28. Meeting again

*Three days later*
JAY'S POV
I sat on the couch silently watching him clean the living room, thinking of what I'll do if I found him guilty. He didn't come to work on Monday and Wednesday but he came on Tuesday.

If not for the fact that I left home very early on that Tuesday because of the very important lecture I was having, he wouldn't be here today.

I was waiting for him to finish up so we could talk. Dan and Roe were out. I stayed back today because of this. I didn't tell Dan what I suspect, he would flare up and act rashly, Roe's aware though.

I did as Dan advised, I stayed away from Saline and made sure we didn't cross paths even though I miss seeing her beautiful face. I believe when we'll finally meet again, it'll be pleasant but that'll be probably next week. She needs time huh? I'm giving her enough time.

I watched him push his cart to the bedroom, that was when I suddenly remembered I saw Diva's photo on Daniel's bedside table earlier. He must have forgotten to return it to his drawer, Wayne mustn't see it.

I stood up quickly and entered the room with haste, my eyes located his desk Immediately, thankfully it wasn't there, Dan didn't forget.

I looked at Wayne, he was sweeping the floor already, his huge body built was clearly evident even in the janitor jumpsuit he was wearing. That girl must be so stupid, subjecting a guy to this extent. I don't think her dad's aware of this.

"Wayne," I called, he looked up.

"Yes, Sir?" He answered respectfully.

"I told you already, just call me Jay but it seems you're not able to. Anyway, when you're done we need to talk." He nodded lowly. "Relax, I don't bite." I smiled at him before walking back to the living room.
___
Minutes later, he was done cleaning and was sitting on the couch opposite mine, head bowed as he waited for me to speak.

"Wayne, I want you to answer all the questions I'm gonna be asking you truthfully. Can you do that for me?" I asked calmly with a smile. He looked at me briefly.
"Yes, si... Jay." He offered me a shy smile.
"Thank you," I smiled again. "Are you really a janitor?" I asked and watched his reaction. He bowed his head immediately.

"I'm not. I'm very sorry my idol, I'm not here on my will." He pleaded, falling to his knees instantly. "She made me do this. I was scared of what she'll do to me if I don't obey. She's very wicked sir. I'm truly sorry." He pleaded.

"I know, plase get up," he was hesitating. "Get up, Wayne. I clearly understand your situation here, it's not your fault, you only obeyed orders. Please get up." I smiled. He stood up slowly and bowed before sitting down.

"What's your position in Mr Caden's home?" I continued.

"He appointed me as one of his head guards last year." He said.

Really...and that girl had the nerve to subject him to such low extent?

"Lucia's reason for sending you here was for you to spy on us and inform her, especially about Daniel right?" He bowed his head embarrassedly.

"I'm very ashamed of myself, but it's true. That's why I was sent here." He admitted.

"Lucia's Dad isn't aware of this, is he?" I asked again.

"She threatened to deal with me if I so much as breathe a word to her Dad. He's not aware."

"Thanks Wayne. Here's my last question. Is Mr Caden presently around?" I asked again and He fiddled with his fingers.

"Yes, he came back from his trip yesterday." He answered shakily.

"Is something wrong?" I asked concernedly and he fell on his knees again.

"I'm so sorry sir. But please, don't report me to Dr Caden. I'll lose my job and I have my sick mother and younger siblings to care for. Please." He pleaded.

"I understand Wayne, you don't have to worry. I'm not reporting you, I'm reporting Lucia," I stood up and crouched beside him with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't harm or threaten you in anyway, relax and get up." I helped him up to his seat before settling down on mine. "You have no fault on this, and if you get fired as a result of this," I smiled. "... come to me, I'll have something much more better for you." He looked up in shock.

"Thank you so much Sir Jay." He said, smiling gratefully.

"When you leave now, don't say anything about this to Lucia, I'll handle her myself. If she asks you about us when you get back, tell her we went to class, you can do that right?" Wayne nodded.

"Yes Sir." He smiled, still can't call me by name. It's fine anyway.

"Thank you Wayne, Can I have your contact?" I asked him. He looked at me, clearly stunned for some seconds.
"You are so kind and simple Sir, here is it." He called out his phone number while I punched it on my phone.

"There, it's ringing, that's my phone number you can call me anytime." I was dialing the number with my phone.
"Thank you Sir." He smiled.
"That's okay, you may leave now." He stood up and bowed.
"Thanks for your kindnes, sir Jay. Goodbye." I smiled reassuringly at him before he turned and walked away as my phone began ringing. 

Glancing at the caller ID, I find it's Kim Lisa, my younger sister. I picked it up.
"Annyeonghaseyo Lisa( Hello Lisa)" I said smilingly as I placed the phone to my ear.
"Olenmanieyo oppa(it's been a while brother)" She squealed from the other end.
"Ye, jal jinesseoyo?(Yes, how are you?)" I asked, leaning back on the couch.
"jeoneun jal jinaeyo(I'm fine, thanks), naneun naeil migug-e ganda(I'm coming to America tomorrow)" She said in a high pitched voice.
"What? Are you done with your three months modeling contract?" I asked unbelievably, in English.
"aniyo, dangsin-ui jjagsalang-eul boleogabnida(No, I'm coming to see your crush)" She said laughingly.
"Ya Kim Lisa, jangnan hae?( Hey Kim Lisa, are you kidding?)" I said in korean this time.

Is she really terminating her contract just to see 'my crush' as she said?

