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"Hey Jay, aren't you feeling cold?" Bren asked Jay who only wore a shirt. Almost all the students are wearing jackets since January is a month of cold winds.
"Nah. I'm fine." Jay really felt fine, the cold winds seems to have no effects on him.
The two entered the classroom. It is Friday.
What the trio is excited about is the training that they will undergo next week. Mardez told them that they will come back on Wednesday night, so starting Sunday, which they will begin their training, they have four days to train. They will depart at Saturday afternoon, which is tomorrow.
"Bren, me and Natalie and Mark will attend an important occasion next week. We will return on Thursday. I just wanna let you know now."
Bren stared Jay. "If you can't tell me the exact reason, then it's okay." Bren didn't press the matter further.
"But since you'll be absent for three days next week..... then buy me a present or a souvenir." Bren smiled sheepishly.
"Eh? Why would I?" Jay was surprised at Bren's request.
"I imagine you'll go somewhere far. Maybe you'll go on a joyous trip or whatsoever. So I thought I'll ask you to buy me a present to make up for the days you are absent, hehehe?" Bren scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Jay thought for a moment then nodded his head with a smile.
"Sure."
Bren laughed joyfully and they spend the day listening to boring lectures.
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"So, what's the plan tomorrow?" Jay asked Mark.
"Mr. Mardez said we will go to his house tomorrow morning. We will depart tomorrow afternoon after lunch. As for Xander, he went first to that place yesterday."
Jay nodded in understanding.
They all went home and when night fell, the three slept early, ready for their journey.
Early morning.
Jay woke up earlier than usual and prepared his things. Jay informed his father and sister of the trip a few days ago. They then felt relaxed since it will be a training after all. What's more, Xander and Mardez will accompany them.
Jay called Mark and Mark notified him that he is on his way to Mahat, while Natalie arrived there earlier.
Jay decided to just take a taxi to go there.
After breakfast, Jay bid goodbyes to Randy and Carla then headed out.
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Mardez's Residence.
"Oh, you came a bit late than I expected." Mark was the first to talk to Jay upon entering the house.
"I didn't use my motorcycle."
"Oh." Mark nodded in understanding.
The three sat down on a couch waiting for Mardez to emerge from his room.
"I hope you had your breakfast, cause I don't want to show-off my poor cooking skills." Mardez then chuckled as he walked down the stairs.
"Good morning Mr. Mardez."
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The three headed out and Mardez showed them a car that they will use for traveling. The car looks brand new and the color is blue.
The trio just stared in surprise to the new car.
"Hey Mr. Mardez, there is no such car like this when you first came back, right?" Natalie was the first to speak.
"Bentley....Bentley.... There's no doubt about it. This car is a Bentley!" Mark who is well versed in car brands immediately recognized that the car is a Bentley.
Mardez just laughed it off and proudly smiled. "Yes. This is a brand new car of mine. You should feel proud that we will use this just for this trip. Alas, if I had a bit more of money, then I could have bought that pretty-looking Audi."
"Audi !?" Mark who is currently inspecting the car stopped on his tracks.
"Mr. Mardez, you are truly rich." Jay was also surprised when he heard that Mardez originally planned to buy an Audi.
Mardez just chuckled and they went inside the car.
"Ah, how comfortable." Mark and Natalie are in the backseat while Jay and Mardez are in the front.
Mardez drove the car, heading to the west direction.
"So we really are leaving the territory of San Francisco?" Jay asked Mardez.
"Yes." Mardez simply said.
Going past Mahat are full of mountains. In fact, it is a mountainous area that spread for several kilometers until the next city.
The mountains served as the borders that divide Rubando and that city.
The ride lasted for about one and a half hour. Mardez drove the car into a separate path. They looked like they are going on a secret place. The path they had taken is a winding path until they reached their destination.
They said stopped in an area surrounded by trees. The trio looked around and saw a small houd made stones not too far away from where they are.
"So refreshing." Natalie inhaled the fresh air like it is something delicious.
"Okay kids, we're here now. Get all your things and let's first enter that Stonehouse." Mardez led them while the trio followed behind him while appreciating the place.