Page 64 of The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties

I laugh again, and this time it’s less teary. I hit him in the arm. “If Ma heard you say that, she’d scold you for sitting on your ass this whole time.”

“Okay, to be fair, your mom did corner me for like half an hour grilling me about everything and making sure I was treating you right.”

“As she should.” My cheeks hurt, I’m smiling so wide.

Nathan’s eyes soften before he pulls me close and kisses the top of my head. “We’re okay,” he murmurs into my hair, over and over again. And I know he’s right. Somehow, we’ve made it through all the craziness, all the danger, and we’re together again. We’reokay.

20

“Are you sure about this?” Jems asks as he helps to lug my suitcase down the stairs.

“Yeah,” I mutter, following after him. I check that I have my passport, as well as Nathan’s, with me. When we get to the bottom of the stairs, Jems sets my suitcase down. Nathan rolls his suitcase next to mine.

“Well, that’s everything,” I say.

Jems checks his watch. “You guys have time before we need to head for the airport. Let’s have some snacks first.”

The three of us head toward the dining room.

“You guys all packed?” Elsa says, sliding out of the kitchen while carrying a tray of freshly brewed coffee. She sighs loudly. “I can’t believe you’re leaving already. You just got here like two days ago? Have some local coffee, it’ll help change your mind.”

“Oh, yes,” Sarah agrees, “this is a new blend I just sourced from Kintamani. You’re going to adore it.”

Nathan and I laugh and reach for a cup each. My cousins aren’t wrong; as soon as the scent of the coffee hits my nose, it’s as though my muscles are unlocked, my whole body relaxing. I breathe in deep, closing my eyes. Truly, there’s nothing better than Indonesian coffee. Beside me, Nathan takes a sip and gives an appreciative sigh.

“This coffee tastes sinful,” he says. “Like a rich dessert, but not too sweet.”

Elsa grins at him. “The secret is a spoonful of melted palm sugar.” Then her smile wanes and she frowns at me. “Now, what can we do to convince you not to leave so soon? I hardly had any time to catch up with you, Meds.”

I squirm inwardly. How do I explain to my sweet, wholesome cousins that the reason why I’ve persuaded Nathan to leave Jakarta is because I’m not fully convinced that the whole mess with Abi, Julia Child, and Kristofer Kolumbes is behind us? I mean, sure, they had that whole beautiful moment yesterday where everyone reconciled and everything seemed fine, but I’ve spent enough time with the three moguls to know that they’re (1) hot-tempered, (2) used to getting their way, and (3) very definitely gang leaders. And I’m not sticking around to watch shit hit the fan the next time one of them gets jealous over this or that. Call me cynical, but I’ve been in enough mishaps with my family to know to jump ship the moment there’s any sign of trouble. Plus, it’s not just me that I have to protect.

“I’m sorry, but work came up, and you know how it is.” I force a smile. Nathan squeezes my hand.

Elsa looks hurt. “Was your stay here really that bad? And you were hardly ever in the house! I mean, I know there’s much to improve about the place, but still—”

“No, not at all,” Nathan hurriedly says. “I loved my time here. I was actually really blown away by the city. It’s just—”

Nobody looks convinced, and it makes my stomach sink. I hate the thought that I’m leaving my cousins this way, with them under the wrong impression that we think we’re somehow superior. I put my coffee cup down and clasp Elsa’s hands. “We’ll come back soon, okay? You’re right, we’ve hardly had any time to catch up, and there’s so much to talk about. I—”

The rest of what I’m about to say is drowned out by a series of sharp honks.

“Is that our hired car, maybe?” Nathan says, standing up, but before he can get to the front door, shouts pierce through it.

Oh god. I forget to breathe. I’m too late. I should’ve insisted on flying out last night instead of waiting until the morning to leave the country. And now, the tenuous truce among the trio must have imploded and they’re here to—

“Eh, buka pintu!” Ma calls out from outside.

As though on instinct, Nathan rushes to the door and does as he’s told. He’s barely unlocked it when it bursts open and Ma hurries inside, her arms laden with gift boxes piled high over her head.

“Ma, let me help you.” Nathan grabs the boxes, grunting. “Oof, what’ve you got in these?”

“Oh, so many thing, many, many thing.” Ma breezes inside. Behind her is Big Aunt, carrying shopping bags bursting with items.

Elsa rushes forward to take the bags from Big Aunt, and behind Big Aunt saunters in Fourth Aunt, also carrying bags and boxes. I hurry to help Fourth Aunt, but she gives me a side-eye and says, “Get out of my way, Meddy.”

Geez, okay. I meekly obey, standing to one side as my familystreams in, followed by a handful of men carrying yet more gifts. Finally, when the men have set the gifts down, they go out, and in strides Kristofer with Julia Child. Behind them are Abi, with Second Aunt on his arm, looking very smug and regal.

“What’s all this?” Jems says, gaping at the mountain of gifts that have just been deposited on the marble floor.

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