Chapter 74

Silence enveloped the entire car.

I turned my head to look out the window so that Manager Sol could not see my non-stop flowing tears streaming down on my face as I suppressed my voice from making any sound. I know that he already knows that I am crying now, but I still don't want him to see my tears.

Even though we've been in the car for almost thirty minutes, the weight I am feeling in my chest still hasn't lessened and continues to linger. It is still as heavy as the moment Jaxson let those words slip out of his mouth and say it right in front of my face with no hesitation.

I don't regret that I fell in love with him. I really don’t, and I don’t want to.

I have no regrets for those moments when I am completely into him and ready to give the whole me, realizing how much I love him.

But what I regret is that I believe Jaxson that he sees me as Cattleya. That he loves me the way I am even though it never came from his mouth. I thought he is different from his step-mother, but he sees me as an ordinary peasant who is trying real hard to step on their luxurious life.

"I don't have any idea why you are crying right now, Kitty. You seem to be very happy just earlier with your husband and now you are suddenly escaping from him, with your tears streaming down your face and lost where to go. I don't know what happened, but I hope I can help you ease your pain tonight."

When Manager Sol pulled off the car, I wiped my tears away quickly and began peeking at the window to see where we were. The moment I opened my eyes, a house filled with lights greeted me. It is beautifully surrounded by trees with sparkling Christmas lights giving it a glow that can only be seen in a fairy tale. The luminous lights seem like beautiful flies from afar.

I couldn’t wait so I immediately opened the door to take a closer look, but the moment I slid it, a happy voice singing a song engulfed me. Those are such beautiful voices that almost sound angelic.

My eyes quickly wandered to find where the voices were coming from and realized that the source of the happy voices singing along together were from the inside of the house where we are standing.

This house is very well covered with light and screams joy and gratitude even from afar. The lights coming from the house are enough to light up the whole street seemingly like a moon of the village. And even though it is already late at night, the people still sounds so energetic and alive and just by hearing their singing I can tell that they are smiling. Their voices surrounding the place sounds like heaven by how well they harmonize together.

“Come, we can go inside.” Manager Sol told me as he gently placed his hand at my back giving me support as we approached the magical house I just saw.

“Are you really sure it’s okay to come in?” I asked, but it seems like Manager Sol did not pay attention to me when he knocked at the opened door three times.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” He greeted in a loud cheerful voice, halting the people from singing their song.

“Richard!”

“Oh, the man has come!”

“I am glad he’s here again!”

I am so perplexed by what I am seeing now and it seems like I am currently dreaming. The people that I heard from afar singing and having fun together are all middle aged men and women. I am guessing that some of them are already in their forties and fifties. They are sitting on a long sofa, facing each other and creating a circle in the middle, while others are seated on different chairs while holding their instruments.

This can’t be real…

“Richard, my boy, you came.” An old woman approached us and greeted Manager Sol by giving him a sweet kiss on his cheek and shaking his head by holding him on his jaws.

I couldn’t help but to chuckle at how adorable it looks that Manager Sol becomes like a baby after coming here by how the lady treated him.

“—Oh, and who is this fine beautiful young woman that you brought us, huh? Is this finally your girlfriend that we have been waiting for?!” She exclaimed in the most excited voice I have ever heard in my life.

I waved my hand below my face, when the lady suddenly came to me and grabbed my face seemingly examining it. “No, madam.” I said politely, hoping for her to stop twisting my head.

“Grandma, grandma. Chill down.” Manager Sol quickly uttered he tried to pull his grandma away from me. “That’s Cattleya. She was my former employee but recently she resigned so right now, Cattleya is my friend. She said that she’s having a not so good evening and that she feels really gloomy, so I thought of no places to bring her but here. I think maybe, the happiest people I know can help a friend of mine tonight?”

I can imagine myself creating a crease on my forehead as I listen to Manager Sol’s explanation as to why he brought me here. I don’t remember any second that I told him anything like that. But I guess, he thought of the greatest idea to bring me here. Because even I can feel that this is the right place to spend the night. Listening to their music and watching them having fun, living the life that they will remember.

“Is that so?” Manager Sol’s grandmother muttered as she walked towards me again, but this time, she was gentle rather than excited.

