Ryn wiped her hands dry with a small kitchen towel. A lot of things were on her mind.
"Just be patience, Ryn, be patience. You should know how Mika is."
Once she managed to control her emotion, she made her way to the living room, where Mika was waiting nervously. Upon seeing how worried Mika was, Ryn's expression softened.
Yes, she was that soft-hearted.
She cleared her throat and made her way to the cushion. She patted the space next to her and just in a blink, Mika sat next to her.
"So now, what can you say about the plan?"
Mika sniffed and buried her face to Ryn's arms, "Are you still angry at me?"
Ryn sighed heavily. She patted Mika's back soothingly.
"Go drink some milk to calm yourself," she told Mika.
Mika obeyed her. Slowly she went to the kitchen to do just that, praying hard the time she took to do it would make Ryn felt better.
Mika brought a mug of hot milk for Ryn. Her movement was slow and weak. It was clear she was still worried.
Ryn did not touch the mug. She simply waited for Mika to stop fidgeting.
"Actually I was supposed to have a business meeting there and I knew you were having photo shoot there too. So I thought how about we go together and then continue with a short vacation without you having to rush for the next assignment or I have to go to another business meeting."
"But shouldn't you ask my opinion first before you decide on it?"
"I'm sorry. I've learned my mistake. Next time I won't do it again. I'll discuss with you first. Please don't be mad at me."
Ryn wiped the tears on Mika's face. "You do know how spoiled you are, don't you? Jeremy and Jason are treating you like a little kid. They always do whatever you want and cover your mistakes."
"They love me so much. Just like you. You love me too… right?" Mika looked at her hopingly.
Ryn sighed. Mika is her best friend. In fact, the only friend she has who accepted her for who she is. Mika never looked down on her for being different than the others, or for bringing weird lunch box to class. Instead of buying lunch in the canteen, her mother would prepare 'healthy food' for her, hence her 'hatred' of 'bunny food'. She ate a lot of bunny food growing up. No meat, nothing that used to have life. Not even fish!
Mika always shared her lunch box with Ryn. Mika even helped Ryn eating some of her lunch. When Jeremy was introduced in her life and later on became her first (only) boyfriend, he exchanged his lunch box with hers. Mika was the first to meet her parents to defend her decision to be a model, also the first to congratulate her when her picture was printed in a magazine. Sometimes she felt like Mika was her real little sister and even promised to live together with Mika when they grew up, much to the glare from Jeremy and Jason. At that time Jason was wooing Mika but the silly girl treated Jason as big brother.
So many things they had done together with or without the boys. It was fun and such a memorable memory she would cherish her whole life.
Oh, Mika, what would she do without this best friend of hers in her life?
"Fine. I do love you but it doesn't mean I would let you arrange my life. We are two different people, Mika, and have our own life."
"I know."
"So there will be no next time. Promise?"
"I'll try," Mika mumbled, running her eyes from looking at Ryn.
"Mika!" Ryn knocked on Mika's head gently.
~*~*~*~
"Hello everyone. Good morning. Today is such a-"
"Mika, what did you put in my backpack?... make-up? How many make-up do you need for the trip?"
Mika looked guilty. Forgetting about the camera she was holding, she looked around for a place to hide.
"Mika!"
"I…"
Ryn entered the bedroom holding her backpack. Inside, apart from her things like her purse, her planner and some snacks, it was filled almost fully with makeup items like make-up palates and few small bags she knew contained make-up as well. "Do you need more than four palates and…" Ryn unzipped one of the small bags, "seven lipsticks?"
"Yes."
"One palate and only one lipstick. And how many sunscreens and moisturizers do you need?"
"But Jason never complained about how much I bring. He even buys me more," Mika whined.
"Mika~"
"I need different make-up for a different outfit. Besides, all the creams are less than 100ml so you would not get into trouble."
Ryn pinched the skin between her brows, feeling a huge headache coming. Why did she even bother asking Mika?
Mika grinned and hugged her best friend. She knew she could count on Ryn to bring all the things not fit in her bag. She kissed both Ryn's cheeks happily and then skipped to the living room to continue her recording. The first video she uploaded in the Youtube received huge reactions; positive reactions. Her subscribers even asked for more. So she decided to make a new video about their vacation. Of course, she did not have time yet to tell Ryn. But, she had no doubt Ryn would support her. Ryn loved her too much to ignore her request.
"Where was I just now? Oh yes. Hello, everyone. Today Ryn and I are going to Atlanta. This is a two-in-one thing. Ryn has her work commitment, just like me. And then we're going to have a short, shorter than I like actually, vacation. Although it is short but holiday is still a holiday and Ryn and I need to spend time together without interruption from others," she cupped her mouth, "Sorry, Love. I do love you but I want to be with Ryn just the two of us." She winked at the camera.
She was still chattering happily when Ryn finally arrived along with her own bag and backpack. Rather than wearing a dress like Mika, Ryn was wearing jeans and a black top. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and covered with a cap.
"Are you still recording? We need to move now." Ignoring the camera, Ryn took out her phone to call Mei Li.
"The driver is on the way. Don't worry," Mika took a short break from the camera to inform Ryn before continued chattering.
Ryn sat on the couch and closed her eyes. She was still sleepy. Just a short nap while waiting for their ride, then check in and get into the plane, another nap. Then check into the hotel and another nap session. She nodded at her plan and happily drifted into the dreamland.