Chapter 8

Smile that is brighter than the sun. Where painted in her face. Its been days but it felt surreal for her. Up until now she could still smell and feel his warmth back. She been dazing out for awhile now. Her eyes are looking inside the window where tree leave playing with the wind. Swaying side by side while birds singing. She was brought back when someone tap her shoulder. Her head turn to the right. She saw her friend, and look at her with question look.

A awkward smile is form to her lips. “ well.. are you coming with us?” she ask.

“Coming where?”, Ian ask back.

There friend but in, “are you not listening to us?”.

Ian shake her head with innocently. Her friends look at her with widen eyes.

Jean cant believe her eyes, “ I thought you were listening to us!” she exclaim.

“We been talking to you for a while now, and you are even responding with us”, Mau continue.

“Ah.. eh..” Ian don’t know what to say or she cant explain her self.

Jenny sigh with her reaction. While Mau cross her arms in front of Ian and look at her with surprise.

On the other hand, Jean squint her eyes as she move her head close to Ian and look at her closely. Before asking her, “last time, you look like it is the end of the world, but now you look like a sun, shinning bright”, she said while observing her eyes.

Mau got curious and look Ian closely too. And speak, “I could see star in your eyes”.

A sweet smile form in her lips, before shrugging her shoulder to them, as if she’s saying, ‘I don’t know but I am happy’.

Jean hold her self not to do a face palm. But she didn’t hold herself to smack the back of her head. Ian look at her with a glare, Jean glare back at her. They were looking into each other eyes, not one want to accept defeat. They were having a staring contest, the one who look away or blink will be a loser.

Jhen and Mau look at each other, doing a face gesture. Pointing who among them shall stop Jean and Ian from the staring contest. Both of them are having a cold chill under their veins.

A cellphone ring took everyone attention. They glance each other before scooping there phone where they place their phone. They turned there back to each other as they answer the call.

“hello”, Ian said as she answer her phone.

“oh, good you answer your phone, Young Miss”, said by the person from the other side.

“What is it?”, she ask with coldness in her voice.

“Don’t be like that Young Miss”, it replied.

Ian speak again with colder voice, “is that all you need to say? I will end the call”.

“No, please don’t be like that young miss”, with pleading voice the man said.

“Then stop wasting my time, speak”, she said in low voice with authority. Ian hear a sigh from the man she’s talking to, before it speak. “I call because I am here to report”, the man speak formally. Ian responded, “what is the report?”.

“your grandfather has arrive at your fathers mansion looking for you”, it said. Her eyes sparkle upon hearing ‘grandfather’ but soon died down and a gloomy mood rise up. “why would grandfather go there without calling or telling me..?” she said with gloomy tone.

“I am truly sorry Young miss, for not knowing the details”, it respond.

With a pout Ian respond, “ its not your fault for not knowing I am sure you are dismiss as well as everyone inside the room leaving only my parents inside”, with consoling tone.

“I am so pleased for your understanding young miss,” it respond.

“Tsk, is that all?”, she changing the topic so the man wont tell more.

“May I add that I cant call you earlier to report, I can only do so after he leaves”, man said.

“Its fine it is good you told me”, Ian said.

“Thank you, for your time Young miss. I wont bother you any further”, it said before the line died.

Ian is happy and nervous at the same time. She is happy that she will see grandpa again. Nervous because she know she will be close guarded again. She sigh before putting back the phone inside her bag. She want to call Neil to confirm but she doubt he will answer. ‘I wonder why grandpa come back, he said the last time that he will take his time so he could enjoy his vacation, did something happen.. no.. no.. noo..’ her head shake. As she bite her nails. She stand up while walking back and fort. Her friends notice her, they end there call and come closer to her.

Ian stop walking because someone is staying in her way she look up whose in her way. Upon lifting her head she saw several eyes with worried look. A small smile form in her lips consoling the owner of those eyes. Without words they hug her. Each of them cant express or don’t know what to say to Ian.

Feeling the warm from the hug of her friends she give them a few tap. They release Ian, and smile to her. Ian smile back to her friends. A soft one.

With laughter they arrive at the parking area. They bid goodbye with each other with a hug. Mau is the first one that get the car followed by Jhen whose hitching on Mau. For the reason that her car is coding. Maureen started the car and send flying kiss to her friends before leaving the place.

Jean look at the sky, the sky is dye with orange and yellow. A few dark clouds is around. She took her phone out and take a snap. She took few picture before putting it back to her bag. She walk towards to her car, open the driver seat. She is about to enter her car when she notice Ian is looking at the sunset. She called her name, “Jillian”. And when she look at her, Jean wave her hand, asking her to come with her.

Ian happily oblige. She walk fast to the car and goes to the passenger seat. She put her seatbelt. She is busy fixing the seatbelt, when she hear someone clearing its throat. She lift her head and look towards to the person.

Jean start the engine as she clear her throat. At the corner of her eye, she see at that Ian is looking at her waiting for her to speak. “Don’t forget to come on Saturday.” Jean said.

“I wont forget, I am sure if I forget you will barge to my house and force me to prepare.” Ian replied.

“I am glad that you know what will happen,” Jean said while driving