Chapter 25:
Let me be clear, I knew Jack's family was somehow well-off… but this?
This was insane.
The rooms, the gardens, the view of the sea, everything screamed luxury. Not the quiet kind… the kind that makes you stop and question your entire life.
Lily and I were each given our own rooms. I dropped my bags inside, still in disbelief, and stepped back out to explore.
As I walked down the hallway, I suddenly bumped into someone.
"Sorry, I didn't see you," I said quickly.
He brushed off his clothes as if dust had touched him.
"No need to apologize. I wasn't paying attention either."
Then he looked at me, from head to toe, and let out a small, sarcastic laugh.
…Oh.
I was already annoyed when he wiped his clothes like that. Now this?
You know the kind of person you just met, and you know he has a nasty personality?
Before I could say anything, Jack appeared.
"Hey, I see you've met already. Suprise! Kyle—this is Lea, my girlfriend. Lea, this is Kyle, my childhood friend. I hope you two get along."
Kyle turned to Jack, his expression clearly unimpressed.
"So this is your surprise?"
In my head: I'm wondering the same thing.
Jack simply nodded with pride.
Kyle sighed. "Interesting, sure, I'll go unpack first. Nice meeting you."
And just like that, he left.
…Okay. That was weird.
Jack said with a shy smile," So what do you think? He might be a bit tired because of his flight and the time difference. He's a good guy, don't worry about him."
Translation, he is my rich friend that travel a lot and will probably come around once he knows me better. Before I could process it, I heard footsteps running down the stairs.
Someone jumped straight into Jack's arms.
"Finally! You're here! I missed you so much!"
Jack hugged her tightly, smiling.
"I missed you, too, princess. But are you sure you should be running like this?"
She pouted. "Of course! Can't you see I'm healthy now? I was too excited when I heard you were coming!"
I stood there, frozen.
Princess? I feel like I saw her before, but I can't remember it.
People are just popping out like some popcorn in a machine. Who is this one?
There were clearly parts of Jack's life I knew nothing about.
And for a second, just a second, I felt something twist inside me.
Jack turned toward me.
"Lea, this is my little sister, May."
Oh.
Right. Stupid Lea, he showed you a picture of her once, that is why she look familair.
I mentally sighed at myself.
Was I really jealous of his little sister? That's embarrassing.
I smiled.
"I can see why you call her a princess. She's the prettiest little thing I've ever seen. I'm Lea. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too!" she said brightly, then looked at Jack. "Big brother, who is she?"
He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
Her face lit up instantly.
She walked up to me, took my hand, and smiled.
"You're even prettier than I expected. Big bro, I am going to borrow her for a bit, okay. Come! I'll show you everything!"
Before I could react, she dragged me away.
Her energy was overwhelming, but in a good way.
She showed me everything.
Her private garden, with a piano sitting right in the middle like something out of a dream. Her room, pink and blue, like a real princess's world. Even her caretaker, Maria, brought us tea.
The best tea I've ever had.
Somewhere along the way, I completely forgot about Lily—who, apparently, was living her best life in the sauna and relaxing like she owned the place.
As I sat there, sipping my tea, May suddenly looked at me seriously.
"Do you love my brother?"
I almost choked.
No one had ever asked me that so directly before.
"I… do," I said quietly.
"Why?" she asked again.
I looked down.
"I don't think I can explain it properly… but your brother makes me feel… safe. Like I can be better when I'm with him. He's kind. He's… my comfort."
She smiled, then gently lifted my chin so I would look at her.
"You should say that with confidence whenever or wherever you will be asked this question. Don't forget how you feel."
She leaned closer.
"Do you want to know what he told me about you earlier?"
"You don't have to if you don't want, I mean… I am curious."
She whispered:
"'Look… isn't she beautiful? That's Lea. My secret place.'"
My face burned instantly.
May gasped dramatically.
"Oh my God, he's right! You have the cutest expression ever, Lea! Love is amazing!"
And just like that, she started asking me everything.
How we met. How we got together. Every little detail.
We talked for hours.
By the time I finally stepped out of her room, I was exhausted, but happy. I felt a little bit closer to Jack knowing his sister and everything she shared about him.
As I walked down the hallway, I ran into Jack in the kitchen, drinking water.
"I hope May didn't tire you out too much," he said, smiling.
"Just a little," I laughed. "But I'm really happy she's doing better."
"You and me both."
There was a small pause.
Then I leaned slightly against the wall, looking around.
"I think… today made me realize something."
He looked at me.
"I don't really know you that well."
He didn't look offended.
Just calm.
"I know I didn't really tell you about this part, but you can ask me anything," he said. "That's why we're here."
Then he smiled softly.
"People often used this part of me to get close to me, so I just didn't want that to be the first thing you know. We can talk about it tomorrow. You should rest. I heard tomorrow is already fully planned for you."
We said goodnight and went our separate ways.
But as I walked back to my room…
That thought stayed with me.
People? What people? How much of him do I really know?