Stay Junlin | h.jl✓

•ELEVEN•

Junlin’s driver stopped the car after we got into the gate. It was dark, but the compound was lit by lights outside and the ones in the inside. When the car stopped he turned to me, "let's go...don't be nervous, my band mates aren't there, you'll only meet miss Teresa, if she's awake", he said.

I looked at him, "who's Miss Teresa?", I asked.

"She's the maid and the mother figure to me while I'm here in the USA...I really trust her and lean on her", he said with a smile. He took off his seatbelts then stepped out, I did so too.

Afterwards he held out his hand, "come on", he called. I placed my hand in his and he pulled me beside him then smiled, "you're gonna like miss Teresa! She's the best! She's been taking care of me a lot...she also keeps me behaving", he said. He pulled me harder and I found myself slightly running to keep up with his pace.

We reached the front door and I got nervous, Junlin opened it then we walked into a living room. The couches were leather, no decorations except trophies and awards, large TV screen and video game equipment. I looked around and smiled, Junlin shook my hand in his, "this is where I live for now...it’s just me and the staff", he said.

"Junlin is that you?", a feminine voice called.

"Yes miss Teresa! It's me!".

A stout lady wearing a morning gown, socks, house slippers and a hair net came out, she kind if reminded me of Shirley, only that she was older and seemed nicer. She put her hands on her waist then pursed her lips.

“Boy, have you started bringing ladies at home?", she asked.

"Wha....no! Aunt Teresa it's not what you think", Junlin chuckled, "this is my friend Medrin...she needs somewhere to spend the night...something happened", he continued.

Miss Teresa walked towards me with a serious look then scrutinized me, after that she smiled, "well she does seem like a nice girl".

"She is aunt Teresa! And you know, your Junlin wouldn't pick any misbehaved girl", he smiled proudly.

"But of course, I do trust my little Junlin...", she playfully pinched Junlin's cheek. She then pulled me, "come dear, let's get you freshened up and get you something to eat". I looked at Junlin for permission and he nodded, I smiled at miss Teresa then followed her lead.

Miss Teresa was very nice, after my bath she led me to the kitchen where she made a lovely meal for him. "You know, sometimes the manager tells me not to give Junlin meat".

"But because she loves me so much, she secretly gives me some", Junlin’s voice suddenly was heard from behind me then he walked on the other side of the counter, right next to miss Teresa and smiled.

Miss Teresa playfully glared at him, "eavesdropping? Shouldn't you be in bed by now? You have an interview tomorrow evening", she said.

"Yeah....evening...not morning, so I can stay up late", he grinned.

"No you can't", miss Teresa whacked him the dish towel she was holding then looked at me, "see what I have to deal with day by day with Junlin?". I couldn't help but chuckle.

Everybody looked at Junlin and thought of him as a classy celebrity probably, but he was really just a normal youth. Junlin playfully rolled his eyes then smiled at me, "I guess I have to go to bed now, good night Medrin", he said then patted the top of my hand. He then turned to Teresa and chuckled, "good night aunt Teresa...please come and tuck me in", he playfully said. Miss Teresa started whacking him with the dish towel continually till he ran upstairs to his room laughing the whole way.

After we heard the door to Junlin’s room shut, miss Teresa looked at me with a smile.

"Do you like the food?", she asked.

"Yes, so much, it's really good", I nodded with a smile.

"So are you Junlin's girlfriend?"

"Wh...what? Me? No...he's my friend", I clarified, almost choking.

She chuckled then handed me a glass of water, "but you can tell he has feelings for you right? I've never seen him show such affection to any girl...", she said.

"Well", I chuckled, "guess I'm just lucky...even though we're just friends."

"Well he turns red when you look at him, I'm a woman, I observed, and he held your hand...that's something...but let me not confuse you, take your time. So...what happened at your home? Did you argue with your parents?", she asked concerned.

"No...I...don't live with my parents...I live with older roommates in an apartment...so there was a huge disagreement so I had to leave for a while", I said, trying hard to lessen the intensity of the situation.

Teresa nodded. She then looked at the clock, "oh my goodness, it's 23:00...we both should be heading to sleep. Come, I will show you to your room", Miss Teresa said.

I put my plate away, had one last drink of water then followed her upstairs. We arrived at a room labelled 'guest' and miss Teresa turned the door knob then pointed, "this is where you'll be sleeping tonight, I'll come get you in the morning", she said.

I walked in then smiled at her, "thank you very much miss Teresa you're so kind".

She nodded, "good night Medrin, sleep tight", then the door was closed and I was alone.