LOL. XD I finally finished this chap! It's really long though. Enjoy and sorry for my flaws!

~CLAIRE'S POINT OF VIEW~

Talking to Kai was really fun.

All throughout the time Ann, Cliff and Gray locked us in the room, I was nervous to talk to him. I also saw that he was uneasy and anxious as I was, so I just had to ease up the atmosphere around us. He seemed comfortable to converse with me minutes later, and so was I. When I was storytelling about the day I got here in Mineral Town and about myself, he listened with sincere awe and even cracked some jokes. And it was really thoughtful of him when he wanted to get me towel. He didn't know that I was actually sweating because of the anxiety and nervousness I felt towards him, not because the air conditioner wasn't turned on. But I just decided to just go with the flow, and volunteered to turn on the air conditioner.

I accidentally slipped and was in a total daze. I didn't realize that he caught me when I fell. That is why I was really surprised to see myself in his arms. I didn't know why, but I hugged him unthinkingly and realized what on earth am I doing? We sat back to the corner and the atmosphere quickly became awkward again, both of us blushing. I made the first move to talk to him and so, here we are, enjoying each others' company. He was so like Skye, the only differences were that Skye was a smoother talker and conversed in a more formal manner.

Even though, I was beginning to like him. But I consider him more as a good friend.

"Ha ha ha. Trent's kinda cute." I said when I was done in my storytelling.

"Yeah. All girls say that. But he's not interested in that stuff." He replied.

"So, Elli and Trent aren't really a couple? They look good for each other."

"Yeah. But as I said, Trent's not really interested. Poor Elli, though. Trent's her first love. But I think they'd still end up together."

"Really? That's great. I remember calling Trent the man of my dreams. Hmm. I guess I just like his cuteness and appeal."

We laughed.

"You know," he started, "I was visiting you in the clinic since Thursday."

"Eh? But why?"

"Uh." He paused and flushed. "I-I was curious."

"Oh." Was all I could say. "So, um," I thought of a topic, "Ann said that you only come during summer. So, what're you doing here in early spring?"

I already knew the answer, but I wanted it to come from him.

He flinched at my question. I bit my lip. I think I asked the wrong question.

"Oops, sorry if the question offended you." I apologized.

"No, no it's okay. I… I'm just surprised that Ann told you that."

"I… I shouldn't know that?"

"It's not like that, but it's just that you knew so much for a…newbie."

"Oh…" I sighed.

The awkward atmosphere started building again. But this time, he was the one who broke the silence first.

"I went here because I love this town. I want to stay here for a long time. If ever given the chance, I would want to live here. If you live in the city, you would agree that Mineral Town's much peaceful, quieter and simpler." He answered as his eyes looked into the starry, night sky outside.

"That's right. This place is much, much better than the city."

The words just came out of my mouth. I didn't think of this answer. I was surprised at my own response.

He faced me and smiled with what looked like amazement and delight. "Other city people would say 'different', but just like me, you think that Mineral Town's better."

"Honestly, the words just came out of my mouth." I confessed.

"Then, that's what you really feel."

"Maybe," I said and looked again into the stars, "I never expected that I would actually feel that way… I just ran away from home to escape…"

"Ran away? Escape?" he asked in a shocked and confused tone.

What on earth did I say? My eyes widened and I bit my lip.

"I mean," I quickly defended, "I ran away from… Cherubim City to escape… escape the bad memories and problems. M-My family died there, remember?"

"Oh. But you know… you shouldn't have run away. It's better to face the problems." Then he murmured something like, "…should've…faced mine…coming…marrying…"

"What?" I asked.

"Oh nothing… I'm just telling you that facing is better than running from the problem."

"So," I glared at him sarcastically, "you'd rather want that I'd just stayed at home and not come here?"

"Uh, I don't mean anything like that…" he said in a rather ashamed tone and he looked like he wanted to say something like "I-didn't-mean-I-didn't-want-to-meet-you".

"Ha ha ha. I was just joking." I giggled.

"Whew." Then he smiled at me. "For a second there, I thought you were angry. Because honestly, I'm very happy to meet you."

