"Kanae, Palatino likes this one." I pointed at the picture that Palatino was pointing at.

"I see, I see. How about you? Do you want anything?" Kanae nodded, reading the menu.

"How unusual for you to ask me." I giggled.

"Really? I thought it's normal for him." Kunai joined in.

"Celeste, is he really a good guy?" Palatino tugged my long sleeve, pointing at him as he did.

"Not at all." I bluntly answered.

"Hey. Don't ignore me." Adam blurted out.

"But I already know about it." Kanae and I answered simultaneously, not looking at him.

"Was I that obvious?" Adam sounded worried. I don't know what he's worried about. The fact that we didn't react or the fact that we knew about it before he could have a chance to explain. He is a bit disappointed since Cervi was the only one who was shocked-- in fact, he is the only one who reacted. All of us ignored him. Kanae and I already knew about it, and Kunai and Palatino doesn't know what we're talking about.

"Kunai, who's your brother?" I again ignored Adam's worried question.

"Ah, he's in Year 11 and has a big and muscular build and--"

"He's Eskar." Kanae interrupted. He doesn't want time getting wasted. To make things short, he's-- wait who is he again?

"Eskar...? Hmm... That guy that tried to bully you?" I furrowed my eyebrows, thinking deeply about the two. I wonder how they even survived each other. "That guy that AC is with?" I further asked.

"Yeah. That guy." Kanae answered. "Hey, you two, what do you want to eat?" He faced the father and son.

"I'm not hungry." Adam quickly replied.

"I will just go to another table so you wouldn't have to pay." Cervi politely excused himself and went to the opposite table across us. Adam followed him.

Now that those two are way over there, I could relax now and focus on the food that will soon be in front of me. Oh right, I'm not going to eat... That's a pity.

Kanae raised his hand and told the waiter our order. After that, the atmosphere feels heavy and no one wanted to speak up. When those two aren't around, we couldn't find a topic to talk about. Kunai and Kanae aren't even talking anymore! Did they finally ran out of things to say earlier?

Then a thought hit me. I stood up from my seat and proceeded to walk towards the exit without uttering a single word.

"Where are you going, Missy?" Kanae asked.

"I don't want to bother you." I answered, turning to him.

"But you do know that the person I was waiting for is Adam, right?"

"Yes. Continuing from earlier, this was the scene before those two came in, isn't it? I will continue the scene from earlier. I leave Palatino in your care." I bowed, dismissing myself.

I saw a glimpse of Kanae's open mouth but after that, he immediately shut it and turned away. I don't need to see their expressions anymore. My job here is done, isn't it?

Walking mindlessly towards nothing. I don't remember the path that I took. I'm so hopeless, aren't I? I know a lot of my weaknesses already.

1. I suck at Maths, despite being smart at everything else.
2. I have no sense of direction.
3. I'm not good with handling my emotions, despite being a great actress.

Sigh. I wish someone can remove these weaknesses of mine.

I thought as I reached a bridge. Where the hell am I now? This is actually a nice bridge... Aah! I shouldn't stray away from what I should do. I should find a way to my house immediately. But before that, staring at the scenery at this bridge is perfect.

The relaxing colour of the leaves-- orange and its neighbouring other colours-- the red-orange and yellow-orange really catches my attention. The sky is so clear, the weather is nice. It's a perfect scenery to relax.

Which reminds me, today is October 8, Saturday. I keep getting off-track with the dates nowadays. I wonder why. Is it because I'm being too careless? Is that it? Whatever it is, I'll just keep on doing what I want. That way, there wouldn't be any problems.

The group separated, didn't it? Zan was brainwashed and is now with Joan, Joan and I had a fight so we don't hang out, Cervi finally found his biological father, same as his pitiful old man, and Kanae found his true love, who is surprisingly the sister of a bully who works either for AC or for Adam. Either way, I would still beat the two masterminds, ignoring Eskar like he's air.

I wonder what I can do now. I'm lost.

"Celeste?" I heard from behind.

I looked to where the voice came from and was surprised that the person called me is the same person that wanted me to leave. What is he doing here?

"What are you doing here?" He asked, approaching me slowly.

"I should be asking you that." I replied.

"Idiot." He uttered, hitting me on the head. Before I could retort, he continued. "Don't take everything I say seriously."

I gawk at him then blink twice. Kanae Baade, the delinquent that bullies bullies is being a nice guy? Impossible! This must be Kunai's doing.

