Chapter 40: Chapter 40
JONEA
We just finished dinner. I mean, just me and Daran. Owen didn't want to leave his room, even though I had called him several times to come to dinner.
"Let me wash the dishes," I said when Daran started piling the dirty plates on the table.
“Okay, I'll leave it to you. I'm going to go for a moment to get some coffee. My coffee stock is empty. Do you want me to buy some too?"
Caffeine after dinner? I rolled my eyes. "I do not think so. Thank You. I don't want to stay up all night. Difficulty sleeping makes me very miserable.”
I finished washing the last dishes quickly. When I took off my rubber gloves, my cell phone suddenly vibrated again. I know this cell phone kept vibrating the whole time we were eating dinner.
I checked, and many text messages came in. During dinner, I didn't touch my cell phone at all. That's part of the rules set by Daran in this house.
“New number? Who is the crazy person who bombarded me with this many text messages? I thought only Marilyn knew my cell phone number.”
My fingers deftly scrolled the phone screen and started checking the messages. More than 20 short messages were sent by someone, and the number was missing from my contact list. I opened the origin of one of the messages and read it.
“What is he doing? How can he send all these bullshit messages?”
I closed my cell phone and put it in the pocket of my trousers. I had only taken two steps when my cell phone vibrated again.
'Why are you still ignoring my messages, Jonea? I don't have the patience of an ocean, you know that very well!'
I lay in disbelief after reading the latest message sent by Hunter.
“Who does he think he is? Does he still think that I'm an Abraham High School student who can be bullied like before? He wasn't even the student leader at school anymore like he used to be. He is also no longer the chairman of the Beast’s Four who had so much influence.”
I was lost in thought for a moment when I remembered about B4. My tears suddenly rose when I thought of them, especially Aland Hamilton.
'Jonea, I've finished reading the book you wanted in the library that day. I'll take it to your house now. So answer my message.'
Once again, Hunter sent a message to my cell phone. I just stared and didn't do anything to the message.
“Apparently, he is very persistent. What is he planning this time?”
After thinking for a while, I replied to his message briefly.
'You don't need to deliver it, just leave it with the librarian on campus tomorrow.'
I typed a reply message too excitedly and mixed it with annoyance. Until accidentally, my elbow hit the drying rack.
Good grief! The cup almost fell, but I held it with my waist. Instead, my cell phone was thrown. But, it only matters; this cup should fall and break. Because this is Daran's favorite cup.
I let out a sigh of relief. I slowly picked up the cup that almost fell. Looks like I'm really unfortunate. The cup handle was broken. Maybe it was because of the strong pressure between my waist and the table's edge.
Damn! How about this? The handle is broken. I need to figure out where to buy the same cup. Apparently, this cup will never be produced again in this world. Looks very old-fashioned and also expensive.
I really panicked. I paced around the kitchen, occasionally glancing at the door and hoping no one saw me.
***
HUNTER
I couldn't help but grin in amusement when I read the reply message from Jonea.
“What kind of reply is this? I sent her more than 20 messages, and she only answered briefly like this? She's really good at annoying me. Apparently, she forgot who Hunter Abraham was. I'll make her really remember me again!"
I returned to typing a reply message to send to Jonea.
'I don't want to leave this book with the librarian. I'm afraid they will hand this book over to other visitors. We meet now. I'll hand the book directly to you.'
Before I had time to put down my cell phone after sending the message, I received a reply from Jonea.
'Don't want to!'
I really gawked at reading the reply message from Jonea. She hasn't changed at all--still the stubborn girl who made me fall in love with her. For some reason, she changed her surname to Rawling. To me, she is still Jonea.
I also responded to Jonea's messages even more quickly. 'Why don't you want to?'
'I'm busy at the moment!' she replied simply.
‘Are you busy studying?’ I asked.
'I'm busy figuring out where to get old cups that might not be produced in factories these years.'
I also frowned. I started to be interested in what she had to say. I thought Jonea would have to wait to reply to my message. She even told me about her current difficulties.
'Can you send me the picture? I might know and can help you. I have quite extensive connections, especially for rare and antique objects.'
I waited quite a long time until I received a reply message from Jonea. She actually sent a photo of a cup with a broken handle.
'Do you know where to buy the same cup? If you don't know, don't reply to my messages again!' threatened Jonea.
“Hehe... I really don't believe this girl. It seems like she is indeed in trouble right now.”
I looked again at the photo she sent. “An old-fashioned cup that looks so expensive.”
I'm increasingly surprised. Where did she get things like this? What exactly is Jonea doing? Also, ancient books discussed the magic spells she was studying.
I also glanced at the book that Jonea really wanted before. The book is now on my desk. I didn't touch the book because I didn't need it.
***
JONEA
I was still pacing around the kitchen, holding the cup and its broken handle. I was confused and very panicked.
“If I asked Owen for help, he wouldn't help me. On the contrary, he might cause me even more trouble. If I'm honest with Daran, I don't know how angry he will be with me later. Because as far as I know, this is a special cup that he brought specifically from Blacktone.”
“Ah, what if I just throw this cup away? If Daran comes home and asks about the cup, should I say it was stolen by someone? Or by the fairies?”
"Good grief! What do I do?"
I crouched in frustration on the kitchen floor, clutching a broken cup.
“If only I had magic power right now, I definitely wouldn't have experienced this kind of predicament.”
I immediately stood up straight. "No! Don't give up hope and don't give up this easily. Let's think clearly. Currently, Daran is going to buy coffee. I'm sure he'll be back in 30 minutes. I have enough time to figure out how to solve this problem. But, I still have to make sure first.”
I took my cell phone and called Daran.
“Well, Jonea, do you need anything?” Daran asked.
"Daran... When will you come home?"
"I've only been gone for about 15 minutes and now you miss me?"
I felt sick when I heard his joke. “No, that's not it. I just want you to stop by somewhere and buy me something. That's if you don't mind."
“Well, let's say. Whatever it is, I will definitely buy it for you."
I gritted my teeth anxiously. “Can you buy me chocolate candy with strawberry jam in it? I think the candy is sold at a cake shop about five blocks from the convenience store.”
“That's all you want? Okay, maybe it will take a little longer because I kind of forgot about the places around here. I haven't come here for years.”
I almost squealed with joy. My goal was to ensure that Daran didn't return home quickly. So, I still have enough time to think of a solution to the broken cup. I immediately searched the internet to find a solution to this problem.
Before I had time to read the article on the internet, a message came back to my cell phone from Hunter.
‘I have a solution for a broken cup handle.’
I was really enthusiastic when I read the message. 'Is it true? Can you show me how? Have you found a similar cup like this? I'll buy it from you if it's available.'
‘We meet now!’ Hunter replied.
My hands froze, holding the cell phone after reading his last message. Meeting Hunter now?