"Ice cream?" I just raised my eyebrows while looking at the ice cream that Antonio offered me.
"It's still early, and then you're holding ice cream right away?"
I chuckled as I saw him eat it like a child and just rolled my eyes.
"It's not that I like ice cream at 7 am, but I saw a vendor there and decided to buy it all."
"Are you that kind since then? And where are all the ice creams, don't tell me you ate it all?" I joked.
He shrugged his shoulders so I teased him more. "Did you really?"
"Do you know what was my father's job before?" he suddenly asked.
"Why would I know?"
"He's an ice cream vendor, and I always await him at the house, waiting for all his ice creams to be sold so he could have a time with me and we could have a bonding through creating ice creams."
I don't know what to say, I don't know how to respond. I just remained looking at his face. He doesn't seem sad but I can see happiness in his eyes and that made me smile even more.
"And when I saw the vendor there, I was reminded of my dad. So I bought it all so he could go home to whoever was waiting for him there. See those kids over there? I gave it all to them." I didn't look at the children he was referring to because I was too carried away by his twinkling eyes and his almost teary smile while talking. He probably loves his dad very much. It is obvious how he tells it.
"Where's your father now?" I couldn't help but ask.
"He's in heaven, I'm sure. I have witnessed how good as a man my father was."
I was taken aback at his response. He just told me that his dad is dead yet I can see no pain in his eyes but only longing.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to, there's nothing to feel sorry about. I still miss him but I know he's in a better place now."
I was about to speak when I saw Canim walk past us.
"Canim wait!" I hurriedly went to him and left Antonio to talk to Canim.
He nonchalantly waited for what I was about to say next so I wasted no second. "About last night-"
"Prepare your stuff, I already ordered the two that we're leaving now. The sooner the better." he cut me off.
"Do you have somewhere else to be? You can go first."
"No, you all will come with me. Go!"
I just nodded in hesitation and he left immediately, leaving me there full of confusion.
"I can bring you home if you want to stay here longer." Antonio suddenly appeared by my side but I ignored him and just left him there.
I packed all my stuff and went downstairs.
"Here let me help you." Antonio offered me a hand but I rejected him. I can do this all by myself.
"Why do you always shut me off?" he chuckled.
I didn't answer him instead I just walked past him.
We arrived at our place safe and sound and I didn't get a chance to thank Canim because he immediately left.
Lara and Alex stayed with me and decided not to go home and told me they're going to sleep there for one night.
"Your place is so near, why don't you pick your stuff and rest there? So with you Lara, go call someone from your house to pick you up here."
"They loathe me there. All of them." Lara replied while closing her eyes. And that made me curious, I was about to ask more questions but Alex and she had already fallen asleep.
I heard the familiar sound of an engine outside so I went outside to make sure it was really Antonio and it really was.
"This is why I love to shut you off. Why are you here?" I asked, putting both my hands in the back pocket of my jeans to warm them on this cold night.
"Uncle Luis has news." and that made our atmosphere serious.
He continued, "The men confessed and they said that they don't know who gave them the order but they only saw her face and she looked like in her mid-40s with an elegant stand but a fiery look."
"Stepmother..."
"We are also into another matter, I believe we are closer to finding out about the CCTV, that's our only chance."
I nodded as I couldn't grasp the right words to say. But when I stared into his eyes, his genuine smile welcomed me, and the chaos that was starting to build up in my mind suddenly calmed.
"I- uhm, I mean you better head home. It's kinda late already."
He smirked and wore his helmet. What did that even mean?
I shrugged my shoulders and went inside.
"Okay, wake up snow white!"
I covered my ears because of Alex's noise.
"What time is it? Just leave without me."
"It's not possible, I prepared breakfast and there's still time for you to take a shower. What time did you go to bed last night?" Alex insisted so I just got up when he tried to pull me.
"Here it is!"
I looked around and I couldn't even see Lara. "Where is Lara?"
"Someone called her early in the morning so I woke up because of the noise of her cellphone and then she bid goodbye after taking the call and left. I didn't ask where she was going," he answered with a shrug while preparing the table.
After we ate, we went straight to the campus and Lara met us there. Her mood felt off and I knew something was really up. Why does it seem like the more I observe Lara, the more I notice she's acting weird lately? She's so secretive and suspicious. Or maybe I just don't really know them well yet.