Ch 56: Cannot take 'no'

The car ride was filled with an uncomfortable silence, and Natasha was relieved when they finally arrived at the mall, with Rika trailing behind her. 

But even if they were walking together, Natasha had yet to decide what to talk to Rika about. 

She knew she needed to break the silence and speak up before it was too late, but the words seemed to evade her, leaving her mouth dry and her mind blank.

'Rika is one of my kids. I raised her until this point, but I cannot remember a thing about her right now. What does she like? What can she talk about?' Natasha's mind was a whirlwind of questions, her heart heavy with the weight of their strained relationship.

Ultimately, Natasha discussed a topic that always caused her clients and associates to start talking.

"So, did you recently change your perfume, Rika? You smell a little different today. Did something good happen to you?"