About half an hour later it was almost night time, and Roldan drove me to the inn with my scooter at the back of his pickup truck. He helped me take it down carefully. "Thanks," I said to him.

"Sure thing, if you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me," he replied.

"Appreciate it. Thanks again."

"Anyway, I better get home. See you tomorrow."

"Bye. Drive safe," I told him once he got into his car, then drove away.

You know, after our talk, I felt an emotional weight lifted off from my shoulder. So, I went inside, and Roy was there with Barry and Ms. Regis by the reception desk.

Roy darted to me, then rushed in to hug me.

I was stunned having his arm wrapped around me. It took several seconds, then I happened to glance at Barry with a stupid smirk on his face. Damn, I remember wishing to slap him so hard that he would unrecognizable.

Anyhow, Roy pulled away from me, feeling somehow awkward about it. "Ahem... You alright?" he asked me. "I got worried."

"Very worried," Barry teased. Ugh... I really wanted to slap him.

"I'm fine," I assured Roy. "Sorry about earlier... I'm also sorry about leaving you in the studio. I'm also sorry that you had to... see me like. God, I'm so embarrassed."

"No, that's okay. Don't worry about. Where have you been? We were trying to reach you, but you weren't picking up."

"I was by the hills to take a breath and look at the mountains. The signal there is bad."

"Oh... Were you upset?" he asked me again.

"Yeah, but I'm fine now," I said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"By the way, about your friends... they're worried about you?" Roy told me.

"I know, I'll talk to them," I sighed.

Later, I just wanted to rest, so I went up to my room with Roy walking with me since he wanted to get back to his room. "Uhm... Hey..." he said softly as I was about to go inside.

"What is it?" I turned to him.

"It's great that you get an oppurtunity to teach photography in London. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks."

"Also, about Emmy, I get that she means well, but she shouldn't have done that to you," Roy said.

I remember feeling relieved that he was on my side, understanding how I felt about it. "Yup," I responded.

"I know what it's like for people, even your friends, thinking that they know what's best for you. I had a friend like that back in high school. Actually, he was like my online friend because we used to play this game. Being homeschooled was something we had in common, and we've met in real life too."

"What happened?"

"After winning a game, we were talking about college one night and he said that he wanted to go to ivy leagues schools. He got into Harvard, though."

"Wow, good for him," I commented.

"Yeah, anyway, back then I was thinking about taking a year off and just travel, you know. I was going to use some of the money my mom left for me after she died. Plus, I wanted to get away from my dad. I told my friend about it, and he said that it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard."

"That must have been annoying."

"It is," he exasperated. "Until the inevitable happened?"

"What inenvitable?" I questioned.

"The thing is, I planned to tell my dad about it, but I was to scared so it took me a long time not to tell him. Until..."

"Oh, no, I think I know where this is going."

Roy let a heavy sigh. "My friend went ahead to email my dad about my plans," he explained. I knew that was he was going to say.

My eyes widened. Of course I was still in disbelief about it. "No!" I reacted. "He did that?"

"He did, he was an ass to do that."

"Are you guys still... friends? Do you guys still talk?"

"No, we're not," Roy answered, and he seemed down about it. "It's ashame though because of everything we had been through in the gaming world and in real life. I didn't want to end it that way, but he made my relationship with my dad way worse."

I nodded in acknowledgement. "That's awful. He shouldn't have done that."

"I know, so yeah, I get how you're feeling. We would've still be friends had he not involve my dad. Although personally, I don't think what Emmy did was as bad as what my friend did."

"Yeah, and I get why she did it. I just wish she let me think about it."

"And respect your decision."

"That too," I added. "But, I don't want to end our friendship because of this."

"Then don't," Roy advised. "All she did was blab your news to your friends."

"Right, anyway, I'm really tired. I'll see you later at dinner."

"Sure, you too."

So, I went inside and dropped myself to bed. I lied there for five minutes, then changed into something more comfortable.

After that, I wanted to know what time it was because there was this drama I was watching, and checked if it was already downloaded in YouTube. Once I took out my phone, there were bunch of notifications of messages and texts from my friends.

Of course, I got more from Emmy. I know I should've told them that I was okay, but I still feel mad at her for doing what she did, and I wanted her to think that I still am by not replying and calling her back. All of them. I didn't respond to all of them.

I could've told them how I felt in words by sending them, and yet, I didn't. It might not be the mature thing to do, but hey, I'm only human.

However, I remember I still had to send Emmy the photos I took in her miniature shop.

Damn. Why does life have to be so complicated?

Correction. Why did she have to make it complicated?

I still love her though. She's the sister I always wanted. Again. No offense to Alden.

