What are you doing here?

I leaned into him and smashed my lips on his. 

A gasp escapes from his lips, watching me do all of that. He really couldn’t believe it. 

The kiss lasted for only a few seconds and I pulled away from him quickly. 

I smirked at him, then winked. “What about now?” 

I already gave my first kiss away anyway. It’s not like I’m losing anything. And I don’t care anymore. 

Phoenix blinked, pulled from a trance. He sighed dreamily, touching his lips “That was…quick.” He commented. “Can you do it again?”

I jabbed him in the stomach at his comment. He yelped in pain. “Damn woman, why are you hitting me? Haha, it was just a joke.” 

I just rolled my eyes at him. Right in time, my phone rang and saw my mom calling. I turned to Phoenix for a second to excuse myself and stepped out of the mansion to answer my mom’s call.

 The good thing I also noticed about this province’s innovation is that there is a signal here and there is electricity unlike before where I struggled to find a signal to send a text to my mom. The perks of technology I guess. 

"Yes, mom?" I said when I answered the call. 

"I'm sorry my dear Sereia, but it looks like I couldn’t go there tomorrow.” I could hear my mother’s voice from the phone. “I'm still taking care of your grandmother."

It's been a year since grandma was like that. I sighed. I'm strong, I don't need mom's help. I should face this by myself. "Okay, mom. Take care, I hope grandma gets better."

“Yes, I will. By the way, your dad called. He was furious about your reaction, Sereia." She informed me. Oh, dad did? Well, no surprise there. 

I sighed at that. Really, dad is scared of speaking up with his mother’s parents. 

"Yeah, yeah. I'll take care of talking to him." I said. 

Mom paused at that. I could imagine she’s shaking her head in dismay right now. “Okay, just convince your dad later. Anyway, have you talked to the owner yet?" She asked. 

"Yes. The owner is said to be grandpa's friend. Grandma Nanding. Do you know her?" I responded. 

"Lola Nanding?” Mom inquired, and yelled at me excitedly,  “Are you really referring to Lola Nanding? Oh my gosh, we used to be close! How is she? I missed her so much!”  

Ooh, so mom really knows her, which means grandfather as well. So she was telling the truth earlier…

Now I feel like I'm missing out on something. It feels like I had just uncovered one thing from the other things in our family. 

"But ma, the title is in the name of Lola Nanding's grandson.” I informed her, before saying this with dedication, “But don't worry, I'll make a way. He said I just have to oblige to his terms and we’ll see."  

Well, I shouldn’t mention what he made me do earlier, right? About the kiss? Mom doesn’t have to know that. 

"I know you can handle that, remember not to push yourself too much. Take care of yourself huh?" She replied, and I nodded. 

"Yes, mom."

“When are you coming home by the way?”

“Later, when I finish discussing to them,” I answered. 

"Good. Then I need to hang up now, bye my child. I promise I’ll get there soon when I can.” 

And with that, our call ended, I stepped inside the mansion and returned to the kitchen where I was just conversing with Phoenix earlier, but he was nowhere now. 

I looked around and saw Lola Nanding already sitting in the living room. I quickly approached her and said, "Lola Nanding? Have you seen Phoenix? We were just talking earlier when I had a phone call and he was gone now."

“Did he disagree?” She asked back, 

I winced at that, “He disagreed, but he mentioned some things I have to do before I can persuade him.” 

She sighed at that, "My grandson's head is really stubborn, I'm sorry about that, my dear. And I wish you luck, I hope you’ll manage to persuade him. What do you plan on doing now?"

I wiped my hand which was covered in sweat and thought about it for now. 

Lola Nanding is right. What do I plan now? I did Phoenix’s request to kiss him earlier, now what? Should I wait for his decision? 

“To be honest, I don’t even know anymore, Lola Nanding. I guess I’ll just go with the flow now and see what happens. Thank you for the concern, Lola Nanding.." 

