Chapter 21
“WHERE the hell am I going to find a husband?” Ellie clenched both her fists.
Chaya and Jae glanced at each other.
“Ridge,” they uttered in chorus.
Ellie stopped. “No,” she said at once.
They were having breakfast.
Ellie’s wealthy grandmother was leaving a vacation house to her grandchild, who would be the first to get married. She had a cousin who hated losing and would do anything to get what she wanted, even if that meant stealing someone else’s boyfriend. She could not afford to lose to her ‘again.’
“He’s bad news. We’re not even friends!” she said, her eyes widening.
“Yeah, but he mentioned that you kissed him.” Chaya turned to Jae after taking a sip of her coffee. “Didn’t she?”
“Chaya, don’t tell me you believed him? I can’t even remember what happened that night!” Ellie was red in the face.
“For some reason, I believed him,” Jae said.
“Jae?” Ellie uttered in horror.
“Of course, you might not remember it, Ellie. You were drunk, you said.” Jae grinned. “It’s not like we’re judging you. Ridge is such a hottie.” She shrugged. “Too bad you forgot what his lips taste like. But it’s all right. You can kiss him again.”
Ellie groaned in frustration. “Thank you, guys. You’re so helpful.” She put a spoonful of rice in her mouth. “Or maybe I should say goodbye to my beloved Casa Inamorata. I’m used to seeing everything I loved and wanted go to the hands of my perfect cousin Celestine. She deserves the whole world.”
“Sarcasm and coffee,” Chaya remarked. “Are you sure you’re going to give up that easily? You even devoted writing an entire book series for Casa Inamorata, Ellie. You deserve that vacation house.”
“You promised to bring us to that place yourself,” Jae said.
Ellie let out a sad sigh as she sipped her coffee.
“Maybe Granny Yna didn’t want to give me that house after all. I mean, she knew I had already lost my interest in guys. Why would she give that as a condition, right?”
“We’ll help you talk to Ridge, then. I think we could trust him.” Chaya turned to Jae. “What do you think, Jae?”
Jae raised her hand. “I second the motion. Just give us the green light.”
Ellie arched an eyebrow. “How about you find me a normal guy?”
“You can ask Jellybean. Right, Chaya?” Jae said.
“What is Jellybean, really? She sure knew many guys,” Ellie said.
“She’s a basketball fan, remember? Anyway, I could try,” Chaya replied with a shrug.
“Tell her we need normal guys for two.” Jae winked.
Chaya laughed.
***
Chaya took a deep breath as Kyrie closed the car door behind her. She was now standing in front of his family home. It was a huge two-story mansion with maroon sloping roofs and cream-colored walls. There was a balcony above them, a perfect spot for watching the stars while drinking coffee.
“Do you still feel nervous?” Kyrie asked as he took her hand.
“A little,” she said with a sigh.
“You look great. Don’t worry.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s go.”
Chaya smiled and nodded.
They went to the kitchen first. It was a cozy area with warm white lights.
An older couple and two women in maid’s uniforms were cooking and chatting. The aroma made Chaya’s mouth water.
“Hey, guys,” Kyrie greeted.
“Oh, they’re here so early,” the woman said. She walked away from the stove and sauntered toward them.
She was a little shorter than Chaya. She looked warm and friendly.
“Chaya, this is my mom and my dad. Abby and Kristoff Page. Guys, this is Chaya, my girlfriend.”
“Hi. I’m Chaya. It’s nice to meet you.” Chaya nervously reached out her hand.
“We’re a family. We give hugs,” Kristoff said. “Come here.”
Chaya was a little stunned to receive a warm, tight hug from Kristoff.
“Welcome to the family, Chaya,” Abby said when it was her turn to hug her. “You’re a pretty lady, huh.”
“T-thank you. Thank you for welcoming me,” she said. “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, dear,” Abby said with a laugh. “Just be yourself. You’ll get used to us. You’re fine.”
“Dinner is almost ready, by the way. Don’t worry,” Kristoff said.
“Then, I could still give Chaya a tour, right?” Kyrie said and placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Yeah, no problem. But be back right away, children,” Abby said.
“All right. See you later, then. Let’s go, Chaya.”
She nodded.
“See you later.”
“Oh, look who’s back.”
A tall, slender woman with curly hair was walking toward them. She was holding a young boy’s hand. The boy looked so much like Kyrie.
“Daddy!”
“Kiel, my man.” Kyrie picked him up into his arms. “Kelly, this is Chaya, my girlfriend. Chaya, this is Kelly, my sister.”
“Oh, Chaya. Right. Tyler Garcia’s ex-girlfriend. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a fan.” Kelly kissed her cheek. “He’s my favorite actor, so I know.” Kelly giggled.
“Hi, Kelly. It’s nice to meet you,” Chaya said and smiled despite the slight awkwardness.
“You know, I was a fan of your low-key relationship. I became a fan when he starred in that movie you wrote. What a small world, indeed.” She gave Kyrie a side glance. “Did you know about that, Kyrie?”
“I did. Jellybean told me after Chaya and I met. But I’m impressed with your knowledge about my girlfriend.”
Kelly beamed. “Uhuh! Are you still writing for movies, Chaya?”
Chaya nodded. “I’m still writing, but I haven’t talked to a producer in a while.”
“You should write more screenplays. You’re really talented.”
“Thank you. I’ve been trying to work on that.”
“Where’s Avery, by the way?” Kyrie asked.
Chaya fixated his eyes on him.
“Mommy is sick again, Daddy,” Kiel replied. There was a hint of sadness in his tone.
“Yeah. We just left her room, actually,” Kelly said. “It looks like she could not join us tonight. Poor Avery.”
“I hope she’s all right,” Chaya said.
“You have a girlfriend, Daddy?” Kiel wrapped his arms around Kyrie’s neck. “Don’t you love Mommy?”
Kyrie sighed and stroked Kiel’s back. “Of course I love your mommy, Kiel. We’re friends.”
“Hi, Kiel. I’m Chaya,” Chaya said softly.
“Hi,” Kiel replied and buried his face in Kyrie’s neck.
“Kiel is actually shy around people, but he’s the sweetest when you get to know him,” Kelly told Chaya. “Come, Kiel. Let’s check Granny Abby’s cake he made just for you.”
Kiel quietly went to Kelly’s arms.
“See you later.” Kelly winked at Chaya.
“Thank you, Kelly.”