CHAPTER 16

After being forced to take the lead on the sponsorship, Landon visited the kitchen to get a vibe on what it was like working again. Landon wasn't quite sure how to react when he saw the kitchen and his chefs again. He felt nostalgic as they warmly welcomed him back. The kitchen didn't change much. The lively spirit could still be felt within the four corners of the kitchen and with the staff themselves. He surely missed their company.

To shake of some rust in his cooking skills, he volunteered to do some of the breads and other pastries as part of those going to be served at breakfast for the hotel guests. He was even surprised on how his body voluntarily moved. It felt the same feeling he always had whenever he prepares something, whether an appetizer, a bread or a full course meal.

And in fact, to add to his astonishment, he couldn't help noticing the improvement of the kitchen staff. He was grateful that his absence didn't affect the management of the kitchen. They became so reliable that he couldn't find anything he didn't like. They became more organized and faster with their tasks.

Contented with what he was seeing and finished with baking the bread and pastries, Landon decided to visit the cemetery early. He anticipated that he might not have any more time to go in the afternoon.

As he was walking out of the restaurant, he came across Julie. "You're up early." He glanced at the surrounding as if looking for someone. "Where' the others?" he curiously asked.

"Still sleeping. How about you?" She glanced at him from head to feet. "Don't tell me, you slept here?"

"Oh no. I just dropped by to check things since the hotel would be busy the whole day." He paused. "Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?"

She smiled. "That would be great!"

Julie wasn't a coffee lover. She even has heartburn every time she's drinking just a portion amount of coffee. It wasn't always like that though. It was only during their final exam that she felt the burns. After her recent health consultation, she was diagnosed of having GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Coffee, strong tea and chocolates are a big no for her. This time though, she thought, a cup of coffee would be able to stop her from taking a chance of talking with Landon without her friends.

While they were enjoying their cup of coffee, "So how's your stay so far in Myrtle?" Landon asked.

"Pretty great." She took a sip of her coffee. "Actually, we enjoyed the beach yesterday." Julie started narrating the things they did since their arrival. She enthusiastically recalled the places they have visited, the heavenly scenery of the beach and the friendliness of the townsfolk.

"Ah that's the time Lea was at the church."

"Yeah she said that she would be meeting somebody but last night, we found out that she had lunch with you and Mavis instead."

Landon took a sip of his coffee; savoring the cinnamon tang it left on his tongue, which was actually suggested by Enrico, to add some cinnamon syrup. "It was only by chance. We saw her entering the St. Andrews Church while we're going out of Enrico's shop, which was just adjacent with the church."

Julie smiled. "We know. She explained it to us." She stared at him momentarily. "Do you like Lea?"

Landon was shock. He didn't know if he heard her correctly. "Excuse me?"

"She's beautiful, intelligent and good hearted. She's the type of a woman many men would desire to have."

Landon agreed with her. In just few days, he saw those qualities of Lea. More than that, there were moments, she reminded him of Theresa. She's like a living copy of his deceased wife. But he couldn't say it.

Landon heard a voice inside him whisper, it wouldn't be right and fair and it wouldn't be just to Lea if he would say he sees his wife in her. They may look alike and have some similarities, but each is uniquely as she is. Landon, rather, just smiled at Julie.

"By the way, are you coming to the music festival later?" Landon asked just to dwell on another topic.

"Yes we are." She showed a little beam. "We're very excited. My flannel shirt is ready."

"Flannel shirt?"

"Yeah!" Her eyes widened. "Don't tell me you don't have one."

"I do. I just didn't expect you would have one, someone from LA."

"It's a must have in county music festival."

Landon didn't try to refute her. Despite not being a fan of flannel shirt, he recognized that she has a point. If they were still in the eighty's where flannel shirt could be seen in the county areas especially during music festival. Now only a number of people show up in a flannel shirt. Yet, there's no doubt he still saw some in the previous Carolina Country Music Festival and would probably see in the evening.

"Anyway, I ask the front desk later to hand you some of the IDs you can use to meet some of the artist."

"Awesome! Would you also be there?" Julie interestingly asked.

"Unfortunately, I have to. I'll lead the sponsorship of the hotel."

"How about Mavis? Who would take care of him? If you like, we could watch over him while you're doing your thing."

Landon shook his head. "Oh no. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"It's the least we could do for the VIP access." She smiled. "Besides, Lea would surely love to be with Mavis. She's actually aiming to become a pediatrician in the near future."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Landon worriedly asked.

Julie nodded. "Totally!"

After chatting for fifteen more minutes, Julie returned to their room and possibly wakes her friends up for breakfast. But upon opening the door, she found out that she needed not to wake them up. Even the boys were in their suite. They were all patiently waiting for her.

"Where the hell you ran off to so early?" Maggie impatiently asked.

Julie smiled and sat next to Lea. "Just had a cup of coffee." She drew a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and wanted to show a poker face. Yet, the sound of her voice was enough to break the spell.

"Coffee? Did you forget what the doctor told you?" Sam asked.

"I didn't. It's just that I couldn't refuse an offer." She smiled again. "In fact, you have to thank me."

"Thank you? For what?" Shira inquired.

"For this--" She showed and gave them the IDs she waited and got at the front desk.

When Shira, who was sitting next to Lea, saw the words VIP and Carolina County Music Fest, she immediately grabbed one and looked at closely to check if what she was seeing was right. "This is a VIP pass to the music fest. Where on earth did you get it?"

"Don't tell me, they're from..." Maggie said, arching an eyebrow.

Julie nodded. "Yes, he gave them to me awhile ago."

"Oh my god!" Ryan began slowly. "Seriously?" He couldn't believe it. He's a huge fan of one of the artists who would perform that evening. "I can die right now. I would finally see Eric Church in person." Ryan grew up on the Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles but the RNB and POP culture didn't really sink in him. Rather, he had an eye and ear for country music as his grandfather who was living in Rodanthe often gives him country music albums. And when he heard Eric Church's How 'Bout You, which actually made the billboards country chart, he has literally written in his bucket list notebook to meet him someday.

Lea raised an eyebrow. "What did you do this time?" She suspected that Julie had somewhat harassed Landon for the VIP access, as Julie has always been spoiled and live by the principle, what Julie wants, Julie gets. Most of the time, she wouldn't stop until she receives what she wanted just like what she did when they were about to check in at MTL Palace.

Julie shook her head. "I didn't do anything foolish this time. I promise!" She raised her right hand, showing her sincerity. "He was the one who offered them."

Lea sighed. "And you didn't hesitate to accept them," Lea sarcastically added.

Such case is an example of the many reasons why Lea doesn't want Julie to go out alone. The moment Julie's out of her sight, she should immediately expect that she would be in trouble when she returns.

Julie thought about it. "Of course not. Why would I refuse such an offer? Besides, I thought of Ryan's dream."

"Thanks," Ryan remarked.

Lea didn't say a word anymore. She just again sighed knowing that whatever she would say, it would matter anyway since it was already a done deal.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Julie gently tapped Lea's lap. "I volunteered you to look after Mavis while Landon does his thing."

Lea couldn't believe what she heard. "You what?"

"You heard me. I volunteered you to watch over Mavis at the music fest."

Lea seemed to realize they were staring at her. "Why me?" she asked.

"I know why. Cause you're the only one among us who has patience with kids," Sam answered.

"And take it as your punishment about not telling us what happened with you yesterday's morning," Maggie added.

Lea leaned back in the coach. "Fine! Fine!" Lea just gave it. She knew she would be all the more in trouble if she wouldn't accept Julie's condition. "Can we eat now? I'm starving."