Chapter Thirty One

< Nina >

Originally, when Gene called me, I had no intention of telling him about my rough day: Luca, Clarence, and of course my Math result. But in the end, I just kept complaining about Luca. It’s a terrible habit, really.

But what surprises me the most is at the end of the conversation. Sure, he teased me a bit but he actually sounded panicky after an afterthought. I’m sure that's the case.

Sigh, Gene won’t probably budge even if I probe him. It’s better to ask him that in person. Which is months away.

But right now, I need to solve my problems one at a time. First to convince Clarence that Luca’s place is not an option. Second, is to wait for Yu to sign it for me. Lastly, to get a part-time job.

Any decent job will do just so I can save up for my goals. Even if leaving Luca’s apartment is impossible.

All this thinking is making me hungry. Well, since I’m not expecting to see Luca tonight for dinner, I might as well go out.

To the Pizza Place near the boulevard? It’s closer to the school. Olive Garden? Burger Joint?

‘Feel free to come back every time you’re in a slump!’ The words of the Japanese restaurant owner come to my mind.

I have only visited there once ever since the incident. Right after I washed the baggy pink shirt and returned it to him.

It was a nice chat, really. His wife and daughter are nice, too. At that time, I thought I could bring Gene there next time.

Maybe I should eat there instead. I still have a little money to spare. But first I need to change my clothes.

..............................

Since I am trying to save cash, I literally had to walk there on foot. An hour has passed and it’s already 7PM.

Well, autumn nights aren’t usually chilly but I do get easily cold without my baggy sweater. I’m now wearing my favorite green turtleneck sweater, navy blue jeans, and my favorite Chuck Taylor sneakers.

A comfy wear for a walk.

I miss wearing this since all I’ve been wearing on the weekdays are just my uniform, sweatshirts, and pajamas.

Although wearing a uniform has its perks, I truly miss choosing the clothes to wear every day. Like wearing jeans which are more convenient to warm me during this autumn.

Finally, I’ve reached the recognizable architecture of the Japanese restaurant. After living here for three weeks, no Japanese restaurant stands a chance with this one as it has its Eastern vibes to it. Not to mention that the owner and his family are all Japanese natives.

I open the sliding door, waiting for the owner to greet his usual Japanese phrase—Irashamei? Or something like that. But instead of his normal greeting, before me is a crowd of men and women in suits.

As I scan the place, the people in suits are busying themselves preparing for the balloons which are neatly tied in some of the seats. A long table filled with all kinds of Asian cuisines and a banner which is being placed on the wall that says ‘Happy Birthday.'

Err...did I come here at the wrong time?

“Oh, sorry, we are closed at the—oh it’s you!” The Japanese owner approaches me with a huge grin before he holds my hands. “It’s been a while, Missy! How have you been?”

“D-doing great,” I responded with a sheepish grin. “Is this restaurant reserved?”

He gives me an empathetic smile. “Sorry, my wife and I are looking forward to seeing you again. I mean you haven’t met my son yet!” He chuckles a bit before he continues. “But you’re right. This restaurant is being reserved by a good friend of mine.”

“It’s all right. Besides, this party is important for—”

“What do you mean his birthday is tomorrow? We prepared this for nothing then!”

That voice.

It sounds awfully familiar.

I peer behind the owner, looking for the owner of that voice and my eyes widen. Just a mid proximity behind the Japanese owner is the woman I met on my first day in Dawn Academy.

Instead of wearing the long dress shirt—which I’ve come to realize was Luca’s, she’s now wearing a professional business suit and long dark navy blue slacks. Her curls are as thick and wild as I remember and she’s busy...arguing with someone on the phone.

“I know it’s a spur-of-the-moment thing but look at the bright side, Luca, he won’t see this coming,” she says confidently as her hands move to hold on to her curvy thigh.

She’s really a confident woman, I thought to myself.

This is definitely Heather. I haven’t forgotten what she looks like with an aura of confidence within her.

And she’s talking to Luca. Crap. I have to make my exit.

“Uhm, mister. I guess I should get going now. Thank you,” I say, hastily while I wave my hand, feverishly.

“Oh wait, before you leave, I want to introduce you to my friend's lawyer,” he says and he turns. “Heather!”

Double crap.

And as he calls her, she hangs up her call with my so-called stepbrother and looks in my direction. Her face suddenly lit up as she saw me.

She slowly makes her way from the crowd and heads in our direction.

“Nina?”

Should I say triple crap in this one?

“Oh, you knew each other?” questions the Japanese owner.

“Yeah,” she smiles. “She’s Luca’s family.”

“What?” he turns to look at me with widened eyes. “Are you related to the boss?”

“Uh..no, j-just his f-future stepsister, ehe,” I say while laughing, nervously.

“Oh, this is great timing then,” Heather says, cheerfully as she gives me a tight embrace. “I thought Luca won’t invite you to his surprise birthday party.”

“W-what birthday?” I ask.

“Why, it’s Yu’s birthday of course!” she giggles. “Technically, it’s tomorrow but won’t it be a good surprise if we celebrate it to—Nina? Uhm, something wrong?”

I wasn’t listening to her chattering on and on as my body froze at that moment. My jaw dropped as soon as she said that.

I guess today has a lot of surprises for me.