Ghost

Smile

Xariya's Point of View

I am here at home now and Pau is with me, She helped me pack some clothes that I'll bring later to the hospital. Nate is in the hospital and he's the one who's there with my dad now.

"Let's go, Pau." I invited Pauline to go after we got everything I needed to bring.

"Of course we should really go, I suddenly remembered your story last night so I'm scared!" She said so I laughed, she said she's scared but she managed to take a day off and accompany me today.

Before we could leave, I made sure that our house is locked just to make sure that it won't be robbed by thieves or whatever.

I also did not speak the whole ride and Pauline understands that, with what is happening in my life right now, I seem to have a hard time talking.

I didn't even notice that the taxi had stopped and Pau paid for me.

"I don't know if you pretend to be sad and all so I could pay for you." Pau said as we walked into the hospital.

Lately I notice, I have always been in the hospital. Maybe next time I’ll be the lying there but please no! I don't like that idea.

"You can conclude that." I answered and continued walking, ignoring the rest of what she was saying and ranting.

When we got in the elevator, Pau still kept talking but I didn't answer nor talk to her.

We were already outside my dad's room and I even caught the nurse coming out of the room who always checked on him, she just smiled at me and I did the same to her before entering. Dad was also awake when I entered so I was very happy.

"Hi, Andraste family." Pau greeted my family but they just laughed at her. They just talked about things while they are busy eating grapes. I also eat because it looks so yummy!

"Does the grape taste good?" Nate's mom asked me so I nodded and finish the grape I'm eating before eating another one.

"A friend of yours sent it." Dad said and I suddenly spit out the grapes. What the hell?!

"Huh?! Who?! Except for Pauline, I didn't tell anyone that you were in the hospital." I shouted because of shock and looked at Nate and Pau. I suddenly don't want to eat the grapes.

"I don't know either." Dad said again so I couldn't stop shouting.

"You're letting strangers enter here?! Dad, what if those fruits are poisonous?!"

"He looks proper and kind, Xari." I suddenly thought that it might be Adrian but my parents know him and it's impossible for him to visit because we don't communicate with each other for days now.

"He also knows Nate." Nate's dad suddenly interrupted so I looked at Nate who was also looking at me.

"That Ken Montero." He said and I was surprised.

"Huh? Oh my gosh! Xari?" Pau said and she's immediately by my side. Such a gossiper.

"Why did Ken went here?" I asked Nate but he glared at me. Uh? Did I do something wrong?

"I should be the one asking that. Why does he have to come here when he is not welcome? How did he know we were here? Unless he follows you." Disgusted he said and I was stunned.

"And what's going on between you two?" He asked disgusted again so I threw the grapes at him.

"Nothing, Nate! I don't even have his number!" I shouted. Why do I keep shouting today?

"Stop fighting, you two." Mommy interrupted us so I stopped but Nate didn't stop ranting about Ken being here.

"If that Montero is the reason behind of all this, I will beat him." He made a serious promise and left dad's room.

"That cousin of yours is scarier than your father! But what if he's right that Montero has a dirty plan? What are you going to do?" Pau whispered to me when Nate came out of the room.

"I'll find a way to find out why he's doing this, but I really feel like he is not it." I said so she looked at me with a surprise face.

"Huh? Xari! That man suddenly found out that you were here even though you don't have his number, according to you a while ago..." Pauline said and glared at me.

"I don't know, I just feel like it's not him." I just and kept quiet.

Honestly, I also do not know why I don’t doubt Ken Montero. Maybe because he is kind to me? I don't know. I'm tired of thinking.

***

Dainty's Point of View

For this day, I planned on shopping some clothes because I'm in the mood to find one and Montero told me that he'll pay for it.

I did not complain, because first all, I can save money if he'll pay for me and he always brag about how rich he is so it's not a problem if I'll spend his money.

"Why are you picking the same shirts? Try picking some dress." He said when he saw that I only pick shirts.

"I'm more comfortable with this." I answered and he shrugged and followed me to the counter and just like what I said, he paid for everything.