I just laughed lightly. "What a day this has been."

"Yeah." He agreed.

"I'm hungry already. Isn't it nine yet?" We both looked at the wall clock. It was seven.

"Wow. We've been talking like, for three hours!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah. I wonder if they're listening to us." I joked.

Kai's cheeks blushed. Eventually, he was starting to sweat even though the room was already filled with cool air. I bet he didn't like the thought of someone listening to us. I can't find any reason why would he dislike some eavesdroppers that were listening to us right now. I mean, it's just a friendly conversation. Unless Kai was thinking that this was a… date. Well, of course it's not.

Oh. Realizing that Ann's intention was to bring us closer, I flushed.

But no, I had to think that this is nothing romantic! I suddenly remembered my first date with Skye when the atmosphere was as uncomfortable as this. I took Kai's hand and gave it a massage. Though it was all sweaty and cold, it was so soft. Kai really needs to relax.

"You're hand's all cold and clammy." I mockingly whined as I continued to massage it.

"Sorry. Why are you massaging my hand?" he asked, confused.

"Just to ease you up. I remember massaging Skye's hand when he was feeling nervous."

"Oh." Was all he could say.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah… By the way… Who's Skye?"

"My ex-boyfriend." I answered idly, too absorbed in what I was doing.

I think I saw him shy away, but I just ignored him and continued.

"Oh. You haven't told me you had a boyfriend before…," he nearly whispered.

"Sorry. I thought boys weren't really interested in that kind of stuff. And I'm not really into romance topics."

"I never thought that I'd be interested too."

"Do you even want to hear my love life?" I asked.

"If it's... all right."

"Let's make a deal," I suggested. "I'll tell you my story, tell me yours too."

"Uh. Sure." He reluctantly agreed.

I was really interested in his love life, surprisingly. All his twenty-one girlfriends… I don't know why, but I wanted to ask him lots of things. Like what he looks for in a girl, why'd he broke up with his past girlfriends, what would be his reaction if a girl told him she likes him…

"Skye is my first boyfriend, and our relationship lasted for three years. We just broke up this spring." That was true.

"Oh. Three years. That's pretty amazing." He replied.

Three years is amazing for a guy who had relationships that didn't even last for three months, I guess. I thought. I laughed at that silly idea.

"What's funny?" he asked, self-conscious.

"Nothing." I giggled. "Just thought of something."

"Okay." He smiled. "Can you describe this Skye?"

"He's very, very romantic, a gentleman, smooth talker, charmer and confident. Ha ha ha. He almost sounds like you."

I just realized what I said, and quickly withdrew my hands from massaging. I looked at him and he was blushing. I was blushing too. What a stupid thing to say.

"So," he spoke, still anxious. "What's his full name?"

"Skye Alexanders." I lied. His real name was Skye Whitestone.

"Oh. I thought it was Whitestone. Do you know him? The president of the Whitestone Company?"

"Uh. The famous businessman from Star Fall City? Do you know what he looks like?" I asked nervously. If he knew him well, he'd figure out I was Claire Heathers. Yeah, Skye was rich and all, and my dad would've just merged with their company instead. But for all misfortune, the Whitestone's company is in a difficult situation recently. So maybe that's why dad decided to merge with a different company instead… So that's why Skye had to choose their business, wealth and his family instead of me… I was such an inconsiderate person. Was I stupid enough to not consider these? Why did I just realized these just now?

"Hmm. I just know his name. Haven't seen him. I hear he's a bit anti-social." I was relieved by his answer.

"Oh. Me too. So back to our topic, what else do you want to know?"

"Um, I think it's not right to ask this…" he held back.

"No, it's okay. Just tell me." I urged him.

"No."

"Please?"

"Not at all."

I poked his arm and pinched it.

"Aw. Oh well… If you say so." He heaved a sigh. "Why'd you break up?"

I cringed from his question. What was I suppose to say?

"See, I should've not asked that. Sorry." He apologized.

"No, no. I just… Um, got carried away by the memories. We broke up because he had to choose between me and… business. He chose the other option."

