Jenny POV:
I finished dressing and stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my clothes. The soft fabric rustled beneath my fingers. I turned to face my friends, a excited grin spreading across my face.
"Guys, you won't believe what my dad told me," I said, barely containing my enthusiasm. "We're going to Ember mountain today!"
I had thought that when I returned, I would dive straight into work. But as it turned out, my dad had other plans. The restaurant, which was supposed to be my focus, was already open for business, the staff bustling about with ease.
Just then, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I picked it up, answering with a cheerful "Hello?"
"Tasha! How are you?" I asked, my voice warm with friendship.
"I'm fine, dear," Tasha replied, her voice tinged with a hint of longing. "I really miss you here. Everything is boring without you."
I could almost hear the pout in her voice, and I chuckled. "I can really hear that from your voice."
"Yes, that's why I need you to come back," Tasha said, her tone pleading. "When will you visit me?"
"In two months' time," I replied, feeling a pang of guilt.
"That's too far," Tasha said, sighing. "But what can I do? I have to wait."
I sympathized with her frustration. "How's your dad?" She asked, changing the subject.
"He's fine," l replied.
"Ever since you got back, it's been one adventure after another! Today, you're off to conquer Ember mountain with your dad and relatives - how exciting is that?! You're really making the most of your time, aren't you?" She exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of envy and a dash of excitement.
I laughed, feeling grateful for the adventures I'd been having. "I know, right? I'm going to explore nature and take tons of pictures so you can see."
"Please do," Tasha said, her voice filled with excitement. "I want to live vicariously through you!"
"Now, let's get to the main thing," she said, as l settled into a comfortable position on the bed to put on my shoes while holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder.
"I saw your live video," she continued and I hummed in response.
It's good you clarified those things. Otherwise, the paparazzi would have been all over us, asking stupid questions," Tasha said, her voice clear and relieved through the phone.
"You're right," I agreed, tightening the laces on my shoes.
"Jenny, come out! We need to go!" my dad called out from downstairs, his voice firm but impatient.
"I'm coming!" I shouted back, finishing up with my shoes.
"Tasha, I have to go. We'll talk later," I said, already standing up and heading for the door.
"Okay, bye!" Tasha replied, and the call ended.
I left the room and found my family waiting for me in the living room, their faces expectant. "Sorry for keeping you all waiting," I said, feeling a bit rushed.
"Since you're here now, let's get going," my dad said, leading the way out of the house.
We filed out of the house and into the car, which was already running and ready to go. As we pulled away from the curb, I felt a thrill of excitement for our adventure ahead.
My phone rang, shrill in the silence, and I saw Annie's name flashing on the screen. I answered, and her cheerful voice filled my ear.
I'm
"Hi Annie!" I said, settling into a comfortable position on the bed.
"I saw your live video," she said. I groaned, "Oh no, not this again" Annie exclaimed, "It has Ten million views and over 200 thousand comments!
Wow, l can't believe you know the figures." I replied.
"Yes, just in case you didn't check," Annie added, her tone teasing.
"My brother commented," she said, and my mind wandered to what he might have said. "Did you at least check that one?"
I snapped back to attention as Annie asked, "Jenny, are you there?"
I hesitated, feeling a bit caught off guard. "I am... sorry, I was just lost in thought."
Annie's voice turned sympathetic. "So, did you check the comments?"
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes, I did."
Annie sighed. "I feel sad that you two don't have feelings for each other. I would be really happy if you had."
I frowned, unsure how to respond. "We just don't suit each other, and besides, we don't know each other aside from him knowing I'm his sister's savior, while I know you're his brother."
Annie countered, "You're right, but if you get to know each other, you will surely like him. My brother can be cold, but that doesn't mean he isn't nice and caring."
I felt a surge of curiosity about Annie's brother, but before I could ask more questions, Annie said, "I have to go now. See you later," and ended the call.
I sat in silence for a moment, wondering why Granny thought I was the right person for Annie's brother. I hadn't even told her about my feelings for him... if I had, I bet she would do everything to make her brother like me.
I pushed aside the thoughts and went back to my live video, scrolling through the comments to see what I had missed.