I don't know why I'm going out with this man. But he said he went somewhere else before this and he's bored in his office so he just decided to go with me.

After shopping clothes, we went to a fancy restaurant here and I was surprised when I saw Vincent there.

"Vincent's here?" I asked Montero.

"He's not here, that's why he's sitting there, right?" He answered sarcastically and walk towards the table where Vincent is sitting.

Many people there were greeting and because he's rude, he did not greet back everyone.

"Mr. Kendrix!" Vincent greeted him and he just nod. Vincent smiled at me too but he looks bothered.

"What happened, Vincent?" I asked him and it caught Montero's attention so he looked at Vincent too who's now scratching his head.

"Nothing, I'm just tired." He said and paused to look at Montero. "Mr. Kendrix, Xariya happened..." He sounds nervous.

And Xariya? What happened to her?

"What about her?" Montero sounds so interested. Is this idiot? Impossible. He hates romance.

"She threw the chocolates you gave her, coz she thinks that it has some poison or what." Vincent said while gulping and I can't help but laugh.

Montero gave chocolates to someone? That's so unlike him!

"And then..." Vincent continued. There's more?!

"And then what?" Montero sound pissed now.

"She's going out more often with Engr. Mivaez." Engr. Mivaez? That's Sir Adrian! Do not tell me that he's in a relationship with Xariya? It's not impossible because they look so close but it's still unexpected.

"The hell I care about her personal life?" He really sound so pissed and then his brows furrowed. "Engineer Mivaez, huh? His surname sounds so local." Then he stood up and excused himself.

Vincent and I are left here while gasping. Why would that rude guy insult Sir Adrian just because Xariya is going out with my boss?

Oh my gosh! Do not tell me!

"Is he jealous?"

"Is Mr. Kendrix jealous?"

Vincent and I cracked up when we asked the same question to each other.

"For sure he is." I said and shook my head.

So Ken Montero likes someone now? This is so new! I should prepare a party!

I continued laughing with Vincent and then an idea popped inside my head.

"You're following Xariya, right?" I asked and he nodded while still laughing.

"Know about her ideal type then give it to Montero so he'll get a chance." I said and he agreed.

Montero also came back after a while so we ordered our food and he's so quiet the whole time we are eating while me and Vincent are trying not to laugh at him.

___

I am alone now here at the mall, silently sitting, because Vincent still has a mission to do and Montero, I don't where he went to.

It was six o'clock in the evening when I received a text from Dr. Matteo asking where am I.

I am smiling while typing a reply. I'm so lucky that a professional like Dr. Matteo texts me.

Luke Matteo: Can you wait for me? I have something for you.

I gasped and unknowingly, I replied yes.

I actually did not wait for long because after a few minutes, he's already in front of me, with his lab coat hooking in his arm. He's also holding a box on his other hand.

"Good evening." He greeted formally.

"Good evening too, Doc." I greeted him back and he suddenly handed me the box he was holding.

Before I could ask about it, he already spoke. "My mom baked that, I don't like sweets that much so I decided to give it to you."

That's what he said and I couldn't speak nor move. I can't help but remember how RD buys me a cake every time. I'm being emotional right now and Dr. Matteo saw that and I saw him slightly panicked.

"Why? You don't like it? I'm sorry..." He said panicking a bit so I smiled at him and I don't know what's gotten into me but I suddenly hugged him.

I felt him froze but he still hug me back.

"Thank you..." I whispered.

"I really thought you didn't like it, but you're welcome." He said and I didn't get to answer because I saw RD from afar and he's staring directly at me!

I pushed Dr. Matteo and followed RD but I didn't see him again.

Maybe I'm just hallucinating? But why? Do I miss him that much?

"What's wrong, Dainty?" Dr. Matteo asked so I look back at him.

"It was nothing, sorry, I just saw someone familiar." I answered and smiled so he won't worry.

He didn't speak and just looked at the direction I'm looking at earlier.

"Really, it was nothing. Let's just go home." I said and even laugh. I saw him sighed before smiling.

"Alright, let's go home...together."

______

Hawaiianpizzapie

Montero Anthology