She then stood up and patted me on the back, before motioning for me to come to the dining table, “You know what? Let’s set that aside for now. I cooked lunch for you. Let’s eat.” 

I’m the type who can't say now when I’m offered something, so I nodded and decided to eat with Lola Nanding. 

She cooked adobo for me and some fish soup that’s really nourishing. 

While eating, we said, Lola Nanding really had that ability to make everyone welcome. I just met her but I feel like I’ve known her for a long time. I can see my own grandma in her as they look a bit similar. 

"You know, I really took care of you when you were young.” She started. “You used to be cute and so talkative. I’m happy that you grew up beautiful and sexy." 

I could feel my cheeks red from that,  "Thank you, Lola Nanding. You’re beautiful too." I suddenly see my own grandma in her.

After eating lunch, I wanted to go home and rest now but Lola Nanding still invited me to play some cards with her. She said it has been a while since she had someone over.

So the rest of the afternoon went by that I didn't even realize it was nighttime. I look at my wristwatch, 6:30.

I gaped, planning to go home before nighttime. Now what? How can I go home now? It's late! It’s dangerous at night here. 

"Grandma Nanding?" I called out. I saw her in the kitchen, cooking. I cleared my throat before politely saying, "It's late. I need to go home…” 

"Oh no, I’m sorry! Did I keep you here for too long? I'm sorry. Sereia.” She said apologetically, looking guilty. 

“Since it’s already night, why not sleep here? I can prepare one of the rooms for you to sleep in. You can go home tomorrow morning.” 

She offered. “Plus, It's also raining outside. It would be hard for you to go home in this weather.” 

Checking the windows to see if it really was raining, my eyes went round. It's really raining!

I sighed in defeat. "Okay. I'll stay here for the night."

Lola Nanding smiled at that, and hurriedly went upstairs to prepare the room. 

I can't help but smile. She's really that happy for me to stay here? Awee, I guess she was really lonely here….

Having some of our dinner, Phoenix was still out of sight this time. Not that I care. He can go wherever he wants to, it’s not my business. 

"Here’s your room! Lola Nanding pointed to the nearest room when we ascended the stairs. 

From what I can remember when it was still ours, this mansion had four bedrooms. This was our guest room and I only slept here once. I used to hang out here once in a while.

Thanking Lola Nanding, I entered the room and sighed. I looked around to see everything was still the same and intact, thank goodness. 

However, I forgot something.

I didn’t bring any clothes with me!  I only had my makeup bag and some necessities since I didn’t expect that I’ll sleep here. 

Plus, I couldn’t sleep without showering. So what should I wear now? 

Just in time, as if the heavens heard my inner agony, there was a knock on the door. It was Lola Nanding, handing me a towel, t-shirt, and shorts.

"I lent some of the clothes of Phoenix’s friend. She’s a girl so don’t worry." She said, and I thanked her before she closed the door now. 

Since the bathroom was downstairs, I descended the stairs and showered.

While rubbing some soap on my body, I couldn’t help but overthink everything. 

Is it right that I stayed here tonight? It's good that it's Saturday and I still have time to go home tomorrow to work on Monday ... 

But on the other note ... I guess this is right. Staying here for tonight would give me more time to persuade Phoenix.

When I was finished showering, I went back to my room and laid on the bed. I was tired but my eyes were still open, not able to sleep. 

Getting up, I went to the hallways and stood in front of my past room when I was just a child here. It was just situated in front of the guest room where I’m staying for the night so it’s easy to get in here. 

 The door was a bit opened. I bit my lip in nervousness. Who is sleeping here? I hope it's just Lola Nanding because if not ... I'm dead. Slowly, I opened it and found no one there. I sighed in relief. 

Tiptoeing and entering the door, I left the door open. I walked towards the bedside table, and to the bed. Seeing that the designs are still the same as before... I felt relieved that nothing has changed.

But the quiet silence was soon broken with a loud voice, surprising me. 

"What are you doing in my room?!"