Truyen2U.Net quay lại rồi đây! Các bạn truy cập Truyen2U.Com. Mong các bạn tiếp tục ủng hộ truy cập tên miền mới này nhé! Mãi yêu... ♥

Seven

A/N: Hello everyone! Here is the last update for this weekend.

The picture above it what the town looked liked. Whitefish, Montana USA. 

Why I chose this place? There were a lot of choices, and this view in particular gave me a sense of what my imagination depicted where these characters lived. And also, it is such a lovely view. It was my wallpaper when I started writing this story.

_____________

The next day, my buzzing phone woke me up from an uneventful sleep. I groaned in protest before patting underneath my pillow where I last placed it. When I got it on my hand, my strained sleepy eyes tried to read the caller I.D., the person responsible for making my morning miserable.

"Kyle, before you judge me on how this situation would sou..." Luke's frantic voice trailed off on the other end of the phone, perking up my interest.

"Give me the phone, Luke! If you are playing with me here, I'm not as forgiving as my Aunt!" a familiar spunky female voice yelled faintly in the background.

"Just give me a moment to explain it to him why I'm allowing you to take this call," Luke defended, his voice sounded distant.

"Guys, I could hear you," I mumbled apathetically, knowing no one would hear me.

"Kyle! Kyle! Is this you?" The female voice screamed, making me flinched away from the ear splitting sound.

"Cristine. You know we're on the phone, right?" I grumbled after she calmed down.

"That is the only way for you to talk and listen to me. And I'm expressing my frustrations. I'm pissed that you didn't tell me about that infamous spouse of yours!" She yelled again, making me pull away from the phone.

"I'm not going to tell you anything if you continue screaming at the damn phone," I scolded.

"Fine," she murmured in defeat. I could hear her heaving in annoyance across the phone. "Where are you right now? And why didn't you call right away? I couldn't believe that you had to wait until I read the magazine to find out my own brother..."

"I have to stop you right there." I interjected, grunting slightly as I sat up on the uncomfortable comforter. Even with the thick blanket and the newly bought pillowcase, it still felt like sleeping in gravel. "I apologize for not telling you anything. But cut me some slack. I went through a lot after that ordeal."

"I know, Kyle. I'm sorry that I wasn't there with you when it happened. I should have realized what that witch was doing. As a nosy sister, I should have realized it sooner." She sounded overwhelmed and feeble.

"Nobody knew it was happening, Crissy. And being the one person she goes home to everyday, I should have realized." I countered, trying to pull her out of misery. "We didn't know. No one knew except her." My voice trailed off into a whisper.

There was a beat of silence before she probed again. "Kyle, where are you? Luke won't tell me a thing."

"I don't want to tell anyone where I am at the moment. I hope you understand that decision, Crissy. And don't bother Luke. I owe that man more than my life now." I warned. My voice regaining back it's strength.

"You trust your secretary over your own sister," she feigned disbelief. I heard her suck in a breath to add drama.

"When one's sister is as nosy as she implied, then yes, I trust Luke over you," I remarked half-heartedly and tired to lighten the mood.

"Ah!" She exclaimed in irritation from being outwitted.

"Could I get my phone back now? I use that for work, you know." I overheard Luke's faint pleading voice in the background.

With a sigh of defeat, I rubbed my face with my free hand. "Crissy. Please give Luke back his phone. And I promise, no lies here, that I would call and tell you everything."

There was a definite pause on the end of the phone. I had to pull it away from me to check whether I was still connected. When I saw the number on the lower right side of the screen still going, I placed the phone back on my ear to listen. And in a few seconds, I heard my little sister's huff of defeat.

"Fine! But if you don't keep your promise, I'll continue to peskier Luke until he would tell me where you are," she forewarned grimly, accepting her defeat in this round.

I tried to hide my enthusiasm on winning this argument. But the smile plastered on my face was already a given. "Thank you, Crissy."

"Don't smile now. We are still going to talk about this soon," she informed.

"Right. Well, take care little sister. Talk to you soon." I interjected before she could negotiate another deal with me. Once I said a brief goodbye, I ended the call.

I lay back down on the poor excuse of a bed, grunting at the solid-like material. As my eyes were about to close, I felt my phone vibrate again. I groaned in annoyance as I picked it up. I was readying myself for another round with my sister when I saw a different name on the screen. With a jolt, I sat back up and answered the incoming call.

