Evening...
I was already dressed in a pink pinafore designed with silky ribbons at the hem, just before Mom called.
" Hello,Mom!"
She said,with a light voice," Chloe-Annie... you sound happy. What's up?"
I sighed, giggling," Guess what?"
" Don't keep me guessing, girl. Say it out!" Mom said, chuckling.
" Liam's parents invited me to join them for a dinner party! "
" What? Liam's parents who once forbidded you to visit their son? Wow, that's impressive. But be careful of your attitude there!"
" Yes, Mom! How are you guys doing over there?"
She replied," China's really an adventurous place to visit. They've nice meals here and comfortable lodges. Your dad is talking with some friends and I'm just arranging some documents here."
" Okay, Mom. That's cool. You both should stay safe there" I told her.
" Bye, girl!"
" Wait, Mom! Have you heard from Harry. Has he called?"
" Yes,he called some minutes before you did...He says he's saving up money to visit the whole of China. Isn't that crazy?" Mom chuckled.
" He has been a crazy dude all his life!" I told Mom," He's so annoying!"
" Make sure you also hear from him! Bye!" Mom said and hung the call.
I sighed, staring at the full length mirror. I added a lotus clip to my hair and reach for my cosy slippers.
" Liam.. hope you won't be angry if I dine with you and your family?" I told myself with a smirk.
Before leaving the house, I made sure everyone was locked.
Someone messaged me in my phone. I was hoping to see Liam's messages but it wasn't his. It was CLOWN'S messages. I saved my stupid brother's name as Clown. He's too scary and weird.
Clown:(1) Hey, Jellybean. Wassup?You didn't even tried texting. I can see your boyfriend is now giving you
attention. I'll tell Dad you are in a relationship!
(2) Did Mom told you I'll be visiting the whole of China soon? Will you like to come with me and my friends?
So stupid!
I called him, rather than texting.He quickly picked the call.
" Hello, Jellybean!" His voice sounded majestic.
" Clown! How can you be saying I have a boyfriend? You can tell Dad if you want, but both Mom and Dad knows the truth."
" I see!' He snapped," How much are you budgeting for our visit to China?"
" Visit? Can't you see that I have no money?"
He said," Then I'll pay for just me and my friends. When you finally make the money, you'll join us! Hehehehe!" He chuckled.
" I hate you!"
" I know you will always do,you hottempered Jellybean! Well, how's lonely life at home?"
I sighed," Just boring,if not for online games and cheeses and crackers!"
" I see. I and my friends will be visiting home next month so...you better keep everywhere sparkling! Hide your bras and panties and everything that will make them think I have a sexy sister or you want to date all of them!"
" Eish, you've no shame. Where do you expect me to keep my bras and panties, if not in my wardrobe, stupid! And secondly, I am not any sexy thing so you better warn them to stay off. I'm a dog and I'll bite!"
" Woof! Woof! Woof! Hehehehe! Nice one, until then. Bye, Jellybean." He said and hung the call.
Harry can never be that serious...
I cautiously opened the gate and walked into Liam's compound.The birds on the tree chirped desperately, like they know I was happy that I was going to be sitting at the same dinning table with Liam.
Before I knocked on the door, someone had opened the door. But wasn't looking familiar. He looked like a relative to Liam, maybe a cousin or so.
" You look familiar" He grinned at me.
Familiar? But I never saw him before.
I smiled back at him.
" The dinner party, right?" He arched his eyebrows, weirdly.
I nodded.
" Then come inside. I'm Aiden.You're welcome!"
" Thanks!"
Everyone gazed at me as I took a step inside. They were about twenty or so. The whole family? Geez!
Why the heavy gaze? My heart skipped. Was my dress complicated or has my hair clip broken?
I gathered some lazy courage and waved at them, smiling," Hi..."
" She's so beautiful!" A little girl from beside chipped in.
" Who's she? Who's she?" Some muttered, staring at me and glancing back at theirselves.
Liam's mother popped out of nowhere suddenly," She's Chloe. Liam's friend..."
Everyone widened their eyes," Liam has a friend? "
I was already trembling,my eyes moist.
Liam's mother directed me to a vacant seat, grinning" My dear, have a seat."
I nodded and slowly walked to the seat, making sure my footsteps wasn't heard though.
