CHAPTER 4

Michelle's POV

As I was planning to head over to my best friend's house, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Elissa. To my surprise, an unfamiliar voice answered.

Puzzled, I asked him, and a deep voice on the other end explained that my best friend had left her belongings somewhere.

Surprised by the unexpected call, I asked for more details. The man on the phone sounded patient as he provided information about where my best friend had left her things. Grateful for his assistance, I said, "Thank you for letting me know. I'll pick up her belongings ."

"My friend is really clumsy sometimes," I mumbled to myself.

Closing the call, I couldn't help but wonder who this kind stranger was and why he sounded so eager to return my friend's things. With curiosity, I headed to the location he mentioned.

Fast-forward.

Upon arriving at the location the mysterious caller provided. The bell above the door jingled as I entered, and my eyes scanned the room, searching for the person who had called me about my best friend's belongings.

My eyes scanned the room, searching for the person who had called me.

Spotting a man sitting alone, he looked up from his cup of coffee as I approached. "Are you Michelle?" he inquired, a friendly smile on his face.

"Yes, that's me. Thank you for calling about my best friend's things. I really appreciate it," I replied, genuinely grateful for his kindness.

When I looked at his face.

Something unexpected happened. My eyes met his, and in that instant, it felt like time slowed down. His face looks perfect paired with his blue eyes.

What is that? What is wrong with me?

His eyes held a mystery, and for a brief moment, our shared silence spoke volumes. As I continued to stare into those deep eyes, I found myself captivated by the unknown man.

With a subtle smile, he said, "I'm glad I could help."

My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw his smile.

Don't tell me, I fell in love at first sight.

"Take a seat, I ordered ice americano, is that ok with you?" He asked then gestured his hand to the coffee in front of me.

"Yes, thanks," I said when I sat down and took a sip of my coffee.

After Fredrinn handed me Elissa's belongings, he glanced at his cell phone when it beeped, a sense of urgency in his expression showed when he read the message.

. " Michelle. Sorry, I need to go somewhere important," he said, getting ready to leave in a hurry.

"Sure, no problem. Thanks for returning my friend's things and thanks for the coffee." I said to him.

He just gave me one last smile before he finally left.

Sitting there, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotion, and curiosity about the man who I met so briefly. As I held my friend's things, I wondered about the mysterious circumstances of our meeting, wondering if our paths would cross again.

I decided to head to Elissa's house after I left the coffee shop.

"Hi, Auntie. Is Elissa home? " I greeted Auntie Chona, Elissa's maid when she opened the door.

She smiled and greeted me back."Hi Michelle, Elissa is in her room. I heard that she is grounded right now."

"Why Auntie? Yesterday was her birthday right? Did something happen yesterday?" I asked confused.

"You should asked her, I think she needs someone to talk to right now ." She answered with a warm smile.

Yesterday was Elissa's debut but she messaged me yesterday that she was sick, so there is no party and celebration. I wonder why she's grounded right now.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in." I heard Elissa's voice so I entered her room.

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday Happy birthday, Happy birthday to you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIE!"

I sang together with Auntie Chona while holding a cake.

"Ohh, thank you bestie." She said with a huge smile.

"You're welcome. Make a wish ." I said while smiling.

Elissa who was teary eyed went in front of me to blow the candle.

We ate first together and when Auntie Chona left us, I finally asked her.

"Is there something wrong? I heard you are grounded." I asked her while we were eating desserts.

"It's a long story, Mich." She replied.

I feel like she was not ready to share for now so I didn't ask her for more details.

"Oh, I remember, Someone called me using your phone and he returned your things," I said to her.

She looked shocked and her face blushed when she heard me. I don't know why.

"Ahh, thank you, Mich. I didn't know I left my things. Hehe"

She answered nervously and she seemed awkward.

"Did he say something?" She added.

"Nah, He just said that you left your things in his workplace.

She sighed before she answered." Ah, that's right."

Is it only me or does she seem worried about something?

Fredrinn's POV

' I am here at your place, where are you? I need to talk to you about something important.'

I received a message while I was in the coffee shop with Elissa's friend. I hurriedly left and went to my home.

It's a shame that I need to go home early, I have a lot of questions about Elissa but, I can't even ask because of mom.

"What are you doing here Mom?" I said when I saw the woman sitting on my couch, as I entered my house.

" And how did you know where I live?" I added. I didn't tell her where I live so, I wonder how did she found out.

"Is that how you greet your mother?" She said with her eyebrows raised. "I have my ways , I asked your best friend and he send me you address.", She added.

Damn that Marco ,I already told him to keep my address secret to my mom.

"Did you forget that you disowned me because of your ex-boyfriend?" I said with remorse.

Her expression softened when she heard me. " Son, sorry about that. I broke up with that guy and I have a new boyfriend now, and he asked me for marriage. So please come back home now "

I still remember the day when she asked me to leave our house because his boyfriend at that time, accused me of stealing . He believed him and didn't even listen to me. God knows that I didn't steal anything. I was only 15 years old at that time ,now I am already 23 but the memories of that day still remains clearly in my mind.

Since then ,I promise myself that I will not depend on someone, except for myself.

"Can't you live without a man, Mom? Almost every year you have a different man, now you are planning on marriage?" I said to her, my voice sounded a little loud because I feel frustrated right now.

"Trust me, son, I am sure about this man. He is really rich too. You don't have to work anymore if you live with us. Our life would be better than ever" She explained. She looked so happy right now.

I firmly answered, "Mom, you know that I can support myself and I don't want to depend on anyone."

"Okay son, just do me one favor. Just attend one of our family dinners. Just the four of us him and his daughter and you and me."

" I will not bother you after that, I promise. He just wants to meet you even for once." She added.

I don't want the idea of dining with them, but I want to see the man whose my mom is going to marry so I decided to agree.

"Okay, just one dinner, and after that, don't bother me again. " I said seriously.

I love my mother but I know that she loves her freedom more than me. I was an unplanned child. She had me when she was only in high school and she always let me feel that she regretted having me. That's why I decided to leave her. To enjoy her life without me. I don't even know who my father is.

"Okay son, but if you will change your mind you can live with us." She answered.

I know that nothing can change my mind. I am okay living my own life, alone.

That's what I thought, because something will happen that will force me to change my mind.