The Landlord

thirty eight - parow bell

[Aliyah's POV]

I placed a small smile on my face when three of Larissa's friends got in the car. They were wearing their giggling faces while coming in which made me also chuckle seeing them enjoying being with each other. But their smiles were opposite to Larissa's. I was concerned because she became quiet. I don't exactly know what's bothering her but it really worries me. She started the engine without even talking. I can't even read her face at the moment because she is just wearing her poker face.

I placed my hand at the top of her palm as it was placed on the stick shift. When she started to drive, she removed my hand yet she placed hers in my lap. Ms. Frump cleared her throat which made me look at the front mirror. They were watching us but when I turned my head, they immediately looked away.

"Hi" Abby said in an airy way when I glared. I saw how Larissa also peeked in the front mirror, still wearing her resting bitch face.

"Where will we drop you off?" Larissa suddenly asked.

"Carol and I will be staying at the Parow Bell. Abby will be joining us, would you like to join us?" Ms. Frump asked, "And by that, I meant you two." she said and then she glanced at me with an exciting smile.

"We would love—"

"No, thank you. We have other plans." I raised my brow when Larissa interrupted me. Plus, we don't even have any plans after our date night so I don't know what plans is she talking about.

"Well, if you say so." Ms. Frump answered.

My smile faded because I was quite excited to be with them. I don't know. I'm just the person who loves meeting new people, especially the cool ones. I felt Larissa tightened her grip ok my lap because I think she noticed how my mood shifted. My face was straight staring in the road and I tried my best not to glance nor look at her through my peripheral vision. Later on, she starts to caress my thigh not even caring that her friends are on the back of her car. She knows how to read me well. She knows when I'm upset and she knows how to make me calm even without saying anything.

"I miss the Parow bell." Miss Frump says. Their faces lightened when it was mentioned, it seems like there were a lot of good memories built in there. "Such good times we used to have, didn't we, Larissa?" she asked Lari. I think they're trying to get her attention since she wasn't changing her expression. Still in her resting bitch face.

Larissa took a heavy sigh.

"I still remember when we used to have coffee dates in the facade." Miss Frump says, trying to reminisce their good memories together. "What can you say, my dear Carol?" they all took a glimpse at her. While me, I was just peeking at the front mirror since I wasn't involve in the conversation.

"What can I say—?" she tries to think, "I would say I would love to show Aliyah how beautiful our facade is. Aren't you curious, dearest?"

I forced a smile and looked at them through the front mirror, "I am." I immediately ignored my look and landed my eyes on Larissa. After I spoke, she removed her grip on my lap which made me look at her hand. She didn't use the stick shift so there was no reason to remove her hand on my lap. I got more upset. Honestly, I am really interested about the facade but I was more worried about Larissa. It really looks like she's not enjoying the moment.