"Did Kunai tell you to do that?" I asked, turning away. "If she did, then I don't want to hear it."

"She didn't. It was my own choice." He replied. He didn't insist me to face him or even tease me for paying too much attention to her.

"Yeah, right." I sarcastically replied, not believing what he said.

"Do you not trust me?"

Those words stabbed me like swords coming in all directions. I can't say I do because he will tell me to believe him. And if I said I don't, he'll tell me to trust him.

"No...." Aw, fuck it! I did eat my words. I sometimes don't trust him but majority, I do. But in this situation, I don't even know if the remainder of the group can still be together.

"Trust me." As expected. "Is that what you were expecting me to say?" Huh? "Why don't you trust me?"

I turned my whole body to face him and let out the reason. "You were with that Eskar's sister, right? You didn't tell me anything about her. Once she just entered the scene, you were giving her a lot of attention! I was talking yet you two seem like you're having fun flirting! Don't you get how irritating that is? And you didn't tell me sooner that Adam is the one that you were going to meet. Moreover, the last one, you wanted to get rid of me so I did. So what do you want now?!" I shouted.

Kanae then shoved me a drink in a plastic cup. It looks like a strawberry milkshake since it's pink, tall, and it's in a plastic cup. In the middle, there's a logo that says "Starbucks".

"Here." He says.

I took it from his hands and tasted it, drinking by the straw. It tastes so rich. It doesn't taste like a milkshake since milkshakes are more liquid. This is more solid and the whipped cream also tastes sweet. Despite that, I can still taste the strawberry flavour.

Kanae grabbed the straw and mixed the whipped cream with the milkshake-like content.

"This is a Frappuccino from Starbucks." He explained. "You like strawberry too, right? It's Strawberry and Cream."

"Frappuccino...." I repeated, trying to memorise. "It's delicious." I commented, smiling brightly. "Why did you buy this?"

"You felt like you were left out, didn't you?"

I chuckled a bit, surprising him. "Thank you." I said. "Oh, you didn't leave Kunai all by herself, did you?"

He snorted. "Of course not. I'm not the type of guy to leave a helpless girl alone. I walked her home."

"Is that so? How unusual, indeed." I dryly told him. "Well, explain to me why you know her, her address, and family."

"Why are you being persistent, Missy? It's not like I'm dating her." He chuckled.

"What about Palatino?" I changed the subject.

"He's with Cervi and Adam."

"I see..." I replied, sipping the frappuccino. "Hey.... You know the way home, right?"

"The way to your home?"

"Y-yeah..." I reluctantly answered, fidgeting around. I couldn't help but move around so much. I'm nervous. I know what he's going to do, make fun of me and tease me.

He bursted into a fit of laughter, as expected. "That's why you're here!" He exclaimed. "You look like a melancholic child with that kind of expression earlier! Are you sad because you're lost? Hahaha!!" He continued on, rambling about.

"I admit that I'm lost but I'm not sad because of it!"

"Aww. Don't be ashamed to tell the truth." He continued laughing, rubbing my head.

I slapped his hand away. "No! Listen to me when I speak!" I said with a serious tone. "Our group is separated and I'm afraid that you'll leave me too!" I shouted, my voice slightly cracking.

Kanae was surprised. I can clearly see his eyes widening. He couldn't say anything. I couldn't too.

A drip from my eye fell down and traveled its way down to my chin. I hastily wiped them off with my sleeve and turned away from Kanae.

I remember the first time I cried. I was going to be separated from Cervi. I felt like I'm incomplete without him. And now, if he joins in with Kunai, I will be left alone. How am I going to cope up with that now?

"You're....lonely....?" Kanae asked. I can sense him trembling his way towards me.

"What does it look like?" I scolded him. To console myself, I continued on drinking the frappuccino while hiding the sadness. I couldn't deceive him now. He already saw through it.

"I... I should leave you here then. But, once you calmed down, remember that I won't leave you. Kunai is just a childhood friend. I'm not leaving you for her. After all, I'm not the type of guy to leave a helpless girl alone." Kanae's voice softened. That's where I can hear the footsteps slowly fading away.

Shit! I forgot to ask him to walk me home! It's over now. I'm so stupid. I should've asked him to bring me home first then complain. How am I going to go home now?

I groaned, knowing how hopeless I am now. The frappuccino is
empty. I threw the cup away and stared into the sky in the distance.

