The uninvited ghost

It is the last day of the year officially. And as promised to his guests, Shane had planned to bring out joy and fun to the New Year's Eve party in his style. Since morning, he had people coming into his house at the Bronx to help him out with planning this jolly party.

Shane had hired an event planner to make this happen, just like he does every year. He ditched having a themed party this year, instead requested to book a local music band to play for the night. Adding to the list were fireworks at midnight, suitable light decorations in the backyard with a variety of stations serving drinks, special snacks bar with a chocolate fountain, fun games, midnight brunch, etc.

While he was busy himself, attending to various calls related to work, family, friends, business, Nicole, the hired event planner, moved around the house, assigning people to their tasks.

In this busiest hour, where people functioned with a serious purpose, Shane noticed a figure traveling like a ghost all around the place, with its occasional presence alarming the peace.

Lillian Grey, the uninvited ghost at the moment, the one who visited him without prior notice, has been going around the house, troubling the people with her requests and disrupting their jobs with unnecessary chatting adjoined.

Shane patiently let her roam at the beginning, where he had no clue that upon her visits to every room or corner, she placed some form of a request to the person working at the spot. He ignored it to his lack of interest, and as this game continued for almost an hour, Shane finally took it to his concern. He put down his phone after talking to a friend and walked around until he could spot the roaming ghost.

Lillian was following Nicole on every spot, persistently. From the looks of it, Shane could figure how much of a disturbance she was to the event planner. As they came out of the kitchen, Shane stopped them with a greeting. Nicole immediately paused to answer her employer.

"How is it going, Nicole?" he inquired.

"So far, good, Mr. Ricardo. Everything will be ready on time," she replied anxiously.

Shane glanced at Lillian, who acted as if she wasn't involved in their conversation. He noticed her being exceptionally reserved.

"What do you think you're doing?" Shane approached her with a question

"What?"

As Lillian blinked in awe, Shane got mad, furious at her negligence.

"You! Let them work in peace. Why are you disturbing them?" he erupted.

"I didn't. I swear. Ask, Nicole."

Shane's gaze returned to Nicole.

Nicole was struggling to pick a side and thus remained quiet until forced to speak.

"Nicole, go get some rest! I'll handle this one," he asked her to take a break, signaling her to escape and not wear herself out.

Nicole used the chance to flee from Lillian's hold and rushed straight to the backyard, where the men were hanging string lights decorations on the trees. However, when Lillian tried to signal at fleeing Nicole, Shane came in between and stopped her from secretly communicating.

Seeing Nicole leave them, Shane turned around and only said two words to Lillian.

"Get out!"

"What?"

"I said get out! You're a nuisance."

"Excuse me," Lillian took an offend to her friend's hurtful swords.

"Why are you here in the first place? Aren't you suppose to get glammed up for your lover?" Shane accused.

Lillian went beet red from Shane's blunt comment. We aren't lovers- yet, she thought to herself.

"You told me to invite Giselle. She doesn't know that many people attending this party tonight, so you better stick by her side, no matter what!"

"I know!" Lillian pledged casually.

"I am going to stick by her side tonight."

Shane took the hint to give a nasty smirk at his friend.

"Someone is already prepared for their midnight kiss!" he teased.

"Stop it!"

Shane pouted his lips to act out as Lillian walked away from him. But, he kept following her this time as the two chased around the house. Eventually, the joked retired from physical exhaustion, and the two rested down to catch a breath.

As they rested at the backyard patio, Shane recalled a detail to his mind.

Lillian noticed Nicole, and so she did. With an awkward exchange of eye contact, Nicole slowly stepped to getaway.

"Oh, you're picking Jenna too, am I right?" Shane asked.

Almost heartbroken to see Nicole being hostile towards her, Lillian sat down on the patio ground, stretching her long legs till it felt good.

"Hmm. I'm picking her first, and then we drive to Giselle's place. I don't want to go there all alone, especially knowing that her parents are going to be there," Lillian informed.

"Giselle has someone else even if I'm not there," she added with a happy gesture, kicking her legs in the air playfully.

Hearing it, Shane strictly warned Lillian, saying that he didn't last-minute invited Jenna for the sake of giving Giselle company. He did it because he felt sorry for her irreplaceable loss this year and genuinely wanted to cheer for her. When Shane asked Lillian if Jenna had any plans for New Year's Eve, Lillian said no. Thus, Shane suggested to Lillian if Jenna could join his party. Lillian gladly gave her consent, and there you have it.

Lillian looked at the time, and only an hour passed since she came to visit Shane. Time was dragging its feet with every minute, and Lillian felt it miserably. She can't wait to meet Giselle tonight.

"Alright, I only came here to request for a few things. I'll leave now." Lillian announced as she knew she can't play around anymore, especially now that Shane noticed her annoying Nicole.

Seeing her in a nervous state and being impatient, Shane couldn't let her go. He invited her to stay over for lunch since it's nearing afternoon soon. It was him who wanted Lillian to leave in the first place, but he cared for her happiness more so that he could accept all the annoyance that came along with the package.

And Shane knew what can make his dear friend Lillian Grey happy, and the answer would be Giselle.

And what perfect occasion than New Year's Eve could do the magic for the two souls who lost their way without ever confessing to each other.

Shane believed in tonight's miracle. And if Lillian ever screws up this golden opportunity, it will be hard to recover. Thus, he didn't want Lillian to leave in such an anxious state. As a result, he invited her to hang out and relax before she's ready to face Giselle tonight.

"What do you say?

While we wait for lunch to get ready, do you want to play some games?" Shane proposed.

Lillian's eyes glistened to his invitation. She knew what he was hinting about. She had got him the latest gaming gear as his Christmas present. Lillian herself had never tried it. Thus, she agreed to this golden opportunity without hesitation.

"Okay. You go first. I'll tell about lunch and join you shortly," Shane informed to step away.

And Lillian rushed her way upstairs at lightning speed.