"My aunt invited me here after my parents' demise, I couldn't live in the city alone. Plus I had to give up some of my mom's properties to settle my dad's debts" I briefed him.
"Oh, sorry about that" he sympathized.
"Thank you" I muttered.
"You are welcome" he heaved a sigh, "Are you the only one your parents got?" he asked.
"Yes, how about you? It's time to tell me something about you too" I insisted.
"Okay, I am Frank. And just like you, I am the only child of my parents. My dad owns StableGrid, one of the biggest energy companies in the country" he said rendering me speechless, I was really amazed. "Here," he touched the screen on his dashboard that appeared to be a tv, and then navigated to a folder – gallery, "this is us!" he played a slideshow of him and his family. Some of the pictures were taking in their grand mansion, some during tours, and some in their energy plants.
"Wow, this is awesome" I told him and smiled.
"Thanks!" he exited the folder.
"You are welcome, hmm!" I said not even knowing what else to say again. "What are you doing here, or do you live here too?" I managed to ask, ending the silence that crept upon us for a moment.
"I live in the Mainland, but I have a friend here. He's the Count's son. We did Cambridge together and every year, I would come and celebrate this annual festival with him. It's something I love doing" he said.
"Why? I mean, there is nothing fun about it. People get to do whatever they like, someone nearly stole my phone today" I complained.
He bursted into laughter and told me I was new that was why. "You know," he continued, "you don't have to flaunt your phone around, and those freaks only take advantage of people that are knew"
"What's the fun fact about it then?"
"Well, for me, I get to chill with my friend. I don't do walkthrough, I do night party. Walkthrough isn't fun" he said.
"Oh, okay" I gulped.
When we arrived at the main bridge, we found the streets scattered. Some kids were painting walls with spray while others chase each other around, shooting one another with water guns.
"Where are the adults?" I asked out of curiosity.
"They are probably in the hill by now, where is your aunt's house?"
"It's over there" I pointed at the direction, "close to that ice cream truck"
"Okay" he stepped on the gas and pulled over by the roadside.
"Thank you" I said and gently alighted the car.
"You are welcome" he alighted the car as well, "Mind if I come see your Aunt?"
"Why?"
"Hmm, nothing. Just want to introduce myself to her, I would like to be known in your family"
"Why?"
"Are you going to keep asking me 'why?', come on let's go inside" he said, about leading the way to the main entrance.
"Like seriously? Do you even know my aunt?" I wrinkled a brow at him, "What if she's strict and fierce?"
"Well," he cleared his throat and continued, "from your explanation earlier I don't think she's strict or fierce. My hunch tells me she's nice and kind"
"Your hunch might be totally wrong, you shouldn't trust your hunch!"
"I know I shouldn't, but do I have any choice? Come please, let's go inside" he said and walked over to the door. He then pressed the doorbell.
He was very persistent, he couldn't wait for me to lead the way. I rolled my eyes and accepted my fate. "If you really want to see my aunt, fine. But on one condition" I paused.
"What?" he sarcastically lifted a brow, "Tell me"
"You should..." I said halfway as someone opened the door, it was Aunt Vicky.
"Laura?" she uttered, surprised. "And who's this?" she asked.
"I am Frank, Laura's friend" he said.
"Friend?" she muttered.
"Yeah" he said.
"Is that so, Laura?" she glanced at me.
"Well, it's not what you are thinking, Aunt, we just met today. He gave me a ride home, Jessica left me in the Mainland" I explained.
"She did that? Why would she do that?" she asked, surprised.
"Actually, it's a long story…" I said and explained everything to her while we walk into the house.
"You see, that's why I told you to be cautious when you go out" she said, although I couldn't remember being told to be cautious by her before we went out.
As soon as we walked into the house, she told me to get Frank a glass of water… which I did. Thus, we sat in the sitting room and chit-chatted for some time.
I thought Aunt Vicky didn't like him at first, but as we continued I learned that she only wanted to make sure he wasn't a random guy trying to deceive us.
"So, do you live around here" she asked.
"I live in Mainland"
"With your parents?"
"Yeah," he huffed.
"Okay, so… what are you here for? Are you here for the festival?"
"Yes mam, the Count's son is my friend" he replied.
"James? Wow, okay. That's good!"
"Thank you mam" he smiled and then glanced at me.
"You are welcome" she stood to her feet, "I should go upstairs now, I have things to do"
"Okay mam" he uttered.
Thus, beamed and headed straight to the stairway. Before she took the stairs, she turned and glanced at me. The look she gave me made me wondered for a while, what message was she trying to pass to me? Albeit, before she left she beamed at me... and that made me sigh in relief.
"Your aunt is a nice woman, she's very friendly" Frank said.
"Yes she is, just like my mom"
"Wow, I like your family already. Mind telling me more about your life in the city? I mean, before you came. What was it like to be a college girl in the city?" he asked.
"Well, ..." I cleared my throat and began explaining things to him.
