Come back

Chapter 25

Hiroki's P.O.V.

I drove silently as we got farther and farther away from the cemetery. Emilie was sitting next to me, silent tears streaming down her face, looking blankly into space and holding the photo of all of us tightly. She had left her father crying and clutching the photo as if her life depended on it, and she was still like that now. But I didn't know what to do to help her. What were you supposed to do when your friend didn't respond to you and just stared blankly into space all the while crying? I didn't know what to do, and it broke my heart. I didn't want to see her like that.

Not knowing what to do, I decided that I wouldn't be bringing her home, but that we would join Shania at home instead. I hesitated to call her but, glancing at the crying Emilie next to me, I decided that it probably wasn't the best idea. I shouldn't be distracted by anything other than driving while having her there. It was my fault after all that she was like this and I should thus make her happier. And I should probably try to talk to her, even if she didn't listen to me. Glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, I hesitated on what I should say. I should talk to her about something that wasn't sad, but nothing good had happened lately, except maybe the girl at the airport. The girl at the airport. That was it.

"Hey, did I tell you about the girl at the airport?" I waited a bit for an answer but, seeing as I still didn't get one after several minutes, I continued speaking, "I probably didn't, did I? Anyway, while at the airport, I met this girl who recognised me as my dad's son. It was really weird if I'm honest, I'm not that used anymore to that happening and I wasn't expecting it. But she was really nice, she hugged me really excited and said that she loved my father and that she was so happy to meet me. She didn't ask for a photo, so I was happy. Anyway, that was like one of the best moments I've had with one of my dad's fans. She was respectful, nice, and she looked so genuinely happy. I wish you'd been there to see her."

At that I stopped talking, a lump forming in my throat when I realised that it was my fault that Shania And Emilie hadn't been there. I could have asked them both to go with me, to show them Japan and to give them both a change of setting. Even if Emilie was just my friend, I cared for her deeply and I couldn't stand seeing her so sad and depressed. I glanced at her again, but nothing indicated that she had listened to me, or that she had even realised that I'd been talking to her. I internally sighed and focused on finding a parking place, as we were near our place. Once I found one and had parked the car, I got out of the car and went over to the other side to help Emilie out. It didn't seem like she was in any state to get out herself. Once she was safely outside the car and on the sidewalk, I gently steered her to the door and punched in the code.

"You're going to stay with us for a bit, at least for a couple of hours, if that's okay with you. We haven't seen you enough since you've been back, and I'm sure Shania would also appreciate having you over and seeing you for a bit," I explained, all while walking to the elevator and calling it.

Once inside, Emilie reached out and pressed the sixth floor button, surprising me. Maybe she wasn't that out of it as it seemed.

"What was her name?"

I jumped and stared blankly at Emilie. Her name? Who was she talking about? Shania? She couldn't have forgotten her name, could she?

"The fan."

"Charlotte," I answered, unable to contain the surprise from my voice. She had been listening to what I was telling her?

She just nodded at that and silently walked out when the elevator doors opened. She walked to our flat after that and gently rang the bell, as if she was afraid to press to strongly. I smiled, recognising how she always rang the bell no matter where she went. I guessed some things never changed. I also smiled in amusement when it seemed that she didn't remember that I was standing behind her and that I actually had the keys to open the door. I didn't say anything however and just waited for Shania to open the door, which she did in the thirty seconds that followed, almost as if she had been standing next to the door waiting for someone to arrive.

When she opened the door and saw Emilie, she jumped on her and hugged her tightly, completely ignoring me. She then rushed her inside and almost closed the door before she noticed that I was also following them inside. She chuckled and mouthed a sorry before pulling Emilie with her. I shook my head and closed the door, taking off my shoes and also putting Emilie's away. And I was supposed to be the irresponsible little here.

I then followed them and sat on the floor in front of the two girls who were cuddling and taking the whole couch space. I internally shook my head at them. Shania had once again taken control of the whole situation and had decided that it was cuddle time for Emilie. And that it was let's-all-listen-to-my-ramblings time. Emilie seemed however more conscious of her surroundings then before and it wasn't long before she cut Shania off, thank god, and spoke quietly.

"I want my father to move in with me."

🥢🥢

Hello lovelies!💖

How are you all?? I hope that you're all fine and staying safely inside! I am nicely confined at home, studying for my exams that start next week and being absolutely and utterly bored because studying for my exams actually means procrastinating by looking at my notes😅 what have you guys been doing during quarantine? Also, if you need anyone to speak to because you're feeling lonely or depressed or your home environment isn't the best or you want to speak to someone, don't hesitate to message me🥰

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I've been rewriting it like a billion times since I made the first draft, and it has NOTHING to do now with said first draft😅 what did you think of this chapter? Tbh I'm really worried about your opinions because I'm REALLY not happy with this chapter but I haven't been able to make it any better than this😖 if there's anything you guys think I should change about it, just tell me!

Also, this book is going to come to an end soon, so get ready for that😉 don't worry, I'll try not to break your hearts like I did with 'Mommy? (2)'! Once this book is finished I'll let you know what the plans are for the future! I'll try to finish this book in the next couple of weeks (keyword: try) so that I don't leave you guys hanging eternally for an end.

Everyone, stay safe and take care of each other and of yourselves!

Have a good day/night/evening!😊