"Mr. Tan, I am going on vacation for at least three months. Please do not look for me." She called her employer for the past 5 years.
"Is it really a vacation or just locking up yourself for another damn game?"
(He really knew me. Huhuhu!) But of course, she denied it. "Just wire me my bonus when I hit one million downloads on my latest manga."
"Did you talk to Chloe about this vacation?" inquired Mr. Tan warily. He was worried about Maria. He suspected her of squandering her money again.
"Heh! Mr. Tan seemed to be squeezing out information from me. It's not gonna work, Uncle!" She played it safe saying she would visit Chloe later.
"Hmmph! Don't waste your money on petty games!"
"Okay." On top of her head, she thought the game was not petty at all. It was the Inheritance Kingdom!
After she wired her advance payments for her loan, house rent, and bills. She sent Mrs. Doti, her landlord, a message about her advanced payment. Of course, she became more amiable to her. Then she went to buy her provisions for the entire three months. Her fridge and pantry were now full.
Next, she had to see where to place the capsule in her house. She looked up the web for the specification of the actual capsule so she could start measuring spaces in her rooms. She decided that the most suitable was her bedroom, so she started cleaning up and arranging her furniture. After clearing the space for the capsule to be settled, she dialled a number.
[Smelly Man]
"Blumock, you called." Someone answered after just one ring. His voice was warm and pleasant to the ear.
Peter must have been smiling on his end based on his tone she noticed. "Yes, hi, smell- I mean, Peter. How's it going?" she greeted him.
"Not bad. What's up?"
"Umm--I am ready for the capsule," she declared.
"Huh, that fast? It has only been a few months since we last talk. Send me your address I will deliver and install it for you."
"Yes!" she said happily. She was just too excited. She heard him laugh. (Oh! What a manly tone.) She felt something stirring up on her stomach. "I got paid on my last manga, so I am ready to rent your capsule."
"Oh, you're done. Then, are you also returning my lucky coin?" he asked as if he just remembered.
"That- ah, yes. I will give it to you when you deliver the capsule here." (Wait--Did she sound hesitant for a moment? Was it because she was reluctant to return the lucky coin?) She felt embarrassed because of her greed. She shook her head to disperse the negative thought. (I cannot hold on to the coin. It's not mine, to begin with.)
"Alright, give me three days. I am out of town right now."
When he hung up the phone, Maria dived on her bed and rolled like crazy sushi, wrapping her comforter on her body. She was ecstatic! "I can't wait, I can't wait!" The rest of the day she spent cleaning the entire house while humming cheerfully. (Once I start playing, I will have no time for cleaning anymore.)
***
Maria visited Chloe in her place after two days of preparation. It would take her mind off from being too anxious. Waiting was a terrible thing when you were impatient.
"Father told me you are going away. Is it true?" Chloe asked, dubious of her friend. Maria's not good at telling lies when talking to her face to face. Her face was too expressive, her emotions were very transparent.
"Pfft. You know it's just an alibi." Maria laughed. She could not deceive Chloe, so what was the point of denying it? She knew her too well.
"I knew it!" She sat right next to her friend. Chloe was an elegant lady. She was the exact opposite of Maria. Although she was a little bit spoiled since she was brought up as the heiress of Mr. and Mrs. Tan, she was kind and tolerable to Maria. She lightly whisked off strands of her silky hair that kissed her cheeks. "Well, did you buy a new game? Or did you meet someone, and you are hiding him from me?" She was a bit spirited in her last question.
Maria pouted. "Your lifestyle is different from mine. You do the boyfriend thing; I do the game."
"I know, I know." She hugged Maria while laughing. "But it's fun teasing you."
Maria stood up and moved to the kitchenette. "What do you want to eat?" She examined the ingredients in the fridge. This was their usual scenario whenever Maria visited her in her spacious apartment.
"Something light and less in calories."
Maria was busy preparing for their meal when she heard Chloe spoke. "I heard you created a romantic type novel?" Chloe again teased her. "Did you have an influence.... like a new guy that I don't know about?"
"Here we go again." Maria rolled her eyes. "Money was my motivation, of course. This new game is pretty expensive. Besides, your father tricked me to sign that contract. I would never accept that genre if I didn't need the money!"
"Tsk! Boring." She coiled some strands of her hair to her finger. "I am going out on a date tonight, care to join us? I can ask George to bring a friend along."
Maria's eyebrow arched. "Who's George? Your new boyfriend?"
"Well, I just met him in one of the exclusive after-parties of the Ayala-Zobel's events last month. He looked interesting. I'll see if we will click. So, can you come out with me tonight?"
"Heck, no! No for double dates, no for being a third wheel."
"Pfft! You will die as an old maid if you continue to be like this."
"Old maid? Then, so be it. I like the idea anyway. Nobody will interrupt me from my games."
"I will not allow it! I will help you flaunt your beauty. What about if we just go to a salon after this? Your hair needs some pampering."
"My hair is fine."
"How about we go shopping?"
"No, thanks. I think you just need someone to carry your stuff for you."
"Of course, not! How can I let my precious friend carry my stuff? I want to spend time with you, Maria. I won't be seeing you again for three months. My heart will miss you terribly. Please, let's do fun things together. I will cancel my date with George tonight." Chloe started to act like a cute puppy begging to be petted.
Maria looked at her. "Stop acting cute." She wrinkled her nose then eventually smiled.
Chloe's face brightened. "That will be a yes, right?"
"Cut the puppy-eyes crap on me. It won't work." Maria couldn't say no when Chloe started to look so cute with those big eyes.
After their meal, they went shopping and spent time together as to how Chloe wanted to spend that day. Their girl-bonding time went on until past midnight.