_Lavalee Flamelinne Hanazono's Point of View_
"How about you?" he asked after a long silence
"There are five of us, I have two younger sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother. Ares is our second cousin, his mom, Aunt Arizza, is my Appa's cousin. I have two cousins from the mother's side, imo, my eomma's twin, has two sons, JC and Kent, you've met them." I answered
"Grandparents?" he asked
"Halmeoni died last year. We never met our other grandparents." I answered
"You have a big family." He said
"Yeah, but we're still close in bonds although we're technically scattered," I said
"What are your parents like?" I asked him
"Kind, caring, loving, the common characteristics of a mother and nosy. My father, I haven't seen him since I went back here." He said
I played the stereo when we ran out of topics and the song that played was 'Just Like Fire.'
"Fire," he mumbled so I looked at him
"Huh?" I asked him confused
"Why do you have that reaction to fire?" he asked
I leaned on the passenger seat and smiled bitterly.
"Ever since I was young, I was so astonished by fire. My room was decorated with fire designs, anything that resembles fire. Five years ago, it was the last thing I saw before I went home only to find out that we were ambushed." I said and he didn't seem to be surprised anymore since I already mentioned it in the pageant
"Mafia," he said with a dark face and his hand gripping hardly on the steering wheel.
I forgot, he's a police officer, he hates the underground society, he hates its existence and its members.
He hates the likes of me.
"I tried to kill myself using fire," I said and a tear fell from my eye
"But Nii-sama stopped me,"
"He said that we already lost Eomma and Appa, if they'll lose me too, what would happen to our younger siblings? Nii-sama couldn't do it alone so I stopped." I said
"Stopped?" he asked and I nodded
"I stopped studying for a while. Nii-sama tutored me every night so that I won't forget the lessons. After a year, everything was stable so I was able to study again, I was able to get accelerated instead of being left behind." I said
"You're strong." He said and I smiled
I had to.
I had to be strong.
The whole ride became silent until we stopped by a two-story house.
He parked the car in front and then we went down.
It was already 6:45 PM so the sky is dark already.
"You should get ready." He said and my forehead knotted
"Ready? Ready for what?" I asked
"You'll see," he said and held my hand.
We went inside the gate, they have a garden in front of their house and the garden looks so beautiful even though it's dark.
He opened the door and we entered their house.
Their interior is simple but it's calming and relaxing. It gives off a homey vibe.
"Jace, you're here,"
A woman in a cream-colored dress greeted us, she's wearing an apron above it, and she's smiling at us.
"Uh, hello, ma'am," I said and she walked up to me and kissed my cheek so I kissed her cheek too
"Hi, Mom," Jace said and kissed her
"Call me Aunt Reese." She said
"Come on, I'm just getting the table ready." She said so we followed her to the dining room.
There was another woman whom I think is the same age as Jace's Mom and a girl seated on the chair.
"Jace!" the girl said and stood up
"You're here," the woman said and kissed Jace's cheek
"Good evening, Aunt Jenny," Jace greeted
"Good evening, ma'am," I said and she smiled at me before kissing me on my cheek
"Take a seat," Jace's Mom, I mean Aunt Reese, said and Jace pulled a chair for me.
I sat down across the woman that Jace called 'Aunt Jenny'.
"Okay, let's pray," Aunt Reese said and they suddenly bowed their heads
I didn't know what to do so I bowed and waited until they raised their head.
After praying, we started to put food on our plates.
Jace placed some small parts of chicken on my plate and rice.
"Thank you," I said and started eating
My attention shifted to the girl because she's using her phone.
I'm not being a brat, it's just that I'm not used to people using their phones in front of the table unless needed.
"Jean, we're eating," 'Aunt Jenny' told her.
So, her name is Jean.
She hid her phone and started eating.
"Jace, can you get me some adobo?" she asked
Oh, so that's the name of the food.
Adobo.
"Jean, it's just near you," her mom said and gave the food to her
"Oh, what is your name?" Jean's Mom asked me
I looked at Jace because I can't say that I'm a Hanazono, well, it's not that I'm judging them, I just don't want to get them involved.
