19 19 FAREWELL

Arissa looked at his face calmly and answered confidently.

"Yes…"

............ ..

An hour later, Arissa and Jose were having breakfast together in a local restaurant.

"Listen to me, Arissa. The announcement of the national exam results will be announced in 3 days, if you are in the Top 10 of the National Ranking, you will get a full scholarship funded by the government and private courses to prepare yourself and take the advanced level for the next national exam. Just in case, your rank also hit in the Top Ten of National Ranks for the results of the advance level, you will get another full scholarship from the government in any university which you enrolled to... "

Arissa nodded once again. "Yes, mother has already told me about it too .."

Jose smiled at her.

Arissa stared at a pair of shady eyes who were watching her now. The same eyes also provide a sense of security and comfort at the same time. Just like the look in Mother Hua's eyes. Her adoptive mother.

Arissa felt heat crept on her cheeks. Again.

"I will leave this afternoon ..." said Jose casually. As if that wasn't the last time Arissa would see him.

"That fast? " She asked him in surprisedly.

"Yes…." Jose replied indifferently.

Soon, she doesn't feel hungry anymore.

..................….

All the children had gathered in the front yard when they both returned. Jose's backpack and suitcase were settled up at the door. All of them stared at Jose miserably with a sad look. Some children even had welled tears in their eyes. Some of the younger children can't wait any longer when they rushed and stormed into his embrace, crying out loud.

"Big Brother…. Huhuhuhuhuh…. "

The atmosphere wrenched their heart heavily. Farewell, never been an easy task to do and a nice moment to remember. It was sad, yet, it still has to be done. Mother Hua was trying so hard to hold back her tears but then, she failed. All children knew that Jose was going to leave that day. Everyone…

Except her.

Arissa froze when she was watching the whole scene. A lone tear fell off on her cheeks. As her heart winced by a grief sadness of his leaving. Jose, for her, is a joy of hope. A beautiful spirit that had illuminated her lonely soul before. His existence for her was irreplaceable. Because of him, she was reborn. As a new person. Ready for facing the world and life itself once again. Jose, truly is…

Her world. Her safe haven.

Unconsciously, another tear escaped from her eyes. Her body was shaking from enduring the pain that ripped her heart. He's gone. Her savior and guidance will be leaving today…

Could… she… able …to endure…??

Without him?

Will she see him again?

Will they meet again someday?

Arissa repeating the questions inside her head. Holding the sorrow of her own misery deep within and stand still in the same position for no-idea-how-long-was-it when suddenly she felt someone embraced her in a bone-crushing hug. A warm sensation radiates all over her body. Pulsate her. Returning her back to earth. A place where she belongs to. A scent of musk fills her nostril. She knows well what's this. It's Jose's cologne. A scent that she would always remember deep inside her heart.

Her body was still frozen in his embrace when she felt something warm touched her forehead. A kiss. A nice and tender kiss. Remind her of her well-being.

"Be a great woman, Arissa. Then… I'll come for you… "

Jose whispered softly in her ears gently. Encouraging her.

Disbelief, Arissa looked back at Jose who was still embracing her. Her eyes redden with tears but there is a glimmer of hope there.

"Then, I'll give you a real kiss ..."

Only a few sentences, but those words were able to restore her feet back steadily on the ground. There is a firm determination in the pair of bright blue eyes of hers now. A flick of the flaming fire has been lit up and sparked brightly inside her soul. Arissa nodded her head firmly.

"Please wait for me, big brother ..."

"Sure…."

............…

3 days later….

At LevyClan Mansion

Cristan Levy slammed the confirmation letter harshly on the coffee table. The result of an advanced level of the national exam has been announced. Even though his name was listed as one of the Top 10 in the National Rankings but he was only got second place.

Damn it! Shit! Shit!

His name has always been spotted in first place at the intermediate and beginner level in the national exam before for several years which made him the best scholar in this country. But now, he was lost to a stranger who has claimed his throne as number one. Arissa Nova.

Shit!!!

Who is this girl?

Why is he never hear about her name before?