Chapter 13

Since that day, Jeremy often comes to the house. Sometimes took Teresa out. Sometimes just talking with Teresa or with Ruby and Raymond.

Jeremy rarely talks with Joana because when he comes, Joana will hide in her room while reading her favorite romance novels.

Ruby and Raymond support Jeremy and Teresa's relationship even though they don't know about Jeremy's family yet. In the eyes of Ruby and Raymond, Jeremy is a kind, responsible, and down-to-earth man.

He is compatible with Teresa, who is beautiful, cheerful, and good at carrying herself. Even though she comes from a simple family, she can undoubtedly adjust to Jeremy's family, who are far away from them.

Jeremy came back to pick up Teresa. He introduced the girl to Jeremy's uncle, who had been caring for Jeremy since Jeremy's parents died.

Teresa was also very flowery. She has also prepared her best clothes for this crucial moment. She wore a cape dress with pastel colors which made her look elegant.

"Gosh, Joana, my heart is beating so fast. I've never been in a relationship this far!" Teresa exclaimed, jumping up and down in front of her sister.

Joana also felt happy and excited at the same time, "I didn't think he would finally introduce you to his family," she said.

Teresa then squeezed Joana's shoulders, "pray for me, Joana. That Jeremy's family will receive me well."

Joana nodded, "of course, I really hope you can continue with him because he is a very good man," she replied.

Teresa laughed cheerfully, "I'll take you on vacation to France when I marry Jeremy," she chuckled.

Joana laughed amusedly, "don't go too far. Finish your college first!" she said.

Teresa laughed again, "I was just joking, but if it really happened wouldn't I be like Cinderella who married a handsome prince," she joked.

"Hey, wake up, hurry up. Your boyfriend must be tired of waiting," said Joana.

Teresa smiled, "Okay, Cinderella will go now. A handsome prince will kidnap me and take me to his beautiful palace," she joked again as she left Joana.

Joana smiled amusedly while shaking her head at her sister's behavior. Hopefully, what Teresa hoped for really happened. If Teresa is happy, then Joana will be happy too.

***

When Teresa returned home and Jeremy said goodbye to go home, she jumped up and down for joy and went straight into the room, looking for Joana.

"Joana, you should know this!" Teresa exclaimed with a big smile on her face.

Seeing her sister's expression, Joana couldn't wait to know what was going on, "tell me!" he exclaimed.

"I met Jeremy's uncle earlier. I had no idea he took me to his house and introduced me to his uncle," Teresa recounted her thrilling experience with enthusiasm.

"You said Jeremy only lives with his uncle right now. Does he like you?" asked Joana curiously.

Teresa then fell silent, "I don't know," she replied with a shrug, "but he tells me a lot about Jeremy, who has lost his parents since he was in school," she continued.

"What's the story?" Joana looked curious.

Teresa's smiling face then turned sad, "Before, I didn't know much about Jeremy. He's quite secretive, he knows more about me, and I don't know anything about him. All this time, I've only seen an adorable arrogant man. I didn't expect that Jeremy is a lonely person behind his arrogant attitude because he now only has his uncle."

"I thought Jeremy's life was perfect," thought Joana.

Teresa glanced at her sister, who was sleeping on her stomach while reading a novel, "Nothing is perfect in this world, Joana, don't be naive," she scolded.

"After all, he doesn't seem to lack anything. He is handsome, rich, and a person as beautiful as you are his lover. What else is lacking in him?" said Joan.

"You think we live in a fairy tale? This is the real world, Joana. We will face many unexpected things, whether happy or sad. We have to be ready to face it," said Teresa.

"You talk like that makes you look like a father," Joana grumbled. Teresa seemed to her more like Raymond, who always gave her a lot of life advice.

"Do I look like Dad?" Teresa asked.

Joana nodded, "yes, I think so," she replied. "Hey, are you going to marry Jeremy?" he asked.

Teresa blushed, "why did you ask that?"

"So why, does your relationship also have no purpose there, or are you just playing around?" accused Joana.

Teresa pushed the novel in Joana's hand until it was pressed against her sister's face, "don't tell me I'm just playing around," she scolded.

"So?" Joan frowned.

Teresa sighed and plopped down on the bed, hugging a pillow, "we've never talked about anything that serious, but my feelings for him are genuine, and I'm not messing with him," she said.

"Jeremy isn't playing with you either, is he? The proof is that he introduced you to his uncle," thought Joana.

"Hopefully," Teresa muttered.

"Hopefully? What do you mean, you've been taken to his house? Doesn't that mean he's serious?" Joan frowned.

Teresa chuckled, "I don't know," she mumbled again.

"You doubt it?" asked Joan.

"We live what is there and leave everything to fate, he once told me. If we are meant to be, we will marry someday. Don't be too pushy and love too much if my hopes don't reach them. I will hurt myself," said Teresa.

Joana paused for a moment, thinking about Jeremy's words to her sister, "he said that like he didn't want to just marry you," she thought.

Teresa glanced at her sister, "You think so?"

Joana shrugged, "I don't know," she replied.

"We'll see. After all, we have to finish college first," Teresa concluded, leaving their room.

Since then, Joana felt something terrible would happen to Jeremy and Teresa's relationship. Even though they seem sweet and very compatible, Joana can think that the foundation of their relationship is not that strong.

***

One day a young man came to Joana's house. He is Zain, his best friend since childhood. Zain is two years older than Joana and 3 years younger than Teresa.

Since childhood, Zain has often come to play with Joana. Moreover, the distance between his house is very close to Joana's house, so when they were little, Zain and Joana used to play together almost daily.

There is a small lake not far from Ruby and Raymond's garden. That's where Joana and Zain often spend time together. They have even built a tree house on the edge of the lake.

"Ah, Zain, what are you doing here?" Joana asked while noticing Zain's neat appearance, "where are you going?" he asked again.

"I want to say goodbye to you. I will move to another city with my family," replied Zain with a downcast face.

Joana, who was happy because of Zain's arrival, the smile on her face faded, and now she was frozen in place.

***