Fate Escape

CHAPTER 20

Today, my mom invited Lisa and me to dinner. Although Lisa was quite surprised, she graciously accepted the invitation. I had a little surprise for my mom tonight as well. I had invited my cousin, who is also my mom's never-met nephew, Jeremmy, to join us for dinner. I told my mom that we just had one more guest, and not to assume anything between me and the upcoming person. My mom agreed, curious. 'Come on, Sue. What are we waiting for? I still don't understand. We're going to be late eventually. Then you'll see.'

'Okay, Lisa, just give me a minute more." I pretended to look at myself in the mirror, but I was actually listening to the sounds outside. Since Will declared his love to me yesterday, his voice had disappeared today. I was eager to run into him and give my answer. I would be ready to leave as soon as I heard any door opening sound from the apartment building. And the awaited sound came. Quickly grabbing my bag, I rushed to the door, saying, 'Let's go, Lisa. I'm ready.' Please, let it be Will.

I opened the door so fast that I almost bumped into Mr. Wilson standing right in front of me. "Are you okay, or is something wrong?" I was disappointed. "Oh no, I might have just awkwardly opened the door."

"Youth, you know," he said, smiling. At that moment, Lisa appeared beside me, and she said, "Don't do yourself an injustice, Mr. Wilson; you're not too late for us." Mr. Wilson's smile covered his entire face. This smile, this attitude felt familiar to me, but where from?

"I say, if both of you are available tomorrow morning, come to my place for breakfast. We can get to know each other better," Mr. Wilson suggested. Lisa and I looked at each other. When we received her nod, I said, "Sure then. We'll be there in the morning."

"By the way, did you like the movie 'Smile' yesterday?"

"You mean you gave those movie tickets to Suena. Unfortunately, I had work. Sue, you tell him. How did you like the movie?" Lisa smiled, implying something from what she knew about yesterday. Without bothering to lie, I answered, "Actually, I went to watch the movie. But then I ran into a friend there, and instead of the cinema, we decided to have dinner and chat."

Mr. Wilson's face fell. He seemed disappointed. "I'm sorry. I got the tickets for you, but I couldn't make it."

"No, it's okay, but I'm curious. Is the friend you had dinner with the arrogant, egotistical boy living next door?" Referring to Will this way bothered me. "Yes, his name is Will. But he's not really the way he seems..."

"Anyway. A village doesn't need a guide. Enjoy your evening," he said, turning around and leaving.

"What's his problem?" I turned to Lisa.

"He's jealous."

"What?"

"Can't you see, dear? He's jealous because you went out to dinner with Will."

"Why don't you say. Just because I didn't use the cinema ticket, he got upset. Some people get upset over the silliest things. So, this guy is one of them."

"You keep closing your eyes to the facts."

"Uh-huh. Let's go. Let's not keep my mom waiting any longer." I changed the subject by saying this.

At the door, Jeremmy and I met and then knocked. Unlike Ellia, my mom answered the door. She warmly welcomed us and invited us in. As we entered the living room, my mom focused her eyes on Jeremmy and said,

"You've got Fred's eyes." Fred was Jeremmy's father. I was surprised too. When Jeremmy looked at me in shock, my mom added,

"You didn't tell me..."

"Oh no, Suena didn't tell me. I haven't become so senile as to not recognize my own nephew," my mom said half-jokingly. And thus, the tension in the atmosphere dispersed like a dust cloud. I had never seen my mom so good. The beauty inside her seemed to radiate outward.

After a pleasant dinner, we were heading home. My mom had warmly welcomed us. She treated Lisa more intimately than she had treated any of my friends. Lisa, at first surprised, later adapted to the atmosphere. At one point, she was caught pouring compliments to my mom about me. As for Jeremmy, he had met his aunt after years and had been welcomed more warmly than he had ever expected. My mom told him and Lisa that they were always welcome here, and she expressed her happiness to host them. Now, we were on our way home with Lisa. As I was driving towards the Hiddleson intersection, my phone rang. It was Will.

"Lisa, it's Will calling!" I was so nervous; my hands and feet were tangled with excitement.

"Answer it; what are you waiting for?"

"I'm answering," I said, answering and placing the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Suena. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Will. Thanks. How about you?"

"I've been better since I heard your voice." I'm sure he was blushing. I had pulled over the car to the side of the road. Lisa was making futile efforts to hear the conversation. She was trying to bring her ear closer to the phone but eventually gave up.

"How lucky for you." How lucky for you? Could I be more nonsensical?

"If you're available tomorrow afternoon, can we meet?" Is this a way of asking if the answer is ready?

"Yes. Yes, I'm available."

"Okay then. I'll send you the location."

"All right."

"I'll be waiting for your answer. I love you."

"I..." What? Did he hang up? This boy's shy gestures are killing me. So adorable... Lisa, excitedly,

"What did he say? What did he say?"

"He invited me for lunch tomorrow. He's waiting for my answer."

"Why did you blush then? Just tell him."

"I didn't."

"Have you switched to sweet talk now?"

"Oh, Lisa!" I was embarrassed. Lisa must have noticed because she said,

"Are you embarrassed? Oh my, girl, you're in love." I was. I had fallen in love.