Suddenly, a red rose was shoved on my face. It didn't startle me but it bothered me. Nevertheless, I took the rose and faced the person who gave it to me.

"My, you should not have a long face. It ruins your beauty, miss." He says, smiling warmly.

I blinked twice, staring at him.

"You shouldn't stare at me for so long. You might be captivated by me." He announced, putting his hand on my chin.

I blinked twice again, not following to what he's saying. "May I ask who you are?"

"I humbly apologise for not introducing sooner. My name is Carol Evans."

"Evans..." The name sounds familiar. When I finally reached it, I pounded a fist on my palm. "The reckless and lazy family!" I finally answered.

Carol chuckled. I don't know what he's happy about when I'm trying to insult him. "Yes. We are." He laughed. "What is your name, little miss?"

"Celeste Auden." I quickly replied.

"Auden, yes! You were there in the party. That's why you know the Evans." He chuckled again. "Your residence is way over there, isn't it?"

"Really? Where? Can you lead me there?" I talked without thinking. I was excited to know that he knows about it.

"Oh, are you lost?" He asked with a pitiful face.

"I..." I turned away, hiding my face. I feel my face being warm and red.

He giggled. "Is that why you were looking so sad?"

I jolted, quickly facing him to prove something. "No! It was partially that but..." I stopped, reminiscing about that memory again. "...mainly, it's a whole different reason." I meekly continued.

"Do not worry, miss Auden, as a gentleman, I shall guide you to your residence. Follow me." He says. Despite that, he bent his arm like he's going to escort me. It's not actually "following" as he said, is it?  Haha.

We walked for a while. I lost track of everything as I was drunk in my thoughts. When he stopped, that's when I was snapped back to reality.

"Here we are." He smiled brightly.

I looked at my house then back at the trail we just walked. I looked at the sky and calculated it all. It looks like that we have been walking for hours. Maybe it's already 11 am! I slid my hand off of Carol's arm and double-checked if my calculations are correct.

"What's wrong?" He asked, trying to get close to me.

"How many hours have we been walking?" I asked to tell if my calculations are correct.

"Hmm.. Let's see... So we started at 8:40 am... And we walked for... An hour and 50 minutes. It's 10:30 am now." Carol coolly answered. It feels like I'm talking to Kanae in a way. The quick answer, the ability to determine the time without looking at a clock or watch, it's all similar to Kanae.

Well, it's near 11, so I'm partially correct. I looked around the place. It looks deserted.

"Carol, do you want to come and eat lunch here?" I formally invited him.

"Of course, as long as it does not bother you, miss." He formally bowed upon accepting my invitation.

I weakly smiled as I motioned him to come inside. I opened the grand doors inside and saw Patricia and Johnny being noisy around this time. I almost forgot that they work everyday. I even forgot that they live here!

"Johnny, where are the papers?" Patricia asked, rummaging through the drawers in the kitchen.

"It's in our bedroom, honey." Johnny replied, opening the kitchen cabinets. "Before you go, where is my sock?"

"It's in the laundry room, dear." Patricia replied as she dashed to her room.

To be honest, I usually don't mind their existence but since I'm with a visitor, I cannot simply ignore it. But now I am not ignoring it, I feel like I'm watching two idiots struggling to fill a laundry basket with water.

"Why don't you sit down in the sofa for a while?" I invited him to mask my disconcerting expression I'm hiding underneath.

Carol obediently sat down on our sofa. Taking this obedience in account, I dashed to the kitchen and rushed to prepare tea. I was about to take a glass but I feel like it was a bit heavy. I checked on it and there was a sock inside... A freaking sock inside!!

"Johnny, I found your sock!!" I shouted.

Johnny rushed to me like a dog. He took the sock from my hand and struggled to wear it while standing on one foot. What an idiot indeed.

I continued my business, looking for a decent empty clean cup that I can use for a visitor. I cycled through it all and just found one perfect for a visitor. The other ones are not. It looks like a tornado happened inside the glass cabinets and only one survived.

I took the glass from the cabinet and stared at it. I then realised that I need a cup and not a glass. I immediately took a light green teapot from one of the bottom drawers and put the water in. While it's heating up, I decided to search for a cup-- a teacup.

•

I finally found a teacup! I was genuinely delighted. A simple white teacup with a matching saucer. Perfect for a visitor!

I gently placed the teacup and saucer on a counter and struggled to search for the box of teabags. I opened several cabinets, maybe even all of them, but found none. I felt so stupid but I had no choice so I looked through the drawers too. I was disgusted to see papers in the kitchen drawers, all I could not understand. A sole answer entered my mind.

