Here Comes Trouble
Sabrina replied: Count me in!
Devin and Sebastian said nothing, but they could sense the girls’ excitement from their phone screens.
In the end, Rufus chimed in: It’s fine. I’m here. You guys don’t have to worry. I’ll make sure everything is
in order.
Jonathan added: He’s right, Rufus is an elder. So, it’s perfectly logical if he wants to welcome his in-
laws, but there’s no reason for both of you to show up, so stay put.
Sasha and Sabrina tactfully stayed silent, sharing the same thought that he was stern.
Since Jonathan had spoken, they could only listen and do nothing.
In the end, the heavy responsibility to receive Ichika’s mother fell on Rufus.
Of course, the same responsibility was on the Hayeses, too. Everyone was glad at Ichika’s mother’s
arrival from faraway Jetroina and volunteered to help, making Ichika feel overjoyed and blessed.
That night before her mother’s flight, Ichika excitedly told her that many people had prepared a grand
welcome reception for her arrival.
Aoi Minamoto was thrilled to hear that and brought many extravagant gifts with her the next day.
Ichika and Solomon had gone to the airport to pick her up.
“Mom…”
As soon as Ichika laid eyes on her mother, she brightened with childlike delight.
However, as she closed the distance between her mother, her face was bleached of color when she
caught sight of the person behind Aoi.
“Himari? You’re here too?”
“Yes, Ichika. Am I not welcome?” Himari was dressed exceptionally beautifully, towing a suitcase
behind her as she greeted Ichika with a wide smile.
Ichika was silent for a pause before forcing her lips into the semblance of a smile. “No… you’re
welcome.”
Solomon had taken over Aoi’s suitcase, his demeanor was gentlemanly and respectful.
“How was the plane ride? Are you exhausted?”
“We’re fine, and the journey was pleasant. As it should be since you arranged it for us.” Evidently, Aoi
was pleased with her son-in-law, and her tone revealed pride.
Solomon smiled and gripped the suitcase, ready to leave the airport.
Just then, a saccharine voice sounded from behind, “Mr. Akiyama, I have another luggage here, and I
brought your favorite sake. If I’m mistaken, this is your favorite, right?”
The voice belonged to Himari, and she was speaking openly to Solomon as if they had known each
other for a long time.
Ichika heard it, and her heart lurched. Walking up to her sister, she said, “I’ll take it.”
“You? Why? There’s alcohol inside, and it’s heavy. Leave it to Mr. Akiyama.” Himari shoved her sister
away and brought the suitcase over to Solomon.
Ichika stood rooted to the ground, her dark eyes reddening.
Just as she was about to see Solomon carry her sister’s suitcase, he suddenly turned and said, “Ichika,
drag it over to me and help me with this smaller one.”
“Okay!” She immediately broke out into a smile.
She forcefully took over Himari’s suitcase and lugged it over to him. “Here you go, Darling.”
“Thanks.” He accepted it.
Then, they carried a suitcase each and walked out of the airport. Never once did he leave her side.
When they reached the car, Solomon heaved the suitcase into the trunk.
“Go and get your mother. We’ll be leaving in a while.”
“Okay,” Ichika acknowledged and put down the smaller suitcase in her hand before heading in Aoi’s
direction.
She wanted to sit with her mother in the backseat. After all, they hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
When Ichika and Aoi got into the back, Himari opened the door to the front passenger seat and
promptly slid in.
Ichika stared aghast, her expression crumbling.
What’s Himari doing? Why does she always do things that she knows I dislike? What is she trying to
achieve here? That seat belongs to me and me only.
Besides, doesn’t this situation call for three of us to sit in the back? This way, we could have a long-
overdue conversation.
Ichika was losing the reins on her emotions.
“Ichika, isn’t Mr. Akiyama the President of Hayes Corporation? Why is he still driving the same car from
before? Did he not get a Rolls-Royce?”
Himari was still obsessed with the few Rolls-Royce she saw at Ichika’s wedding.
Ichika replied, “What’s wrong with this car? He’s always driven it.”
“That’s right, it’s only a vehicle. Anything would do,” agreed Aoi.
Himari stewed in silence when she saw how their mother was clearly siding with Ichika.
A moment later, when Solomon got in and saw his adjacent seat occupied by someone other than
Ichika, his brows furrowed with displeasure.
“It’s fine if I sit here, right, Mr. Akiyama? Ichika and Mom are back there, and they have a lot to catch up
on, so I’m giving them some space.”
Seems like this woman is quite the sly one.
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