It'll Come Naturally

"Huh," Rain snorted. He knew that his father didn't come here to show he cared about him. Under all those kind words of asking how he was were just the company this, the company that.

However, he also didn't care whatever reason Sanford came here for. He had always felt distant from his family as he completely lost faith in these cold-hearted so-called family members. He only hoped that they would not disturb his life and his personal affairs. "Rain, do you have any issues with me?" Sanford suddenly asked in a thick voice. His eyes firmly rested on Rain's lanky posture which sat in repose, his eyes closed as if he was not even there.

"What do you think?" Rain's eyes shot open and he looked sharply at him as he asked in an equally disdainful voice.

"I know you are blaming me for not having taken good care of you and your mother, and you think that's the main reason that had caused your mother's death," Sanford reflected. The past was the past, and it was gone forever. If only he could go back in time and make other choices, he would choose not to be that weak-willed.

"You? Do you think you even deserve to mention her in my face?" Rain hissed. He had such a bad temper today, his emotions flitting through sadness, irritation, and anger. He had already been exhausted enough, and now his father's visit only added fuel to the fire. Moreover, his father's mention of his deceased mother hit the weakest spot in his heart.

"I'm your father, so watch your mouth!" Sanford shot back. He felt rather offended by Rain's harsh accusation.

"Father? Who said you are my father? I have never admitted it. From the moment my mom died, you already became a stranger to me. Your only contribution to me was your sperm." Rain was too emotional now as he couldn't help but stand upright in retort, his eyes sending daggers to the man in front of him.

"You..." The sound of a palm hitting the cheek was like a cracking of a bullwhip. Sanford looked at his hand that hung in air, not believing what he just had done.

Rain was absolutely dumbfounded for a moment. He didn't expect that Sanford would slap his face. However, he suddenly roared with laughter as if he didn't feel miserable at all just a while ago.

"Are you satisfied now? Or do you want to give me another slap? Here, slap the right side of my face." Rain glowered sharply at his father as he tried to hold back from smiling mockingly at the man.

"I... Rain, listen, I can explain..." Sanford was also stupefied. He didn't know why he suddenly lost control and slapped his son.

"Explain? Huh! Save it for yourself! I'm very tired now, please leave," Rain said in a voice that left no room for arguments. His feet sharply turned around as he went to his desk and tried to hide the tears that were pooling in his eyes. Who said that men did not easily shed tears? It was only that the world didn't let them grieve openly.

"I will go back first. Call me then," Sanford said apologetically. His head hung down as he took his leave and softly shut the door. He truly regretted ever having done it the moment he took back his hand.

Rain did not respond. The stinging pain on his face told himself how much it hurt. He took it all, without even a slight dodge.

The moon graced the landscape with its gentle light, making the colors of the flower petals appear ethereal in their beauty. The waves rolled by peacefully as storks occasionally flew over, sometimes picking up small fish in their beaks. Phuket Island was the largest island in Thailand and also the smallest province in the country. It was known as the 'Pearl of the Andaman Sea' for its beautiful scenery and rich tourist spots.

Rain would never know that the person he had been looking for in the past few years was living on such an island. It was either due to the private detectives that he hired were very incompetent, or Annie just hid too well that Rain failed to find her.

The house rattled with the sound of running footsteps rushing to the door. As soon as Annie arrived home, Joyce rushed into her arms and gave her a kiss before Annie could put down her luggage.

"Mommy, I miss you!" The little girl absolutely got the best genes from her parents. Her skin was smooth and flushed a healthy pink color. Her big doe eyes glittered like black diamonds, and her long lashes fluttered and swept daintily across the tops of her cheeks. What an adorable girl she was!

"Mommy also missed you! Where is your brother? Why didn't I see him here?" Annie said lovingly as she pecked her on her cheek, then she raised her head and looked around to search for her son.

"He is taking the shower now. He didn't want to have a shower until the Nanny threatened him." Joyce couldn't wait to tell on her brother, even when her mother just arrived home from a long journey.

"Oh? Did he? Then have you taken a shower yourself?" Annie put down her carry-on and the rest of her luggage before cuddling her lovely daughter, trapping her in a bear hug.

"I'm a good girl. I have already washed myself clean. Mommy, smell me. Do I smell good?" Joyce reached out her hand and placed it near her mother's nose in a flamboyant gesture.

"Oh? Let me smell. Yes, you smell of Jasmin. I like it. Good girl!" Annie smiled at the little Joyce. She was always the loving and doting mother whenever she was with her kids.

"Mommy, where is Uncle Fred? Didn't you go with him?" Joyce released herself from her mother's embrace and backed a few steps, just to see if Fred was behind her mother. Since Fred was the only man she ever saw around her mom, Joyce hoped that the kind man could become her father.

"Uncle Fred has gone back to his own home. Huh! You are actually missing your Uncle Fred, not your mommy, right?" Annie said in a pretend sad voice, with a matching forlorn look on her face.

"Of course not. I missed mommy the most!" Joyce's voice was as sweet as candy that it could bring instant comfort or a pick-me-up to anyone who heard it. It was as if it could heal like some sort of magical medicine, and Annie's heart melted at the sight of her.

"Huh! She's lying. She talked about Uncle Fred every day and spoke highly of him. Of course, she misses him. Everyone can see that." A boy's voice interrupted Annie's musings. Huey just walked out of the bathroom, wearing a set of comfy flannel pajamas and looking quite fresh after his shower. Unlike Joyce who excitedly rushed to her mommy as soon as she saw her, Huey remained calm when he saw his mother. He just slowly walked over to them and acted very cool.

"No, I am not lying. Mommy, Huey is the one who's lying. I wasn't missing Uncle Fred." Joyce refuted in an almost crying tone as she was extremely anxious.