"Patricia, I found the papers!" I shouted.

After 2 seconds, Patricia is in front of me, enthusiastically opening her palm to me. I gave the papers and she rushed to return outside the kitchen.

Underneath those papers is a lonely teabag. I sighed as I put the teabag in the teacup.

Great timing and the water in the teapot starts to boil! I quickly turned the stove knob off and poured the boiling water in the teacup. That's when I put the teabag in. Afterwards, I stirred it for a second.

I set it for 2 minutes before removing the teabag and threw it in the bin.

I carried the saucer and teacup, cautiously walking until I reached the living room. Patricia and Johnny running around the whole place doesn't actually help. Then again, I don't expect them to be of help anyway.

I sighed, rushing to the living room and sliding the saucer on the coffee table, serving it with style.

"Don't you have one?" He asked, staring at my side of the table.

I waved my hands to dismiss. "I don't want tea." I tried to reason out.

"I am not the type of guy that ignores a lady. I cannot drink the tea if you're feeling left out." Carol dramatically put it.

"Left out..." The thought echoed in my mind. "Oh, don't mind me. I really don't like tea. Isn't it rude for you to refuse a lady's hard work?" I used his own style against him.

He was surprised at my response and gentle smile (that I deceived him with) that he starts to sip on the teacup while hiding his face from embarrassment. "Th-thank you." He stuttered.

I giggled at his reaction. I looked around our living room and tried to look for something to do while he's sipping tea.

"Miss Auden,"

"Oh, Celeste is fine." I interrupted.

"Celeste, why did you invite me for lunch?" He asks as he raised the teacup and sipped a little amount of tea.

"It's a token of gratitude for safely taking me home." I answered, tilting my head to the side as I brightly smiled.

"I see. Thank you." His face turned light pink.

"Pleasure." I responded.

In the silent atmosphere around us, I can clearly hear Patricia and Johnny's struggle to run to the exit.

"Is Angelo staying here?" I heard Patricia's noisy voice reaching the living room.

"Yes. He is the only one staying." Johnny replied. I hear thumping sounds that sounds like it came from his shoes.

"What about the maids?" Patricia asked, sounding like she cares about the house more than the ones inside.

"I told them to take a week off. We're not going to return until next week, right?"

"What about the house?"

"Celeste can take care of it herself. She should be happy that we're now giving her access to the whole house!" Johnny defended.

"We need to tell her about this."

"Right."

They rushed to the living room. I can hear their footsteps getting louder and louder each step towards this room.

Patricia is unsurprisingly the one in front who slammed the door open, creating a grand entrance to catch attention to herself.

"Celeste, Johnny and I are going to Leeds for a short vacation. The maids are having their off while we're away. It's too troublesome to pay them when we're away for the whole week. In that time, you need to replace the maids so you need to take care of the house. Angelo is still there, as well as Sebastian. Those two alone are enough for your necessities, right?" She shouted, hoping that her voice will reach me. "Oh, Evans, is it? Why are you here?" She just noticed.

"Mrs. Auden, I was invited by your daughter for lunch." Carol politely replied.

"I see. Well, good luck there." She waved to dismiss. She faced me with a whole different face. "You!" She pointed at me with her index finger. "If I see a small dust particle in this house that I left to you, you'll clean the whole bloody community, got it?!" She shouted at my face.

I pushed her away from my face and solemnly nodded. Afterwards, she proceeded to exit the house, the maids following their exit. After they closed the grand entrance doors, the atmosphere became silent again.

"Is it like that everyday?" Carol curiously asked, a bit worried about me.

"Not really." I answered. "They don't even interact with me."

He noticed my smile fading away each second that we don't talk. We were like that for a while.

It was so silent that I can hear the wall clock ticking loudly. It was so silent that when Carol slammed the teacup to the saucer, I was startled. Like earlier, Carol shoved the red rose on my face but this time, using the sound from the slamming of the teacup as a distraction.

"Don't make that long face, miss. I do not like seeing you looking like that." He announced.

As stupid as it is, I accepted the red rose. It really is stupid but... I feel relaxed when I look at it.

I snickered. "Whatever." I shrugged, tilting my head to the side.

"You laughed!" He said, pointing at me with such delight. It looks like that making me smile or laugh with a red rose is an achievement for him. I don't see why not.

