The two of them spent the rest of the day in Kathrine's apartment. Beatrice would be staying for the night since her flight back was scheduled for the night of the next day. She only had today because she arrived at dawn.
It had been a very tiring journey, but she didn't care. She needed to check on Kathrine with her own eyes.
"Come to think of it, how about the plane tickets?" Kathrine suddenly asked, realizing the situation.
"Hey, don't think too much about that."
"How can I not?" Kathrine interrupted Beatrice.
Beatrice was basically raising herself now after being disowned by her family. Having to pay for her studies and other necessities, buying a ticket must have cost her a lot.
Kathrine was about to open her mouth again, but Beatrice decided to cover it with her hand, knowing she wouldn't be able to speak once Kathrine started.
"I've been sponsored a year after that performance you all watched," Beatrice began.
Harmony also looked at her, since this was news even to her. Beatrice hadn't told anyone about being sponsored, and it had already been a year.
Beatrice smiled as she looked at the two of them.
"Even though a year has passed, I still can't believe it. The one who sponsored me was Ashcroft Nexus."
"Ashcroft Nexus!" Kathrine exclaimed.
Harmony moved her head further away from Kathrine after the shout.
"Sorry," Kathrine apologized.
Harmony looked back at Beatrice, urging her to continue.
Beatrice giggled before continuing.
"Anyway, they said they'd been watching me since that performance and decided to sponsor me after a few more shows. But the contract says I'll have to stay abroad a few more years after graduation. Which is fine with me since I want to make a name for myself. Wouldn't it make a splash if I made a name abroad first before returning here?"
There was obvious happiness in her voice and face as she spoke.
"Oh my gosh! And that was Ashcroft Nexus," Kathrine said, looking happier than ever.
Beatrice chuckled.
"That's why it still feels like a dream. After that, I was given chances here and there and even received a salary. I'm in a better standing now. I even have some savings. It's truly a dream."
Kathrine smiled, "I'm truly glad."
Harmony placed a hand on Beatrice's shoulder.
"You did it."
"Yes," Beatrice said gratefully.
…
After bidding them goodbye, Harmony stepped out of the apartment building.
"Are you going back now, miss?"
A car stopped in front of her, and the passenger-side window was rolled down. The man inside asked her the question.
She nodded before entering the back seat.
She was assigned two people by the Ashcroft family.
Both of them were capable of fighting, one was the driver, and the other was the one sitting in the passenger seat.
At first, the person on the passenger side would always open the door for her, but she told him that it was fine. She would climb in on her own.
Even though she had accepted the kindness of Ashcroft Family, she still had some reservations. It wasn't easy receiving such kindness, especially for someone like her who had done everything like a doll. Suddenly being given so much still made her feel uncertain.
The guards asked Lenon, and he agreed, understanding where Harmony was coming from.
Harmony leaned back as she fell into deep thought.
Over the past few months that she stayed in the Ashcroft family's house, she got to meet Emina Ashcroft.
Aloof and a bit cold, but Harmony didn't feel that Emina disliked her presence. Still, she sensed that there was a wall between Emina and her family.
It was something she learned about just a few days ago when she was looking at the frames in the living room, and Dylan came in.
"You're curious, aren't you?"
She looked at him.
It was true, but how could she just ask? She was just someone who was here to be sponsored.
And she was truly grateful, because she had learned a lot from Lenon.
For her, it was just like Beatrice, it was a dream come true. Having the chance to learn from the one person you idolize? What more could she ask for?
But somehow, after all the interactions, she could feel the sadness emanating from everyone whenever Emina came home and acted aloof, even towards her own family.
She couldn't help but feel the urge to understand them. To know what caused it and maybe, just maybe, help in her own way.
"It's not that much of a secret, but we lost a little one twenty years ago."
Dylan looked at her.
If one were to search the internet, they would find the news about the miscarriage that happened to Tiffany when she was seven months pregnant.
Looking straight into her eyes, Dylan spoke.
"Emina wasn't at fault, but the cause was because of her running around. Mother tripped on the side of the road, and when she fell, it was a difficult fall that caused early labor. But the baby didn't make it."
"And she blamed herself for everything that followed," Harmony finished his words.
"Even though our parents never blamed her at all," Dylan chuckled in defeat as he looked at the family picture taken when the two of them were still children.
Way back when the child hadn't been conceived yet.
All of them had beautiful, happy smiles.
"…"
On the other hand, Harmony no longer commented.