I felt the warmth of her hand as she caressed my arm. “Whatever it is that is burdening your heart right now that you don’t want to tell it to anyone, and you feel like your heart will burst in the worst emotion that you just want to be alone and scream… Just do it, honey. There is totally nothing wrong with being sad. Sadness makes the happy moments special, and without it, people will never know that feeling of being happy.”

I was soothed by her warm and soft voice like she is talking to me deep in my heart.

Our attention was grabbed when the people behind started singing their happy song.

I am guessing that there are about 20 of them in this room gathering in the living room.

Every time they sing together I just want to feel the moment and close my eyes, letting the coldness and warmth of their voices calm my body and my mind.

“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 gestures 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 can now take a 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.

I punched my chest lightly as Richard poured water on my glass, panicky giving it to me. I continued coughing as I struggled to find his eyes.

"Seriously, don't you have any brakes on your words?"

"But you don't have to worry." Richard added. "I know my boundaries, Cattleya. You are married to someone now that I know you truly love and I know that my chance is over. The only mistake I will regret in my life is not confessing to you as quickly as I could. But, like what I said, you don’t have to worry about my feelings for you. I am going to handle that myself. I will be here as a friend only.”

"I'm sorry..." I whispered to him as the corners of my eyes drooped. "Honestly, I don't know how to react in any situation like this. And I'm sorry that I can't like you the same way that you do to me. You deserve so much more in this world and I can’t give it to you. But please know that I think you are an amazing person, and I know for sure that you will someday find someone for you.”

I was baffled when Richard chuckled while staring directly at me.

How can he laugh at these kinds of situations?

"You don't have to feel sorry or else I’ll pity myself for letting the most precious girl slip on my hand. Right now, I am just admiring you from afar now and there's nothing wrong with that for as long as I know where to stand. I promise you that I won't cross the line, Cattleya. Just please let me be your friend, at least? I still want to make you happy in the way that I can.” He beamed a smile.

How can someone be like him? He's like an angel sent from heaven who can't be angry with anyone and all he does is help people and make them happy. Richard is such an incredible person with a big heart that it is making one feel guilty and sad for not giving him back the love that he deserves.

"We are friends now. Thank you for admiring me even though I am myself, I don't see what is there to admire in me. I am just an ordinary girl…”

It was as if a knife stabbed through my heart when I said those words and remember

hearing them from Jaxson himself. The man that I love…

"That is no way to be true. You are the most unique person I have ever met. Cattleya, you are special.”

"Thank you, Richard… I hope it is unique in a good way, though. Thank you for saying that..."

Hearing it from someone helps to ease my feelings right now, but I know it's not enough. I know that there is still a huge hold in my heart right now that I can feel bleeding in pain. It's not enough to make me feel better.

My shoulders slumped again thinking of how Jaxson looked directly in my eyes and say that he loves me, and yet he called me an ordinary girl while he is a popular heir. How can he look down on me that much and how can he let me feel so small.

If I am going to be asked, Jaxson is more special than him being an heir. I think that he has certain qualities that differentiate him from other men, he is adorable, and he knows how to make someone feel loved.

Even after he hurt me tonight, I can't stop myself from thinking about him. My mind is full of Jaxson day and night and I will tonight, I can get him out of my mind.

I let out an audible sigh as I looked down at my food and quietly continued eating.

"I wish I could be someone who can make you happy, KitCat. But I know that I am not the one you need. So, what I am hoping now is for you to at least have a rest tonight." Richard whispered to me.

I quickly got a straight body when all of a sudden grandma and her other friends came here and sang.

They surrounded me and sang a song for me. I think they are trying to comfort me by how they sing their songs. It is about resting by means of smiling.

I moved my body to follow their rhythm and gave them a wide smile.

Things will be better tomorrow more than you think it will be ~

The broken pieces will be back together, quicker as you wish it to be ~

So just hang on tonight, oh baby just hang on tonight, and don't let your smile slip by the air just passing on the night sky ~

"Thank you everyone," I said loudly when their song ended. They are giving me a comfort pat while some just smile at me. "Even if you don't know me, you still tried to make me happy. I can't thank you enough for singing songs that can lighten up the bruises I have... Thank you..."

I saw Richard's heartily smile from the corner of my eyes as he looked straight in my direction.