Chapter 37

Halle went to the other store and Yui started looking at all the cute things there. "We never got along. She used me when she needed to. Almost ruined my life. Why shouldn't I hate her?"

"But she thinks you ruined hers." Arien noted.

"That's because I didn't play along with her story. She wanted me to . . ." Halle sighed. "I don't want to talk about it now." She smacked her head. "I need to call that man and inform him of the package." She took her phone.

"I think someone might be tracking your number."

"What do you mean?"

"Juniper was pretty serious when she didn't want to contact you in your number or use your account."

Halle eyes widened. "That means that system there could be hacked too . . ."

Arien touched his chin. "I agree with you but can I know why though?"

Halle couldn't meet his eyes. It was shameful talking about all of this as is. Explaining the reason could only mean that she'll be losing another person from her life. She didn't want that.

"I don't know. Juniper would know." said Halle. "She likes to bring people down with her. Especially me."

Arien regarded her then looked for Yui. "Hey, you got something there?"

Halle sighed and put her phone back in. He didn't believe her. Yui showed him a miniature statue. "It's a building, you want that?" asked Halle.

Yui nodded. "It looks pretty."

"We can't buy everything here, Yui." chided Halle. "You already have a bag of . . ." Halle paused. "What did you two buy when I was on the call?"

Yui was quiet shaking her head. She wants to keep a secret now? Halle looked at Arien for an explanation. He simply shrugged. She punched his arm. "Give me that, I need to check."

Arien look at Yui for her permission and she shook her head! "When did you two get so chummy!" she moved forward trying to take it from his hand. He took a step back before she could get her hands on it and pulled another bag from inside. Yui giggled.

"Check these," he handed it over. "This one is out of bounds."

"Give that too." Halle reached for it. He held it up high. She tried reaching for it again. She got a waft of his perfume . . . does he wear it all the time? This is the first time she'd noticed. Yui couldn't stop laughing at them. She straightened herself. "Fine, have it." She took the other one.

Arien smirked.

She punched him in the arm again. "Stop grinning."

"Ow!" he feigned pain. "I wasn't."

"Yeah, right." She turned to him. "But really, what's inside that?"

Arien looked at Yui busy with another toy. "You really wanna know?"

"Yes."

Arien leaned close to her ear. "It's a secret." He whispered.

Halle became furious. "I am going to pull every strand of hair on your head one by one until you cry."

Arien looked appalled. "Wow, you have a great fantasy for pain."

"Shut up." She muttered.

"She sure does love miniature buildings and figurines." said Arien.

"I'm going to be so dead when we go back home." Halle turned. "Shizuka won't like this."

"It's just for a day right?"

Halle smiled and nodded. "They're going home for the holidays. It will be another two or three weeks before I'll see them."

Arien stopped. "So it will be only you and Aunt Cass?"

"Yeah." Halle sighed. "Normally I'll let Pace run the café open for half a day or so. Now, I can't do that either."

"Why not?"

Halle rolled her eyes. "You know how many customers we get right? I can't let her handle it alone. I need to get someone to take care of mom for a while."

"Why not stay at Pace's house for a while?"

She turned. "That would be terrible. I don't want to be a burden."

"But in the current situation you can't trust anybody you don't know. Do you know anybody other than Shizuka and Pace?"

Halle narrowed her eyes. "No . . . I thought of asking the nearby neighbour to check on her once in a while."

Arien nodded.

"Yui," chided Halle. "You can take only one of those stuffed pokemons, not all of them."

"No!" Yui moaned. "At least two, please."

"Let me first check how much one is." Halle as she took one of them from Yui.

500.00

That's a lot.

Arien took it from her hand. "If it looks like a lot, then I'll pay for the other one." He murmured.

"But—" she tried to argue. "I brought her here and you're paying for everything!"

"It's alright." He smiled.

Noticing how close he was her voice caught in her throat. Halle nodded.

"Yui, pick two from this." said Halle.

"I like all of them."

"You keep forgetting that we have to go home and see your mom." Halle reminded her. "You think we'll get out of this alive?"

Yui quietly picked two of them gave it to her. Halle was dumbfounded. "How much of fear has Shizuka instilled in her?" she muttered.

Arien laughed.

Halle went to the counter to pay. Arien took his card. "No, wait." said Halle. "I'll pay for both."

"Seriously?"

She went red. "Yeah, you paid for those and the ice cream. I'll pay for this."

"It's fine." He handed the card to the cashier. Halle pulled his arm.

"Let me do it." She handed the card. She gave him a sideways glance. He was filled with humour. "Don't laugh."

"Of course."

She took the bag and the card. "Thanks."

"Give it to me, I'll carry it." Arien offered.

Halle smiled. "No, I'll—" he narrowed at her. "—take it . . ."

He took it from her and gave her a smile. "I'll do it, it's okay."