" Mm." Carl slightly chuckled from the other end. So she was not totally dumb.
They listened to each other's breath and after some seconds Clara finally said good and hung up the phone.
She laid down on the bed and gazed at the ceiling with a huge smile and made a mental note to call Maya the next morning and tell her about her promotion. Oh, and she also has to inform her parents. " hehe, I can't wait for the holidays to come.".
______
Carl stared at his phone for some minutes and chuckled again. He had already eaten dinner. He stood up and walked out of the study room toward his bedroom.
********
__ At Cha Mansion __
Lucy ran inside her room with a pack of snacks in her hands and quickly locked the door while panting heavily.
" Hehe, she didn't see you right?" Gina excitedly rushed toward her from the bed and quickly snatched the snacks.
" No, no, no I left her in her room, she was taking a nap," Lucy replied and splayed one hand on her chest, remembering how Vivian had seized all her snacks, saying that she needs to keep her shape and avoid too much sugar. ' Hmph, who cares about shape, I don't mind if I become fat as long as I can eat whatever I want.' She turned the doorknob to make sure that it was properly locked before joining her friend on the bed.
" Quick quick open it, " she said excitedly while Gina was struggling with sachet sachets.
" Uhm, Lucy, have you found big brother's girlfriend," Gina asked some minutes later while munching on the snacks.
" No, I didn't have a chance to ask him. Hmmm, it was all Sis Viv's fault, " Lucy replied with a full mouth. remembering how her mother didn't allow her to go with him, saying that she needed to learn a lot of things from Vivian.
" Oh, so is she really going to be engaged with big brother."
" Hmmm, I guess so. Father said uncle would come next week." Lucy sighed and slowly munched on the snacks.
" But, will big bro agree?." Gina knitted her brows confusedly.
" I don't know. . ., " She muttered softly and also wondered why her big brother did not bring home his girlfriend if he didn't want to marry Vivian because she knew he doesn't love her.
" Hehe, Lucy let's go to big brother's house. It's been long since you took me there." Gina suddenly changed the topic while staring at her friend expectantly.
Lucy's eyes lit up and she was about to nod but suddenly sighed. She was sure Vivian would not allow her to leave her sight. But she had to find a way to escape her grasps. " Yeah, let's go tomorrow. . . big brother would be at home, " she replied while nodding determinedly and they started planning how to go without alerting Vivian.
After some minutes, they both gasped and looked up when someone started knocking on the door from the outside, then suddenly heard a loud voice. " Lucy!!! What are you doing inside? Open the door.".
Gina looked at her wearily after hearing the voice and Lucy groaned exasperatedly while putting the snacks away then stood up and sauntered toward the door.
" Lucy wait, lemme hide first." Gina quickly said and ran inside the walk-in closet before she could open the door.
" Geez." Lucy rolled her eyes then opened the door wide.
" hehe, little cat, why did you lock the door? what are you hiding?" Zach sauntered toward her bed then sat down with a grin. He frowned slightly and chuckled when his nose caught the flavor of snacks.
" What do you want?." She folded her hands while giving him a scrutinizing gaze.
" hehe, come come my dear little sister. Do you still want that necklace?" He gazed at her in a doting manner.
Lucy chuckled and sat down while pretending to think, then after some seconds, turned to him with a smile. " Nope."
" hehe okay, what about the bracelet? the limited edition bag. . . oh, do you want me to buy a new game console for you? I'll have them imported from overseas." He stared at her pleadingly.
She shook her head again and stood up then he quickly stopped her.
" Wait, what about snacks? I'll buy you plenty of it and make sure Viv does not snatch them away."
Lucy's eyes instantly lit up and she turned to him excitedly. " Tell me what you want, tell me, tell me."
Zach looked at her helplessly and sighed. ' this girl.' " Ehm Lucy, did you really see Mira, ?"
She sat down again and nodded. " Yeah, when I visited the company last time. why,? don't tell me you didn't know that she works there."
" Did she tell you where she lives? " he asked softly.
" Nope, " she shook her head and brought out the snacks then continued eating.
" Do you have her number? " he sighed and Lucy nodded then his expression brightened.
" Quick quick call her, I want to speak with her, " he pleaded eagerly and Lucy frowned.
" Why don't you call her yourself? Hmph, I'm not calling."
Zach groaned inside and tried to control himself from strangling the stubborn girl. He cleared his voice then put on his best smile. " Little cat, the snacks," he sang invitingly.
Lucy quickly took out her phone and dialed Mira's number while making sure that it was on hands-free then gave it to him.
His heart thumped rapidly while placing the phone on his ear, as he waited for her to pick up the call and after a while, her cheerful voice came from the other end.
" Hey Lucy, what's up, " Mira said from the other end but then frowned when she heard silence. " Lucy? what's wrong? did you__"
Zach sighed and finally mustered up his courage. " Mira?" he said softly.
Mira gasped from the other end and stopped mid-sentence. " What is it? " she muttered coldly.
" Mira, please listen to me__ C..can we meet?"
" Zach, please leave me alone." she sighed and cut off the call.