" Sis Viv, I __ "
" Now take this and go back to your room__ make sure you don't tell Big brother... Okay?... Hehehe, we should give him a surprise visit. " she handed her the snack box then slowly patted her head while Lucy winced and stood up then quickly walked out of the room.
********
__ The Next Day __
Clara ate slowly and would glance now and then at her sister who had barely touched her food then sighed inside.
" Uhm Lily... I'll take the twins back to the hospital and stay a little while there. Please make sure you don't go out... Okay?" she softly said after a while and dropped her spoon.
Lily looked up at her and she slowly nodded. " Alright, Big Sis__ Bye babies." She smiled softly at the twins who had also finished eating and stood up then took the plates to the kitchen.
She slowly washed the plates while sighing now and then, and after that, walked out to the living room and slumped down on the couch as her thoughts wandered to those blissful moments at the riverside and his cheerful chatters.
' Hmmm, what am I thinking. ' she sighed inside and slowly closed her eyes, wondering when this feeling started building in her heart.
Was it when she first saw him__ or that night that he had cried in her arms while he was drunk.
Her hand wandered to her hair and she carefully removed the hairpin then opened her eyes and calmly stared at it with another sigh.
After some minutes, she stood up and walked inside the bedroom then came out later with her books and started studying.
A few hours passed by and she frowned slightly then wondered why her sister had not yet returned.
She removed her glasses and slightly rubbed her eyes then suddenly heard the doorbell ring.
Her eyes shifted to the door and she stood up, hoping it was her sister that had returned.
She hurried toward the door and slowly opened it, then a soft gasp escaped her lips while her eyes widened slightly.
" Hey, Lily. You're here"? Jack broke out of his trance and walked inside the apartment as she made way for him.
" H..Hi " Lily closed the door and slowly walked behind him then sat down on the couch opposite him.
" I thought school will start in a few days. Did you pass the exams, " Jack asked her and retrieved two cards from his suit's jacket.
" Y..yes... I passed the exams." Lily smiled at him and took the card from him.
" It's the invitation cards, the flight tickets are also inside... Sorry, I'll send one through my assistant tomorrow.. Didn't expect to meet you here, " Jack said while gazing at her with a small smile.
Lily's hands trembled slightly and she bit her lips then placed the card beside her on the couch. " Oh, I should bring you something to drink, " She said slowly then stood up and walked inside the kitchen.
" Okay." Jack nodded and sighed as his eyes lingered on the cards. He glanced around the apartment and a sad smile appeared on his face.
" Here." Lily returned with a glass of water and he muttered a thanks then took it from her hands.
" Hehe, studying? " He glanced at the books beside him and chuckled. " I bet you'll become one of the best medical doctors."
" Thanks." Lily smiled back and her gaze lingered on his face for some seconds then looked down again with another sigh. " Uhm... Jack?" She muttered softly and looked up after a while.
" Yes? what is it?"Jack put down the glass on the table with a smile then urged her to go on.
Lily bit her lips and sighed inside. " C..Congratulations, " she whispered with a small smile.
" Thank you, Lily, " Jack replied with a chuckle then glanced down at his wristwatch. He frowned slightly then sighed. he needs to go back today and it is almost time for his flight.
Seems like he won't get to see her again. Another sigh escaped his lips then he slowly stood up. " Lily, I need to go now... It's almost time for my flight to take off."
" Oh... Okay," Lily replied in a barely audible voice then also stood up and slowly followed behind him to the door.
" Jack... " she called out softly and he turned back with a small smile.
" Huh? what is__" he didn't get to finish his sentence as his eyes darted down to his suit which she was slightly tugging at.
" Lily..." He placed a palm on her chin then slowly lifted her head and stared into her teary eyes while everything gradually registered to him.
" Lily... I'm sorry." He sighed inside then slowly loosened her grip on his shirt.
Lily shook her head and a tear dropped from her eyes then she suddenly wrapped her arms around him. " Please don't go, Jack... please, " she pleaded in a whisper and buried her head in his chest while sobbing silently.
Jack sighed heavily and patted her back. " It's too late Lily... I'm so sorry, " he whispered back and slowly broke out of her embrace.
" O..Okay... I understand." she slowly nodded and he started wiping her tears then they suddenly heard the doorbell which had started ringing incessantly.
Jack stared at her with a sigh then opened the door and Clara barged inside with a frightened expression.
" What is wrong?"
" Did something happen?"
They both asked at the same time with knitted brows and Clara quickly shook her head with a hand splayed on her chest.
" N..No, it's nothing... I was just in a hurry, " she lied and sighed inside. She couldn't possibly tell them that she had bumped into that scary Matt again, could she? ' Argh!' everyone would just think she's being paranoid.
Her attention turned to Jack who still had a frown on his face and she suddenly felt embarrassed. After listening to his voice that night, they hadn't seen each other face to face__ ' Argh! this is so awkward.'