I can tell Emmy everything and anything about what was going on with my life. She's the friend who I can rely on and have my back all the time.

I remember thinking how hard it was for Roy to end a friendship like that for something that it was not his business to tell his dad that he was not going to college right away.

I couldn't imagine to go through that. Moreover, Roldan was right that Emmy didn't mean to hurt me, so yeah, it was not worth it to end like that. Still, I didn't want to talk to her for a while along with my colleagues.

After dwelling over my feelings, I got another notification. Let's just say that it was the last thing I wanted to deal with.

So the next morning, I went down the dining area when it was breakfast time. It was like there was more weight on my shoulder after getting that message the previous night.

The last time I was that stress was when I failed to meet the deadlines for an ads campaign because I was too preoccupied with the other shoots. I didn't have my colleagues that time until Emmy bugged me to start hiring.

If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have this wonderful squad of fashion photographers to help me out.

Anyway, I was sitting by myself with just a cup of coffee in my hand and some pancakes that I hadn't touch yet, thinking of what to do because I didn't feel like going to the studio and face my dear friends, but Roy had to be there to continue with his research.

Once Roy entered the inn after finishing his morning exercise, he spotted me and walked up to me, looking all sweaty. Unfortunately, not shirtless. Kidding. "Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked as he wiped his face with a small towel.

"Kinda getting better," I said dryly.

"That's good, I guess."

"But not good enough to go to the studio today. I just don't feel like seeing them for now, but don't worry, I will still drive you there."

"Got it, what are you gonna do?" Roy asked.

"I'm not sure," I sighed. "Yesterday, when I ran off, I went to the spot that has the view of the Mt. Hummi."

"Why there?"

It made me think too as to what was the reason why I wanted to go there the previous day. "I don't know actually, I just feel like it. I guess, it's because it's quiet, it has a great view of the mountain, and it is one of the special places for me."

I notice Roy looked down, then back at me the next second. "Do you... Do you need company?"

"Hm?" My eyes widened. I couldn't believe what I heard.

"I just... I just thought that maybe you need one. Plus, I kinda wanna see the mountain, but if not, that's okay."

"No, it's fine," I told him quickly like it was a reflex. It felt like my heart took over my mouth. "Ahem... If that's what you really want. What about your blog?"

"I have time. I can continue it tomorrow," he replied. "Besides, I have been writing all night last night. I think I need a break."

"A company would be nice," I agreed, then I smiled. "Sure, why not?"

So after about an hour when we finished eating out breakfast, we were on our way to the spot where there was the view of the mountain.

That time, I drove my scooter with Roy riding at the back. I had forgotton how cold it was to go up by the hill. Kind of took me back when Topher took me there the first time and our second date. Let's just say it was better to go there by car.

Anyway, we arrived to the area yet again. Again to me, not Roy because it was his first time to go there. I saw how the expression on his face. It was like he was marvelled by its beauty.

You know, first time or not, it's always so breath-taking to see.

"Wow," Roy mumbled as he got off from my Vespa. "I rarely use this word, but it's so splendid."

"It is," I agreed. Watching him admiring the mountain, feel like the scene was in reverse.

He took out his phone and began taking picture for what felt like forever while I stood behind him, leaning at a tree. I didn't mind, I like being there because it feels like Topher's presence. Then suddenly, I didn't realize that he turned to me. "You alright?"

I jolted a bit as I glance at him. "Yeah... Why?"

"Just asking. Kinda notice that you got quiet for while."

"Feeling nostalgia. Looking back at the special moments I had here."

Roy then stood right beside me. "Like what?" If you don't mind me asking."

"My fiance, Topher, he brought me here when I was visiting my grandparents. It was my first time going to Barcon," I explained. "I lent him my camera pretending that I need help taking a better shot of Mt. Hummi."

"Is that why it's special?"

"We had our first date here a year after."

"Ahh... I see. I can see why you don't want to leave." Roy gazed at the mountain again. "If I live here I wouldn't want to leave either. Everything is just awesome, you know. Especially, this."

"Mt. Hummi really is beautiful, isn't it?" I remarked.

Roy looked me again. "Well, it's not the only one..."

"What do you mean?" I looked at him in weird way.

"Nothing..." he stammered, looking very flustered all of a sudden. "I mean it's not the only moun... You know what, nevermind."

"Okay..." Suddenly, the wind was getting stronger that we started to shiver. "It's getting cold. I think we should go."

"Good idea." We ran to the scooter and quickly put on pur helmet. "Can we stop by at La Geole? I want to drink something warm."

However, I had something else in mind. "I know another place in mind for that. Have you ever tried spicey hot chocolate?"

"No, but I'm willing to try."

"Alright, hop in."