Page 22 of Rewind

By the time he figured it out, he and Frank collectively decided to let her go and then found themselves dealing with a lawsuit for unlawful termination.

It had been such a headache to deal with.

Paisley smiled briefly. “Yes, long time no see.”

“It’s good to see you, I wish we could have reunited under better circumstances.”

She nodded. “Yes, me too. I’m still in contact with Jennie at the office and she let me know about Amina. I had to come.” She glimpsed over his shoulder to look into the casket and let out a loud gasp.

“Ohmygod!” She covered her mouth.

“I know. It’s upsetting.” Ethan patted Paisley on the shoulder.

Tears welled in her bright blue eyes. “She looks so frail. I don’t understand how this can happen. Was…was she sick? Do you know how she passed? Jennie didn’t offer me many details.”

Ethan and Frank had informed the staff of Amina’s passing but didn’t disclose the reason to protect her dignity. “The last few years have been rough for her but I know she wouldhave been touched that you could be here today,” he said, sidestepping her question.

Paisley moved closer to the casket and briefly placed her hand along the edge. “Amina was so sweet. She always took the time to answer my questions and she was patient with me. I know this is stupid but whenever we had donuts, she would usually save my favorite one. We even went out to lunch a few times. I would like to think we were friends but…”

“But what?”

“Well, when everyone at the office got an invite to her wedding, I was pleased to go. But then I saw her groom for the first time. I got an icky feeling about him. He seemed nice enough but I just couldn’t put my finger on it, ya know?”

Ethan knew exactly what she meant but he could only nod, wanting her to continue. It was interesting to get someone else’s perspective of what he’d also observed.

“Shortly after she got married, Amina changed. She always closed her office door and she stopped doing the little stuff. I would ask her if she wanted to hang out but she’d decline. She always seemed so skittish. And…” she leaned in closer as if they weren’t the only two people in the room. “I think he might have been hurting her but I couldn’t be sure. But she was a whole different person. I kind of wish I would have stuck it out at that job, but well…”

“I understand.”

Paisley looked over her shoulder. “Why are we the only two people here? Where is her family? Where’s her husband?”

Ethan had been so caught up in his grief at seeing Amina’s body that he didn’t give that a thought. Before he could answer, he was interrupted.

“Ugh, how long do we have to stay here? No one is going to show up to see her lame ass.”

Ethan and Paisley turned simultaneously to see Mark saunter in with a large soda and a bag from a fast-food restaurant. A woman with waist length multi-colored braids, and a tiny black dress that barely covered her breasts and ass, followed behind him.

He assumed she was the owner of the voice.

The pair halted when they noticed him and Paisley staring at them.

Mark’s lips firmed to a thin disapproving line before he squared his shoulders and approached them. “Well, well, well. I didn’t expect you to show up, but you were always fond of Amina weren’t you? When she worked for you, it was always Dr. Han this, and Dr. Han that. Didn’t think the next time you saw her would be in a casket did you?”

The woman behind him snickered. “Mark, be nice. These people are obviously here to pay their respects.” She maneuvered her way around Mark and held out her hand to Ethan. “Did I hear him say doctor? I’m Amina’s cousin, Candace. I can’t thank you enough for coming to pay your respects to our dear Amina. Her death came as a surprise to us all.”

As she spoke, she pushed her chest forward, to the point where Ethan thought her boobs would spill out.

The instant distaste he felt for this woman made the rage that had been simmering below the surface bubble to the top. He stared pointedly at her hand until she lowered it.

A deep red colored Candace’s golden-brown cheeks. “Well, excuse you.”

“There’s no need to be rude, my guy.” Mark walked next to Candace and placed his arm around her shoulders in a comforting gesture.

“So you two just happened to go out during your wife’s viewing?” Ethan asked with clenched teeth.

“No one was here. We went to the place across the street to pick up some food. What’s the big deal?” Mark shrugged as if he wasn’t standing in front of Amina’s dead body.

“The big deal is, your wife is no longer alive and neither you nor her….” Ethan gave Candace a sweeping look from head to toe. “Cousin here don’t seem very bereaved. In fact, it sounds like the two of you can’t wait to get this thing over with. Amina deserved so much better than a piece of garbage like you.”

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