier to believe that she tried to kill me.

I wish I had known Lia—the actually girl—back then. I never even tried knowing her. She's, in fact, not that bad. It was all in my head. She was in India all the time ever since she left living with us. And I'm very sad to say that Arorhea, who was a school going girl back then, got involved in this mess."

"Okay.....and...do you want to sue the person who set this up?"

"She was naive. But I don't think I'd do that. Why bring up old matters and destroy peace, right?"

"Then why did you agree for the interview?"

"Dear, I've been feeling very suppressed because of this thing in my chest. I really wanted to get it off my chest. Now I can finally breathe," she smiled.

The reporter smiled back, "what about Arorhea now? Do you know that her family's permission for staying in the States was withdrawn by the government of USA?"

She nodded, "I do acknowledge that. I hereby, will soon ask the authorities to retrieve her passport and get it fixed."

"She would be happy to hear that. After all that she has been through at an early age..."

"Thank you for allowing the interview, Mrs. Parks, you were of a great help."

"The pleasure is mine."

"I-" Rhea gasped, "guys," she looked at the Helberg brothers and hugged Maple and Ember who were standing close to each other. Loraine paused the video clip and joined the hug. He blushed as he was pulled in by Rhea.

"I knew it, Rhea!" Aed said and praised her, "what do you have to say for that, Mr. Helberg?" She smirked.

He flustered, "Mr. Wilson already showed us the whole video! What would I have to say now?"

"The whole video?" Rhea asked.

"Yeah, the part where Rosa Parks mentioned Sabrina was omitted," Loraine smiled.

"Just as you wanted," Maple said.

"You guys! Thank you so much! I love you all!"

"If only," whispered Loraine and Maple together to themselves.

-to be continued...

"Thank you so much! I love you all!"
"If only..
—Maple Helberg