Chapter 30 Returning vs Leaving

For the past week since Jonathan and Stefani finally returned home, Stefani's friends had stuck to her side like rice cakes, almost never leaving her alone even a minute. To this point, Stefani was starting to feel irritated by their clinginess. Adding to that, she hasn't seen Jonathan at all after they reached the city. Where the hell did that monkey go? For some reason, Stefani felt uneasy not seeing Jonathan around.

"Hey, Stef! I'm saying something!!" Bridget shouted, pouting at Stefani while bouncing at Stefani's bed. Dianne, Christina, and Ivy were also in her bedroom, doing whatever they wanted in Stefani's belongings.

At this time, Stefani was holding her phone, pacing back and forth to her door, contemplating whether to call Jonathan or not. What if he was in the middle of having a rest? Or was he at work? Wait, that fast?! But considering the type of man Jonathan Gonzalez was, that wouldn't be impossible either! Stefani was biting her nails, completely uncomfortable to the thought Jonathan didn't even call or text her to ask if Stefani was doing fine. It was weird but Stefani really really really disliked the idea of Jonathan not caring about her at all.

"Stefani! Stefani! Stefani!" Bridget kept calling, begging for Stefani's attention.

Stefani bit her lower lip and glared at Bridget, "What?"

"I said, let us stay here for tonight," Bridget suggested, flashing her long eyelashes and baby, beautiful eyes.

Christina chimed in, "Yes! What a great idea. Let's do that, Stef! I'll bring snacks!"

"Ah, I'll bring some games we can play!" Dianne presented.

Bridget made a huge gasp, "Oh my god, should we build a tent here inside Stef's room?"

The girls gasped and nodded profusely as they started clapping their hands in excitement, "YES! Let's do that! Let's do that! Let’s camp!" and began planning their slumber party, purposely forgetting to ask the owner of the bedroom's suggestions, not even her permission.

With an exasperated sigh, Stefani stomped her feet and strode her way out.

"Where are you going?" Ivy grabbed her arm, worried eyes flashing before Stefani.

"I'm going to ask Rose for a cold drink! You're all making my head hot, I'm going to die!" Stefani said in annoyance to which all the girls just ignored as they continued chatting, relieved Stefani wasn't going anywhere far from them.

Stefani went to the kitchen where she was greeted immediately by five maids, asking what she needed. If some stranger were to come to the Hernandez Mansion for the first time, they'd surely think some royalty were living in this house. She knew how worried her father was while she went missing but she didn't expect her father would go to such length as hire about thirty more servants in this huge house after Stefani was found. It seemed like Mr. Hernandez had become stricter when it came to Stefani's safety and nobody could argue on that matter, not even Stefani herself.

"Gosh, I really can't stand Dad... aishh..." Stefani kept muttering under her breath as she took sips from her orange juice given by Rose.

Rose giggled and softly said, "Young Miss- no, I mean, Stefani-ah... Master Lee is just afraid somebody will take you away again. Fathers, their roles will always be the same no matter how old their children get. They will always worry about their children, they will always want their children to live peacefully, without getting hurt in any way."

Stefani stared at her drink, slowly taking Rose's words, reminding her how her father almost had a heart attack when he saw Stefani. Mr. Hernandez kept on asking Stefani if she was truly fine, why she became so thin, and kept apologizing for being the worst dad in the world. It was all an exaggeration which Stefani just laughed at, but when she saw the lost looks in her father's eyes, Stefani couldn't help but hug her dad and reassure him that she was completely all right.

"Fathers... just as mothers, know best for their children," Rose added with a soft smile.

Stefani looked up, smiling a bit, "Do they?"

Rose nodded, smiling at Stefani.

"Ah, what's the date today, Big sister?" Stefani suddenly asked.

Rose, who was wiping the table now, paused and thought for a second. "It's the last week of May."

Stefani's eyes twinkled. "Really?!" Excitement can be seen on her face as she jumped out of the stool she was sitting on.

Stefani's smile never left her as she half-walk half-run the way to her father's study. She can't wait to ask her father about her plan to visit Sunstone Mountain. That was right. As soon as Mr. Ten brought them to the small town with a signal, Stefani asked the question she had always forgotten to ask the Hill Family: the name of the village. Only then Stefani discovered its name ー Sunstone Mountain.

She couldn't explain it but Stefani was excited to see Sunstone Mountain's people again, she knew some of the crops they were growing weeks ago can be finally harvested this week. And it would be the best time for Jonathan and Stefani to go visit the place again.

"Why do I know it's going to end this way? Arranged marriages can't really survive this generation. Haa, such a tragic ending," a maid was whispering to another maid with empty trays while heading out from Mr. Hernandez's office which immediately halted Stefani's steps.

"I know right. I even think he's suited to the young miss despite their unending fights. Why do you think Master Lee did that?" The other maid whispered back.

The first maid spoke, sighed, and said in a sad voice, "I don't know. Ahh, it's really sad. To think Master Jonathan is such a fine gentleman, too... What a waste..."

"What are you talking about?" Stefani asked before even thinking.

Both the maids opened their mouths in surprise and quickly bowed their heads down to greet Stefani who suddenly popped out of nowhere. "Y-Young Miss..."

Stefani stared at them, "What is it? What about my dad? What did he do?"

The maids looked hesitant for a while before one of them bravely spoke, "Y-Young Miss... It's that- we heard your arranged marriage has been called off and that M-Master Jonathan is leaving the country. W-we're really sorry! We just heard it by accident. Please forgive us, Young Miss."

Stefani's heart stopped. Her mind became blank. Suddenly, she couldn't hear anything as her body went stiff.

What did they say? Jonathan... Jonathan is leaving?