VANESSA'S POV 
 "So Nessa, we have a week to finish exams, how many papers do you have this week" Emily asked
"Just one and that's tomorrow, I joined the decor team in the department store" I said to her
"That's cause you have free time on your plate, I won't be available for it but I'll definitely show up for the end of years party" Mily said
"You'll meet her then right?" Mily asked referring to Caroline
"Yea, I'll try to engage her in a conversation" I said feeling a bit doubtful i can even do that, but I'll have to try 
"Another thing, try to find out exactly where she stays in Seattle, so we can take advantage of the holidays to pay her a visit" 
"That's right, she stays in Seattle so it's a good match for us, so we won't travel again  to some other place" I voiced out 
LATER THAT WEEK
 "Hey girls, how's the decorations coming up?" Our department manager Irene asked I and Kim as we headed to the elevator 
"It's going great" 
"Better than we expected" We both said accordingly 
"That's the spirit, you girls should get yourselves prepared cause Mrs Caroline's visiting tomorrow"
"Thanks for the info" Kim voiced out as Irene made her way back to the store while the both of us went to the elevator 
"Got any plans for the holidays?" Kim asked 
"Not quite, I'll just go back to Seattle and spend it with my Mum and Dad, like I always do" I told her half the truth cause i can't tell her I'll be investigating to find my real Mum, that would sound weirdly awkward  
"Soooo how's your boyfriend, what's his name again?" 
"Park" She stated 
"Right, Park, how's he?" I asked
"He's good, we're going back to Seoul for the holidays, his parents stays there" 
"That's great, you're heading home now right?" I asked her casually
"Yea I'll be taking the bus" She replied
"Don't worry about that, I can drop you off, my car's parked right there" I offered pointing to the direction of the car 
"Awww thanks Nessa" She cooed as we walked to the car 
"Now that reminds me, i didn't see Emily today, is everything alright?" She asked with a concerned look displayed on her face 
"Yes she is, she has an exam today but she'll be available for the party tomorrow" .
"Babe, you're ready for this?" Emily asked as i was about entering Caroline's office, we've been watching ever since she stepped in for the party and now that she had entered her office was the perfect time i had to talk
"Wish me luck" I said
"You don't need it, now go in there and get answers"   Emily commanded which i complied to
"Can i come in?" I poked my head in and asked  after a light knock
"Sure come on in" She usherd and i walked right in staring at her as she sat in her well furnished table, i recalled the image of her youthful self from the hospital file, she didn't change alot, just added and living her best life i think
"Good day Ma'am" I greeted 
"Hi, what brings you here" She asked politely, she didn't sound stern
"I work here" 
"Yea i know, you have your ID on" She replied me, which meant i didn't get the question correctly
"Urrrmmm, i just came to say hi and wish you a Merry Christmas" I said shuttering, not knowing exactly how to start up a conversation, but who the hell starts a conversation with their CEO
"Vanessa Holland" she read from my ID and that brought me from my light head talk 
"That's a nice name" She  complimented not knowing it was actually given by her 
"Thank you" I replied her 
"Let me guess, you're new here?" She asked
"Yes, i got in during the fall, after i came to WSU" 
"You school in WSU?" Came her question
"Yes, I major in English studies" I answered
"Great course, really" she complimented, she didn't seem bad at all and i actually forgot what happened for someone second
"Urmm, i heard you base in Seattle" I asked just for confirmation
"Yes, I and my family, why?" 