"Oppa sarranghaeyo (oppa I love you)" I heard someone else shouted.
"Jian, give up now. He's in love with someone else." I heard her say to someone in English, I chuckled. She's so funny.
"geuge nuguya?(who is that?)" I chuckled.
"nae gajang chinhah chingu jian geunyeoneun dangsin-ui yeollyeolhan paen-ibnida. (it's my best friend Jian, she's a huge fan of yours)" My sis explained.
"Oh, is that? By the way, dangsin-ui hangug-eoga naboda nae jyeoss-eum-eul al su issseubnida(I can see your Korean has gotten better than mine)" I smiled.
"It has to." She chuckled. "naeil chingudeulgwa gonghang-e delileo wajwo(come pick me up at the airport with your friends tomorrow)" Lisa added seriously.
"Woah! You are so determined. So you can come and torment me and my friends with your whining? No, go to Dad's." I said crossing my legs on the couch.

She can disturb...Most times it's Dan that's always her victim. She said Roe's too book minded to have her time, but she still disturbs him anyway.
"Shiro! andeyo!(I don't want! Don't do that!) It has to be California." She whined childishly.

We were switching between English and Korean in our conversation. Well, it's our usual pattern.

"Lisa, dangsin-eun kaelliponia-eseo hal?(Lisa, what are you coming to do in California?)" I asked.
"I want to join DSD." She stated matter-of-factly.
"mueoseulyo?(what?)" Is she kidding me?
"Oppa, deo isang sing-geul daenseogadoego sipji anh-a(brother, I don't want to be a single dancer anymore)" Yeah, she's a dancer too. "So just pray they accept me as their fourth member. You know how well I've always admired them and wanted to be part of them. This is an opportunity I can't lose." That's true, she's also a huge fan of DSD. Actually, I got to know about the Dazzling Stars Dancers through her.
"Okay, if that's what you want, it's fine. Call me as soon as you arrive Sacramento." I agreed.

Her happiness matters a lot to me. It's also a good thing she picked out DSD out of the many dance groups in the states. I'm sure DSD would be pleased to have her. I mean, my beautiful sister is a very good dancer. She'll be adding to their fame if they accept her. But that's if they really want another member.
"go ma ssuem ni da, oppa (thank you brother)" She said excitedly.
"You are welcome little sister," I smiled.
"Hey! I'm not little, I'm 22years old." She whined.
"But you are still my little sister. Ain't you?" I laughed as she whined more. She hate's me calling her little.
"eomma appaga algo gyesibnikka?(Is Mom and Dad aware?)" I asked, putting an end to her whining. My ears were beginning to cry already.
"Ye, geudeul-eun algoissda(yes, they are aware) Don't forget to pick me up with Roe and Dan. Is Dan over his heart break yet? Don't answer that, I'll find out myself. Oh finally, I'll have many people to torture when I get back. Bye oppa, sarranghae." I chuckled.
"I love you too." I replied and she ended the call. Funny child.
I stood up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. I'll visit Mr Caden today and report his spoilt daughter.

DANIELLE'S POV 
I stared at the gift box in the gift bag on the table. I could guess its content already. I just received it thirty minutes ago from the guy Dad sent. I smiled sadly. I've lost count of how many of this type of present I've received already.
"Here is your coffee, ma'am." The waitress said with a smile, dropping the coffee on the table.
"Oh, thanks." I picked it up and sipped contentedly.

My dad's secretary couldn't wait to have his due to the fact he had a plane to catch. He left few minutes ago after he delivered his message. I decided to stay back at the King's Coffee Palace since it was kinda cozy and I needed to think.

I stared at my ringing phone on the table, my dad was calling. I dropped the coffee and picked up my phone.

"Hi Dad,"
"My princess, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm fine Dad, I just received the gift you sent me. Thanks a lot." I said.
"I hope you like it. Actually, your Mom specifically designed that years back and she asked me to give it to you. You know it's that time of the year." My tears dropped immediately I heard his words.

Of course I know what it means.

Every february for the past nine years, I received presents from my parents_especially from Mom, as a reminder of my sister. Since she couldn't bring herself to forget that year neither could I, they agreed_my parents, to gift me with presents both on my birthday and Ariel's.
My hand wandered to the gift bag and opened it. I brought out the little box and opened it carefully.
"My princess are you there?" I sniffed back tears and smiled at the box.
"Yes Dad. I'm sorry I got caught up in the beauty of the bracelet. It's so enchanting. I'll call Mom and thank her later." I looked out the transparent glass building, it was raining heavily. How did I not notice earlier?
"Alright my darling, I'm on my way to the airport for my business trip. I'll call you later princess. I love you."
"Take care Dad. I love you too." I said before he hung up.

I dropped the phone on the table and returned the box back to the gift bag, coffee forgotten as I buried my face in my hands and let my tears flow.

It's exactly nine years ago when Mom gave birth to Ariel and it's her birthday today, but she's no more. I wonder if I'll ever be able to forget her, I mean... it's nine years already but the incident is still very fresh in my memory.
"Is everything okay miss?" A waiter walking by asked. I wiped my tears quickly with my hands.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good." I replied with my head still bowed.
"Alright Miss." He walked off.

I grabbed my bag quickly and ransacked it for my hanky but alas, it wasn't there. I must have forgotten to take one along. At times like this, the girls were always my rescuers but they were having classes so they couldn't come with me. I huffed in despair.

Am I supposed to go back with a teary face? And it's even raining. What to do? I dropped the bag.
Wait...Is that a hand I see, offering me a hanky?

My eyes trailed the hand to it's owner. What in the world is he doing here? Especially at times like this. Oh my! This is so embarrassing.

Gosh! Who cares anyway?
"My hand is hanging." He said softly while I stared at him in disbelief.