All my bags are pack I'm ready to go.
''I'm standing here outside the door, I hate to wake you up to say goodbye....'' I remember that song which I usually sing to my mom whenever I go on a travel. I sing that to tease her because I know that she hates my voice. My golden voice irritates her ears. Ha-ha! But she usually joined me even if we are both out-of-tune singers. Then we dance together like crazy people who don't care about their pathetic neighbors.
I am fully awake right now but I am still laying in bed. My eyes were fix in the ceiling. Thinking.
Am I really going to leave this place without doing the things that I am suppose to do? Am I not going to feature this country? Looking into it, I think I can uncover a lot of things in here. I don't know why but something within me tells me stay.
But those guys who were chasing me yesterday, they have seen my face. And this place seems to be a small village, so I think it's easy for them to find me once I stroll around-- Alone.
'' Anyone can tell you're new here.'' I suddenly recall what the old man said.
Indeed, it's easy not because people knew each other but my outfit is eye-catching. I must blend in.
After a few minutes, I heard a knock on the door. I suddenly came back to reality and rose up to see whose behind the door.
Ah, the lady again from the other day.
'' Yes?'' I am smiling at her hoping that I won't scare her just like before.
'' Y-young Miss... B-breakfast is ready.'' She was looking down.
'' Thank you. I'll be there in a minute.'' I replied. I am about to turn around but I halted. I still don't know her name. '' By the way, please call me Yana moving forward. I really appreciate it.''
'' Y-yes ...M-miss Y-yana.'' She's hesitating.
I held her shivering hands right away and look into her eyes. ''Just Yana please... Diana or Yana will do.'' I am smiling. '' What's your name?''
'' Everyone calls me Jacky.'' She returned a smile.
'' Nice meeting you, Jacky. I hope we can be friends moving forward.''
I saw the sudden change in her face. Shocked and unbelief. Am I that scary? I really think that I am a beauty queen! Ha-ha. There you go again, Yana. Your not funny anymore. -_-.
'' But if you don't like me then I won't force you-----'' I didn't finish my statement since she suddenly cut me off.
'' I love to!'' She yelped. '' I'm sorry I was suprised. it's not because I don't like you... I just couldn't believe that s-someone like you would want a lowly servant like me to be your friend.'' She shy away. Her words actually pierced my heart and I don't even know why I would feel that way to a stranger.
'' I am not a royal princess either.'' I replied. '' Friendship is not base on social status, always remember that. Friendship is base on trust and love towards each other. As long as you have those two components then nothing can stop two people from becoming friends.'' Dang! I feel like a real philosopher. ha-ha!
''Thank you.. Y-yana.'' I saw her cheeks turned red in shyness. She's not yet use to calling me with my name but it's okay. She'll be able to feel comfortable once she keeps using it once in a while.
''There you go. Thanks Jacky. I'll just wash up and be downstairs in a minute.'' As soon as she heard me, she smilingly kowtowed and went back downstairs.
As soon as I'm done fixing myself up, I immediately treked the staircase going to the dining hall. I could see the children lined up occupying two long tables as they eat their meals. The teens also gathered around the other two long tables. Then one table was occupied by some women. Now what's left was the table allocated for the staffs to eat.
But who is that man on the head chair? He looked like.... Liam?! What is he doing here?
I was a bit surprise. Did I forget that he created this lodge? Or should I say, hidden institution to be exact? Of course he has all the right to come and go just as he pleases!
I tried looking around to search for an empty chair. I can't eat infront of him not because I hate him but because he doesn't like me at all. However, I couldn't see any empty seat. I'll just let everyone finish before I eat.
**Unknown to Diana, Liam saw her standing at the doorpost looking around. Guess she doesn't want to sit with him. Well, he can't blame her after what he did last night.**
Diana was about to leave when someone called her name out.
'' Yana!'' Jacky dashed to where I am. ''There you are! We've been waiting for you! Come on!' Then she pulled me to where Liam and grace are.
'' G-good morning.'' I faked a smile.
'' Yana, come, sit down. Liam is going to join us for breakfast today.'' Grace was smiling at me while she sat down beside the quite man.
'' Oh, okay.'' I replied before pulling the chair. I intentionally leave one chair separating me and Grace so Jacky can sit in between us but then Jacky admonished me.
'' Yana, Why don't you sit beside brother Liam since he came to talk to you.''
'' Eh? Talk to me?'' I unconsciously blurted out. Then I look at Liam who only glanced at me.
'' Don't worry, he won't bite.'' Jacky suddenly stoop down and whispered in my ears. Dang this lady... I wanted to strangle her right now cause I feel like she's doing it on purpose.
**Unknown to them, a woman twitched her lips in annoyance. No... no one should sit beside the man except her. Only her!''**
'' And besides, it's too unpleasant to see that no is in front of us.'' Jacky added. I realized what she said was true so I hesitantly rose up and went to sit beside Liam.
'' What is it that you want to say?'' I softly inquired.
'' Let's eat first.'' Liam casually replied so I didn't ask further. Well, it can definitely wait.
It's really good to have Grace and Jacky on the table as we eat. If not, the breakfast time will be filled with awkward silence with me and Liam in it. Grace kept on asking questions to him... stuffs about their missions and I am surprise that Liam could actually speak!
He's not mute and not a lazy speaker at all! He was responding with Grace queries and laughing with Jacky's absurd stories! Damn it! He can talk nicely and smiles alluring in front of other women, but not me!
Just how deep was his resentment towards me? And how can I get him to speak kindly to me? I pouted within. He is so unfair! Totally!
''You know what, it's unfair on our part to own the spotlight just to entertain our brother Liam here.'' Jacky suddenly broke the momentum. ''' Why don't you give us a story too?'' Their eyes suddenly fell on me and I felt a little nervous.
Dang! This lady! I thought she's a docile woman with only few words! But she's the opposite! Total opposite!
'' B-but I don't have any interesting story to tell you.'' I chuckled lightly.
'' Weyy!! That's a lie.'' Jacky snorted. ''Everybody got a story to tell....''
'' But mine is not an interesting one. It will only bored you so give me a pass this time.'' I pleaded with a smile.
'' How about stories about your family? Your mom, dad and your siblings.'' Grace inquired. '' tell us about them.'' her eyes were dazzling as she speaks.
I unknowingly raise my brow. I honestly didn't expect that question though.
'' Eh?'' I yelped. It's a sad story I never wanted to tell anyone but since she asks, might as well give her an overview. I'm sure she won't stop asking unless she hears something.
'' I... never met my father since I was born.'' I smiled at them. '' And I don't have any siblings since my mother chose not to get married until she died.''
The three suddenly stopped eating. The two women's eyes fell on me, but as for Liam, he suddenly stood up and left.
Really? He can't even stand my voice? I scoffed.