"Thank you." I warmly told him. He blushed, pausing to what is happening around us. It looks like the whole world stopped. But then I decided to snap him back to reality. "Oh yeah, what do you want for lunch?"

He flinched. This means that I snapped him back to reality successfully. "Oh, uhh... What do you like?"

"I don't like any particular food." I honestly answered.

"Then, I'll go with seafoods please."

"Seafoods..." I repeated, thinking about the animals living in the sea-- crabs, lobsters, mussels, shrimps, fishes, hmm... Good choice.

"Alright, I'm going to the kitchen." I announced, stretching while still holding the rose on my right hand.

"You're going to cook?!" He asked in surprise.

"No, silly. I'm going to tell the cook." I explained, exiting the living room. I didn't get to see his reaction though. Too bad, isn't it?

I walked inside the kitchen and searched for Angelo. When he appeared, he was going to change to his chef uniform. I was surprised to see this so I backed away for a meter.

"Why didn't you change sooner?" I asked in surprise.

"Oh, I already changed earlier. That uniform is stained. Where's Franz? She's the one taking care of the laundry, right?" He asked, carelessly raising the stained uniform while peeking to the hallway even though it's obviously not possible. There is a fucking door and a wall that blocks it!

"Didn't you hear? The couple went to Leaves or something and they entrusted me to do all the household chores while the maids are on the week off, because it's 'too troublesome' for them to pay their allowance." I briefly explained.

"Then, give this to Sebastian." He said, shoving the uniform on my face.

"Later!" I demanded. "Cook a seafood dish with crabs, lobsters, mussels, shrimps and fishes. Make it look presentable and delicious. I'm looking forward to it." I said before taking the uniform with me outside. I know that he will fulfill my order regardless.

I went to the garage and immediately shoved the uniform at Sebastian's face.

"What is it?" He stared at me confusingly.

"Angelo stained his uniform. Wash it." I demanded.

"Aren't you the one in charge of the chores?" He smirked, crouching down to reach my level as he continuously teases me. "Why don't you cry for your parents to come so they'll do it for you instead? Mommy, wash my laundry! Hahahaha!" He laughed.

I kneed him on the stomach and stormed off the garage. I went back inside the house and went to the laundry room. I honestly don't know what to do.

As I struggle on how to use the machines in front of me, I keep on hurting myself each time I attempt. I attempted to kick it to make it start working but it's useless. I tried to turn all the knobs but nothing is happening. I seriously don't know how to use this thing.

Well, as usual, I'll just leave the dirty uniform here and come back for it tomorrow after I search on how to use a washing machine. My friends are usually useful for these kinds of stuffs but...I believe we are all broken now. I don't see why they will still contact me and I will contact them.

I shoved my phone back inside my pocket. I was able to stop myself from actually contacting them for information.

I walked past the kitchen, went outside, meeting the hallway, turn right before the staircases, and then enter through the door, living room!

"Is everything ok in here?" I asked, carefully opening and closing the door.

"Yes, miss. Nothing happened." Carol answered, facing me with a bright smile.

"I'm glad." I commented. "The food should be ready after a while. What do you want to do by then?" I asked, glancing on the wall clock that kept on ticking to make some noise in this room.

"Sit down. I want to talk to you about something." He solemnly invited. The bright smile from earlier turned into a scary serious face. I couldn't sense a certain evil presence on him though. That's odd. It's been the first time I see someone like this.

I sat down on the sofa across him and waited for his first statement.

"You are an Auden, correct?" He asked. It's like he's imitating an interview.

"Yes. That is correct." I replied, following his antics.

"So what do you think of your workaholic parents?"

"They are indeed workaholic. They spend so much time at work that they never have time for me, even on weekends. We don't mind each other's businesses. That's one point-- one reason for me to like them." I answered with my genuine feelings.

"Don't you feel lonely without them?"

"Well, I don't since I have my group of friends but..." My tone started slowing down and my voice lowered. I glanced on the ground, hanging my head. "I feel lonely now that they are all gone..." I continued, albeit hesitantly.

"Auden, I don't want to further your loneliness. What and where is your school?" He readied a notepad and a pen. How did he get this serious? An Evans being serious? That's like once in a blue moon!

"Huh? Well... Class A School. I don't exactly know where. I keep forgetting it." I hopelessly answered.

"What? Class A School? That's where my brother goes to. That means..." He raised his head. His hands stopped moving. He was about to write but when he recalled the name, he was surprised to hear it. He already knows that he doesn't need to write it.

