Chapter 12: Lurking

“I don’t understand why you keep hiding a secret from me!” I shouted. We are now in front of the garden at the back of their house. I can’t move my feet in their house. I feel like I’m committed to something when I enter their house.

I can’t understand why he always keeps hiding something from me. Did he not trust me? Well, if he didn’t trust me, I would not trust him similarly. I still go with him even if I am still mad at him. I didn’t know that I would be upset like this!

”That’s why we are here, Sylvie. I want to tell you everything. Please calm yourself, Sylvie” he pleaded. He moves near me that’s why I stepped back. ”Please, understand me” he intertwined his fingers.

”I suddenly remember my father because of you. From the start, he is hiding something from my mother and me. Now, I’m still accepting him as my father but I’m not that close to him. You are not actually like him because he is a lier and you are not worth to trust”

”Sylvie” that was he only said. I try more to distance myself from him. But my eyes widened at what I have said. Did I just compare him to my father? I can’t believe it!

”I’m sorry for my word, Zayden. I didn’t mean all of that” this time I don’t distance myself from him. I am the one who went near him.

”No, it is okay. You don’t have to apologize” he smiled bitterly. What did I do?!

Am I being too harsh on him? Maybe, yes. I can’t even filter the words that I am saying. This is too much. I should be the one who is fixing this. It is my fault.

”Zayden, I am really sorry.” I keep apologizing to him. But he is just smiling and he keeps telling me that he is fine. Even though I know, my words hurt him. I should not be childish! I should think first about what I will say!

Last time, I kept reminding myself that Zayden and my father are not the same. I should trust my instinct now. I can see that he is a good person. I should treasure this kind of person.

Weeks passed, Zayden and I didn't meet. I decided not to communicate with him for a while. Giving time for us to think. My mom went on vacation with my relatives. I chose to not join them to rest. To have peace of mind.

Until now, I am still thinking about how I can fix the thing in us. I think this was Zayden’s feelings or in his mind too in the past. When I keep avoiding him. Now, I understand that it is not easy. Not easy at all.

I was distracted when I heard my phone ringing. I took my phone and started answering the call. ”Where are you, Sylvie?” That was my mom. I can hear some background noises on the other line.

”I am in my room, mom” I answered. It takes a second before she answers. Probably she has an internet connection problem.

The background noises suddenly ended ”Stay at home. I heard there will be a typhoon there, my daughter” the call suddenly finished up.

I close the door and the windows so that the rain will not go inside our house. After that, I clean our house. I have nothing to do anymore. I lay down in my bed to sleep.

”Sylvie, Sylvie” I heard someone calling me ”Sylvie Wake up” I slowly opened my eyes. ”Hi!” she waved her hand at me. It was my cousin, Rean. She was standing beside my bed. Dean fixed her hair while calling me.

”Why are you here?” I calmly asked. I did not see him for a year that’s why I am curious.

She put her left hand beside the chair while she took the water and drank it with his right hand. ”Aunt Kathryn called me. She said you need to talk to someone” she curved her lips into a smile.

I stood up and went to the bathroom to take a bath. I wear a white t-shirt and blue shorts. After I went out of our bathroom and sat beside her. ”How are you? we are not seeing each other for a year huh” that was me.

She takes a sip of coffee. ”I’m fine. Actually, I am getting married” she showed me the ring on her ring finger. My eyes widened.

I am really not updated with my relatives. ”Really?” I turned my gaze in her ring ”That looks elegant” I complimented.

She curved her lips into a smile. She looks so joyous. I wonder how she feels. We had a long talk and she gave me the invitation to her wedding. The invitation looks so elegant too. Their wedding is 2 weeks from now. She said that I should have a date at their wedding but I just smiled and hooked my head. I have no idea who I wanted to invite.

”Aunt told me that you have a special someone now. I want to meet him! You know, Sylvie. I’m very curious about you. We are relatives but for me, you are very mysterious.” I just laughed at her. I don’t know how to react. How can I introduce someone when the two of us do meet occasionally.

The two of us continue to talk about life, especially about her wedding. She said that she is the one who will provide for my outfit. I just agreed with everything that she was saying. I wonder when I can be that happy like how she is feeling right now.

”I want this for you” that was Rean while showing me some dress. She requested that she want to pick some outfits for me. She took many things and I don’t know if I can wear all of that.

She initiates me to try the outfits that she picks because she wants to see me wearing those. When I was about to go to the dressing room area. I saw someone who is very familiar to me. He’s wearing the usual attire that really suits him. V neck polo and his pants. I don’t think he saw me because he was too busy looking for something. But still, I tried to hide myself to make sure that he would not see me.