Clara stared at the closed door with a frown then shrugged. Maybe she was just overthinking it because that's how her sister usually acts so mysteriously.
She quickly picked a coat from the closet and wore it then went out of the room.
" Mum, where's Dad?" She asked while skipping to her mother who was knitting in the corridor with other two women. " Mrs. Mary, Mrs. Jane..." She greeted cheerfully then turned to her mother again.
" He went to the river dear, and where are you going dressed like this, " her mother asked softly with a tiny frown as her gaze was fixed on the large coat she was wearing.
" Oh, I want to go and see how Maya's doing.... Hehe, you know, about the marriage thing, " Clara replied then hurriedly sat down beside the woman who had suddenly sneezed twice.
" Mum, did you catch a cold?... you should go back inside the house?" She placed a hand on her mother's forehead with knitted brows.
" You know, your mother always catches a cold in this season."
" Yes, and can't you and your sister stay home for once and help out your mother?"
The two women scoffed and Clara sighed exasperatedly.
" Mum, I'm so sorry... I'll be back after solving Maya's problem__ " she hastily said and instantly covered her mouth.
Her mother sighed and gave her a helpless look. " Clara don't tell me you girls are up to something."
" No no no Mum, I mean Maya's so sad and I'm going there to cajole her to finally agree to the marriage that's all... Hehehe, Bye Mum, Love you. Bye, Mrs. Jane, Mrs. Mary." She quickly gave her mother a hug and ran out of the house.
" Hmph, I'm sure they're up to something"
" Yes, Anna, your daughters are really something... especially that very quiet one, she's so mysterious."
" And this Clara, apart from being too beautiful, tsk tsk tsk. . ."
The woman sighed helplessly and continued knitting while silently listening to the other two women as they scoffed about her daughters.
********
" Dude, don't you think it's a good thing? I'm sure my parents are finally going to agree." Ken beamed on the phone as he got out of his car which was parked in front of a small hotel.
After receiving Clara's call, he couldn't contain his joy and had instantly taken a flight from city X then drove here to this province which is very far from the city.
He cut off the call after receiving the usual one-word reply from his friend then went inside the hotel after admiring the colorful decorations around the area. Seems like he was going to celebrate his new year here.
" Welcome to this prestigious hotel sir, " The hotel's manager quickly welcomed him with a wide smile, he couldn't believe his luck as another rich guy had suddenly come and booked a room yesterday.
Ken chuckled at the man's greedy expression then took out his debit card and slammed it on the desk. " The VIP room, please, " he said and watched as the man quickly swiped the card and handed him a key with a room number.
He walked up the stairs, following his room's number then stopped in front of a door.
Inserting in the key, he was just about to turn the doorknob and open it when he heard a sound came from the opposite door and felt a gaze on his back.
" What!?" He exclaimed after turning back and the luggage in his hand fell with a plop, as his gaze was met with a very familiar face. His expression brightened and he instantly walked forward. " Why are you here dude, it's been so long since we last saw__" he stopped mid-sentence as the guy gave him a nonchalant look and closed the door behind him after going inside with a coffee mug in hand.
" Huh?" Ken scratched his head with knitted brows and thought he was hallucinating. The guy was surely Jack. He shrugged after some seconds, knowing that he was still going to receive the same treatment even though they met at a business conference. He picked up his luggage and turned around then went inside his room with a small smile, remembering what had brought him here.
He quickly took a warm bath and changed into a new set of clothes then strode downstairs after glancing at the opposite door again with a sigh.
______
Clara stood in front of the hotel and put the phone back inside her bag after reassuring her friend who had suddenly called her, that they would soon arrive.
Her eyes instantly lit up as she spotted Ken who was coming out of the hotel in large strides.
" Wow Clara, you look more beautiful than the last time I saw you... So is it true? where's Maya?" He asked expectantly and Clara chuckled while scratching her head
" Y..You'll know when we reached there, " she answered and plastered on a smile then Ken quickly nodded and they drove off inside his car.
_____
After they arrived at Maya's house. Her father's car was there just as expected but another two cars were also packed at the front gate.
Clara glanced toward Ken worriedly and hoped they were not too late.
" Let's go." She heard Ken said excitedly and instantly felt guilty while wondering again why her sister had come up with this kind of plan.
" You insolence! How dare you do this to my daughter!" A stick came flying toward them as they entered the room and Ken instantly dodged it after shoving the flabbergasted Clara aside.
" Father please stop it, please. . .," Maya begged with teary eyes as she ran toward Ken and instantly hugged him while sighing in relief that they had finally arrived.
' Huh? what just happened.' Clara splayed a hand on her chest as her heart thumped erratically. She couldn't believe she almost got hit by a metal bar. Her eyes darted across the couple who were hugging then was met with Maya's father's furious glare together with other two men who she made out to be Willy and his Dad, and their expressions were not better. ' Oh my God.'