Page 33 of The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties

Dread gnaws at my stomach. “Is that—are we in trouble? Who exactly is this Kristofer Kolumbes?”

Julia Child sniffs, her expression turning sour. “Kristofer Kolumbes Hermansah. A small man, petty and childish and insecure.”

There’s clearly a whole history between Julia Child and Kristofer Kolumbes. A dangerous story, probably pockmarked with land mines. I’m not about to go traipsing in there, but before I can say anything, Ma pipes up. “Hmm, sound just like my ex-husband.”

Second Aunt and Big Aunt nod, both of them frowning at the thoughts of their respective ex-husbands. Julia Child’s expression softens. “Well, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never married. I think it was the right decision, don’t you?”

We all nod vehemently. Well, at least I do. Ma sighs and says, “I don’t know, without Meddy papa I won’t have my Meddy, and without Meddy I won’t have my Nathan, and without—”

“I think we get the point, Ma,” I say loudly.

Julia Child smiles. “I was never fond of children myself, but I understand. And maybe in another life, I would’ve liked to...” She gets this faraway look on her face. “But anyway. So you got into it with his grandchild, huh? Ah, he’s not going to be happy about that.”

That same fear coils itself around my spine. “Um, so as I was asking before, are we in trouble with him?”

Julia Child shrugs. “Who knows?”

Very reassuring. Not.

“That’s the thing with these childish, petty people, isn’t it?” she goes on. “But what right does he have to be angry about anything? It’s not his title deed. His grandchild simply stole it and then disrespected these fine women here.” She gestures to Ma and the aunties, who straighten and lift their chins with pride. “Sounds like the kid only has herself to blame. Just like Kristofer,” she adds in a poisonous hiss. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll wash his hands of the whole thing and stay the hell away.”

It’s not really a no, but I get the feeling that this is all we’re getting out of her. Just as I think that, Julia Child says, quite simply, “Well, thank you for coming. Our business is done.”

It’s our cue to leave, and I’m not about to miss it. I jump to attention and say, loudly, “Yes, thank you. Goodbye!” I link my arm through Ma’s and pull her along while pushing Big Aunt along with my other hand in a gentle but firm way. They take the hint and say their goodbyes to Julia Child. Outside ofthe room, her burly bodyguards stand to attention when they see us. They look at Julia Child, who nods at them, and with that, they escort us through the mansion and out into the blinding sunlight. I dare not think what would have happened if Julia Child had shaken her head instead of nodding. Would it have been the last time that I saw the world outside these walls?

No, don’t think like that, I chide myself. It’s done now. It’s over. We’ve had our entanglement with whatever Julia Child is—mafia lady, scary CEO, cartel leader—and we’ve managed to resolve it peacefully. Despite everything, we’re going to beokay.

9

The first thing I do when I get back to the house is try to book an earlier flight out of Jakarta. We’re supposed to fly to Bali in two days’ time, but I look for flights going out of the city that night. Because even though we’ve managed to claw our way out of trouble this time, there’s still a strand of fear twined around my stomach, knotted up tight. I have a bad feeling about all of this. I’m still scrolling through flight options when Nathan comes out of the shower, a towel tied around his abs.

“Man, that shower is amazing. I’m surprised you didn’t want to go first.” When I don’t reply, he comes over, still toweling his hair dry. “You okay?”

“Ah, yeah. I’m just busy looking up flights.”

“Oh? What for?”

“To go to Bali earlier. I don’t wanna stay in Jakarta.”

Nathan sits down on the bed next to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Hey. Look at me for a moment.”

I do so, and the sight of him cracks my heart a little because only a few hours ago, this man had been in the clutches of a possibly unhinged, extremely powerful woman who was clearly dangerous, and it had all been my and my family’s fault. As usual. How many times can I put him in danger before he finally has enough of me? I open my mouth and take a breath that feels like it’s crushing my lungs before realizing I don’t really know what to say.

Nathan must have seen something in my expression because his gaze softens. “It’s okay. I’m here. You got me out safely.” He tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear and smirks at me. “You’re my hero.”

That gets a laugh out of me. Damn it, how does he manage to make me smile, even now? “But—” I half laugh, half groan, “Nathan, you were literally in the clutches of the mafia.”

He gives me a deadpan look. “They’re law-abiding citizens, Meddy.”

My laughter takes over my entire body, shaking out from deep in my belly. How ridiculous is the whole thing? “They’re clearly not.”

“I know.” Nathan grins. “I’ve never seen anyone look more uncomfortable in a formal business suit than Abi does.”

“Oh god,” I moan, “he looks like he’s dying to rip the suit off so he can go around in an undershirt and a machete slung over his shoulder.” I pause. “But you know what’s even weirder than that?”

“What’s weirder than meeting a guy who looks like he stepped out of a movie about Hong Kong triad members?”

“How terrified he is of Big Aunt.”

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