~Chapter 10~
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"Hello?"
"Kill, I'm SO sorry! I was away all day from early in the morning until late at night, and I didn't check my phone until this minute. I feel so bad. God only knows what you thought had happened to me..."
He sighed with relief. It wasn't like he actually thought she was in a car accident or something, but it was upsetting just not knowing why she hadn't returned his call. It wasn't like her to be inconsiderate, so he didn't know what to think. But it was fine now. He gratefully accepted her apology. Except...was she out with a guy? That wouldn't be good...Now wasn't the time to ask, though. "No worries, Hyra. I'm just glad that you're OK."
"I am, thank you. Thanks for being understanding."
"So, do you have time to see me today or tonight?"
"Yes, sure. I think my Mom needs me to run some errands for her today, but tonight should be fine."
"Uhhm...May I help you with your errands? I can have the car today...I mean, would I be in the way?"
"Well no, but it's really boring stuff. Wouldn't you rather wait until I'm done and we can do something nice together?"
Silence. Then "If you don't mind, I really want to see you. I don't care what we do...I guess I'm eager because I missed you yesterday.."
"Oh. Poor Killua" she smiled. "I'm sorry. Of course I would enjoy your company. It will make the errands much more tolerable for me. Let me get out of bed and talk to my Mom and I'll call you right back. Within 10 minutes, all right?"
"Uh..."
"What?"
His voice was low. "Uh...I'm just enjoying the image of you in bed...What are you wearing?"
"Kill! I'm wearing pajamas."
"...What do they look like?"
"OK, I'm hanging up now. Talk to you in a few minutes."
"Fine" he grumbled.
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A little over an hour later she opened the front door for him and led him to the kitchen. "Mom, Killua is already here."
"Very nice to meet you again, Kill. Flare has spoken very highly of you. Thank you for being such a good friend to her. It's too bad we're only meeting just now and her party last month for the 2nd time."
"Thank you, . It's nice to meet you, and it is entirely my pleasure to be of assistance to your beautiful daughter."
"Kill..." Flare was blushing. Did he have to be so effusive in front of her mother?"
He was unapologetic as he regarded her warmly. "Well, you are beautiful." All three in the room were aware that Killua had just revealed the depth and nature of his feelings for her.
Emily and Lian nodded sagely. "He's right. You are beautiful, Flare... Killua, may I offer you a cup of tea?" Emily said.
"She's right." Lian seconded.
"Mother, we don't have time if we're going to get your errands done and then go out later."
Killua wasn't about to let this opportunity pass him by, though. He needed to get in her mother's good graces. "Hyra, if you don't mind, I could really use a cup of tea right now."
Nothing for her to do but submit gracefully. She watched as Killua and her mother bonded and Lian walked through her and put her hand in her shoulder and looked at them. "He really was very mature, confident, respectful, knowledgeable. He made a good impression wherever he went, and your mother was no exception." She said while watching them chatting. Heaven only knew what was in her mother's mind. She had seen several boys come to the house, although Killua didn't know that. At least her mom was no fool. She very tactfully refrained from making references to the existence of Flare's other admirers.
