THE UNIVERSE ANSWERED!

Sleeping with Niki in my bed for the first time helps me feel comfortable and tired at the same time.

We do not have enough sleep because she was just ecstatic about everything.

Niki was very energetic the whole time, talking about the party, about Darcy, about the nice guy who asked her for a dance named Ben from Metro, about Vaughn and me.

We had some hot cocoa with mallows paired with chocolate chip cookies after an hour of chatting in bed for some midnight snacks.

I'm so glad that Margaret left after we arrived at 11:10 pm.

She explained that she will have an early trip the next day or else, we end up zipping our mouths if Margaret's around.

"You should have given Darcy a sample kick in her fake face. The party could be much fun!" I giggled.

The thoughts of what could have been the result on her face could mean a disaster.

Then she gets closer, hugging me. "Hey, Bestie! I'm so happy for you... I could see those eyes of yours sparkling when talking about Vaughn but always remember, he's just a visitor in Smithson. He could be somebody from his own country, those bodyguards are telling me that his family has power."

Niki's words are like cold water splashed on my whole body and awaken my senses to my situation.

[His family has power.] It keeps ringing in my ears until I doze off to sleep.

And now, I wake up like a zombie when I heard my alarm at 6 am. I do not want to be late.

Having a glass of wine in my veins makes my head tingling. I never expected that a glass of wine could affect me like this or it might be the lack of sleep.

But, how will I flush it away? I remembered one time that my mom arrived home when I was 8. She's swaying like dancing and couldn't figure out herself if she will seat on the couch or go to the bathroom. She ended up lying on the floor in our small living area.

"Lady Violet Rose! Can you get me some water?" I do not understand what my mom wanted water for, and I'm afraid to ask.

So, I ended up getting the watering can and filled it with water, rushed beside her, and watering her from head to toe.

Then she furiously seated, cursing me to death, repeatedly scolding about me and my dumb head.

Since then, I'm trying my best to learn things on my own and avoiding getting mistakes.

I promised myself to study hard to make my mom happy but, she never was.

She didn't even show up on my graduation day for my 5th grade, my transitioning ceremony on middle school and high school graduation. Having Margaret around always saves my heart from those deep wounds of neglect.

Amanda is always good at making excuses, and Margaret is way more a mother to me than her.

I cried while delivering my Valedictorian speech in my 5th and 8th grade, crying not because that I have graduated but because I couldn't see my mom on the seat that was reserved for her.

And on my 12th-grade graduation, she no longer has to make excuses because she's very ill and in bed.

[Ugh! that's making me emotional every time, my tears brimming in my eyes when I remembered it.

Then suddenly, the whistling kettle breaks up my thoughts. I took my ground-roasted coffee container and our French Press to make up my favorite homemade coffee.

I pour down the hot water on the French Press with the ground coffee and started pressing in and poured the coffee on the huge mug in front of me, a quotation on it, "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

"I guess, your right!" I muttered inwardly.

I have been looking for answers or signs that would push me to meet Vaughn for breakfast.

I have doubts after my conversation with Niki about Vaughn but the universe is flashing the answer in front of me.

After completing my coffee, I had my quick cold shower. I do not use much of our shower heater if it's not wintertime. I wanted to save as much energy and I do not want to pay more for electricity.

Especially now, I'm alone to pay for everything.

[I think I need to figure out if I need to transfer to a smaller apartment or space where I could save more money for my new journey of the search for my real family.]

I sighed while checking myself on my old dresser.

Then, my phone vibrated on the bedside table, with the alarm set at 7 am.

Then, Niki is moving to the bed, slowly opened her eyes, and yawn.

"Good morning Vi! What time is it?" she stretched out her arms, and I responded, "It's already 7, Niki!"

"Ohmaygad! I have a flight at 10 am. I still need to pack few things." She rushed herself into the bathroom.

"Do you want to have some coffee?" I called out at the bathroom door.

"No, thank you, Bestie! I'll just change, need to be quick, or else Mom will be furious about me missing my flight."

And we ended separating our ways and started the feeling of emptiness and longing.

I know it's for the best of Niki to get her college in Alabama, and I'm happy for her.

As for me, uncertainties are a major problem in my life right now, and I hope, I could see her again soon.

Riding my bike helps me released stress and tensions, and I'm almost a few meters to Jerry's Junction. I saw Vaughn's luxury car, on the way towards the restaurant.

