#23 Visitor

After I was done with my dinner, I returned to my room and heard some annoying noises coming from my bed. I walked over to see and it turns out that my phone was attacked by messages. It was vibrating intensely as notifications sounded.

Who is spamming at this hour? It's near bedtime.

I turned on the screen to see who was the sender and saw it was actually my oh-so-beloved class' group chat.

Apparently, one of my classmates just remembered about the class trip to the beach we planned last time. We never promised a date and now that we've dragged it for so long, exams are already around the corner.

Some of them were having family gatherings during the weekends, and going to the beach after school? That's totally out of the topic. There's no way we could satisfy ourselves in such a short time of fun. Moreover, we have homework everyday and nearly have no time for fun at all.

Just thinking about it has made me tired. I ate lots during dinner too, so I was extra tired.

I switched on the air-con to cool the room. The bed sank when I dived into it while hugging my pillow.

I didn't know why but I suddenly remembered I haven't visited Eric's mother yet. I did say I would visit her soon but he's already back for a while and I've left it behind my head, not thinking about it anymore.

When should I go? Tomorrow? Maybe after a visit to my mother at the hospital.

I was scrolling through some posts on social media before I yawned, indicating my sleepiness. I turned off my phone and the room lights, then wrapped myself in my blanket as I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of pancakes. How nostalgic. When was the last time I ate one again?

I stretched my body and got off my bed. My morning routine is a must before changing my pajamas.

A clean towel was already ready in the bathroom for me to use after showering. I dried my hair with it and wore an outwear for when I visit my mother later.

Just when I was done putting on clothes, a knock came from my room door. I went to answer it and saw it was one of our housemaids.

"Miss, there is a visitor for you. He is currently in the living room."

"Oh, okay. Please serve him some snacks in the meantime."

I closed the door when she left. I took a hair tie to tie up my hair into a simple ponytail, like any other days. I spaced out a little so I did not pay attention to what the maid was really saying earlier.

Did she just say, there's a visitor? But it's the weekend today and wouldn't usually be the elder who entertains them?

Well, whatever. The visitor came all the way here looking for me, I can't make him wait, or so I thought.

The scent of pancakes attacked me when I arrived at the dining room. The chef poured syrup over it when he saw me.

"Please enjoy your pancakes, Miss."

I thanked him and sat down in my seat. The cutleries were ready for me to use and I started digging in as soon as I picked it up.

While I was eating, there was a feeling inside me that I had forgotten something, and I knew the answer when the maid questioned me.

"Miss, are you not meeting the visitor first?"

Right, I have a visitor in the living room! That has been long forgotten the moment pancakes filled my vision.

"I'll see him after I finish my pancakes."

The maid nodded and brought a glass of water to the living room. The tea wasn't ready yet so she had to serve him plain water first.

She came back in a smile, approaching me.

"Miss, he has brought you a wonderful gift!"

Oh, yeah?

"But since he did not pass it to me, it must be something only the Miss can touch. "

Those words of hers made me curious. Not about the gift but the visitor himself.

I took the last bite of my pancake and the fruits on the side of the plate. I placed the cutleries down and washed my hands before heading to the living room.

"Sorry for the wai-" I paused when I saw who the visitor was. "Eric?"

"Why do you question my name when you already know me?"

He stood up from the couch and handed me the gift the maid was talking about. I reached out my hand to receive it and it turned out…

"I thought you were going to return this when we meet at the hospital."

… it was my water bottle.

"I accidentally woke up too early and was bored, so why not?"

Hmm. Fine.

Eric stayed to finish up the cookies served by the maids. It was cookies they made specially for my tea break, and now the ingredients are wasted on the likes of him.

We talked for a bit until the plate was empty. There, I thought it was finally over but the maids seemed to have a third eye and brought out another plate of cookies and muffins for us.

"These are delicious. Ask them to make more." Eric said as he took a bite of a chocolate cupcake.

"What do you think they are?"

"Aren't they your servants?"

"Well, technically… but I don't have the habit of giving them too much work, you know?" I shot a glare at him, "They're humans too."

I wonder if that's the attitude he gives towards his servants back home.

"You're really kind to them, huh?"

What is he saying? "Of course, they're family."

A smile crept onto his face as he finished the last cupcake.

"Well, that's what I ... about you." He mumbled something in the middle of his sentence that I bet even ants couldn't get him.

"Did you say something?"

"You're imagining things." He picked up the empty plate and went to the kitchen. "Thirds!"

"Right away, young master!"

I wanted to stop him from asking favors from my maids but they seemed to be enjoying serving him so I guess it's fine.

I glanced outside the window while waiting for the cookies to be ready. A cool breeze brushed my face since the window was left open.

"What are you doing?"

"Wah!

I was startled by Eric's sudden appearance behind me. Since when he got here? He was just in the kitchen until a moment ago!

He was standing so close to me that I could feel his breath. I was afraid he would hear my heartbeat so I quickly stepped away from the window.

"Hey, you okay?" Eric came to me and placed his palm on my forehead, "You're heating."

Jeez! If it isn't your fault!

"Do you have a fever?" He pulled me to sit on the couch to rest. He even got me a glass of water from the kitchen.

Gosh. I'm as red as a tomato now!

"I-I'm fine, really..." I said as I took the glass from him.

However, he wasn't convinced by my reply and wanted to call a maid. Luckily I managed to stop him in time.

"It's not fever, really!"

"Then what?"

"Just..." I averted my gaze from his, trying to avoid talking any further into this topic.

"I see, then that's good."

Just then, Eric's phone rang. He answered the call and all I could hear was him replying "okay" to whatever the caller said before hanging up.

The sound of a car engine could be heard coming from the gate. I looked outside and realized it was Eric's.

Is he finally leaving? Was it related to the call he received just now?

He took his phone, which was the only thing he brought here, and walked to the door.

"What's wrong?"

"Some emergency came up. See you at school."

He waved as I walked him to the gate. The guards opened the gates for him to leave. I stayed until his car was no longer in sight and returned to the house. That was when I realized, I didn't know a single thing about Eric.

He knew when my father passed away, even when my mother fell ill and admitted hospital. During those times, he was with me despite me pushing him away. Although now I've given up on that and let him do whatever he wants.

He did so many things for me, yet here I am, not even visiting his mother once.

"I should really visit her soon."

I was lost in thoughts until a maid's voice jolted me back to reality.

"Miss, would you like to drink something?"

"Oh yes, milk please." It has been a while since I last drank milk.

Just after I said that, a familiar voice came from behind, talking in a teasing tone. "What? You're so old already and you still drink milk?"

Hey! Milk is one of the most nutritious drinks in the world!

What about her, then? Waking up when it was almost lunchtime. Just how old does she think she is? With all the workloads and stuff, sleep-in was never an option.