Chapter 4

A gentle breeze and sunlight wake me up, the skies are clear and the birds chirp softly. It is a beautiful site to wake up in. Full of excitement, I got out of my bed and went to my balcony. Enjoying the breeze that gently ruffled my hair, I also looked around the nature around me.

“These feels nice,” I said beneath my breath and smiled. I know it will be a fun day today, I’m excited to see Katie once again. Just thinking about her makes me want to smile all the time. While I was busy enjoying the view, a bird suddenly perched in front of me. I quietly moved and got my camera and shot a photo of it.

I was about to take another photo when Aunt Jeana called me from the garden.

“Lucas! Come down and eat some breakfast. You also have a visitor waiting,” shouted Aunt Jeana while looking up. A visitor? This early morning? Who could it be…?

“Just a minute Aunt Jeana I’ll be right there,” I quickly placed my camera on my bed, got ready, and went down. I figure of a girl sitting on the sofa is the first I saw when I went down.

“Victoria?” I guessed and wait for the girl to turn her head. She turned as soon as she heard me talk, and yes I got it right it is Victoria. What is she doing here early in the morning? I suddenly realized if she arrived here a while ago, then… no, is my cover discovered?

“Why are you here?” I gulped and sat down on the sofa in front of her.

“Oh, I just passed by and gave Aunt Jeana her bread. I didn’t know you’re staying here,” she said while exploring her gaze across the house. A breath of relief escaped my lips, thank god! Aunt Jeana didn’t say anything to her.

“Is that so,” I chuckled nervously and smiled awkwardly. “I also work here actually and because of that I became close with the son’s owner,” I chuckled with my lies, God please forgive me. She nodded and still roams her gaze around the house. Is she looking for something?

“Is there something wrong?” I asked. She looked at me with her glistening eyes.

“Your friend is he here? I heard he would be arriving yesterday,” she said and continued to roam her eyes. So she’s looking for Nico, he was supposed to arrive yesterday but there was a problem with their company. So instead he will be arriving today.

“Nico? He was supposed to arrive yesterday but he got held up with work so he will be arriving today,”

“Okay then, goodbye I’ll be taking my leave,” she stand up once she heard the reason she came here. This girl, she’s also unique like Katie. They are perfect to be best friends, I can see that.

“Hey wait! Katie, is she busy today?” she’s about to leave but stopped. She looked at me seriously, I can feel the invisible camera scanner and knives in her gaze. I gulped when she came closer.

“What’s your deal with my best friend? Do you like her?” she asked and tilted her head while looking at me. I gulped once again.

“Well it’s early to say that I like her, but I’m interested in her,” I said shyly while scratching my head in awkwardness. I can feel my face burning in embarrassment.

She’s staring at me like she’s questioning my existence. “Yeah that’s safe enough to say,” she said and nodded her head.

“So…. is she busy?”

“Well she’s busy with chores in the morning but we go every afternoon to the beach to watch the sunset, so if you want to see her you should go to the beach every afternoon but,” she stopped and looked at me seriously. “You should bring your friend and introduce him to me okay?” I immediately nodded and agreed. I instantly agreed when I heard Katie in the sentence.

“Then it’s a deal,” she said confidently and reach out her hand.

“Deal,” I shake her hand. As long as I see Katie I’m okay with any requests.

“Then it’s settled, I’ll see you this afternoon bye,” Victoria said and immediately leave. I watch her leave as her figure begun to disappear.

“So you knew Victoria,” Aunt Jeana suddenly spoke which made me fall off the sofa. That shocked the heck out of me.

“Yes, I met her yesterday at the orphanage,” I cleared my throat, got off the floor, and went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Aunt Jeana followed me and sat across from me.

“Do you like her?” I was suddenly choked when I heard Aunt Jeana’s question. What’s make her think that I liked Victoria?

“No of course not, I just met her yesterday. Liking her is too fast,” I said in defense, and besides, I’m interested in her best friend.

“Okay, okay,” she said and chuckled. “By the way, you’re going to fetch Nico at the port today right?” asked Aunt Jeana as she watch me eating. I nodded and continued eating when suddenly my phone rang. Speaking of the devil, it’s Nico.

I swallowed down my food and answered the phone. “Yes?” I glimpsed at my phone. It’s not 10 am yet, there are 2 hours more before I go fetch him at the port.

“Bro, I’ll be there around 9 am,” he shouted. I immediately took my phone away from my ear. God, I thought my ear will explode.

“Okay, geez don’t shout at me,” I annoyingly replied.

“What did you say?!” he shouted again. I can hear the loud noise coming from the boat on the other side of the phone. He’s on the boat already?

“I’ll-pick-you-up-in-the-port-at-9-am!” I shouted every word with a pause. I sounded like a robot, God.

“Okay! Bye!” he shouted once again and hanged up, classic Nico.

“So what did he say?” asked Aunt Jeana who is still sitting in front of me.