This family is kinda weird. Pfft!
Their eyes never left me, but with time,they looked away.
I wondered where Liam was. The room was well- coordinated and scenting like fresh lavenders, but Liam wasn't there.
Aiden walked past me. I pulled him back slightly," Hey,Aiden... where's Liam?"
" Behind you,of course!" He said and left.
I stood still. Behind me? So...he heard me asking about him? Oh, stupid me. I slowly turned as if time itself relapsed.
I saw him confidently standing by the doorway,his feet pointing towards me. He was looking refined in his sleeveless and denim shorts. Those well-built muscles and broad,tense shoulders...
Our eyes met, but we didn't looked away,this time. The eye contact was so intense, that I began sweating.
**********
What are you staring at?" His voice suddenly stopped me from daydreaming.
I felt tensed, but was a bit shy. I slowly approached him." How are you doing?"
He folded his hands around his chest, looking away," I'm fine."
I grinned, sheepishly" I see... Take your medications carefully and have better rest, okay?"
But he said nothing. How would a human creature be this rude and clumsy.Does he really likes me? I slowly looked away, turning my back at him. I tried leaving his sight but his voice stopped me.
" Thank you for your care."
Did he just appreciated me? OMG. I turned at him with that naive smile.
" You are welcome!"
Does he likes me now? No,he doesn't! He's just clumsy, right from childhood. So unreadable!
" Your family is really extended, but weird!" I told him.
" How?" He arched his eyebrows at me. Wow,he looks handsome arching his eyebrows.
" They were gazing at me as if I was really strange.Your mother told them I'm your friend and they were all surprise. So weird!"
" They stare at ugly people." He told me.
Ugly people? So,how come the little girl said I'm so beautiful? Was she trying to mock me or play with my feelings?
" But..." I tried.
" Don't bother your mind. " He said, walking towards the garden. I slowly walked after him.
" Did I asked you to come with me? " He snapped, facing the trees, with a halt.
"Just let me,stop acting rudely always!"
He said nothing and kept walking. I still dogged him, but he didn't complain this time. The breezes from the dancing flowers and trees hurled around us.
" Do you remember we usually play in this garden at times, during our childhood times? But you hate games!" I asked him.
" No." He replied.
I confronted him, grinning," We play at this spot. Remember?" I gazed at him.
I slightly touched my hair and smiled,"I know, little rabbit!" He said and walked past me, brushing his arm over mine.
I stood there trying to understand why he touched my hair and if he really smiled at me or he was just being sarcastic...
**********
The dinning party just begun and night had already approached. Everyone was eating; the spoons and plates tinkled every second and the tumblers thudded on the table after a long gulp of wine.
I was sitting opposite Liam and Aiden, before the table of potato steaks and ketchups and tumblers of red wine. Aiden ate quickly as if he had been waiting for this moment, but Liam was different.
Aiden smiled at me," Hey... hope you enjoying this meal?"
I nodded," Sure..."
Liam suddenly stole suspicious glances at us,. but kept eating. What was wrong with him?
" You haven't told me your name yet, even though you look familiar." Aiden said, munching his meal harder.
" I'm Chloe..." I smiled at him.
" The name also sounds familiar. Don't worry, I'll find about it later!" Aiden told me.
I nodded, squirting on my seat and trying to avoid eye contact with Liam. His eyes seemed to give a death- stare.
Was he being jealous? No, I don't think so. Maybe, he's trying to signal us that we were talking too much or something like that.
Someone patted me softly," My dear, hope you are enjoying this meal?"
It was Liam's mother. I turned at her with a smile and nodded," Yes,sure. It tastes great!"
" Just enjoy!" She said and left, chuckling.
I gazed at Liam," For the basketball practice,can we leave it for a while until you get better?"
" I don't know." He replied, eating his meal slowly.
I smiled at him, though he was glaring at me weirdly," Don't worry,we ain't gonna practice basketball, until you get better!"
" Basketball?" Aiden chipped in, arching his eyebrows.
I nodded.
" I really know how to play basketball game.Since he has not fully recovered, can I help him teach you?"
" I'm her coach. Stop beating around the bush!" Liam snapped at Aiden suddenly.
Aiden glared at Liam for a while and pouted his lips at him," I see."
What does Aiden see?Pfft!