"If I were him, I would have just chosen you."

"It's not exactly the normal 'girlfriend vs. wealth'."

"Not normal?"

"Let's just say what he chose was far more important and valuable. Anyway, I think I can see his point why chose that over me…" My head was full of Skye's memories.

"You mean like, the guy would kinda, uh, die if he didn't choose business?"

"Not exactly… But then he would lose everything…" I almost whispered.

"I would still choose girlfriend."

"You don't understand." I said in a somewhat irritated tone.

"I… I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have asked…"

"Oh my gosh. My apologies, Kai… I didn't mean…"

He just sat beside me, head low. Damn. What have I done? He was just being nice and all…

I poked his head and whispered in his ear. "I'm so sorry Kai. That shouldn't be my reaction…"

He faced me and smiled weakly, "I understand. I guess you haven't moved on yet. And I should really be sorry for asking such a question."

"You're so stubborn. I told you it's my fault!" I giggled. He started laughing again.

"So, it's you and business eh?" he asked again in a rather better mood.

"Yeah. I really got angry with him, but everything's okay… for now. I can see his reason. It's your turn to tell me your story."

"What do you want to know?" he asked.

"Hmm. Ann had told me you had twenty-one girlfriends. Why did you break up with them?" I asked frankly. I really wanted to know why. I thought he might cringe by my question, but luckily, he didn't and answered.

"I had my first girlfriend last four years ago. I thought we would last forever…" his eyes looked into the stars again. "Many people said that we were a perfect pair. And in my eyes, she was my perfect girl. She was a cook like me; she was really nice, beautiful, honest and well, perfect."

I was expecting he would cringe in this topic, but it's the opposite; I was the one who cringed.

"We loved each other very dearly, and we lasted for a good year. But then, a month after we celebrated our anniversary, we began getting tired of each other. Our days together became less exciting, we talked rarely because we couldn't think of anything we could even talk about and we got tired of being a perfect couple… So we talked about ending our relationship. It was kinda hard, knowing we became honest and loved each other. But the spark faded."

He looked at me with kind eyes, and I just smiled at him understandingly.

He continued. "Then all of my relationships after our relationship lasted for about less than three months. I was the one who broke up with them."

"Why? Spark faded?" I asked.

"No," he shook his head. "Honestly, I wasn't serious with some of the girls. Just played with their emotions. Like a user."

"That's bad." I scolded him. "Why'd you do that?"

It's…. fun. Sorry… Sorry to disappoint you." He apologized.

"Just don't do it again."

"I didn't play with girls starting from my fifteenth girlfriend."

"Oh… What's the story?"

"Karma." He said with a grin.

"So you mean…?"

"My fifteenth girl then planned revenge against me. Her sister was one of my former girlfriends, and I didn't know that."

"Oh. And then?"

"Let's just say she really tortured me." He laughed.

"Um, okay." I reluctantly answered.

"From then on, I was serious with girls. But it seems the tables have turned. My next girlfriends had other guys and just used me."

"Oh. Karma." I whispered.

"Yeah. That's why I'm on a lookout or girls now. I'm looking for a different girl."

"Then why don't you find a different girl…" I murmured.

"I already have." Oops. He heard me. He gazed at me with those chocolate brown eyes and smiled so sweetly.

"Oh… Popuri?"

"What?" he scratched his head. He raised his left brow in confusion.

"I mean, Popuri is the different girl you've found." I replied.

"You mean, you think Popuri's the ideal girl?"

I was confused. "Uh. Yeah?"

"You're so dense. Ha ha ha. Cute." He laughed.

"Don't you like Popuri?"

"Yeah, she's the type I'm looking for and I like her, but that's not enough to make her my girlfriend. She is a crybaby and she talks too much about… me. 'Sides, Rick hates me."

"Oh. Then who're you thinking of?"

He just laughed. I just sat there, baffled by his reaction.

"Guess." He chuckled.

"Uh. Karen? Ann?" I guessed. I had no idea.