“He said he’ll be at the port by 9 am,” I continued eating while being busy with my phone. Another bunch of emails suddenly popped up and it came from my agency. They probably freaking out and searching for me. I suddenly left without leaving a word, a workaholic photographer leaving without notice. That’s way out of my character. I was busy scrolling and reading e-mails when I heard Aunt Jeana cleared her throat. I stopped what I was doing and looked at her.

“Listen, Lucas, your mom called me this morning and told me what happened. You should understand where your parents coming from, you're not getting any younger-” she said with worries in her eyes. I got up and when I heard the word “parents”.

“You too Aunt Jeana?” I said trying to hide the disappointment in my eyes and tone.

“We just want what’s best for you that’s all Nico, I hope you understand,” she said with a soft voice and smiled. I never disobeyed my parents all this time because I love them so much but making choices for me in my life is way out of the line.

“I don’t want to talk about it, sorry Aunt Jeana. Thank you for the food,” I left and went upstairs. Playing games on my phone is one of the many ways to distract myself but I instantly got bored. I looked at the time for the 50^th time.

“Why don’t time pass by quickly,” I said in an irritated tone and throw my phone in my bed. It's only 8:30 am I should go to the port by 8:45 but I decided to go there now. I went downstairs and got my car. The port is located in the city and it’s a 25 minutes travel by car. I started my car and headed to the port to fetch Nico. My car is about to pass by the orphanage.

“What is Katie up to?” I whispered to myself and steal a glimpse of the orphanage hoping that I can see Katie but lady luck is not with me today. I continued to drive to the port and as I arrived at the port, I saw Nico casually leaning on a coconut tree, wearing his classic sunglasses while busy tapping his phone. I walk towards him, he looked up and waved at me.

“Lucas! My man!” he shouted and hurriedly ran towards me.

“Shhh! don’t shout my name”

“Why?” he whispered when he got closer to me. I sighed in disbelief, I silently questioned our friendship while looking at him. He just chuckled when he saw my reaction.

“I know that look, you’re questioning yourself why you have a friend as handsome as me,” he said proudly and confidently fixed his hair.

“Tsk you got me, well I have plans today so move your butt to the car,” I turned my back at him and started to walk towards my car. I have many plans today, I decided to take pictures of undiscovered spots here and go to the beach to meet Katie.

“What’s the rush dude?” Nico asked while keeping up with me. I looked at him, he smiled and waved at the girls passing by, what a Cassanova.

“Well I’m busy so move faster”

“Okay, roger that boss!” 

After a few minutes, we arrived where my car was parked. I got in and started the engine but my best friend Nico is still outside, leaning in my car while exchanging smiles and waves with a few girls passing by. I annoyingly push the button of my car’s horn, Nico jumped in surprise and got in the car annoyed.

“What the- what is your problem, Lucas? Jealous much?” he said while smirking.

“Me? Jealous? Why would I be jealous?” I said sarcastically and started driving.

“Well, you don’t have a girlfriend. Second, you don’t have talent with girls,” he said while holding his laughter.

“I’m not interested in girls,” I said while avoiding his gaze and continued to drive. I don’t dislike girls, it’s just that many girls approached me because they knew I’m a famous photographer and they don’t intrigue me. There is no something special about them.

“Oh, okay Mr. no-girlfriend-since-birth. Just admit it, you don’t have the courage to speak and court a girl”

I suddenly stopped the car that made Nico fall on his seat.

“Oh! My bad,” I said sarcastically and smirked. He just looked at me with his annoyed face. Served you right.

“Were here,” I got out in my car and got into the house leaving Nico in the car. I saw Aunt Jeana standing on the balcony waiting for us to arrive. She saw me and hurriedly walked towards me.

“Where’s Nico?” she asked while looking at me and suddenly Nico shouted.

“Aunt Jeana!” he shouted, happily walked towards Aunt Jeana and hugged her. “I missed you”

“I missed you too Nico,” she replied and hugged Nico back. Well, I understand that they missed each other because it’s been 10 years since Nico visited here. She let go of the hug and looked at Nico.

“You’ve grown since I met you,” Aunt Jeana happily said while looking at Nico.

“Well, I become more handsome didn’t I Aunt Jeana?” I cringed at my overconfident best friend, he should donate some because his confidence is overflowing.

“As confident as ever,” I laughed when I heard what Aunt Jeana said.

“Nico! Aunt Jeana didn’t agree with you,” I said as I teased him. Nico just passed by me and entered the house annoyed. Aunt Jeana and I both laughed at Nico’s reaction, he doesn’t like it if someone doesn’t agree with him that he’s handsome, what a guy.

“By the way, Lucas, Victoria, and her friend Katie went here a while ago and delivered cupcakes Katie baked. She said it’s for you and Nico.”

“Cupcakes?” I said while trying to process what Aunt Jeana said.

“Yes, cupcakes. Victoria said that you asked for them?” Aunt Jeana said. A smile escaped my lips and hurriedly went inside the house. I walk towards the kitchen and saw Nico eating the cupcakes. I instantly took the cupcake out of his hand.

“That’s mine, Katie gave it to me,” a deafening silence filled the kitchen and suddenly a naughty smile flashed on Nico’s lips.

“Well, well, well who’s Katie?”