I gawked at him for a while before tilting my head with an innocent act. "Another transfer student?"

"Yes! Exactly!" He screamed in delight. "I can't believe I'm going to be in the same class as you, Auden!"

I thought I already told this idiot to call me by my given name. Well, this works too. "Auden."

"Just don't be too much of a trouble, ok? That much I can handle." I was magically calmed down instantly. Humans are so magical yet so complicated.

"Of course. I won't do anything that will trouble you, m'lady." He formally swore, firmly standing up and did a gentleman's bow. Once he raised his head, a rose is in between his lips.

I looked at my hands and realised that the rose had disappeared! Carol took it without me knowing? That's a really great trick!

I clapped my hands, giving him an applause. I was genuinely cheering me up. If he can snatch anything away from me and I didn't notice, then it will work fine with each and every human being in Earth. He has an expert talent. He's interesting.

"That's cool, Carol!" I praised. "Now let's see if the lunch is ready." I immediately changed the topic before he replied to my praise.

I walked first then he followed.

"Stay here." I commanded Carol, pointing my index finger to the dining room floor. He quickly understood, nodding in agreement.

I went inside the kitchen casually like it's my bedroom or bathroom.

"Angelo! How's the seafood going?" I asked, shouting. I can hear a lot of clanks of the utensils quite distant from here. I hope he heard me.

"It's going places!" Angelo complained. I can hear the fear and anger in his voice, followed by the bangs of the pans and pots.

"What are you even doing there?"

"They're still alive!"

"Ok. Call me if it's ready." I stoically walked away, ignoring the raw alive seafoods and Angelo himself.

I went back to the dining room. I can see Carol staring at the table like he has some deep thoughts.

"Anything wrong?" I tried to surprise him by sitting beside him stealthily. I don't even need to use my invisibility!

"Ah, no, it's nothing." He jolted. Mission: surprising Carol: Success! "Anyway, how was the lunch?" He asked, obviously trying to change the subject. But I didn't put too much thought in it.

"He says they're still alive." I explained, pointing at the kitchen.

"Oh, fresh." He commented.

"Yes, fresh..." I repeated. "Fresh from the toilet." I tried cracking a joke.

Carol grimaced. "I like seafoods. Don't try to ruin my appetite." He cutely begged, burying his head under his arms.

I laughed at him for making such a funny comment about my joke. Well, whatever. I am getting hungry too, actually.

Well, being hungry doesn't involve a ringing on the phone, does it?

"Yes?" I formally asked.

"Celeste..." I heard a voice, begging for help. It was like a traveler that traveled through hot and cold weathers and multiple seasons in a week, and now is begging me for something, a thing that it needs-- water.

"Oh, it's just you." I bluntly responded. I was about to press the end button but I guess he already predicted that all to well. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that the delinquent knows.

"Wait! Don't hang up! It's something important."

"Hurry up, you're wasting my time." I demanded him.

"Do you know Carol Evans?"

"Yeah, what about him?"

"His brother is looking for him."

I glanced at Carol, who wore a worried face when he saw me glance at him. He may have seen through my expression.

"Where is his brother? I'll send him there." I volunteered.

"At the park near Loser's house."

I hung up after that. I faced Carol. He looks like he's ready for anything.

"Can you tell your brother that you can go home by yourself? I mean, the seafoods will get wasted, you know." I'm trying to persuade him.

"Ah but..." He glanced on the side, avoiding eye contact. "I can't..."

"Then, let's just invite your brother too." I thought of a back-up plan.

"H-he hates seafood..." Carol meekly responded.

"Well I don't know what else to do with him." I give up.

I called Kanae again with the intention to tell Carol's brother to wait for a few minutes because of lunch.

"What else do you want to know?" Kanae eagerly asked.

"Give the phone to Evans." I commanded him.

"Hello?" His brother formerly greeted.

"Celeste Auden here. Your brother is with me in the Auden residence. I invited him for lunch as a token of gratitude for bringing me home safe and sound. Please wait for a few minutes. When he's finish eating, he will go there."

"I understand." He replied. "I will wait."

I hung up afterwards.

"I got your brother's permission. He says he'll wait." I faced Carol.

"Ok... Thank you, m'lady. I cannot express my utmost gratitude with just a simple rose but I do not know what to give you. How about next time, I will invite you." He smiled. I giggled. I feel at ease around him. "Can you please give me your number?"