"Karen? Nah. She's like my older sis and besides, Rick likes her. For Ann… she's like my younger sister. Pretty much my type but they're just like my sisters."

"Oh. How about Elli?"

"Nah. Not at all my type. She likes romance too much. Creeps me out sometimes. And she's too in love with Trent."

"Honestly, I have no idea." I admitted.

"Oh well." He grinned. "Have anything else to ask?"

"What exactly is your type of girl?"

"Hmm." He smiled. "Physical?"

"Physical first, then qualities."

"Okay. I like girls with big, bright eyes, has a sweet smile, has nice complexion and looks like an angel even when asleep. And I like a little mystique when I look into her eyes." He chuckled.

I don't know why, but my cheeks felt hot again.

"Oh. What about her personality?"

"Personality, eh?" he thought for a while.

I waited.

"A girl who's independent, bubbly, honest, a lil' mysterious and exciting to be with."

"Is there such a girl?" I asked.

"I believe the girl I'm thinking of right now is."

"Why won't you tell me already?"

"Nope." He stuck his tongue out. "It's your job to find out whom."

"Aw. Is there a deadline for my job?" I giggled.

"Hmm. Lemme think." He smirked and paused for a while. "Okay, deadline's on Spring 30."

"I may actually have an idea by that time." I laughed with him.

"Anything else?"

Okay, so this is my ultimate question… How would he react if someone confessed that she likes him?

"I have nothing else to ask." I lied.

"Oh… So, what'd you like doing?"

"Me? Hmm. I love drawing the most!" I exclaimed.

"Really? I love cooking, but I bet you've figured that out. I'm into photography too." He grinned.

"Wow. Photography? Can I see some of the photos you've taken?"

"Uh. I can't show you, sorry. I left them… at my place in Sunny Palms City."

"Oh. Too bad." I pouted.

"Yeah. Too bad. But I promise I'll show you some of them someday."

"Thanks!" I grinned.

Everything was quiet again. I looked at him and saw his eyes were closing. He's tired all right.

"Kai, you okay? Better get some sleep eh?"

"Oh… I guess I'm kinda tired." He yawned. "Can you excuse me for a bit? I guess I'm just going to catch a few Z's."

"Sure." I smiled. "I'm just going to wake you up when they come. Sleep well."

He stood up and walked with eyes half-closed to the nearest bed. He pulled his bandanna off his head and threw it idly. He shook his legs so that his boots would get off. A set of keys fell from his pocket as he walked absentmindedly. He didn't seem to notice it, he plopped himself on the bed and positioned himself in a comfortable way.

I crept quietly and took the keys. I examined them, and I had no idea what kind of keys they were used for. I stood up and walked towards sleeping Kai.

"Hey, Kai—" I didn't have the chance to finish what I was saying because I slipped on his bandanna plus tripped on his boots. Double mishap.

I closed my eyes and grasped the key with two of my hands very closely. I hated mishaps like this. What a clumsy person I am today! Slipping from a chair then this. I shut them very tightly, not knowing where I will fall.

I felt that I landed on something soft but in some parts of where I landed I felt that it was also kinda hard. My eyes were still closed. I heard a sudden gasp, and I felt a rhythmic beat just under my chin. I had a good guess where I fell.

I landed on… Kai. On his chest, apparently.

I opened my eyes to see what's happening. Kai was staring at me with shocked eyes. My heart raced and I felt his heart throbbed faster and stronger. I clutched the keys tighter in my hands.

"Um…. C-Claire?" he said nervously.

I was still in a shock. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. That was all the sound I can hear. I don't even know if it's coming from my chest or I'm just hearing it from Kai's chest. Or was it coming from both?

"Claire, are you okay?" This time, he shrugged my shoulders.

"Y-Yeah… Just... Just shocked… shocked…"

"Whew. I'm relieved. Thought you were in trauma or something."

"Yeah. This is embarrassing." I still didn't lift myself from this awkward position. It felt… comfortable.

"Yeah. And I guess it'd be better if they won't see… us in this…" he blushed.

"Oh yeah, right… Sorry."

I stood up from where I landed and took a deep breath. "Your keys."

