Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: Familiar Stranger

E T H A N

It was three in the morning when I left Benedict's house.

At first, I wanted to wake him up to tell him. But seeing him cuddling Sam, I decided not to ruin the moment and just left a note - hoping that he'd see it the next day.

As soon as I opened the door to our house, I was shocked to see my mom sitting on a chair - drinking a glass of wine.

Obviously, she was waiting for me to show up. Her gaze went right in my direction and I raised my hands to stop her from saying anything.

"Mom, I can explain," I said as I saw her putting the glass down on the table. When she finally pursed her lips and glared, I already knew that we were going to argue about why I wasn't at home.

There was no Yen anywhere in the house so I had a feeling that she won't be able to save me and I couldn't escape right away.

I didn't tell my mom and my sister where I was. Maybe my not-so-official girlfriend was looking for me again and then asked mom so I got caught immediately.

I should've put a sticky note in the fridge first.

If I had put up a note beforehand, then I wouldn't have been in trouble. My mom is not like other mothers. Hell no.

When you get lost, miss that call after a few minutes, the whole world will know that you are missing.

Or either, when you return, be ready with a myriad of scolding from her.

"Do you know how much you worried me? I tried to call you but you weren't answering," she said to me, furious as she stood up with a pointing finger.

I plastered a poker face - trying my best not to make the situation worse. I know mom is worried and having to answer back would not be the best option right now.

"My phone's battery was... low?" I answered but as soon as it left my lips, it was almost as if I was asking her. She didn't believe me right away when she heard that.

"You have a powerbank in your bag," she replied to me with an irritated tone. Okay, that didn't end well for me.

"I don't." Mom just looked at me badly before leaving. Well, this can't be good. I immediately followed her and I saw that she was holding my laptop - which was already open.

Damn, Yen probably told her the password.

"Who's Claire Guanzon?"

"Is she the fake girlfriend that your actual girlfriend is stressing about? Are you cheating on Vanessa, dear?"

"Well, then, who is this girl? Hmm?" My mom asked one once more and there was no hint of her dropping the subject off. Okay, calm down, Ethan. Just answer her calmly. Let's not make our situation worse.

"Mom, she's just a friend. She's just like Benedict. She's a batchmate," I replied with a forced smile.

"I don't think so, Ethan. Your girlfriend told me that she's probably something more." She put down the laptop a bit too hard on the table and I couldn't help myself but wince as soon as I heard it.

"As I said, she's just a batchmate. Vanessa acts more like a possessive wife," I replied involuntarily. When I realized what I said, I suddenly gulped while Mom looked at me in shock.

Dead.

"Ethan, you're grounded." My mom irritably left the room as I groaned. I never wanted this to happen. She just can't see what Vanessa's doing to me.

"I won't allow you to use your phone for a week." I suddenly frowned when I imagined Benedict and Claire calling me while I was forced to avoid them.

Mom crossed her arms over me, indicating to me that she was disappointed in me. "That is unless you apologize to me and to Vanessa."

I never knew what was worse.

I will apologize to my pretending wife and my mom or I will not use my iPhone for a week or either a month.

I thought about it carefully while Mom looked at me, waiting for my answer. Her shoes were clicking in the tiles so I figured that she was a bit impatient. There's too much pressure on this. Like every decision I make, she will judge right away and say if it was right or wrong.

It's just like we're playing Judge, Jury, and Executioner.

"I would rather surrender my phone than try to apologize," I told my mom before going back out. She probably got shocked when I didn't hesitate to go back to the garage to get in my car.

No, I will not run away. I'm just going back to a restaurant to cool off. I can't stand the atmosphere of this house. Too many problems would eventually come if I stay here for too long.

Before I could get into my car, I suddenly felt my mom's hand on my shoulder. I turned to her and she was holding my phone up for me to see.

"Take your phone back. Consider this as your warning," she just warned me before handing me my phone. "But this time, be sure to text me later the exact time you're going home. I don't want to worry again."

"And also, don't text your fake girlfriend. I don't want her to get in the way of your relationship with Vanessa. Understood?" There was a brief silence between us.

I decided not to answer her and got inside my Honda Civic. I heard mom knocking on my window but I turned on my car and left. I don't know why but I just can't stop and agree with her on that one.

While I was driving my way to Maryhill Breakfast, which was at Everdale, my phone's ringtone suddenly played. I just ignored it at first and focused on the road. I was not in the mood right now.

While I was looking for a parking space, I saw the same Lamborghini when I had to pick Benedict up. The man went out and I met the familiar face again that I don't know who and what his name is.

I can't seem to point out his name though. It was at the tip of my tongue. It's quite difficult to remember names than faces for me.

I parked next to him and got off, carrying my car keys and phone. I just ignored the guy and opened the message that was clearly shown on the lock screen.

Benz | 4:00 am
Are you ready for tomorrow?

I frowned as I read his message. I still have a gut feeling that the man is still looking at me so I walked faster until I finally got inside the restaurant.

There were some people on the tables but not really that much since it was still four in the morning. Walking right to the counter, I decided to order some honey garlic chicken and some coke as my drink before even going back to my message and replying.

Me | 4: 06 am
Benz? Ready for what? Is there something going to happen tomorrow?

The guy from earlier --- the one who owned the Lamborghini --- went inside a few minutes later, looking at me with a serious gaze. His furrowed eyebrows told me almost everything I need to know.

He wanted to recognize me but couldn't at that point.

It's almost as if he was trying to know where he saw me. I did that too earlier but the difference was that he was being too obvious and it's a bit unsettling for me to have someone stare too long at me.

My phone vibrated so I decided to turn my attention there and just read Benedict's message instead.

Benz | 4:11 am
Basketball Match. It's tomorrow. It was rescheduled again. Good luck to us.

Is it tomorrow? I stopped and read the message again. That's okay, I guess? At least I have a reason not to use my phone and leave Vanessa's message unread.

As soon as I turned my attention back to the counter to order, I looked to my right and still see that guy's unsettling stare. Not even hesitating, I decided to pick a table and leave him there, wondering.

That guy, who was he?