I gave him my phone. He stared at it, took out his phone and saved my number in his phone as simple as that.

"Lunch is ready." Angelo announced, placing the dishes on the dining table in a respectable manner. He bowed first before returning to the kitchen.

We sat down and eat peaceful. So peaceful that it disturbs me...

------
"Hey, let me ask you something, delinquent." Jasper faced me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"What kind of a person is Celeste Auden? If she sees a stranger, will she harm them?" What's with this sudden question? Is it because Carol is with her?

"She is nice to people in general, even when they're complete strangers." I replied. "And besides, they seem like they're already a couple." I wanted to add. I saw them talking. When I invited her to come with me, she wouldn't agree and then a stranger invited her and then she agrees?!

"That's great. I'm sure that my brother wouldn't harm her too." He commented. "What are you to her?"

"I am her friend." I simply answered.

"I see. That's great. Does that girl have any relationships with any boy more than a friend?" Again with these questions?

"Best friend." I said.

"No, like a lover or something." He solemnly asked. "Does she have one?"

"Not really." I answered. "Why?"

"My father had an agreement with the Audens. He said that if only we become serious about the business, we'll be richer than the Audens. Right now, we're in a state where we can't move our position. We want the position back. My father promised those Audens that if Carol marries their daughter because of the same age, they will be serious about the business now. The two families will be the richest of the richest. That's what he wants, that's what my mother wants..." He openly discussed it to me like I have something to do with it. But this is a great information that I didn't intend to gather.

"When do they plan to marry?" I curiously asked. I know it's not my business.

"This 25th of December." He openly answered.

So the day of Christmas and my birthday is my deadline. What a convenient date.

"Hey," he attempted to catch my attention. "Is she a type of person to recklessly marry someone?"

I paused for a second, staring at the sky. I heaved a sigh and turned to face Jasper while scratching the back of my head, slightly irritated. "Look, I'm not her childhood friend nor a very close one to know a lot of informations about her. So don't expect these informations to be 100% accurate." He nodded. "It depends, actually. She sometimes don't care about her own feelings and will base her answers in the situation she's put through. So you have a 60% chance of 'yes' as an answer. I'm not that good of a source, though." I complained. He nodded in understanding. Nevertheless, I still walked away and exit the park, leaving him all alone.

Evans, huh... I feel like the family name is familiar.

------

"Atchoo!" I suddenly sneezed without a reasonable explanation.

"What's wrong?" Carol asked me in a worried tone. I don't mind it by now. I got used to his chivalry that I'm not affected to it now... Wait! That gives me an idea.

"Ah, nothing." I dismissed him. "I'm finished." I said. The plates' noise echo in the dining room.

"Me too." He responded, placing the cutlery in an organised matter.

"I'll take care of everything. You go to your brother now." I told him.

"You're going to clean all those dishes alone?" He pointed at the dishes on the table.

My glance turned to the dishes and nodded non-hesitantly. "Why? Anything wrong?"

"I want to help you."

"Don't keep your brother waiting." I reassured him with a great big smile. "I can handle this. Thank you anyway."

He turned away. I thought that he's going to walk away completely but he returned, with a rose that was pulled out of nowhere. He formally bowed, holding the rose to me.

"To the day that I can see you again." He winked.

I giggled at the scene. "Are you not coming on Monday?"

"To Monday, it is then." He giggled too, walking up to me and took my hand. His hands are so soft and smooth. Taking my hand, he gently placed the rose in my palm and closed it with two of his hands. He then kissed my other hand, the hand without the rose, before completely exiting the scene.

I laughed at his chivalry for the last time today. I don't know why but I feel very relaxed around him. I feel secured. I feel like I can lower my guard around him. And the roses he kept on giving me are the ones that remind me of him. I feel the same way about the roses-- relaxed and secured. I have no reason to be cautious. His each and every chivalric acts are funny and I can smile around him without deceit. He's a great companion.

I took all the dishes to the kitchen.

"Young miss, are you going to wash all those dishes by yourself?"

"Of course not. I may break all of these and Patricia will start the endless lectures. You go and wash them." I demanded, bringing the dishes to him and coolly exited.

"I should've known." Angelo hung his head but... I may be imagining it but I think he smiled a little.

I wonder what might happen on Monday. I'm excited to see it.

I curled my lips into a smile that expects a good future. "I hope I can solve this problem all by myself." I thought as I'm going to my room.