Chapter 21: Chapter 21

After two-and-a-half hours of travel time by plane,we finally reached our destination.

We rode on a taxi, and after thirty minutes, the vehicle stopped infront of a big villa, which looked like more of a mansion that you could only see in magazines...

"Welcome to our family's vacation house!" announced Reiko, as she slung her bagpack unto her shoulders.

Van and I unbelievably stared at the grand-looking house infront of us. Our jaws almost rolled its way to the ground because of amazement.

"Oh,I'm sorry, do you think the house is too? If that's the case, shall I make a reservation to the nearest 5-Star Hotel?" suggested Reiko,while looking apologetic.

We both snapped our heads at her.

"Are you kidding me? !I know your family is rich,Reiko,but.---NOT LIKE THIS!" Van cried out,while pointing at the castle-like house.

I nodded, totally agreeing with Van.

"Is it really alright to stay here? The place is TOO big for the three of us!" I exclaimed.

"I don't have any idea on what you're talking about, but this is just an average type of villa.My father was having second thoughts on buying this because he thinks it's too small." Reiko relayed, in a casual manner.

"Okay,stop!We don't want to hear any of your other properties...It might give us an heart attack." Van grimly said.

"Very well said." I muttered in return.

The three of us were about to open the gates of the house when we suddenly heard someone screaming at the nearby villa.

"I said I want to stay in the hotel!"

We curiously turned our attention to the other house.

The screaming girl's face was all red because of anger as she keeps on stamping her feet on the ground. If I'm not mistaken, she's on the same age bracket with us, but she looked more mature because of her make-up and her sexy clothes.

A typical rich,spolied brat kid, and she's so different from Reiko.

"Miss Seira, that would be impossible. Your father strictly ordered us to do this." said an older man, who looks like her driver.

"---I don't care what my father ordered you to do! I want to stay in the hotel! It's so boring here!" the girl continued to complain.

"----she's the famous Yoshida Seira,the heiress of the chains of hotels in the country and outside Japan. And As you can see, she is living the life of rich and the famous." said the amused Reiko.

"That's so amazing! She's already rich and famous at a very young age!" exclaimed Van.

"Then, let me switch places with you,Van." muttered Reiko.

"Huh? Did you say something,Reiko?" I asked her.

Reiko shook her head and gave me a small smile.

"Nothing...Shall we go inside and freshen up and take a rest?" she suggested,while trying to change the topic.

"Okay." Van and I agreed.

We went inside the house to start unpacking things from our luggages.

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Evening came.

I was combing my hair infront of the mirror. It has been by nightly routine before I go to sleep. When I was finally done taking care of my hair, my eyes roamed around in my designated room. Everything in this room has its own grandeur.

The bed is so big that a family of four can sleep together comfortably. The room has its own luxurious bathroom. There were other rooms in this villa, and it got me a little curious to check them out as well.

Maybe I can do it later.

I decided to go to bed and call it a day. I was about to switch off the lights when I heard soft knocks on the door.

"Nao? It's Reiko. Are you asleep?" I heard Reiko's voice.

I smiled when I heard her voice. This trip won't be complete if there's no girl's talk in pajamas.

"Come in!" I said.

Reiko opened the door, and she carefully walked inside, while looking a little hesitant.

"I was having second thoughts...But I just want to have a girl-to-girl talk..." she piped in.

"Just exactly what I've been thinking." I admitted.

"Really? That's great, then!" Reiko chirped.She sat on the other side of the bed,while holding a plastic of chips and 2 cans of juice.

"I'm glad Van is already asleep... We don't need any distractions." I mumbled.

Reiko nodded in return .She opened a can of juice and gave it to me.

"So...What do you think of Van, Nao?" she asked without any warning.

I almost choked down on my drink as I heard her.

"C-Can we talk of something else?" I stammered, after recovering from shock.

Surprisingly, Reiko's face became suddenly serious.

"No, we can't .I need to know your real feelings towards Van,or else----!" she faltered on her words,as she averted her eyes away from me.

"Or what?" I challenged her to continue.

Reiko took a deep breath first and faced me again, while looking determined.

"Or else I will do anything and everything just to make him fall inlove with me!" she clearly announced.

Silence suddenly filled the room.

"--I'm sorry if I suddenly blurted it out. I've been hiding my feelings for him for too long..." Reiko was the first one to break the silence.

"It's alright...You just caught me by surprise." I replied,as I tried to act casual.

Reiko helplessy sighed.

"I know for a fact that you're dating.. But I can see on your face that you're not yet sure of your feelings for Van. That's why I decided to talk to you." confessed Reiko.

"I know Van's very special to me because I feel so happy whenever I'm with him." I tried to reason out.

Reiko looked at me straight in the eye.

"There's a very thin line between love and infatuation,Nao. Are you inlove with him, or you just want to be with him to be happy?"

"I really don't know what to say,Reiko. But one thing is for sure... I don't want this happy feeling to end." I enunciated.

"And I don't plan to wait forever until you realize how important Van is to you. If you can't sort out your feelings until this trip is over... I'll confess to him." Reiko said it, loud and clear.

"You really are inlove with Van!" I gushed at her.

Reiko faintly smiled.

"That's why you have to decide before time runs out." she stated.