I could feel my hands getting clammy, and I'm sweating, I'm feeling tense. I do not understand why.

Then, the car parked but nobody disembarks from it.

And I reached the parking area for bikes, I quickly put on the chain and lock them.

"Did you sleep well last night?" His distinct voice is like a melody in my ears.

I turned to face him, feeling small, awkward, and anxious.

"Hi!" I'm trying my best to be friendly as I could be. "Yes, I did. Thank you!"

[Oh, his alone, no bodyguards?]

He saw my questioning eyes while checking his back.

"Ow, I'm alone at this time. Are you ready for breakfast?" I just nodded.

He reached out his hand and I took it, feeling hesitant then he links it into his arm. [I wanted to scream! Ohmaygad! He's very gentleman!]

Then he escorted me towards the restaurant until we reached his favorite spot of the Junction and let me seated.

"What do you like for breakfast?" his eyes meet mine, I could feel the electricity that sends my heart thumping so hard and makes my senses so alive.

"Three regular pancakes with butter, Jerry's special sausage, scrambled egg, bacon, and brewed latte. Thanks!" He smiled like he's amazed by my orders then added, "Is that all?" I nodded because when if I talked, I might be adding more.

Then, he approached the counter, I'm glad "Lily" is in charge today not Ellie.

Lily is the total opposite of the character of Ellie, she's very conservative and traditional while Ellie does not understand those words.

I do have a great appetite, I could manage to eat a dozen of regular pancakes with butter.

Margaret always bought me two boxes of pancake mix every weekend, just to satisfy my cravings without ordering in the Junction.

My mom always makes a sermon about me gaining weight and lucky enough, I do not gain any.

Then, Vaughn returned to our table after ordering our meal.

"Open your hands on the table. Then, close your eyes, I have something for you!" His tone of voice expressed so much excitement and I followed him.

I could feel his hands, then a weight touched my palm. I felt a square object or a box on it.

"You can open your eyes now!" he said with so much delight.

And I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful gold necklace with pendant letters on it "LVS"

"Oh, my! It's very gorgeous! But, I'm so sorry... I couldn't accept such expensive jewelry!" my hands freeze on the table.

"Please accept it! This will be a reminder of our friendship. So, please I beg you."

I'm speechless!

Then Vaughn took the necklace and put them around my neck.

"Oh, it fits you very well Violet and it's very beautiful on you!" he exclaimed like we are alone in the Junction.

Then, the waiter interrupted us, "Excuse me Mam/Sir, here's your breakfast!" and he served the food on the table.

The table is overflowing with breakfast meals in just a snap, my eyes grow wider as I'm surprised by the amount of food.

"Hey, Violet! Are you okay?"

"This is too much, Vaughn!" I giggled.

"No, it's fine! Don't worry, we can always share it with your co-workers!" he laughed heartily.

[He is very sweet and thoughtful, I'm starting to like him.]

I never had any ideas of what my future boyfriend should be, I could never think much about it!

Then suddenly, my stomach growling.

"We better eat now Violet! Your stomach is complaining." He flashed his warmest smile.

And I start digging into my food.

This is the first time that I have eaten this much in the Junction.

When I am working, I would eat our free meals every day without any complaints.

Those meals are sometimes returned orders, from customers or order mistakes from the counter.

Our free meal helped me a lot with my expenses. I'm able to save money for food.

Also, through customer satisfaction, we will get tips every day, and we divide it every end of the month.

That's how we are earning additional compensation aside from our salary.

Vaughn is eating silently he looks like on deep thought.

"Hey! Is there something wrong with the food? We can have it replaced if you like?"

His eyes change from longing into delight. "No, it's so good! I'm fine, it's just that I will miss you big time! Hope I could see you again soon."

My heart is melting like ice cream. I do not know what to say to him.

"You could always visit Smithson, you know!" he nodded.

We completed our breakfast smoothly with a light conversation.

Then, we bid our goodbyes.

"Hope to see you again soon, Violet!"

"Yes, see you when you return to Smithson, Vaughn!"

Then suddenly, he pushed me towards him and hugged me tightly.

I could feel the heaviness of my heart.

He is the second person who left me today, and no assurance of seeing him again.

And he walks towards his car, turned to face me for the last time, and waved goodbye.