BAD HEROINES

2. No More Interrogations

Warm light struck her eyes, and her forehead wrinkled as she forced them open. She blinked away the blur and the white ceiling came into focus.

With a grunt, she pushed herself upright and sat on the bed.

A month had passed since the poisoning, and she had spent those weeks recovering in the hospital. Yet the horror of that day still played vividly in her mind, collapsing without knowing why.

She had lived her life without offending anyone... well, yes, she had, but not enough to deserve death. And of all ways to kill her... poison? Really?

She scoffed. "Cowards! Of course you had to poison me. Am I not good with my hands?"

At least one good thing came of it, she'd gone from suspect to victim in the casino mess. Now she even had police protection, with no more annoying interrogations.

She suppressed a grin as she peeled a banana. 'A blessing in disguise... if only I hadn't lost my job.'

She took a bite, chewed a few times, and froze. Then she resumed chewing, but now with a tightened jaw. 'Great, I get to enjoy medicines.'

Right, one of the effects she experienced after the poisoning was losing her sense of taste. She couldn't tell if her favorite dishes were sour or bitter.

The door opened. A woman with short hair stepped inside. Seeing who it was, she immediately put the banana away and straightened herself.

According to Michelle's investigation, someone had poisoned her at home through contaminated water. Investigators found a water bottle in her house laced with thallium particles.

The bastard behind it never even admitted whether someone had sent him. He just kept repeating his story about losing his fortune in gambling because of her, as if that was enough to kill someone.

A chill crept through her. The attack had started from her own house. 'I will never stay in that place again. And that damn gambling... I will see to it.'

"They told me you're being discharged today." Michelle pulled out a card. "If you have anything to help us in our investigation, please call me."

Michelle studied Reina's face carefully. Something about Reina didn't sit right with her. She never probed for answers about her situation like she was supposed to do as a victim. Instead, she seemed more interested in leaving.

Reina accepted it with a nod, then looked up at Michelle. "Detective, I'm not under arrest anymore, right?"

Michelle raised her brow, a little surprised. When had she ever been under arrest? But considering it wasn't Reina's fault to think that, Michelle replied, "No, you're not. You're free to go."

Reina's lips stretched into a smile. 'Hope I never see that room again.'

Soon after Michelle left, Reina was alone with the doctor. The doctor had brown skin, curly hair in a ponytail, and soft, pretty features.

While recovering in the hospital, she'd met Dr. Natalie Lee, her attending physician. She seemed foreign, but her fluency was perfect. She once told her that her mother was from Hong Kong while her father was French.

"I can see you are eager to leave," Natalie said as she watched Reina changing from her hospital gown into her black jumpsuit.

Reina turned to Natalie. "You'd feel the same if you were in my shoes."

"I live an honest life, why would I even fit in your shoes?"

Reina raised a finger, her face furrowing. That was the only problem with the doctor, no matter how close they had become. She never believed she had lived an honest life.

"Now that I'm leaving, why do you still think that?"

Natalie folded her arms. "I told you before, I've got a keen eye for criminals."

"I am not!" Reina suppressed her anger. Knowing she wouldn't win the argument, she ignored Natalie and finished changing.

Days later, she slowly returned to her old life. The first thing she did was move to a new apartment. Who knew if they might come back?

She arrived at the restaurant and took a back seat, calmly waiting for someone she had agreed to meet.

It didn't take long for another girl to come and sit across from her. She had a crew cut under her cap and wore a t-shirt and shorts.

Without a word, she dropped an envelope on the table.

Reina was about to take it, but the woman grabbed it first.

"It will cost you a lot," said the girl with a challenging grin. "After this, you won't owe me anything. I'm done with your errands."

Reina ignored her and opened the envelope. Inside were some papers and pictures.

Reina studied the photo, her voice low. "This... is this really him?"

"If the one you are looking for was that kid from the orphanage, Lian, then that is him." The girl threw a glance forward and smirked. "What a coincidence. Turns out, he works here"

Reina turned, and there a boy was serving customers. Indeed, he looked exactly like the one in the picture.

No doubt it was him. Taller now, with sharper features that made half the restaurant stare.

No wonder the girl had chosen this place, she'd even tracked where Lian worked.

Reina stared in disbelief. Was it really Lian? The boy she had left at the orphanage when they were younger. 'He grew up.'

A familiar face walked in, cutting through her thoughts. Seeing who the customer was, her eyebrow raised in surprise. When the customer spotted her, she smiled and approached their table.

"I never thought it would be this soon until we meet again. How are you doing these days?" Natalie asked as she took a seat.

"Still can't do much, as you can see."

The other girl raised her brows at her.

"Ah..." Reina started. "Natalie, this is Sze-Kei, my, uh... kind of business partner. Kei, this is Natalie, a doctor who took care of me for the past month."

Sze-Kei gave Natalie her hand. "Thank you for saving her."

Natalie accepted it. "I was doing my job."

"Enjoy your meal," Lian said with a polite smile as he set the plates down.

Now closer, Reina studied him carefully. He wouldn't be able to remember her, but there was no mistaking it. This was him.

A faint smile crept across her face before she realized it.

He returned a tight one and walked away without a second glance.

"So... is he someone you're into?" Natalie bluntly asked.

Hearing the question, Sze-Kei grinned. Even she was curious. She had done the job to find him, but she wasn't sure of their relationship and the reason why Reina had searched for him.

Reina gave Natalie an incredulous look.

"It's just a normal question why are you making those expressions? Just saying he's five years younger. Not judging, just surprised." Sze-Kei casually added.

"Kei!" Reina cut her off and coldly asked, "Didn't we agree this was the last thing? Why are you still here?"

Reina frowned. "I raised him once." A proud smile tugged at her lips. "I even gave him a name Lian. Too bad he remembered none of it."

'Of course he shouldn't. Damn! What an ill relationship.'