Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Rainy came home a few moments after Sarah arrived first. Her face looked so tired. She seemed to be in a bad mood. But I had no strength left to ask what happened to her.

"You look tired, want me to make you coffee?" Sarah offered, remembering her mood was opposite to Rainy's. Of course, she was happy, her wedding was only days away.

"I just want to sleep now," Rainy refused as she took off her jacket. We accidentally made eye contact, and I smiled. But to my surprise, she just stared at me blankly.

What went wrong this time? Did Ashton hurt her? If so, I swear I'll beat that guy up.

Rainy didn't utter a word. She walked upstairs; to her room, just like that.

"What's the matter with you two?" Sarah shook her head in dismay. "Your eyes are puffy like you've been crying, and Rainy isn't her usual self."

I ignored her question rather than lie. "Didn't you two go together?"

Sarah nodded approvingly. "We did go together. But then Rainy had other business. She left after a few minutes we arrived at the fitting place,"

I wondered about it.

"I have no idea where that girl went to," Sarah continued. "Do you know at least something? Or at least what she once told you,"

I shook my head completely clueless. Sarah snorted softly, worried for her daughter. I could see how she was afraid that something had happened and hurt Rainy.

"Let me check on her," I said quietly.

"Are you sure? You're not okay yourself," Sarah looked at me gently. "If only you trusted me enough to share your sorrow,"

My lips couldn't move to answer. I knew how much Sarah wanted to help me, even calm me down. But I couldn't just share my pain.

Sarah sighed, staring at something other than me. I lowered my head, and then walked away.

I faintly heard a voice from Rainy's room when I almost reached her door. She was talking to someone and sounded like she didn't like what someone on the other line had to say. I was silent at the door, not moving, and didn't mean to eavesdrop either. But I was like stuck in my place.

Rainy sighed loudly and then cursed the person again with harsh words that I never expected to come out of her lips. She could say such words? I mean, yeah of course she could, she's mature. But I just didn't expect it. It made me wonder what expression she put on when she said those words, because I never saw this side of her.

"You have no idea how he threatened me just now! Who does he think he is?" Rainy snapped again, making me almost jump in surprise. Who is she talking about? She made me very curious.

"Don't be rash? Are you out of your mind? You should have defended me!"

I raised my hand to knock on the door, but then I stopped when someone tapped me on the back. I almost wanted to scream when a big cold hand covered my mouth. But when I turned around, I saw Ashton standing behind me.

"Are you eavesdropping?" Ashton merely asked me that.

I shook my head and whispered softly saying no. We were silent after that. I became stiff beside him now after the previous incident between us.

Ashton stood not once taking his eyes off me. I was so restless under his gaze that I could only clear my throat and look down. Luckily Rainy saved me. She came out of her room and her face turned pale when she saw us, like we were ghosts. I could tell she was very surprised because the expression on her face couldn't lie.

"You guys?" Rainy smiled awkwardly. "What are you guys doing here?"

I was about to answer, but Ashton interrupted me. "You asked me to come. Are you forget?" He sounded annoyed for sure, then he added. "I'm worried because you didn't sound all right on the phone,"

"Me too," I joined in their conversation. "You didn't look well when you came back, that's why I came here to check on you."

"I'm fine," Rainy replied to me. "Just tired I guess,"

"So?" Ashton looked confused as to why Rainy had asked him to come.

I forgot that Ashton was still standing next to me.

"So..." Rainy took a deep breath. "We got a vacation invitation from Adrian and Mabel,"

"What?" I was astonished.

"Yeah, Adrian didn't tell you about this vacation?"

Valentino Moretti, Adrian's grandfather only mentioned that there were two tickets for me and Adrian. Is this Adrian's way of getting me back to him using Rainy and Ashton?

"I just didn't know you guys would be invited too,"

"I don't want to come," Ashton cut in immediately.

"Oh, come on!" Rainy came closer to Ashton and took his hands. "You also need a vacation. We can have fun and disturb the peace of these two soon-to-be engaged couples,"

My cheeks instantly felt hot. I looked down then turned to them again and saw Ashton glaring at me.

"Hang on, what's with your face? You're hurt," Rainy tried to reach Ashton's face, but he brushed her hand off.

Rainy's eyes flashed hurt after Ashton did that. And that's when I knew she was hurt by Ashton's indifferent treatment just now.

"If there's nothing important you want to talk about, I'm leaving now." Ashton growled.

I knew Ashton was still mad at me, and Rainy made things worse by asking where he had gotten the wound. But I couldn't blame her, moreover she didn't know anything.

"I don't want to yell at you, Rainy. Sorry," Ashton exhaled as if to reconcile himself first.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"You heard him, Rainy." I immediately said.

Ashton stared at me for a moment then something seemed to change his mind. "Let's talk, but just the two of us."