"Oh. You got into a small accident because of these keys. Bad keys." He chuckled, but his face was still blushing.

"Ha ha ha. How clumsy of me. Go get some sleep." I smiled awkwardly.

He nodded, but his face was still red and a bit surprised. He closed his eyes and I sat down on the other bed, trying to forget the awkward mishap.

I looked outside the window and stared into the stars, thinking about everything I've done. Running away, getting into a small accident, buying a farm, meeting people and now, making yet another awkward atmosphere. I gazed at the biggest star and chanted in my mind, I wish everything would be all right… I just continued to look into the dark sky filled with twinkling stars, thin clouds and an almost full moon. The trees and grass swayed because of the wind outside. It was beautiful. This was like Skye's words… The exact things he said to me one night when we had dinner in a garden…

"I would bring you to a paradise where the stars would never stop winking at you, my dearest love. Stars would never cease twinkling their brightest as long as you gaze at them with your beautiful eyes. The clouds will be always ideal to give the luminous moon the perfect place for you to look at… The moon so perfectly brilliant will always be in the sky to shine its magical light on you… The trees will dance to the wind's rhythm and the grass will also follow the music of the wind circling the paradise… Everything will be beautiful. Everything will be heaven.This is the paradise I dreamed of that we will share for eternity." And there we had our first kiss.

Skye. I still love you… I love you more than anyone and anything in the world. What I feel for Kai right now is nothing close to what I feel for my Skye. An insignificant crush and an intense love. That's the difference.

Minutes still continued to pass, and all of a sudden, Ann came bursting in shouting, "Okay. Dinner's here!" Cliff and Gray came in carrying trays of delicious smelling food.

"Hey sleepyhead!" Ann yelled. Eventually, Kai woke up.

"Oh, hey guys." Kai greeted them and forced a smile on his face.

"Um, hello." I greeted them as I stood up from the bed.

"Hey, put the trays on the table. I'm just gonna talk to Claire." Ann squeaked.

Ann pulled my arm and ran downstairs. She seemed overjoyed. I wonder why. Then she dragged me to the kitchen next and locked the door.

"Okay," she smiled playfully. "What did you guys talk about?"

"Uh…" I tried to recall everything that happened just a while ago. The awkward memory was clouding up my mind. "Lots of stuff."

"Mostly about what?" she was really intrigued.

"Um, Mineral Town, our lives' stories and lo-"

"Love?" she cut me off mid-sentence.

"Y-Yeah." I blushed and faced away from her.

"Really?" she exclaimed.

I just nodded.

"Whoa! So you like him?"

I didn't answer.

"Well?" she shook my shoulders.

"Okay fine. Maybe just a bit. But… I'd consider him as a friend."

"Just a bit…?"

"Yeah…" I sighed. "Ann, can you keep a secret?"

I decided to tell her everything. Everything that happened in my life, who I really am, where I came from and so on. I need someone to help me. Someone who I can rely on when my plan goes wrong. I needed... a friend.

"Sure." Her faced turned serious.

"It's a really big secret, and you can't tell it to anybody." I reminded her. "Not even Cliff should know about this."

"You can trust me." She promised.

"Okay." I took a deep breath. She waited.

I took out my wallet from my pocket and pulled out some of the photos inside.

"Ann do you know who this is?" I presented her a photo.

"Hmm," she examined the picture. "Isn't this… the guy… who owns the now falling Whitestone Company? What's his name…? Ah... Is it Skye?"

"Correct." I heaved another sigh. "How'd you know him?"

"My father used to be an employee in their company in the city years ago before I was born. He told me about the silver-haired Whitestones." She explained.

"Oh. What about this guy?"

"Hey! He's one of my crushes!" she exclaimed.

"Crush?" I was bewildered.

"Yup! I'll tell you all I know about him! His name is Jack Brooke; he's 26 years old, works as the president of one of the companies owned by Mr. and Mrs. Heathers, particularly the Priceless Sapphire Company, which is a jewelry company. He's five foot eight and he lives in Star Fall City." She dreamily said.

