(Zane POV)
"Cheers to flying first class!" Ava said as we both raised our wine glasses for a toast. It's my first time flying first class and I have no idea whose money I am spending at all. They won't give me a hint. Ava keeps saying that she's not allowed to disclose any information, blah, blah, blah.
"Are you ready for CIA? They are not ready for your talent, let me tell you. You are going to intimidate everyone." I don't know if Ava was trying to be encouraging but she is certainly not helping me at all. I am stressed out and I am feeling very nervous. I just want to have a beauty sleep en route to California but she won't even let me do that.
"Ava, for me to intimidate everyone, I am going to have to rest for a while so I would appreciate it if you would keep quiet for a moment."
"I'm just saying, Zane! Who else can say that they will study in an Ivy League Culinary school, right? You should be very proud of yourself and I really don't want any bad energy surrounding you. I'm trying to cheer you up, that's all."
"Right! Well, I would appreciate it if you can be silent, please."
"No problem." She said before putting on her headphones.
Finally, why is it so effortful to shut Ava up? Why? I already have one Sasha, do I really need another one? I love Sasha, don't get me wrong but if I could place a quiet button on each of their heads, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I plugged my air pods inside my ears before putting on my blindfold for an easier and a more relaxing nap. Before I know it, I was already adrift to dreamland.
--
"Zane, this room is just divine! Can you believe it?" Ava gushed.
"It sure is."
"So over here, we have your bathroom. It might not be as big as you might have anticipated but I assure you that it will be more than convenient." Amelia said as she showed us my own bathroom. Ava has a separate bedroom and bathroom inside our huge dorm which is something I am extremely relieved by.
"Its heater is very easy to handle. You'll barely have any problem with it."
The bathroom has a glass shower wall and a sliding door. The toilet looks very neat and brand new. The shower tiles are a stunning porcelain and it really looks like a hotel bathroom, rather than a college dorm bathroom which is a huge plus for me.
The bedroom is so my style and I don't know if they just guessed it or Ava particularly ordered it to be this way since she can be rather demanding but this is dope with a capital d. There is a twin bed with velvet sheets and pillows. Underneath the bed are three storage drawers where I can put my books, school supplies and every one of my belongings. It is a nice way to sort and segregate my things since I am not really a Marie Kondo type of guy. Right above the bed is the window that gives me the full view to the courtyard of CIA.
There is also a divider and right behind it is my study area, I find it so cute. This will totally be a productive space for me especially with the fact that there's a divider to cover the sight of the bed, which means that there is less chance for me to get tempted into lying down. Once I lie down, I know for sure that it will be the end of my study session so I can't let laziness get the better of me.
"I love it. It screams full of privacy. It screams me. It is so my style. This room caught it." I praised.
"Thank you, Zane! I'm glad you liked it."
"Would you orient us regarding the kitchen tools and living room appliances as well?" Ava said.
"Sure, let's step out of Zane's room and I'll show you how it's done." Amelia said.
"After this, we still have to talk about my room right, not just Zane's?" Ava asked.
"Of course!"
I couldn't believe it. Amelia is probably so irritated with Ava right now, she probably wants to slap her across the face in annoyance.
"Um, excuse me? Can I just ask if there's a nearby café here or anything?"
"Oh yes! There's one near the reception desk. It's quite hidden so you wouldn't see it but as soon as you enter the building, just go straight and turn left."
"Noted! Thanks, I will just head down for a coffee."
As I went out of the dorm, leaving Ava and Amelia to settle things, my mind began wandering back to Orville. I haven't fully moved on from him yet and I don't know when to stop thinking about him.
California feels like a fresh start though. Hopefully, the more I stay here, the more I can forget him. The more I focus on studies and other things, the more my mind might slip away from these painful things.
--
(Orville POV)
"Hello baby! The nurses are right. You do have Eloise's eyes!" I said as I coo little Joanna in my arms.
"Daddy, can we see her?"
"Yes, I want to see too."
The kids cannot contain their excitement when they found out that their stepsister was finally out of their mommy's tummy. I bent down a little to show my three kids the angelic face of Eloise and Gillian's daughter.
"She's cute!" Sofia giggled.
"Can I carry her?" Wayne asked.
"Uh-uh! You're not yet allowed to carry a baby yet, buddy!" I said.
"Why not?" He pouted.
"Because Wayne is a baby!" Harry laughed which made Wayne lightly punch his brother's arm.
"Enough, you two!"
Suddenly, a frantic footsteps came running along the hospital corridor. I looked to see Gillian, distraught and clearly worried over Eloise's condition.
"Orville, how is she?" He ran to me.
"She's fine, she's just resting for a bit." I smiled.
"Is that…Joanna?" He asked as I can clearly see him holding his tears of joy back.
"It is. It's your beautiful daughter."
"Can I hold her?"
"Bro, she is yours, go for it!" I said before carefully transferring Joanna to her father's arms.
"Hey there, princess! Hi!" Gillian cooed.
"She has Eloise's eyes." I said.
"That's what I thought."
I watched the busy view of the hallways, full of nurses and doctors running around if not walking in a fast paced manner, with Gillian at the side, staring at her daughter in awe and admiration. The contrast of two separate images is pretty comical. There are people frazzled and here is Gillian, just crying not minding anyone who passed by him.
"Orville?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you…for being there for Eloise." He said.
"Don't mention it."
As I let the father daughter moment continue, I couldn't help but think about Zane. I wonder how he's doing. Is he already in CIA? Is he all alone? I wish I could, at least, know his whereabouts.
--
(Zane POV)
I was warming myself up in the café while reading one of the magazine displays when someone sat at my table.
I looked up in bewilderment to see the woman who has been stalking me throughout, in front of me. I was very confused on how she got here in California. Did she stalk me all the way over here?
"Who are you?"
She just stared and sipped from her espresso cup.
"What do you want? Why do you keep following me?!" I almost yelled.
"That's pretty rude, don't you think?" She raised her eyebrow at me.
"What's so rude about it?"
"Given the fact that I just saved you back there." She added.
It hit me and I then remembered. She is the one responsible for keeping me safe against those two idiots who tried to rob me along the alley.
"Look, thank you but can you at least tell me what's going on? Why have you been stalking me like a freaky weirdo or something?"
"I am not allowed to disclose any information. I am only tasked to serve."
"Fuck! You too?!!"
I can't believe it. Is this truly happening? What is she, a Villa Caruso staff as well? She stood up with her coffee before leaving her last few words.
"The name's Sarina by the way."
With that, she walked away and exited the coffee shop. What the hell is going on with my life?