Rhapsody High: The Tale of Super Zero

Chapter 12: The Smile

School's Rule #12: always have time to spend time with your friends. They can always make you feel better.

Chapter 12: The Smile

Renata drove Nathaniel's silver Volvo into the gate of an apartment service on the outskirt of the town. Throughout the journey, she constantly kept checking on her phone. She had been trying to reach Ruben since yesterday, but he didn't pickup, he didn't reply her messages, null. Before coming to Nathaniel's place, she tried hard not to cry, but she felt as if she is losing this relationship. She didn't know what to do. She was hoping to catch Ruben at home and asked him what had been going. It had only been 2 days he'd been ignoring her, but she felt like she would lose her whole self if Ruben broke up with her.

Renata could feel that Nathaniel has been eyeing on her, but he seemed to have something in his mind too that he preferred not to ask.

They got down from the car and the valet chauffeur took the car key from Renata.

"Thank You." She gave the valet her usual smile which caused him to blush a little.

"Your welcome." The Valet replied.

"So... Let's go straight to my home?" Nathaniel asked her. "We can take a walk around the golf course if you want. If Nathalie is feeling alright, i'm sure she can join us with my mother."

"No. It's alright. I haven't seen your home for a long time anyway."

This is the place where Nathaniel and Renata first met. GreenPeace Service Apartment and Golf Club is own by Nathaniel's uncle, and Renata's father as a businessman was one of the biggest investors. Five years ago Renata's father took the whole family here to spend the summer together, while Nathaniel used to live in the penthouse before his parents divorced. The two straightaway connect and start hanging out together.

As soon as they reached the top floor, Nathaniel stepped out of the lift and ring the penthouse's doorbell. A skinny blonde woman with warm smile opened the door.

"Nate! Oh my boy!" She reached up and hug him. "You really came! Wait, what happened with your arm?"

"Basketball." He answered. "Mum, look who's here."

"Rena, darling." She gave Renata a quick kiss. "How lovely! Are you two dating now?" She winked at Nathaniel, which caused him to get nervous and Renata blushed.

"No, mum. We're friends. Rena likes someone else."

"Oh. I'm sorry." She smiled.

"I don't like anybody, Nathan." Renata answered, she felt a little bit guilty for lying to Nathaniel, but it was a white lie anyways. "It's been sometimes Eliza." Renata added.

"Indeed. Nat! You wouldn't guess who are here!" Eliza called out.

A skinny girl with blonde hair ran down the stairs' slope, pushing infusion hanger on her right hand. "Nathan!" She screamed. Nathan ran over to her and carry her into his arm.

"How's my little princess?" He kissed her on the forehead.

"My infusion annoyed me!" Natalie's complain was followed by the others' laughters.

After the two siblings went to the family room to play, Renata struck a conversation with Eliza. Eliza still look beautiful as always, but Renata could have guessed that life has been hard for her and Nathalie. "Eliza, how are you now?"

"I am fine, thank you." Eliza replied with a sincere smile.

A short silence filled the room for a brief moment. Renata was wondering if bringing up how hard Eliza's life must be might sound rude.

While leading Renata to the kitchen, Eliza added, "I made some chocolate chips and tea, you want some?"

"Yeah, sure." Renata followed Eliza to the kitchen, before trying to open a conversation. "Nathalie looks skinnier now. How is her health?"

Eliza poured a cup of tea for Renata on the kitchen counter as she hesitated, "She ... is finally diagnosed with cirrhosis."

"What?" Renata exclaimed in shock. "she is getting any donor soon right?"

"You know my my liver will do her no good, Rena." Eliza smiled slightly, a sad expression replace her excited expression earlier.

"Does Mr. Robinson know about this?" Renata added. "Does Nathan know?"

"I told him not to tell his father." Eliza took a sip of her tea and added, "i dont think it should worry him."

"Well, what about her donor then?" Renata felt her heart being torn into two, wondering how Nathan must have felt about all of this.

"I haven't decided yet, but the doctor promised we will know soon enough." Eliza forced herself to smile, but tears fell down on her cheeks. "I'm really glad you and Nathan came by today. Will you stay over?" Eliza hurriedly changed the topic and erased her tears.

To be honest, Renata felt bad that all she could think about is Ruben for the past months and she never thought of Nathan or the family problems he had been facing. She was worrying about her petty brokenheart when Nathalie is fighting a cirrhosis. What a friend she had become. "I may stay over if you don't mind."

"Of course i wouldn't! It's been sometimes since anybody visited us here. It will be really nice to have people staying over." Eliza smiled sincerely. "Now let's serve them the tea and cookies, shall we?"

Renata carried a tray filled with chocolate chips and followed Eliza out of the kitchen. She knew that she would feel so much better after this.

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