42. More Time

"Mary just cleaned it yesterday; she usually came three times a week to clean it", Anne explained

Gea fell in love with this room already; it needs a bed for sure before she can ask about it. Anne told her that if it was ok with her, she could give some money in advance to buy a bed as the room had none.

Anne was wondering how long she's planning to stay because if it is only for a day, the money to pay for the bed will be too much

"How much do you plan to rent per day? "Gea asked

" I was thinking around 25$ per day, including breakfast with me " Anne seems a bit hesitant to mention the price

"Can I transfer it to your account? " Gea have some cash with her; she prefers to keep it that way

"Sure, I can call Jasper and asked his account... he could help with the bed... I plan to have some cash as well; he deals with all my money, " Anne explained

"Don't worry. He is my nephew; he owns and run the hotel I told you about", Anne explain further when Gea seems confused about how easy she left Jasper to manage her money

"He owns several hotels in the countryside like this and partnerships with some big hotels, but he says I am his favourite aunt, yeah like he has others ha... ha... ha... therefore he likes to stay here and look after me, put some ease to his father as well." Anne continues to explain the connection between her and Jasper.

"Is there any place I can make a call?" Gea asked

"Young lady, you do not have a handphone, mobile phone... wow, I was thought you were from a big city" Miss Anne looked at Gea unbelievable this young lady does not carry a gadget with her

"I left it home not to be bothered by others as I wanted to have a nice long vacation" Gea can not think of other explanation

"Do not tell me you are running away from home?" Miss Anne look a bit dumbfounded after talking like that as she learned in this era, people used to live on their own at 18 years old

"No... no... I need a vacation, and a gadget could disturb me, therefore, is there a payphone or a way for me to contact my Secretary" Gea emphasis on the word of Secretary to show that she is an independent woman.

"Sure, there is a payphone between the post office and the train station; I have some coins for exchange, or if you want, you could exchange them in post offices" Take out some coins from her purse and show them to Gea

After exchanging the coins, Gea left her things in the annexe, locked with the Key given by Miss Anne. She heads to the payphone

With Jasper account no in her hand as well as Miss Anne handphone, no Gea gave her promise to come back before dinner as miss Anne insisted she should have her dinner at the annexe that will be prepared as a welcome gesture, not because she rents her addition but because of the custom to welcoming a guest.

Gea does not argue any further as she also does not know where to find dinner, for now, and because she saw loneliness in Miss Anne eyes.

Gea left her things in the annexe and took her purse with her; she heads off to the payphone and called Dj that picked it up at the third ring

"Hello...Ms Graham's office, it's Dj speaking."

"Dj, it's me, Gea, are you still at the office?... oh silly me, of course, you are; I called the office number."

"I am sorry, but Ms Graham is not available for the moment. May I have your no, and get back at you later, Mam?"

" It's someone there. Is it Dave that is why you are talking like this? I need to pay for a place to stay. Could you transfer the money to his account?'

"Wait a moment, miss; it is your brother... and his no?"

" His name is Jasper; here is his account no."

"Okay, Mam, I write this down, and may I have your no in case I can not reach him?"

"Smart move, dear, you could contact this no to reach me" Gea gave miss Anne no and admired Dj move to cover her call from Dave. But, before she could finish it, her body became stiff hearing the voice talking to Dj, and it's not Dave. It was the voice that she was longing to hear.

"Dj, I gotta go, Please let me know if she contacts you and tell her that I need to talk with her, face to face, so wherever she is, I'll come to her"

"Sure!" Gea heard Dj reply and the sound of a step walk away

"Hear that, Gea? He is looking for you; he's been here for a half-hour before you call, Gea, are you there..."

"Sorry, Dj, I can not... see, I am blank after hearing his voice... NO, I can't meet him yet; I thought it was Dave."

"Oh, I already got earful instructions from Dave if you call, and Andrea was crying when I passed her your message ".

DJ could hear a sigh before Gea talk

" it's only a day; I still need more time... please tell Andrea I am ok and need some time, what earful instructions that you suppose to pass me?"

DJ tell Gea that Dave wishes her to take care of her health, Maintain meals three times a day and a bunch of self-protection as well as beg her to persuade Gea to contact him.

Gea leaves a sigh, apologising to DJ as she puts Her in the tight spot between Gea and her brother.

Gea continues to walk and try to clear her head; her heart aches.

It's been weeks, but it seems she needed more time if she did not want to have further relations with David...." hhhhuuuuft."