I want you

3 Episode

Having witnessed Michael meticulously and attentively clean, make up, and dress her deceased uncle with gentle respect, Emily found it hard to harbor any narrow-minded thoughts about such a person. In her heart, he was a rare and pure individual. If he were to compete with other men for her affection, he would have a head start.

Perhaps noticing her staring blankly at the coffin for too long or perhaps due to his professional ethics, Michael softly spoke to the dazed Emily, "Everyone embarks on another journey from the same final destination, Miss Fang. There's no need to be too sad. Mr. Howard is at the lightest point of his life right now. What matters most to you is whether you two had a proper farewell." As Michael spoke, he closed the coffin lid and then took out his phone to make a call. Standing beside him, Emily pondered his words. He didn't seem to think he had said anything remarkable, yet his words brought her a sense of relief.

Her uncle's heavy life had ended, and returning to a solitary existence might be a form of release. Just as Michael had said, the most important thing was whether they had had a proper farewell. She should be grateful to him for giving her the chance to say goodbye to her uncle properly and allowing her uncle to embark on his new journey looking his best.

After ending the call, Michael considerately asked her, "Someone will come soon to take Mr. Howard for cremation. Do you have any other requests, Miss Fang?"

Emily quietly looked at the closed coffin, her already somber expression becoming even darker. She shook her head and stood there silently.

Michael walked toward the door. When he reached it, he suddenly turned and asked, "Would you like to freshen up?" He lowered his eyes, not looking at her, as if afraid she might misunderstand his intentions. He added, "There's a bit of a smell now. It's more respectful to the deceased to be clean and well-dressed when seeing them off."

Emily looked at him in surprise, then quickly followed him, saying, "Sure, of course." She paused, hesitating a bit. "But I don't have any clothes to change into," she said, looking down at her clothes.

Michael walked out, lifting the curtain. Emily took one last look at the coffin before following him out.

The wardrobe was opened again, and this time Emily saw it. Inside hung a long row of new clothes in white and black, both men's and women's suits, all prepared for such situations. Michael had thought of everything.

"There's a lot prepared, but it's rare to use them," he said, selecting a black woman's suit in her size. The skirt, jacket, and shirt were all included. She accepted them, her gratitude evident in her eyes.

A farewell is a solemn event, regardless of whether the body is intact. He was pleased that Emily was one of the few people who shared his view. Michael continued to lead the way toward the bathroom, speaking as they walked, "If Miss Fang needs to inform any friends or relatives to join in seeing Mr. Howard off, you can make the call now."

Since Howard was a special case and had been directly sent to the funeral home, there were no relatives present to accompany him. So Michael made the reminder.

Emily thought carefully. There was only one person she could think of, but... she hesitated, glancing at Michael's phone in his hand. His fingers were long and slender, with well-defined joints.

Michael noticed her gaze and handed the phone directly to her. She took it dumbly and followed him, turning a corner before he indicated, "This is the men's bathroom, and that’s the women’s. See you later." He bowed slightly to bid her farewell. Emily, not used to such polite treatment, felt a mix of emotions.

She understood when others distanced themselves from her or gave up on her. It was the respect and politeness that made her more sensitive.

Emily entered the women's bathroom with mixed feelings. As she undressed, she called Captain Johnson. He was on a mission and couldn't return, apologizing profusely. She understood his work, but this meant she would be alone in sending her uncle off.

Emily placed Michael's phone on the table, turned around, and went into the shower. Since it was late, she was the only one there. She quickly took a shower, dressed, and dried her hair, worried about making Michael wait too long. As a result, she was done before he was.

Standing at the door, Emily idly looked around. She leaned against the wall, thinking about her financial situation when the phone in her hand vibrated violently, nearly making her drop it. She glanced at the screen. Seeing the word "Dad," she realized the importance of the call. Family calling at nearly five in the morning couldn't be just a greeting.

Emily reluctantly looked toward the men's bathroom. The phone in her hand kept vibrating. Though the ringtone was soft, in the quiet night, it seemed loud and piercing.

Finally, she decided to walk to the men's bathroom and called out loudly, "Mr. Po?"

There was no response, only the faint sound of running water.

So she tried again, "Mr. Po, your father is calling. Do you want to take the call?"

The water continued to run. Michael was still showering. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and after a moment, she heard a voice from inside, "Leave it in the changing room. I'll come out and take it."

The call had already lasted sixty seconds and hung up automatically, but the second call came through immediately. Michael's father must have had something urgent.

Given permission, Emily pushed open the door to the men's bathroom and went inside. It was warm inside. She turned a corner and saw a table, so she walked over and placed the phone on it.

Just as she was about to leave, she looked up and saw the entrance to the bath. There was no curtain or door to block it, and she could see Michael's tall and lean reflection. His figure was full of masculine charm. Emily's eyes unconsciously followed the silhouette from top to bottom, pausing for five seconds at his lower abdomen.

When she finally snapped back to reality, the owner of the silhouette had already come out, wrapped in a towel. Seeing her still there, Michael was surprised.

The author has something to say: Mr. Bo is right~ Everyone starts another journey from the same final destination. The most important thing is whether we have had a proper farewell~

When young faces are covered with wrinkles and tall bodies are no longer upright, that is the most beautiful moment of life because it is about to embark on another journey without any constraints. It does not end; it will continue forever~ So, death is not the end!

Ahem... why did I suddenly become so poetic? Oh, what the heck, the ending scene of this chapter is my real intention!

By the way, what do you think I am like?