"Stop frowning, It doesn't suit you." He said out of nowhere while busy driving. He then made a smirk. I adjusted the reaction on my face. Am I getting too wrinkled? How come I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Cephie. I just didn’t speak anymore.
"By the way, Have you decided already? Uhm, about the party?" he then looked at me for seconds. Yes, I noticed that in my peripheral vision.
"Not yet."
"Not yet? If you can't come, I'll fetch you tomorrow at 6 pm. Never say no, okay?" he winked at me.
"If I say no? Will you still insist?"
"Of course," he grins.
I hurried out of the car to pick up my groceries in the backseat. I was still a little confused so I told him to stay in the car first. I will also return immediately to hand over the payment to him. He agreed and just waited. He would even help me carry some leftover groceries that I could no longer carry. I said I would just go back to those.
I put my purchases down on the table first and immediately went up to Cephie's room. It opened when I went straight in. My forehead is still furrowed from fatigue.
"Ceph where's-" I interrupted when I saw them playing scrabble. He is here.
"Hey, Lou! Was that before?" Xyler surprisingly asked. Cephie doesn't look at me. She just heads to play.
"Got ya!" she shouted out of excitement.
"Hey, Ceph, I need my wallet, now," She stood up and took the wallet out of his little bag that was on top of the cabinet. she handed it to me with no reaction and went back to playing with Xyler again.
I left them there first and then hurried down because Adrian might have been waiting earlier. I was the one who bothered. I was even more relieved to see him enter the leftover groceries inside. He really carried it. I picked them up and carried them right away to the living room.
"You don't have to, but thanks." I said. I handed him the money I had borrowed earlier.
"It's yours. I won't accept that but you have to come with me to the party tomorrow."
"Please-" I interrupt.
"So, See you tomorrow, Lou."
Adrian left and Xyler got off just in time. He sat there on the couch and opened the magazines. One by one, I arranged my purchases in the kitchen. He also went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to drink water.
"Who's that?" he started as he saw the car exiting. "I heard Ceph was mad at you." he laughed.
"I also am," I answered while busy putting the can in the cabinet. I even took a seat because I could no longer reach it.
Xyler spent dinner there with us. Cephie and I are very close. Even while watching the movie, they get along while I prepare what we eat. I smiled. We are like family. Ceph hasn't even noticed me yet. I'll just talk to him before going to sleep.
Tita also called to check what Cephie bought with the money she sent. I just said that I was the one who bought Cephie's purchases. I won't tell you what happened earlier, maybe she'll just get mad at Ceph. Time to time she checks us since she is in another country while Tito Alfred is gone because he has another family. Cephie also has no other sister because she is an only child so Tita left her to me. I have no other family in life only Cephie was with me. My mother and father were away for a long time because of a car accident. I have my two brothers and sister. I am the youngest and they have their family to support and so am alone.
So this, it looks like almost my youngest sister Cephie. I really couldn't get along with her at first because she didn't want me but it didn't take long for me to gradually gain her heart. Here I chose to stay in the apartment I rented rather than at their aunt's house. Even though it's free, I still prefer to where I live. That's okay with my aunt, the important thing is that I watch over her child. The money he sends to take care of Cephie is also a big help. I can pay rent.
When Xyler and Cephie finished watching, we ate right away. I cooked and they seemed to like it. The kitchen was not quiet because the two of them were already full of noise. This Xyler was too talkative to my cousin and they almost didn't pay attention to me anymore so I was the first to finish eating. I also took the plates afterward. Xyler would have helped me but I told him to do the washing because he might break it. He was just there sitting at the table talking to me. He has a lot of stories to tell and various rants at work. He is very stressed in their company but good thing because he is the one who runs it now. I wonder where his twin was, Xymon. I never saw him again after I broke up with him. I never thought to ask Xyler this because it was too awkward to talk about even though I knew for a long time that I was one of the reasons for what happened then. I just hope that if I see Xymon again he won't be angry with me. I can't blame if there is and then who am I, right? Xymon is almost perfect and it is impossible for him to remember only one woman.
"It seems you and Cephie are getting closer than mine. I get jealous." I jokingly said.
"Well, I like her."
"Is she still mad?" I asked whispering. "
"Hmm ... I don't think so. She said you forbid her to buy chocolate. Did you?"
"Because it is forbidden to her. Might trigger her heart disease."
"Oh, Okay. I guess I need to ask you what food I can offer to her."
"Anything not too sweet."
I really getting jealous, huh. Cephie now is her best friend and I'm just like their mom.
Finally, I also finished washing the plates. I sat across from Xyler first. He has been drinking water before.
"Two minutes left and I need to go home." He said looking at his watch.
"Woah, Time conscious!" I teased. "I forgot your location."
"Well Uhm, I'm in a condo with Trish and now she was waiting for me."
"Does she know that you are here?"
"Yep, I told her. I told her about you."
"What did you say about me to her? I'm afraid you expose my bad side." I said with grins.
"Well, I hope you will meet her in person. I think you will get along."
I faked my smile again. It's okay to think that I'll meet her girl but I don't know if I'm still in favor of her wanting Trish and me to get along. I also don't know why I don't want to. I know that little by little, Xyler will no longer be my best friend. Isn't that how it is, when it's in a relationship, there's already friendship and romantic relationship? but in my case, we only have a friendship.
It's annoying because. Can't I just be happy for them? What do I expect? maybe it was the right decision for me to just agree with Trish just in case I get used to the fact that I really don't have a place with them. Maybe my eyes will get used to them both and maybe my heart will get used to being numb when I can't. Am I late?
Because if not, maybe it's still possible. Will I still insist? should I still hope even if it's uncertain now?