Limited [Editing]

Chapter 40

We landed already, at last, after six hours of torture and a light pinch of sweetness.  Hanzel was seated beside me, he kept on asking me if I'm okay, it I'm feeling comfortable.  Hanzel is like the first guy that asked me those questions, the guy who first cared for me like that, excluding my father of course.  The funny part is he's older but I like him and it feels so different.  I've liked a few guys before but this guy seemed to change the way I feel for guys and it's like I'm falling for him over and over again.

We got down from the plane and went straight to the immigration and the baggage claiming area.  Hanzel helped us with the bag then we called a taxi because we plan to surprise our parents, they'd be happy to see us safe but I'm not sure with Tiffany's, it's going to be hard to tell them the news, they would hate us, especially if we have a police officer with us.

We started by going to my house, which they said resembles a mansion, somehow I agree.  I rang the doorbell and waited.

*dingdongdingadonga*

"Coming!" it's my dad.  He opened and the look on his face was hysterical and naturally, I cracked up.

"Hallie, you're grounded for laughing at me in front of your friends." he narrowed his eyes.

"You can't be serious." I imitated his look.

"I am serious."

"Come on, dad! You're never serious!" I joked.

"I know, glad you guys are safe." he smirked and opened the door for us.  We all sat at the living room, my mom, Pris and Michael all went down to see us.  Pris served some juice for us.

"Tell us what happened and how you picked up a guy along the way." Michael sipped his juice, intrigued.

I glared at him, "I didn't pick him up from just anywhere, he's more special than that."  I poked Hanzel.  Everyone looked at me like I'm a stranger, oops, I forgot to introduce him.

"Okay, this is-" then a knock and the sound of the doorbell interviened my sentence.  "I'll get it."  I stood up and saw Jessica through the glass door that's in front of the wooden door.  "Jessica!"  I opened the door for her, she seemed to be visiting much more than before.

"He's in the living room."  She thanked me and went straight there.  She was startled to see so many people there then she noticed what she forgot.

"Oh yeah! Hallie! You're here earlier than you should be! By the way, I'm not trying to sound sarcastic." trying not to sound sarcastic.  She sat beside Michael.

"Jessica! Just in time, Hallie's going to tell us their story." Michael put his arm around Jessica's waist which gave me a tingling feeling.

"Get started." Michael crossed his leg like he's in his private office.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes, I love to use that with Michael.

"I'll start." Maureen volunteered.

"It started with me, everything was my fault. We met this guy at the airport, his name is Blake. Cathy warned me not to trust him but I didn't listen. I didn't believe that someone would harm us. I led everyone into their trap and even Tiff.." her voice suddenly cracked.

"Maureen, stop blaming yourself. You didn't know.." Cathy said.  It's really surprising, she never defended Maureen before, never.

My dad was listening with a strong facial expression, like he's listening to every word.

"Maureen. I guess you've learned your lesson the hard way. It's hard to accept the fact that all of you were all in danger and it'll be harder for Tiffany's parents but I hope you don't torture yourself too much." my dad told her.

Maureen just nodded and she started crying.  Cathy told us about meeting her sister, the makeover plan and how Nikki was captured.  Nikki told us about the guy who covered her mouth with a handkerchief with sleeping drugs and when she woke up, she was already in the car lying down with her hands and feet tied.  She said that it was a good thing Wayne was there to rescue her.  Hanzel, on the other hand, introduced himself, he told them about being a police officer and a investigator.  He said he was really sorry that he didn't solve the case fast enough to save Tiffany.  We were stunned with what he said next.

"Sir, I am asking for permission if I can ask her out tonight."

My dad looked at him carefully then at me then back at him, "Sure, I allow you but is she willing?"

"I'll ask her later. Thank you." he smiled.

We went to everyone's house leaving Tiffany's last.  When we knocked, Drake was the one who opened.

What is he doing here?  How did he get here?

-Hallie Price, 18 years old