-- Chasing Fate --

-XVI- (that feeling again)

LISA

This girl in front of me really looks like Jennie. But I don't want to make the same mistakes twice like mistakenly knew that Roseanne was Jennie and her kid said that her mom's name is Ruby Jane so no. I won't buy my thoughts of missing Jennie and mistakenly identify someone as her. It will kinda rude tho.

Lisa: "hey! it's you spilled queen!"

I greeted her as she startled from what I've said. She's kind of spacing out as soon as our eyes met and to make the ambience comfortable, I greeted her that would make her awake.

Jennie: "y-yeah. Ahmm. I just want to ask i-if this is the right room where my daughter is?"

I almost spacing out too as the lady in front of me who looks like Jennie, gives me this weird feeling I've been experienced 2 days ago.

Ruby Jane is somehow resembles with Jennie. Her cat-eyes, chubby cheeks but who knows? it's been so many years since the last time I saw her and maybe those fluffy cheeks were gone now.

But this Ruby Jane is so gorgeous even if she's not wearing a make-up. Her body proportion is also amazing knowing she has a kid. She maybe a 5 foot 2 inches maybe but I'm sure I am inches taller from her as I am 5'7 in height.

Ruby Jane: "ehem..ehem"

Lisa: "wh-what it is again miss?"

I got startled when she cleared her throat that brought me back to my senses.

Ruby Jane: "ahmm. my kid? Nini? is she here?"

Lisa: "y-yeah. Nini.. yes your kid.. ahmm"

I let out a deep breath and widely open the door for her.

Lisa: "yes she's here. please come in. she's already sleeping"


I locked my door and let her walk through my room to see her daughter.  I turn on my dim light inside my room and waited at the door while she went straight to Nini.

Ruby Jane: "oh my gosh baby I'm so sorry"

She kissed her kid's forehead and cheeks as she looking every skin of Nini just to make sure if she had any wounds or bruised while her eyes are crying from guilt.

I cleared my throat but she didn't look at me cause her main concern is her child. I am contemplating whether  i will leave or stay.

After seeing Ruby Jane crying while embracing her daughter, I slowly closed the door and let them have their moments.

Seeing her reaction made me realized that Ruby Jane didn't want this to happen. I can clearly see how puffy her cat-eyes maybe from crying and how her feet looks so tired from walking as sands and dirts all around her feet when she changed her shoes with my visitor's home slippers.

I went to my kitchen to reheat the 4 left over pizzas of Nini and cooked some ramen for I have no experienced in cooking and this is the best that I can do. I just think of how will my mom do when I got lost and all i thought about is that a mom will never eat anything unless she will find her kid that's why I cooked something for her and me as well cause I'm starting to feel hungry.

10 minutes had passed and I'm in the middle of preparing the table when I heard my door open.

Ruby Jane: "ahmm.. I just want to tha--"

Lisa: "sit I know you didn't eat anything all night"

I command her but she remained standing which made me lean my back on my sink and look at her with crossed arms. The way she looked down and fidgeting her fingers, I know she wants to tell me something regretful.

Lisa: "Ruby Jane?"

She lifted up when I called her in a commanding tone and shocked obliviously on her face as I chuckle from her reaction.

Jennie: "how di-did you--"

Lisa: "Nini told me. Are you okay? looks like you're gonna tell me something"

I walk forward to pull a chair in front of her and tap her shoulder.

Lisa: "please sit. I'm starving and so are you"

Ruby Jane: "b-but this is too much"

I remained standing in front of my chair as  raise my finger up to make her stop . I know she is just emotional for now and grateful but my tummy is starving now.

Lisa: "just sit please cause I'm really hungry and if I can't take it anymore, I will eat you instead"

Her eyes grew wide and immediately pull the chair in front of me and sit down that made me grin widely.

I put some ramen on my bowl and let her get her own to make her feel comfortable.

Lisa: "I'm sorry I can't cook and it's --"

Ruby Jane: "it's great. I mean it. this is the best ramen I've eaten"

My heart starts to feel something unknown again. But I'm happy. I don't know why but I feel like my heart will gonna explode any moment as I see her gummy smile at me.

Lisa: "you're just hungry Ruby. Just eat some pizzas. It was Nini's left overs and with her tiny stomach, she ate 4 slices "

Ruby Jane: " I'm not surprised cause this is her favorite"

I nod in agreement when she cleared her throat again.

Ruby Jane: "ahmm.. I just want to--"

Lisa: "just eat drama spilled queen"

Ruby Jane: " please listen first"

I put down the spoon I'm holding and looked at her as her voice is clearly cracking up.

Ruby Jane: "I'm sorry awhile ago I messed up and It's all over my head. I felt guilty. I'm so sorry"

She closed her eyes as she bite her lips. The moment she started talking made my time become slowly. I can definitely hear her but I can't help myself to study her perfect features as I stare at her.

One word.

BREATHTAKING

her eyebrows.

her eyes.

her nose.

her lips.

her cheeks.

everything about her is so perfect that I can stare at it 24/7. How lucky her husband is by having her.

Lisa: "beautiful"

Ruby Jane: "excuse me?"

I blinked multiple times and shake my thoughts away as she already waiting for my answer.

Lisa: "what was it again?"

I asked but I can see her smiling.

Ruby Jane: " I said let me at least wash the dishes then we will go home"

I was taken aback from what I've heard.

Lisa: "are you kidding me? It's almost 2 in the morning and you're going home with NIni? do you think I will let you?"

Ruby Jane: "but-- wait! I didn't even know your name!"

I laughed at how her reactions took me by surprised and realized that we've been talking and eating but she didn't even know what's my name. I think as fast as I can on what name should I will give her.

 I don't want to lie for her but I don't want her to feel awkward afterwards if she will know that I am her boss' daughter.

Lisa: "just call me Lili"

-

-

JENNIE

"just call me Lili"

Lili. 

My heart is pounding so fast as my body stiffen from what I've heard. Lisa? is that really you?  Is that the meaning of my dreams?

What will I do if I knew it is really you?  NO. It can't be.

I swallowed a lump on my throat as I wanna know if she's my Lili. I looked down as my eyes begins to water and pretending to be busy with my food.

Ruby Jane: "Lili? short for?"

There's no way she will lie her name to me cause why? she doesn't even know I'm Jennie. and if she knew, she will not react this way and maybe, just maybe she will immediately hug me the moment our eyes met.

Lisa: "Lili. I just created that one because i found it cute but my real name is Panpriya. It was obviously an Asian name so I just changed it to other name that will suit in Paris".

My heart dropped. I thought fate brought us together here. I thought I am going to see Lisa again. But maybe this is not the right time or is there a right time for us?