Knowing What Love Is (COMPLETED ENGLISH VERSION) #RymSeries

Storm 12

"Goodbye, Papa," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him tightly.

Today marked the day I would be leaving my mother and sister, along with Papa and Aunt, behind. As much as I wanted to voice my desire to stay with Lolo and Lola, I knew I couldn't. Staying here would only cause me more pain, and my aim was to return to my comfort zone at the Lyn Mansion.

"Don't act like I won't visit you, darling," he chuckled, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Papa."

"Bye Storm! Take care, and I'll visit you whenever I have the chance," my sister pressed a kiss onto my right cheek.

"Storm," my mother's voice reached me.

"Aren't you going to bid your mother farewell, Storm?" Lola Storm inquired, but I remained silent.

"Always take care," she smiled.

"Yeah," I replied, offering a tight hug to Aunt beside her.

"Easy there, baby. I'm going to miss you too," Aunt said.

I love my mother, I do, but I couldn't bring myself to hug her

"Shall we go?" Lolo and Lola prompted. I nodded, and we got into their car

Rym City

Empire Village

Ecleston Street, Lyn Mansion.

It felt wonderful to be back here, in the place where I felt loved and that reminded me of my father.

"Apo, I have a gift for you!" Lola exclaimed, pulling me out of the car.

"See that McLaren? It's yours."

As much as I thought she was joking, I couldn't complain. Not that I would complain anyway.

"That's not all. Everything here on this side is yours," Lolo added.

I counted ten cars on the left side of the garage. It was like heaven.

"Who owns the ones on the right?" I questioned Lolo, pointing at the ten cars on the other side.

"Luke Reign owns those. As you can see, you both have similar cars, except his are black, while yours are red. Your Lola made it that way"

Luke Reign.

"He lives here?"

"Yes, Apo. He'll be your companion here. Do you know him?"

"I've seen him once, but what does that mean?" I asked.

"His parents passed away a year after your father did. He lives here with his grandmother, who happens to be your Lola's best friend," Lolo Chris explained.

What a small world.

As far as I knew, all of Lola's friends were well-off. But then, they were living here.

"Lola's friends are all well-off, right? Why are they living here? Don't tell me the—"

"Apo, Luke Reign's grandmother is not just my best friend, I consider her my sister" Lola said, smiling. "And they are not poor."

"To tell you the truth, Luke's card is black," Lola added, probably referring to Luke Reign's card.

"There are many black cards that don't signify wealth, Lola," I commented matter-of-factly.

"Is my room still mine?" I changed the topic.

"We got it renovated" she smiled

Once we entered the mansion, we were greeted by a woman who must be Lola's best friend since she didn't appear old like my Lola. Even though I knew they were in their 70s, they both seemed like they were only in their 40s.

"You must be Storm. I'm Emerald," she introduced herself, wearing a motherly smile as she embraced me warmly.

It felt so comforting.

"Do you know how to cook, Storm?" Emerald inquired.

I was about to answer with a demure "I can't," but Lolo quickly stepped in, saying, "She can cook, but I apologize, she needs to unpack and rest first, Emerald."

"Oh, my apologies," she smiled and kissed my right cheek.

Why was everyone so fond of kissing my right cheek?

"Shall we?" Lolo asked, escorting me to my old room.

Upon entering my room, a smile formed on my lips. Even though it was renovated, it still exuded the same comfort and indescribable feeling that I always felt upon entering it.

We used to visit yearly during Christmas, but for the past three years, we hadn't. Papa Keith was unwell, and he was advised not to travel by air for a year. But we decided not to travel for three years just to ensure Papa's safety.

"You see, it's become more modern, right?" Lolo chuckled, prompting me to glance at him. His words sounded like those of my father.

(Phone Ringing)

Speaking of the devil.

"Hmm."

(Do you feel at home there?) he inquired, causing me to bite my lower lip.

"Yeah."

(I'm glad. I'll call you later, okay?)

"Okay," I responded, and he ended the call from the other end.

"You're smiling. Keith, isn't it?" Lolo inquired, to which I nodded.

"Oh," he smiled awkwardly, prompting me to plant a swift kiss on his cheek before releasing him from the hug. My arms quickly retreated.

"Awkward, huh, old man?" I scoffed, causing him to pat my head.

I missed my father. He used to pat my head like this when I played around.

"You haven't changed at all," he smiled.

"Enough of that, old man. I only act like this around the elderly," I stated, pushing him out of my room.

"Now, off you go. I love you, but I'm not in the mood," I informed him with a stoic expression, causing him to shake his head in disbelief.

I firmly shut the door in front of him, feeling no guilt whatsoever, and allowed myself a smirk.

I indeed loved my Lolo, but I needed some space.

Scanning the room, I approached the bookshelves on the west side and allowed my fingers to glide over the books. The mixture of the old and new book scents was heavenly, making me feel like I was in paradise.

I decided not to check the couch and flat-screen television, and instead headed toward the kitchen. The appliances in the kitchen, including the fridge and microwave, were all in place. The kitchen island also looked sleek.

I gave a cursory glance to the furniture and other items, all the while curiously staring at the black door.

'It must be my room,' I thought.

"Open," I whispered softly, and the door swung open, revealing a king-sized bed adorned with a black silk blanket. I also noticed the study table beside the bed, equipped with an iMac and various gadgets.

If you're wondering about my room's theme, it's all matte black and cream

And now, for the final room tour, I made my way to my bathroom.

I picked up the remote from the standee next to the bathroom door and pressed the open button. As I surveyed the room, a smile played on my lips. This bathroom was designed to perfection.