"I'm Lavalee," I answered
"Are you Jace's girlfriend?" I was caught off guard by that question then Jace suddenly coughed so gave him the glass of water which he drank quickly
"Uh, I'm not," I answered shyly
"Though they look together, don't you think so, jenny?" Aunt Reese said, which made me blush
"Mom, we're not like that," Jace said and I nodded
"How old are you, Lavalee?" she asked me
"Turning eighteen," I answered
"How did you meet Jace?" she asked again and I looked at Jace because I know that I can't say that his assignment is to guard me since that's confidential.
"Mommy, maybe she has something to do with Jace's new assignment," Jean said
We continued eating, Aunt Reese and Aunt Jenny were telling stories to each other.
After eating, I helped clean up the table.
"Oh, Lavalee, let me take that," Aunt Reese said when she saw me carrying the plates
"It's okay," I said and placed the dishes on the sink
"I'll take care of it, Mom," Jace said and Aunt Reese's eyes widened
"What are you, you're a guest." Aunt Reese said and I smiled
"Yeah, Jace, Lavalee, you should stay in the living room." Aunt Jenny said
"It's okay, Aunt Jenny," Jace said and held the sponge
"He missed doing chores since he doesn't do them," I said which earned a glare from Jace
"I'm cooking," he said and his Mom looked at him like he's joking
"Does Jace know how to cook?" Aunt Jenny asked Aunt Reese
"Helped cook," I corrected
Aunt Reese and Aunt Jenny seemed amused while watching us.
"Are you sure you're not dating?" Aunt Jenny asked us
"Yes," I answered then suddenly my phone rang.
"Uh, excuse me," I said and went out to the living room
"Konbanwa," I greeted
[Dove sei?] he asked
"Watashi wa ie ni imasen," I said
[Ovviamente,] he said and I can imagine his irritated face
"Non preoccuparti per me, Nii-sama." I told him
[Basho, Furamerine.] he said this time in a serious tone
"Mōsugu ie ni kaerimasu, Nii-sama. Yakusoku shimasu." I assured him
[Dove sei?] he asked again and I bit the insides of my cheek
"Watashi wa jeisu no ie ni imasu." I said
[Che stai facendo li?] he asked
"Nii-sama. Hora kare no okāsan ga watashi o shōtai shitanode, watashi wa koko ni imasu, kotowaru no wa shitsureidesu." I told him
[Se hai intenzione di uscire con lui, non sono contrario, dimmelo e basta. Ricordalo, Flamelinne.] he said and hanged up
It took me a few moments before I realized what Nii-sama had just said.
What the heck?!
"Se hai intenzione di uscire con lui, non sono contrario, dimmelo e basta. Ricordalo, Flamelinne."
Translating it in English would be; "If you're planning to date him, I'm not against it, just tell me. Remember that, Flamelinne."
"Who's that?" Jace appeared in front of me
"Nii-sama. He's asking for my location," I said
We went to where Aunt Jenny and Aunt Reese along with Jean are seated.
"Come, Lavalee, join us." Aunt Reese said so I sat beside her and looked at the cards.
UNO cards.
"Mom, I have to bring Lavalee home," Jace said when he saw Aunt Reese giving me cards
"It's still early," Aunt Reese said
"It's okay, Dreice, I informed them," I said and he looked at me confused before sitting on the single couch.
We started playing and it seem fun.
I enjoyed it, maybe because no lives are depending on this game.
"Lavalee, where did you first meet Jace?" Aunt Jenny asked and I bit my lips to stop myself from laughing when I remembered how we first met.