She knows a lot. I can't believe someone would like my cousin. Icky Jack.

"Uh, do you know his family?"

"Family, eh?" she stared into blank space. "Unfortunately, no. No information about his family or girlfriend is exposed in radios, televisions and newspapers. All I know he's closely related with Mr. and Mrs. Heathers."

"Good. Lastly do you know this people?" I presented her another photo.

"Hmm… Fair-haired guy with a firm face… That's Mr. Heathers. Then a beautiful brunette… With blue eyes… That's Mrs. Heathers!"

"Do you know their daughter?"

"I've seen her before… on television… Hmm… She's a blonde and had purple eyes. She also had long hair. Oh yeah. And she's awfully flawless! I think her name was Clarisse."

"Uh, do any people here know about her?" I was praying that she was the only one who knew me.

"Actually, I think my dad and I are the only ones. Some of the villagers may know Clarisse's name, but they don't know what she looks like. They're not as interested in city life. Gray, the Mayor and Kai might have an idea of city life."

"Oh. Lastly do you know this girl?" I showed her the last picture I was holding.

"Hey! That's Clarisse Heathers! Exactly the description." she squealed.

I pointed the picture and then pointed at my face. She gasped.

"Oh my Goddess!" she squeaked. "You're… her? You're Cla-"

I covered her mouth with my hand quickly. "Shh!"

"I'm sorry… I'm just surprised…" she whispered nervously.

"Just keep it down. Yes, I'm Clarisse Heathers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heathers, Jack's younger cousin and Skye's ex-girlfriend. I'm five foot three, 24 years old, I live in Star Fall City and works as the veiled vice president and head jewelry artist of the Priceless Sapphire Company." I quickly whispered.

"YOU'RE JACK'S COUSIN?" she exclaimed.

"Uh, yeah. Um, my secret, remember?"

"Oh yeah… You first… Why did you lie about yourself?"

"It's this… I ran away from home because I was being force to marry another rich guy."

"So it isn't Skye?"

"No. It's a guy I don't even know. My father wanted me to break up with him. I tried to talk to him about coming with me to escape, but he didn't want to. He chose their company instead of me. That forced us to break up. So I just ran away by myself. And here I am, with my hair cut short, got a bit tanned and with my blue eyes."

"Wait, it's not purple?"

"Purple contacts." I sighed. "Aren't you angry with me for lying?"

"Not at all." She smiled kindly.

"But why?"

"I believe that your reason is good enough. You don't want to be found by your family, because you're going to be forced to marry someone you don't know while you have a boyfriend. Anyway, you're nice and all and you are Jack's cousin." She giggled.

"Jeez, what'd you like about him?"

"Everything!" she exclaimed.

I laughed. "Going back, promise me this will only be between the two of us, please."

"I promise!" she winked. "In one condition…"

"Oh my. What?"

"Tell me everything about Jack!"

"Don't you like Cliff?"

"Nope."

My eyes widened.

Then she giggled. "I don't like Cliff. I love him."

"Oh. Ha ha ha. Nice one." I laughed with her. "Wait, if you know me, how come you didn't recognize me from the start?"

"I did, actually. But you didn't have the same eye color and the flawlessly white skin. And most of all, I can't find a reason why a billionaire like you would go to this small town."

"Oh. I really got tanned..." I examined my skin.

"By the way, don't get angry with what I'll tell you, 'kay?" She squealed.

"Ha ha ha. Depends."

I was half listening to her since I was too happy of what a nice person Ann is. It's nice to have a friend you can trust. A friend that you know will always be beside you when you need help, will give you their hand when you stumble and will always catch you when you fall. Ann is that person. In her eyes, I know we'll be friends… forever.

~KAI'S POINT OF VIEW~

Hell.

These two idiots kept on laughing after the girls left. I just gave up asking them why and ate my slice of pizza.

"Ha ha ha!" Gray kept on laughing. Jeez. Finally, Cliff stopped laughing and tried to purse his lips.

"Do you wanna know why we were laughing?" Cliff asked playfully.

"Oh yes please," I replied sarcastically. "I am just so desperate to know." I rolled my eyes and turned my back on them.