"I stay there as well, i was hoping maybe I and my family could come visit for the holidays, you'll be going back right?"  I asked
"Yea i would, very soon and yea, you can come visit, that's what the seasons all about right? Togetherness" she said
"Thank you so much, I'll swing by once i get there, one more thing, could you please write down the address?" I asked politely bringing out a piece of paper, which she wrote on 
"Thank you Ma'am, I'll take my leave now" 
"I like you, You can call me Mrs Hart" She said dismissively and i took my leave afterwards
"Hey, how did it go?" Emily asked immediately she saw me walk downstairs, she was having a conversation with Scott as i got there  
"She's nice, I would give her that, and yea i got the address from her" I said happily
"Hey Scott, sorry i ruined you guys conversation, I'll be outta here in a bit" I said to him, he really looked like he got more attractive than before 
"No problem, I was done talking anyways, I'll leave you girls to it then, talk later Emily" He said in his husky british accent 
"Hmmm Scott?" I teasingly asked Mily
"Yea Scott, we're just friends, i figured since i couldn't give him the relationship he want, we could just be friends and he was totally cool with that" 
"That's nice, at least he's happy and can move on, hopef you told him you're in a relationship?" I asked
"Of cause, he do see Logan those few times he comes to pick me up " she explained
"So back to you, we're paying a visit right?" She asked
"Is that even a question? Of cause yes" I replied Mily
"Hi Vanessa, you guys are at home right?" David called and asked referring to I and my parents,() I and Mily returned a few days after the party
"Yea we're at home, why asking?" I asked a bit surprised 
"Remember when you said your Mum wanted meeting me, well I and my Mum are on our way to your place, we're already in Seattle" David said, guess he followed the address i gave him 
"OK then, see you soon" I said and hung up so i can inform my parents
"Mum, Dad" I yelled from the hallway and they both answered
"Let's meet im the sitting room" I said and immediately headed there, but dad was already there cause was setting the Christmas decorations he got from the  basement, while Mum walked out from the kitchen with an apron on
"David and his Mum are on their way here, they'll be here any moment" I dropped the news and saw instantly that it felt heavy on Dad 
"Dad, you're alright" I asked purposely snapping him out of his mind
"Yes of cause, let's get everywhere prepared" He said going back to what he was doing but he seemed a bit tensed from what just said, i saw him fidgeting  
"Lunch is almost ready" Mum simply said and i went back upstairs to my room to wear something a bit palatable.
It took like twenty minutes or so before i heard the door bell, Mum had already reached the front door before i got down 
"Hi" Mum greeted them with a smile while she made way for them to come in
"Mrs Holland right?" David asked
"Just call me Candace and i suppose this is your mum? Rebecca right?" She said to David before directing to his Mum
"Hi Candace, it's nice meeting you, David told me you wanted us to pay you a visit"  David Mum voiced out and Mum looked his direction
"And its nice of you to have accepted the invite" Mum said warmly
"Hi everyone" Dad said while entering the sitting room from the kitchen I guess, cause I myself have been standing in the sideline watching 
"Hi Bryan, you have a nice home" David mum complimented while David let out a small  'Hi' 
  
 Dad seemed tensed, who wouldn't be, given the situation he's in right now 
"Where's Vanessa?" David asked, being the only one who seem to have noticed i wasn't there, I walked down immediately and said my greetings 
"Lunch's getting cold, lets go dig in" Mum called out and we all proceeded to the table 
"mmm Candace, the pie tastes great, mind sharing the recipe?" Rebecca asked jokingly which we all laughed to  
"So how's business, Vanessa told me you run a café, how's that going?" Mum questioned 
"I've been pulling through, thanks to the location" she replied freely like nothing was going on between them, actually nothings really going on between them, it's only Dad she has an issue with, not Mum 
"David right? You're still in College?"Mum kept asking
"No not really, I've already graduated, I'm working at the moment" David answered
"Wow that's nice" Mum praised 
"Yea, i work as an editor in Newmans Spring publishing company" 
"That's great to know, given the number of job hunt now and you managed to lay your hands on that opportunity, i was wondering, how did you and Vanessa meet?" 
"Mum!!! Not that question" I hurriedly voiced out before David could voice out that day from the mall, luckily for me David mum asked a question  which was directed to me
"What's your major Vanessa?" She asked which i replied her
"Where's that friend of yours that always come around?" She asked referring to Emily
"Oh Mily? She stays around here" I replied but didn't get any further questions, so we went back to our pie