21 20. Return

When morning came by the next day, December along with sir Ryan and Maria went back to the main island of the Paradise where the king and queen with her friends are waiting for their return. James remained in the island as to finish his supposed vacation.

The resort is heavily guarded and upon arrival, December was escorted by a whole squad of royal guards back to the royal villa where the royal family reside in the resort.

King Augustus and Queen Castiella are standing outside the gate of the villa and both were relieved when they saw December from afar.

"My sister is here already?" July, who arrived earlier than her sister asked when she went out to ask her parents. She was excited when she was fetched from the castle knowing that she will finally be able to see her sister and spend time with her.

"Yes, there she is," Queen Castiella answered her daughter and hold July's hand while pointing to December's direction.

When December was near her family, she have this unfamiliar feeling rise from her chest. The sight of her family waiting for her made her emotional and she could not stop herself from crying.

Maria patted her back and whispered to the girl, "Go, they're waiting for you."

December walked faster to reach her family, Queen Castiella also could not stop her tears as she opened her arms to hug her long lost daughter.

"My December…"

The king have a smile on his lips when he saw his family whole again together. July, not knowing why her sister and mother are crying also joined the hug thinking that she'll be able to make them happy with her hug as that is what her mother taught her.

After some time, both mother and daughter have both calmed down, the king urged them to go inside the villa, "Let's go inside, I presume that you are hungry and tired from the journey."

December nodded and enter the villa with them.

Seeing the scene, Maria was happy and sad at the time as she knows that she will not be able to see this girl who she raised for quite a long time.

"Ms. Lopez, we've already have the plane ready for you anytime," James' secretary said and Maria nodded.

"Let's go," Maria said and boarded the car.

*

When December entered the room, her friends swarmed before her and threw her a bunch of questions. All of them have a worried expression on their faces and December could not help but smile when she realized how blessed she was having such friends.

"Hey! Here we are worried about you and you still dare to smile like that?" Jean complained when she saw the girl's smile, but felt a huge relief wash upon her knowing that her bestfriend is okay.

"I am smiling because I have finally return and I have lots of people who are worried about me," December said and they all calmed down.

"We really did not know what to do if ever something really bad happened to you. I mean you being－" Jessa said and was cut off by the queen.

"Shall we all go to the dining hall?"

Jessa bit her lip out of guilt when she realized what she was about to say. December patted her hand and said, "It's okay. My mother will not be pissed just because of that. She just don't want my little sister to know what really happened to me."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't mind it. Ah, I am so hungry. Let's see what they have prepared for breakfast," December said and pulled her towards the dining hall.

The rest of the group followed the two of them until only Mark and Eugene were left.

Eugene stared at December's back for a while and sighed.

"You know, I think this is right time to let her know how much you cared for her," Mark said and Eugene glared at his friend.

"That's out of the line."

Mark shook his head and explained, "No, it's not. I mean, just let her know that someone's cares for her and does not her to be in danger. I feel like she's trying to make a façade that she's fine in order for us to not worry about her. You can give her comfort you know."

Eugene shake his head and did not bother answering his friend anymore. He knows December is faking she is fine, but he does not want to make her feel that he is trying to take advantage of what happened so he can have her. He does not want that. He want her to know his feelings when she is already truly fine.