"Aw man," Gray smacked my back. "Sorry. We couldn't help laughing to see that."

My eyes widened.

"WHAT?" I roared as I faced them.

"Pfft," Cliff was trying to stop the incoming laughter. "Man that was really something to see."

"He he, Now do have an idea why we've been laughing?" Gray smirked.

Yes, I have an idea. They saw it.

"YOU SAW…" I trailed off, shocked and embarrassed.
"You bet it!" Gray exclaimed. "Was it fun to have a girl land on your chest?"
"Oh crap!" I covered my face with my hands and I felt my cheeks red hot.

Just then, Claire came in, her cheeks flushed red and she looked like she was pissed off. Ann came after her and she was apologizing endlessly.

"Claire, I'm so sorry! We didn't mean to see it…" She sobbed.
"Ugh." She covered her ears and ran for the bed.
"Oh." Gray and Cliff both reacted. "She got mad?"
"Well, I told her not to get angry with us when I tell her…" then she turned to face me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Kai, Claire," Ann called out. "We're really sorry."
"Yeah right." I huffed.
"Dude, we're really sorry." Gray repeated. "It was by chance that when we peeked through the keyhole that we saw… that."
"Yeah…" Cliff joined in. "We were just checking what you guys were doing before we serve dinner."

Ann ran to the bed were Claire was and hugged her. "I'm sooooo sorry!" Then she whispered something that shocked Claire a bit, and Claire hugged her back.

"It was just so awkward for you guys to see my clumsiness." Claire sobbed.
"Aw, s'okay." Ann comforted her. Then she faced me. "What about you, Kai?"

I don't know what to say.

"C'mon! Forgive us, pretty please with a cherry on top?" Ann begged with her face twisted into a pitiful, cute cat face.

"Alright already!" I rolled my eyes.

"Yay!" Ann squealed. "Now, let's eat!"

We had a noisy but enjoyable dinner. Obviously, Gray's attitude is still cheerful. I wonder when will this new Gray go back to the stubborn one?

"See ya boys!" Ann squeaked when we left the girls' guest room. She was going to sleep with Claire so that they would talk more of girl stuff all through out the night.

"Good night, guys!" Claire said with a sweet smile. I couldn't help but smile back at her.

Walking back to our guest room, Gray smacked my head and snorted.

"What the heck is your problem again?" I asked.
"He he he. You smiled back at her." He laughed. Cliff tried not to laugh.
"So?" I raised my eyebrow.

Gray shook his head and grinned. "Sigh. Effects of being in love."

We reached the end of the hallway and Cliff opened the door. We did our usual tasking, Cliff making the beds, Gray closing the windows and turning on the air conditioner and me sweeping the floor. We didn't want Ann to do much housework, since she already cooks for us, does our laundry and helps her dad in inn and bar. Ann might not act as your usual 23-year-old lady, but she's really nice and overboard cheerful. She's also good in household chores obviously and is an excellent cook.

My bed was farthest from the door, Cliff's bed is beside mine, then Gray's.

"So, I wanna know some things, Kai." Gray smirked evilly.
"Ugh, what?" I grimaced as I took my shirt off and rummaged in my closet for boxers.
"What did you and Claire talked about before we saw that?" he asked.
"Lots of things. I asked her about her life." I smiled absentmindedly as my mind was filled with memories earlier.
"Oh. So did you ask what kind of guy she likes?" Cliff said as he went out of the bathroom in his boxers and drying his brown hair.
"Uh, no." I replied. "She hasn't moved on with her ex yet." I took my boxers and went inside the bathroom to take a night bath.

While having a warm shower, Gray continued interrogating me.

"Well, tell us what you now." He yelled.

I sighed. "Her full name is Claire Rosebelle. 24 years old. Likes to draw. Her family died in Cherubim City. Has an ex boyfriend named Skye. Got all that?" I shouted back. Jeez.

"Wait, Skye?" Gray yelled. "The one in the city? Skye Whitestone?"
"Nope, it's Alexanders." I replied.
"Oh. I thought it was that guy."