"In New Jadecry," I said and glanced at Jace
"How?" Aunt Reese asked
"I thought he was gay. I was in a boutique then we both held the same dress and had a little argument as to who the dress should go to. I thought he was gay and he was trying hard to be a girl. " I answered and they laughed while Jace facepalmed
"Where did you meet next?" Jean asked
"Mall Elevator here in Seryphil. He was a snob," I said and Aunt Reese and Aunt Jenny chuckled
"Jace hasn't changed," Aunt Reese said
"Has he always been like that?" I asked like Jace isn't in the room
"Oh, yes," Aunt Jenny said
"Here, look at the pictures of Jace back then." Aunt Reese said and pulled out a photo album.
She began flipping pages and showing me pictures of the young Dreice.
"Flamelinne, let's go," he said and stood up
"Don't be such a KJ, Dreice." I teased him
"Why do you call Jace Dreice?" Jean asked me with a raised brow and glaring at me
"Did you forget, Jean? Jace's name is Jace Dreice." Aunt Jenny said
"Why don't you sleep here?" Aunt Reese suggested while we're playing another game of UNO
"Uh we can't, Ma'am," I said and looked at Dreice.
He signaled his phone so I checked mine.
Oh, shit.
35 missed calls.
It's already 8:51 and if we get stuck in traffic we'll be able to go home by around or past 11.
"She she classes tomorrow, Mom," Jace said
"Where are you studying, iha?" Aunt Jenny asked
"Red Fire Academy," I answered and I saw how Jean's eyes widened
"In the rebel school? As far as I know, only students with bad records can get in there." She said so I shook my head
"Uh no, Red Fire Academy also accepts students from prominent families or those who want to join the military," I said while smiling
"What course did you take?" Aunt Reese asked
"Business Management," I answered
"Isn't there a ranking there per College? What rank are you?" Jean asked with a mischievous smile
She's probably waiting for me to say something embarrassing.
"Uh, we don't really - Rank 1." Jace cut me off
"You're great, hija. There were questionnaire examples that appeared in the media, it seems your exams were very difficult." Aunt Jenny said
"A product of review, Ma'am, Jace ranked third last mid-term exams," I said and I saw how they seemed shocked
"Did you study again, Jace?" Jean asked
"Yeah, I want to help Dad," Jace said
"Are you in the same class, or not?" Aunt Reese asked
"We're classmates," I said and suddenly, my phone vibrated and since it was on the table they saw it too
"Uh, I have to take this," I said and stood up
I went near the door a little far from them
[Where are you?] Jess asked
"We're still here," I answered
[What time are you coming home? Frost has been calling since earlier.] she said
"Don't worry, I told Nii-sama where I am," I said
[Okay, go home soon, okay? Mnemosyne's still here in the living room. I think she's waiting for you and Jace.] she said and hung up
When I walked back, I saw that Jace had just put his phone down too.
"Caspian."
"Jess."
We said in chorus
I guess Chelsea asked the two to call us since it's already late.
"Uh, we have to go now, Aunt," I said
Aunt Reese stood up and kissed me on the cheek and I did the same.
"Bye, Mom," Jace said and kissed Aunt Reese's cheek
"Good night and thank you for inviting me," I said and bowed slightly
We went out of their house and then rode in the car.
I leaned on the passenger seat when Jace started the car.
I took out a make-up remover and removed my make-up.
"No more make-up?" I asked and faced him
He nodded so I hid the make-up remover in my pouch again.
"Wake me up when we arrive," I said and closed my eyes.
***
Konbanwa, - Good evening,
Dove sei? - Where are you?
Watashi wa ie ni imasen. - I'm not at home.
Ovviamente, - Obviously,
Non preoccuparti per me, Nii-sama. - Don't worry about me, Nii-sama
Basho, Furamerine. - Location, Flamelinne.
Mōsugu ie ni kaerimasu, Nii-sama. Yakusoku shimasu. - I'll go home soon, Nii-sama. I promise.
Watashi wa jeisu no ie ni imasu. - I'm in Jace's house.
Che stai facendo li? - What are you doing there?
Nii-sama. Hora kare no okāsan ga watashi o shōtai shitanode, watashi wa koko ni imasu, kotowaru no wa shitsureidesu. - Nii-sama. Look, I'm here because his mom invited me, it's rude to decline.