11 Great Happiness

"I argued with my father. I said many things which will hurt his feelings. Then, I ran out from home." August said, looking much composed than before. But one can tell that his problem with his father hurts him badly.

As he talked about his problems, he gazed at the girl who was sitting beside him. Though she was just a friend, she patiently listened to him and hear him out, as if they were the problems of someone so important to her. He can see her sincerity in her eyes. But maybe because it was unexpected, he overlooked her love for him!

"I have a feeling that you're more hurt than your father, August. However he behave, he's still your father. His blood is in your veins. And I know you love him so much. I still remember the time you told me the deep connection you used to have with your father. You used to missed each other, desperately. So, return to your home and begged your father for his forgiveness. I don't want you to do anything that you'd regret later." Isla advised August with a calm and friendly voice.

Isla never experienced such family problems like August, so that she was a bit confused with what to say. But as it concerned the love of her life, she tried her best to comfort him and show him the right way.

Isla's family is an accustomed family. Her father worked as a General Manager of one of their country's leading hotel, Silver Isle Hotel. After working for many years at the parent hotel, which is also their headquarter at New York; he was transferred to one of their branch at Houston, Texas, a city where they currently live in. During that time, the Houston branch was not in a good condition and the higher ups wanted Isla's father, Ricky Campbell, to renovate and improved the management of the hotel.

After 4 long years of staying in Houston, Mr. Campbell successfully restored the hotel reputation and guaranteed the hotel stability. So, he prepared himself to return to the headquarters next month as the higher up wishes. Isla's mother, Mrs. Olivia Campbell used to work as a clerk at the same hotel as her husband. But she resigned after giving birth to her first child. Their elder daughter, Sylvia currently works as a Bank Accountant at New York.

As Isla was the youngest at her household and due to the fact that she was 10 years younger than her only sister, she was cherished and received lots of love from her family. Regardless of her age, she was still a baby in their eyes.

"Isla, let's just date! Be my girlfriend." August said without much thought. As he realized what exactly he was saying, he felt embarrassed, not knowing what to do. How foolish of me! Why did I say such things? Much to his surprised, Isla simply laughed. He even thought that she didn't heard him.

"Hey! How can you make a joke in this situation? You'll never changed your ways. You're so hopeless!" Isla teased August.

August was unaware that he had said such things to Isla so many times! But only as a joke! As Isla always listened to him carefully and stored all his words in her heart, she is well aware that August loved to joke about such things. But deep inside her heart, she always wished that it was not only a joke, so desperately! But what Isla didn't know is that August surely said from his heart this time and even he was unaware of it!

Due to his unawareness, August was amazed that Isla took his words as a joke. He realized the things Scarlett said to him. 'She will never like a scumbag like you!' Those words keep repeating in his mind. He felt like his whole world was crumbling!

'I have really lost my mind.' August thought to himself, staring at Isla. In his eyes, she was beautiful than ever! As if he is watching the world's most beautiful diamond, he can't take his eyes off her! But she was just a friend. Had one ever been unable to take their eyes off a friend? For a while, he didn't even care if the word 'friend' just vanished from this world!

"Just kidding." August said to save his face. But he was embarrassed and uncomfortable on the inside.

Even the word August just said was familiar for Isla; but she's still hurt. Actually, everytime she heard that word from him, she always felt a painful jab to her chest, as if something is ripping off her heart! 'Am I just a joke to him?' She asked herself.

But she soon composed herself as she had always done. "Enough with the jokes. Don't just sit still here! Return to your house and talk to your father."

"Fine! Fine! I'm about to go home. Are you eagerly waiting for me to go home?" He teased her.

"Of course, yes. It's comfortable to be alone. And also you were always a crybaby whenever you were with me." Isla teased him back.

"Hey! Don't call me a crybaby! When did I ever cry in front of you? I'm a real man!" August turned his head to the other side. Looking displeased, he was crossing his arms.

Isla can't stop laughing as she saw August childish reaction. He's like a cute little boy in her eyes!

As he saw Isla's laughed, August was filled with great happiness. That day and that moment, he was smitten by her every actions...