He finally shut up, and I had my shower quietly. The warm water relaxed my numb muscles and cleared my thoughts for awhile. I dried myself with a towel and wore my boxers. As I went out, Cliff and Gray were busy talking about something as I positioned myself on the last bed. Staring blankly at the ceiling, the image of my father crossed my mind. I can see his face clearly… Firm, angry, serious… Then my father's eyes were blazing with fire. But as I looked at his burning eyes…

I saw my mother's face.

My mother was burning in the flames. She was begging me to get her out. My dad suddenly closed his fiery eyes for some seconds, shutting my mom out. Then tears overflowed from his eyes… His face twisted in an unusual way. He looked like he was… pained. Opening his now teary eyes, I saw myself, twenty years ago, crying and begging to see my mother. The memory of how we lost her was shown in my father's eyes. In my eyes when I was six, all I could see was massive flames and I could hear many people shouting in agony, and my mom's voice was the most pained. My father explained to me that mom was taken away by the flames, and will never come back. Now that I'm twenty-six, I understood what he meant by that.

"Hey, Kai? You asleep?" Gray's voice intruded my thoughts.
"Oh, I think I was daydreaming," I replied after awhile.
"Nah. Your eyes were closed." Cliff joined in as he sat straight on his bed.
"What? I fell asleep?" I said. Hmm. I didn't notice that. "So, uh, why'd you wake me up anyway?"
"Nothing in particular…" Gray trailed off. "It's just that, Claire is quite familiar."
"Yeah." Cliff responded. "It's like I saw her before…"
"Hmm. I think so too," I wondered out loud. "But anyway, since I couldn't remember how or when or where or what… I didn't dig for more."
"She's really familiar… I think I saw her in television once…" Gray still pondered.
"Pfft," I chuckled. "Claire? On television?"
"Well, I don't really know." Gray shrugged. "But she really looks familiar."

Oh well. I thought of the same thing too, but like I said, I won't try to recall more.

"What did you dream of anyway?" Cliff changed the topic. "You looked like you were about to sob or something…"
"Really?" I was shocked. "Huh. I saw my dad in my dream… and my mom…"
"Oh." Gray said in a sympathetic tone. "You must have missed her…"

I heaved a sigh. Emotional as I was now, I thought of the day I ran away from home. That maybe… maybe something might go wrong, and my father would come here.

"Hey guys…" I started. I can't take this much longer. It was really heavy. And I should probably expect that I would need help in the future if my plan goes wrong. Maybe… Just maybe… Cliff and Gray can help me.

"What?" Gray looked concerned. He knew that I had something serious to say.
"Well. The truth why I'm here is because… Uh." I shook my head. I didn't know how to tell it to them.
"C'mon." Cliff egged on. "What?"
"I actually ran away from the city." I finally managed to say.
"What?" both gasped in disbelief.
"Lemme explain, dumb asses!" I hissed. "My dad wanted to make me marry a Claire Heathers back in the city. But I didn't really want to, so… here I am."
"Whoa." Gray shook his head.
"Ugh. Won't your dad find you here?" Cliff asked.
"I bet he won't. Actually, he doesn't even know this place. He doesn't know that I go here every summer, so I'm completely safe."
"Good, but won't he announce it on television that you're missing?" Gray grimaced.
"I know my father. He won't do that." I explained. "So there, I just wanted to tell you guys because I was kinda nervous. Hey, you know this is a secret, right?"

Both of them nodded.

"Wew. That was good… Having my chest not as heavy as this…" I sighed.
"The problem's really heavy eh?" Gray smiled. "Anyways, when are you planning to go back to the city?"
"At first, I thought that maybe I'd go back next year…" I trailed off. "But ever since I met Claire, I think I'll live here from now on."

We laughed altogether.

What a night this has been. I'm excited for another day tomorrow, especially that I'm going to help Claire do some grocery shopping. We'll be together the whole day…

"So, should I turn out the lights now?" Cliff asked.
"Sure, sure." I said. "Goodnight guys."

And I drifted off to sleep.