" I.. I want us to go together, " she said while staring at him expectantly.
Carl shook his head then chuckled and ruffled her hair. " You can go alone, I'll wait in the hotel, " he replied softly then continued driving.
" Okay, " Clara whispered then looked down and sighed inside while wondering what had really happened between them. She glanced at him then also looked ahead and after a while, asked him to drop her.
Carl nodded and she bid him goodbye then started walking toward the river which was not very far.
********
__ At The Riverside __
" Don't worry, she'll be here soon, " Lily said softly while watching the guy who was sitting beside her, with a small smile.
Jack nodded and sighed. " Lily, when will you come to the city, " he turned to her after some minutes and asked.
" I'm expecting the results next week, " she replied then opened her bag and brought out a phone.
" Here, " she handed him the phone with a soft smile and his eyes widened slightly then chuckled.
" You didn't throw it in the river that day,"? Jack took the phone then switched it on and sighed in relief, feeling thankful that the battery had not rundown.
Lily sighed inside as her eyes lingered on his side profile while he was busy with the phone, then after some seconds, noticed a small frown on his face. " What is wrong?" She asked softly and watched as his expression turned to an anxious one.
" Lily, I..I need to go back quickly, something happened back at home." Jack stammered and stood up. When did his mother fall sick? the countless messages he got from his father showed that it was really serious. His heart thumped rapidly and he turned to the girl who had also stood up.
" Please tell Clara, that I'll give her a call, I'll__" he did not get to finish his sentence when she suddenly wrapped her arms around him.
" I'm sorry, " Lily whispered and Jack looked down with a sigh then patted her head.
" It's okay, it's not your fault." He chuckled and felt her tightened the hug.
" Jack, when I got to the city, where can I find you?" Lily looked up at him and stared into his eyes.
Jack chuckled again and retrieved a business card from his pocket then handed it to her. " You can call me. . ." he said softly and she slowly nodded then waved him goodbye.
Lily watched as his car drove off and her shoulders dropped then looked down at the business card in her hand. She sighed again and put it inside her bag, then sat down again under the tree while her gaze was fixed on where his car was packed just a while ago.
After some seconds, she spotted her sister rushing toward her, then stood up.
" Lily, where's Jack, " Clara asked with a small frown as her eyes darted around the area.
Lily sighed and held her hand. " He had gone back Big Sis, something suddenly came up. He had to leave hurriedly, " she explained softly.
" W..what? Did Jack leave already? " Clara exclaimed and Lily nodded slowly.
" Y..yeah he said that he'll give you a call."
Clara sighed and her head dropped, after some seconds, she looked up at her sister with a tiny smile then grabbed her hand.
" Let's go home Lily, " she said softly and Lily nodded then they started walking toward their home.
" Big Sis, I think you should go to brother-in-law, " Lily said after a while, as they neared their house. " Mum and Dad are not home and I think grandma might come today, " she added softly.
" Oh... Okay," Clara quickly nodded and waved her goodbye then walked in a different direction.
********
__ The Hotel __
Carl looked down at Lily's message with a small frown then sighed heavily after putting down his phone.
He sat up on the bed as his thoughts wandered again to what the girl had told him that day and another sigh escaped his lips.
His eyes darted to the phone which had suddenly started ringing and he picked it up with a small frown, then answered the call.
" S..Sir the chairman just called me... H..he asked for your whereabouts," his assistant stammered from the other end and Carl sighed inside, knowing well the reason why his father was looking for him again.
" W..When would you return?" The assistant added and Carl glanced outside the window then sighed again.
" Tomorrow," he replied curtly then cut the call.
He was about to put down his phone when a knock was suddenly heard from the door.
A small smile appeared on his lips and he stood up then strode toward the door.
" You're here." He smiled at the girl who was smiling back at him cheerfully then opened the door wide and she skipped past him.
Clara chuckled and walked inside the room then sat down on the couch. " I suddenly missed you, " She replied and watched as he sat down beside her.
" Did you meet him?" Carl asked and watched as her expression turned gloomy. " What is wrong?" He frowned slightly.
" Carl, I didn't see him... Lily said something suddenly came up and he had to rush back, " she mumbled and sighed inside.
Carl's frown deepened and he also sighed. " Did he mention what happened," he asked softly and she shook her head slowly then crawled on the couch and lay her head on his chest.
" Carl,? " she stared up at him and contemplated whether to ask or not.
" Mm? what is it?." He stared down with a small smile and urged her to go on.
Clara heaved a deep sigh then softly said, " Jack had mentioned that you guys were friends. . ." she stared into his eyes and watched as his expression changed then sighed again. She was about to lay her head back on his chest when she heard him sighed heavily.
" You want to know what happened?" He asked and she slowly nodded.