Chapter 66

“Honey, have you already eaten?” Manager Sol’s grandmother asked me as she took both of my hands.

I shook my head softly to tell her honestly that I haven’t eaten anything yet because I don’t want to lie tonight and maybe if I lie, I end up rubbing my empty stomach again at night.

“How can someone bring a girl and not feed her? Is that what you learn from me?” She playfully glared at Manager Sol as she shifted her eyes to me and pinched my cheeks like I am a child. “I’ll get you something.” She said enthusiastically as she turned around and headed to what I think was the kitchen.

When I could no longer see her, I was drawn back to the people singing together while moving their bodies and dancing. I couldn’t stop my body from reacting by bobbing my head and slowly thomping my feet keeping up with the rhythm that their voices and the instruments creates.

“Manager Sol? What kind of place is this?” I said in a hushed tone being careful to not disturbed them from singing while I am still bobbing my head and not falling out of the

“What is this place, Manager Sol?” I whispered to him but I was still falling out of tempo.

“This place?” He moved his eyes across the house with a smile on his lips. “It’s a home. Just like a home for the aged. But what’s different is that in this place, people chose to come here and stay with my grandmother’s bungalow. They take care of each other here and live like they are all best friends in a small dorm. They spend the day with music, dancing, and having fun with little things. You might be too preoccupied to notice that we entered an executive village before we reached this place. It is a village where all the people that reside are the same age as my grandmother or at their middle age. Maintaining this place, I always help my grandmother. But most likely, these people help each other to earn money and have food on their table like a real family. Sometimes I envy how solid their bond is, and can’t help but to wish for friends like them.”

I was smiling the entire time listening to Manager Sol and the story of this bungalow. I did not know that there was such a place like this. It almost seems like it came out from a good movie. And people here look to be really having a fun time just living their life together alone in the village with fresh air, trees and a wide environment where they can move along and not like in the cities.

“Didn’t we just drive for like thirty minutes? This place looks more like a countryside because of how fresh the air is and the cozy vibe.”

Manager Sol chortled. “Cattleya, we drove for more than two hours just to get here. You were so deep in thought into something that you don’t realize how far you are already reaching.” He said as he gestured his hand to show me the way to which I quickly followed.

“Thank you so much for deciding to tag me along here, Manager Sol. At least I can have a good place to rest tonight before facing reality again. Although… I am so afraid..This place doesn't seem to exist in reality…” I muttered as my voice weakened.

"Cattleya, sweetie, you may now sit here and eat while you two have a talk. Okay?”

I nodded with a smile. “Thank you very much Mrs..?"

“Oh, dear, you can call me grandma.” She said with the corners of her lips lifted, forming a smile.

"Grandma..." I said under my breath. Saying those words somehow gives me a bizarre nerve because it is unusual to me and calling someone as a grandmother is what I never had. “I’ll enjoy the food, thank you, grandma. And, also… Can I ask you a favor?” I asked shyly before she could get away, trying to keep my head up to her.

"Whatever it is, sweetheart."

"Can I sleep here even for just one night? I don't want to go back to my life just yet. And I know that this is a good place where I can have a peaceful night. If it’s okay with you, can you please let me spend a night here in your place grandma.” I uttered to ask for a favor.

I can’t sleep in the apartment again tonight. Because I know that it is the very first place Jaxson will go to look for me. And I don’t think that I can compose myself to be ready and talk with him tonight.

"You are welcome here whenever you want to come and visit, honey." She walked forward and approached me.

I melted when she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a warm hug. I can really feel her smiling from behind me.

No wonder why Manager Sol is such a nice and sweet person. He came to a family that is very caring and lives a happy life.

After Manage Sol's grandmother left, I began to take a seat that she pulled for me to taste the food that grandmother prepared.

"Would you like to get the address of this house so you can just run here whenever you want to escape your world? I promise, no one can enter this village without my grandmother and my permission. You can always hide here, it is a safe place for you to come.”

My eyes went up to Manager Sol because of what he said.

“You are so kind to me, Manager Sol. Like for real. Sometimes I wonder what I do for you to be this kind to me. This is why you keep confusing people by your actions.” I said in the middle of laughing. "Your grandmother makes good food, it will be my pleasure to come back every time.”

"What do you mean I am confusing people by my actions? And how many times do I have to beg you to call me Richard from now on? I am not even your manager anymore and yet you still call me that.”

"Okay, Richard." I said, tittering because of how unusual it is. "You keep confusing people that you like me when you are just being kind to me.”

"It's true, though. Catt, I have feelings for you. Honestly, I have liked you ever since the day I met you.”

I choked on my food because of how directly he confessed to me without any warning.