A Moment With You

CHAPTER 13 | A Shorter Trip Back

Oh when will I see you again,
the wait seems like forever,
... but there a shorter trip back
Should I go and see you next time
Or should I stay
and get to know the future
I could have with you?

Ray woke up the next morning with sunlight touching his face. It was sunnier and warmer today.

He felt his body lazily pull itself up as he sat up straight at the edge of the bed. Ray stared at the window. He could see the bare branches of the tree in front of the house which seemed slightly decorated. He looked around the room next -- the warm cozy room that used to be Eddie's -- with some books lying on the floor and the journal lying on the desk. This was his last day in this room. Today he'll be returning to the city.

Ray sighed. Never did he imagine being in this situation. He got stuck in a small city, lodged in a bookstore, and last night -- yes last night was quite interesting. He smiled at the thought of last night. When was the last time he felt relaxed despite the cold?

His dad... Yes, last night felt like he was with his dad. They'd sit on the porch and talk about their day. Who would have thought he'd feel that with Irene? Still...

The task was done and now it was time for him to go back to the city. He finally knew what he wanted to learn and he didn't push any further. Perhaps coincidences like that exist. At least he got to meet Eddie's family and Irene.

Yes, Irene. He finally got to know more about the woman Eddie loved in his lifetime. Still, she remained a mystery. Was he developing a little crush? Ray laughed at the thought. He only met her, besides there was....

"Amber." Ray was suddenly jolted when his phone buzzed and vibrated. Amber was calling. He immediately grabbed the phone from the bedside table. "Good morning." Ray sleepily answered.

"Are you coming back today?" Amber's worried voice came from the other line.

"Hmmm" Ray answered.

"Okay great!" Amber answered, sounding relieved. "I don't know what to do with Mr. Yami."

"What about Mr. Yami?" Ray asked. He had almost forgotten about Mr. Yami even if he was the main reason why he was in that small town. Was he that engrossed with his "mission"?

There was silence, then Ray could hear Amber give a loud sigh. He could tell the next words she would say were about her frustrations.

"He wants to meet up with you ASAP! He says he's been thinking whether to invest or not."

"Why don't you meet ---"

"He wants you Ray." Amber said with an indifferent tone. Yes, she was pissed off alright. "I tried to stop you, but you went anyway. You said you'd be back soon. Then you got stranded. You better be back here today. I don't know how to work with Mr. Yami. I'm not even sure if he's just playing with us or not."

Ray sighed. This wasn't like Amber. She was bossy and got straight to the point, but she was good at acquisition and even dealing with partners. "Hey, I know you can do this." Ray encouraged her.

"He wants you!" Amber stated matter-of-fact. "So you better come home."

Home... yes, Ray needs to go home. That was his home, in the city, with his newfound family. He might have broken up with Amber but she was still one of his closest friends and business partners. They've been a family before they became a couple.

"I'll be there." Ray said.

"Great. I'll be waiting." Amber said and dropped the call.

Ray stared at the phone in his hand. Yes, compared to Irene, Amber was this straightforward, strong headed, and a different kind of weird woman. He fell in love with her before and shared memorable moments with her until they decided to break it off. Irene was just something else.