At that moment I felt like a stranger among them. I saw a faint smile on Rainy's face, or was it just my imagination? I wasn't sure.

"Could you please give us some space to talk?" Rainy looked at me with a look asking me to leave immediately.

I gulped and nodded. I didn't look at Ashton one last time, not even a single glance. I just left. My heart still felt tight. I guessed Adrian got the point that I wanted him just because he was there when I was heartbroken.

"Everything is okay?" greeted Sarah just as I got downstairs.

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled slightly. "Ashton is there with her, so... yeah."

Sarah looked at me apologeticly.

"What?" I asked flatly.

"And that's okay for you?"

"What do you mean? Ashton and I have nothing more than a friendship," I said with a short smile. "And I'll be engaged to Adrian soon,"

Sarah looked concerned, but then nodded. “If you say so, then fine. But Mabel, you should know that no matter how Rainy is my biological daughter, that doesn't mean I support her doing something that will hurt others. Especially if it hurts you. I know we're not blood related, but I've thought of you as my daughter ever since I met you."

You could say, I was very surprised to hear that. What Sarah said was really nice and warmed my heart. I was increasingly convinced that my father was lucky to have a woman like her.

"Sorry if I sounded redundant. I just wanted you to know,"

"I know," I whispered quietly. I appreciated her courage to say that. And to be honest, I didn't expect her to think so much about my feelings. Even myself often ignored my feelings, my pain, my disappointments, and even my own happiness. Not because I didn't care, but because I knew I couldn't do much. I was too weak when it came to my heart.

Feeling increasingly awkward, Sarah offered me to sit down with her on the sofa facing the television. And without realizing it, I nodded and followed her instruction. I sat down and followed by her.

"So... how about you and Adrian?"

Sarah was really trying to get information out of me. My puffy eyes must had made her curious. She wondered who made me cry so hard like a baby, then had puffy eyes like they had been punched. Well, it sounded exaggerating.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious about the two of you preparing for the engagement."

"I think everything is ready," I took a jar of chocolate candies and ate one of it. "Adrian must have prepared everything thoroughly. His family is very supportive,"

"What about you? About your readiness to be engaged?"

"I'm so ready," I forced a smile. How can I say that I am heartbroken because of the man who will be my fiancé?

"Mom! Ashton and I are going on vacation with Mabel and Adrian,"

"What?" Sarah looked at me confused. "You didn't tell me you're planning to go on vacation,"

I stuttered as I watched Rainy and Ashton descend the stairs. Ashton want to come? Didn't he refuse before? What has Rainy done to make him change his mind?

"I was going to tell you, but then I forgot." I made up excuse as best I could.

"Where do you want to vacation?"

I was about to answer, but Rainy cut me off so that Sarah's and my attention was on her. "We haven't been told by Adrian yet, but Mabel can call him now and ask straight away."

"Good idea," Sarah supported her daughter's suggestion. I was pensive and glanced at Ashton. He was also just silent, as if waiting for me to do that.

I took my phone and typed in Adrian's name. Do I have to do this? I pressed my lips together and pressed the call button. And at that moment I felt like I wanted to disappear.

"Please, put it on speaker. We want to hear it," Rainy asked me to do that.

I nodded and waited for Adrian to pick up. And one minute later he actually picked up the call from me. "Hello?"

I didn't answer, and instead swallowed hard. Rainy and Sarah motioned me to quickly say something.

"Mabel? Are you all right?" asked Adrian again in a cracked voice. Somehow I sensed he was not okay at that moment. And that worried me a lot.

I didn't care that I was still being watched by the others as I was desperate to ask if Adrian was okay.

"I'm fine, but you. You're home, right?"

"Yeah," I replied and nodded approvingly. "Rainy and I are just wondering, where are we going on vacation?"

"You're with her right now?" asked Adrian which somehow sounded like an interrogation.

"Yeah," I answered immediately. There was silence from Adrian. We exchanged glances and waited. "You still there?"

"About that, we're going on vacation in Bali."

"Bali?" Rainy shouted excitedly. "I've been wanting to get there for a long time, but never got around to it."

"Okay," I answered simply.

"Wait, Mabel. Can we talk, but just you and me?"

Rainy teased me with her mischievous smile. I took a breath and glanced at Sarah who had also advised me to hurry up and find a private place to talk alone.

I still hadn't answered Adrian. I wasn't in the mood to talk, moreover I was afraid he would discuss things that I really didn't want to talk to him anymore.

"Come on," Rainy whispered, giving a support.

I rushed to the backyard, but I stopped and stared at them one more time. And this time my eyes met Ashton's sharp gaze. He surely didn't like my decision. But that didn't stop me. I walked away from them to hear my conversation with Adrian. I also stopped putting it on speaker.

"There's no one around me now,"

Adrian took a deep breath. "Are you still upset?"