When Carol came out of the room that morning, she saw Troy cooking in the kitchen. Carol was actually still upset about last night's events, so she purposely didn't greet Troy.
"Good happy morning!" The greeting came from the living room sofa, making Carol jump in surprise. She turned and rubbed her chest to calm herself.
"Sorry to surprise you," another voice spoke. The owner of the voice, a gentleman with a friendly face who seemed to smile often. "I'm Ricki, and this is Jun." He pointed to the man who had surprised Carol with his greeting.
The man named Jun was taller than Ricki, he smiled broadly while waving.
Carol returned the greeting and the sudden introduction of the two strangers with a small nod, then walked over to Troy.
"Troy, say something," Carol demanded.
"Something," Troy replied without looking at Carol because he was still frying the eggs.
Carol hissed in annoyance. "You think that's what I meant?"
"So what?" Troy turned to Carol.
Carol gave a small nod toward the living room. "Who are they?"
"A new friend for you. So you don't have to be afraid of ghosts anymore," Troy replied casually.
Carol stared. "Hah?"
"They also brought television. So you can watch television at home if you're bored," continued Troy.
Carol looked at the table at the side of the living room and finally saw a television that wasn't there before.
"But since the signal here is bad, I don't know if you can watch a lot of channel programme," Troy said.
"I didn't even expect much," Carol replied resignedly.
Troy smiled amusedly. "Let's have breakfast," said the man.
"Wait. I need to check the television first," Carol replied as she went into the living room .
As she passed Ricki and Jun, Carol greeted them with a small nod. "I… um… Troy's housemate," Carol explained.
"We know. Troy already told us," Ricki replied kindly.
"But, didn't something happen between you two?" Jun inquired with his nosy grin. "I mean, you men and women live together in the same house. It feels… aw!" Jun screamed in pain as something landed on the back of his head. Bottle of mineral water.
Wow. Troy was good at throwing.
"Let's eat," Troy said casually.
"You don't have to throw it to my head like that, Man. What will you do if I lose my memory like that girl of yours?" exclaimed Jun.
"Go on and this time I'll throw a glass shattering on your head," Troy said still in a relaxed tone.
However, Jun didn't reply and obediently walked over to Troy who was already at the dining table.
Meanwhile, Carol is still busy checking television channels . However, as Troy said, the signal here is poor and only a few channels appear. Irritating.
Disappointed, Carol joins the table. She let out a deep sigh as she sat down on the chair. She took another sigh as she scooped the rice onto her plate. When she moved a piece of egg onto her plate, Carol sigh again.
"You said you didn't expect much," Troy said.
"I didn't say I didn't expect it," said Carol. "And in the end, it was that expectation that disappointed me."
"Um… Rose?" call Jun.
Carol turned. "Yes?"
"It seems, before you lost your memory, you really liked watching movies. I feel like I've heard the dialogue you said earlier from one of the films I watched," Jun said.
Carol stifled an annoyed hiss. It seemed, she would not get along with a tall boy like this lamp pole. Even so, Carol tried to calm herself and smiled at the childish man.
"You're going to be here all day, right?" asked Carol.
Jun nodded.
"Good." Carol held out her hand. "Give me your cell phone."
Jun frowned in confusion. "My phone? What for?"
"For me to use, of course," answered Carol. "As long as you're here, I'll borrow your cell phone."
Jun glared in protest, then turned to Troy.
"Just borrow it," Troy replied.
Hearing that, Carol was ready to forgive Troy for upsetting her last night.
Jun, who didn't fight Troy, just stared at Carol full of hostility. Carol returned the man's gaze with a triumphant smile.
"But, in your gang, Troy seems to be the leader, huh?" guessed Carol. He pointed at Jun with his spoon. "And you are the weakest."
"Hey!" Jun put his hands on his hips and glared unwillingly. However, Carol ignored that and started scooping her breakfast.
***
"So she's the lost princess with no memory?" Ricki asked quietly as he looked at Carol who was currently named Rose, who was fighting over the cellphone with Jun on the living room sofa.
Troy nodded.
"But, Carol..."
"Rose," Troy cut in sharply. "Call him like that. I have no intention of telling him about his family until I'm sure things are safe."
Ricki watched Troy. "Why did you involve yourself in this case, Troy? If her family finds out she's still alive and here, you'll be in trouble. I thought you stayed here to live in peace."
"Then what should I do? Sending that girl to die at the hands of her family?" cynical Troy.
Ricky sighed. "It's a matter about you. You're too kind to people."
"Did you forget how much blood flowed on my hand?"
"Precisely because I know, I say it. If you really want to start a new life without all that, you have to choose who you help. That girl is too dangerous for you. Moreover, the people you mentioned yesterday. Sooner or later, they will find the girl."
Troy sighed. "I know. That's why I asked you here to look after him."
"May I know why you are doing this?" asked Ricki curiously. "Why did you let that girl stay here even though she brought you danger?
Troy looked at Carol and frowned. "Because James asked me to."
"Who are you trying to lie to, Troy?" snorted Ricky.
Troy huffed. "How can I chase her away if she keeps following me around like a stray kitten?"
Ricki blinked at Troy. Kitten?
Long ago, Ricki remembered how Troy had killed the man who tortured the cat. And what did he just say? Carol is… that kitten?
"She's got nowhere else to go, Rick. Once she gets home, she'll be killed," Troy said. "I'll just be watching her for a while here until she gets used to her new life. After that, I plan to send her to a faraway place. A safe place for her."
Ricky sighed. "Okay. Just tell me when it's time for that girl to move out of here. I'll find a safe place for him."
Ricki was a bit surprised to hear Troy's heavy sigh after that. What's this? Don't tell me he'd rather the girl stay here? Ricki looked at Carol and was extremely curious, what did that girl do to make Troy like this ?
***