The New me

Mr. Police waved his hand as he said, "Nah. What does a kid like you understand?" He closed his eyes again as he began singing.

I frowned as the taxi driver shook his head.

"Don't ever believe the words of the drunk." He said.

But I was still unresolved. Sometimes people speak their true thoughts when drunk.

"Excuse me, sir?"

"Stop it now kid, you better believe me." The driver said yet again.

I turned my head again just to see Mr. Police guy mouthing words but his eyes were closed. He looked like he's sleeping.

'Ah!' I shouted.

"Sorry kid. There was a bump in the road and I did not slow down hence the situation. I'll be more careful now." The driver told me.

"Okay, please keep your eyes on the road mister," I replied as I looked on to check the two drunken man.

"Where are we?" Mr. Police said as soon as he opened his eyes and then his gaze landed on me.

"Oh~ I think I saw you somewhere," he said pointing at me.

"….." 'Yes, sir that was the same line you used.'

The taxi driver was stifling his laughter on the side.

"If you remember the car accident yesterday morning sir, I was friends with the victim." I patiently told him.

"Ah~yes. That unfortunate kid. Who knew his case would be dismissed just like that."

'Oh my gosh. This was on repeat.'

The taxi driver had long before erupted in laughter.

I bit my lips and tried again if there was something important he could tell me. "What do you mean by that sir? Can you please elaborate why?"

He let out a long sigh before saying, "There was something odd about the boy when he was first rescued. He seemed to have been on a struggle. It was the same as the driver…"

"OH? And then? Why did you not investigate further?" I asked as the taxi driver stopped his laughter and perked his ears.

"Higher-ups. It was them who instructed us to keep it as a simple accident that's why I told you 'you won't understand'." Mr. Police closed his eyes as he continued, "Alas, look at us. It's because we listened well that we have time and cash to enjoy ourselves. You should listen well too to your superiors and you'll reap some benefits." The last part was slurred as the guy had slept.

I wanted to ask once more but he got no intention of waking up. Finally, we reached their place and the taxi driver lifted them out of his car. He looked experienced doing it.

"Don't look at me like that. This kind of things occurs many times than you can imagine. I may be old but look" He flexed both arms "I am fit."

I smiled at him as he appears to be proud of his body. Probably because of the ridiculous situation before, he had been too chatty with me all throughout the ride. If he quizzed me about his family then I can guarantee that I'll ace it. I thanked him for sending me home.

Father was in the doorway giving his suitcase to the maid, "You just arrived?"

"Yes, dad." I went to kiss his cheek. "You too?"

"Yes, father was busy from morning 'till night. But I'm not tired. I'm energized as soon as I see you."

He said as he pinched my cheeks.

I held his hand as I complained, "Don't pinch too much dad. It hurts."

He immediately let go of me. "Sorry. I just miss my baby girl." Then he pulled me into a hug.

I hugged him back. "Me too."

'I really miss my family.'

"By the way, nice perfume." I complimented as he chuckled.

"Its sweat my princess. This is father's natural scent." I hastily let go of him after he said that.

"Old man, you should shower." I sincerely advised.

He patted my head before walking forward. "You too."

"By the way, how's your friend?" he asked after taking a step.

"The doctor said it looks promising so we're hoping he'll wake up one of these days."

"I see. Don't be sad. If the doctor said that then it's true. He'll wake up sooner."

"Yeah, thanks, dad. Good night." I told him as we ascend upstairs.

"Good night, princess." He said then entered his room.

As soon as I am done changing clothes, I was in deep thought if I should take in what the drunken Mr. Police confessed or not. I took my phone and played the recording over and over again before drawing to a conclusion: I at least should try.

It was true that those in the position overuse their authority but I too have the power and money. So what if it's not true? I will only be losing money but not my friend. But the question is now 'how'. How do I start? And where do I start?

Think.

'….'

I've only had been friends with Aster for how many days so I don't know anything about him other than his family and the recent trouble they had. But according to my observation, Ms. Violet seemed to be a decent person.

Sighing, I tried to rack my brains to give me an idea. It was unknown when I had fallen asleep but the next thing I knew, it was already morning. I even woke up before my clock alarms. Looking at the date, I still need two days before my day off. I showered and put on clean clothes before going to work then I would visit the hospital after my work was done. I did it until it was finally my day off.

Aster is still the same but his complexion looks better than before. Mr. Wei had grown a beard while waiting for his son to wake up. Heather too, looks thinner than before.

"Why don't you both take a short nap and I'll watch over? I'll just wake you up when it's time to go home." I proposed.

"No, I can still continue. I just need to stretch and probably some coffee. What about you…dad?" Heather answered while glancing at her father.

Hearing the word 'dad', Mr. Wei's lip curved upwards. "I'm fine. You go and stretch. I'll be here."

"Okay. Iris, how about you? Coffee?"

"Don't mind me. Just go." I said to which she nodded in response. After she left, the mother and daughter pair came. Both of them greeted me upon entry but I can't help but lift one brow after hearing 'dad' from the young lady named Lilac. Though Mr. Wei was a bit passive in response, it was still a picture of a cordial family.

It was something I don't want Heather to see.

"Hi~ I'm Lilac, it's the first time I'm formally introducing myself right?" The young lady extended her hand to me. She has the same height as me 162cm. Her medium brown hair tied into a ponytail. She got the same sleepy eyes as her mother.

I took her hand and shake once, "Iris Lin." I simply said.

"You're from that 'Lin' family? The one in real estate? Oh my goodness!" She said as she put both hands to cover her mouth.

"Lilac, stop that." Ms. Violet reprimanded.

"Kay, anyway, nice to meet you. I hope to become friends with you. Did you know that we're only a year apart?"

I shook my head sideways, "No, how'd you know it?"

"From the web! You guys are living on a different scale that we 'normal citizens' can't reach but also can't help to admire"

"I see," I answered with a shy smile yet I'm wondering if that is true. Is it logical to purposely search and admire a life that was a level higher than yours? Hmm. Probably. If it's only admiration that one feels then I guess it's alright. She never stopped talking with me until Heather arrived. I bade farewell by five in the afternoon.

I opened the file I received in my email and it was a simple profile of a middle-aged man. Age 36 years old, his eyes looks sharp and with the title of an inspector.