I cleared my throat before greeting. "Hey, morning."

"Morning. I'm sorry if I called in early. Is it too early?" Her bewildered voice created a reaction to my stomach. But I was having doubt if that was the reason or because I didn't had breakfast yet.

"No. It's not that early. I just got up myself," I replied and assured her. Lenna had a higher octave tone on the phone from her actual voice, which I noted at the back of my mind.

"Good. Have you prepared for the trip later?" she asked, sounding a bit hesitant like it wasn't the question she supposed to ask.

"Yes. I got myself a pair of boots and the whole outfit ready to go."

"Will you be packing any food? I advise that you don't. It will be my treat today," she continued to murmur in thought.

"I would only be bringing water, if it is alright with you." I teased to lighten the mood.

"Water is fine. I would pack some extra food. Three grown man in this trip, one of you would end up whining about food with the exception of Gavin, of course," she countered wittily.

I blinked and processed what she said. "Three? Who are going in this trip, if you don't mind me asking?" My voice sounded a bit alert. In my head, I was praying she wouldn't be saying that one name come out of her mouth.

"My cousin Archie and Gabe, plus you. Why? Did you expect someone else?" she asked in confusion. For a second, there was a brief pause between us when she understood my concern.

Before she could clarify anything to me, I interjected. "No. I hadn't expected anyone to be joining this trip actually. I thought it was your way of asking me out," I playfully implied.

"Ha! I think I shouldn't have nursed back your ego last night. It seemed it's in full alert today," she remarked back, her tone playful as well.

"It was never gone. I just let you doubted it."

I heard her muffled chuckle across the phone.

"If you are backing down now, I'm not the one who initiated this call. You did. So, don't blame me if I sounded like I was hitting on you," I tried to sound hurt by her comment.

"My apologizes. I won't be calling you again," she sourly replied, though I knew she was teasing.

"Sorry. I don't want to sound like a prick. You made it easy to tease you," I quickly apologize before she could end the call.

"Apology accepted." From the light tone on her words, I knew I hadn't crossed the line.

"So, where are we going today again?" I hastily changed the topic.

"At the mountain resort. Do you where it is?"

"I have a vague idea where it is, but I'm not so sure about my gut feeling."

"Just admit you don't know where and I might actually offer you a ride?"

"Really? Took you long enough to actually ask me. I appreciate it very much," the thick sarcasm on my voice made her chuckle again in amusement.

"You're really not ashamed being arrogant, aren't you?"

"No. It's a sign of confidence rather than arrogance. And I feel insulted by that comment," I acted offended.

"Right, I apologize, " she trailed off with a defeated sigh. From the light tone of her voice, I knew she was smiling. "Shall we meet at the bakeshop?"

"Sure."

"Good. Then I shall see you there in two hours?" she asked rather than stated.

"I will be there."

"Okay. See you later, Kyle."

"See you, Lenna." The sound of my voice saying her name echoed. There was a brief paused before the lined died. I pulled the phone away from me and stared at it for a second. I tried to suppress a growing grin on my face but failed.

I called in the store to check on Benji and asked to take today off. Since it was a Sunday, he was going to open the store for half a day - which he had forgotten to tell me yesterday. He wouldn't need my assistance. Once that was cleared, I checked my watch and saw I had an hour or so before the meeting time. I jumped out of my bed and headed towards the bathroom to shower. It took me a good half an hour to dress and packed up for today's event. So I decided to walk to the bakeshop to fill up my time.

From the house, it was a good fifteen minutes walking distance. The sun wasn't fully out and fall was close. The chilly morning wind wasn't a good company if you hadn't drunk anything warm before stepping out. For my case, I was fully clothed and prepared. Though in my head, I think it would be melancholic to be going anywhere with this weather.

"Morning," I greeted as I entered the bakeshop.

"Good morning too." If I remembered correctly, she was the head baker, Beth Leighton, as what written on her nametag. She might also be the owner of the shop from how Lenna acted around her. "What can I get you in this fine morning?" she asked as I approached the counter.

"Can I get some coffee and two bagel's please?" I asked while pulling out my wallet.

There was a definite pause on her end. I looked up out of curiosity and saw her studying my face.

"Are you Luke's cousin?" she asked with familiarity.

"Ah, yes."

"And your surname would be Bailey as well?" she asked with interest.

"Oh no. My mother is the sister of Luke's father." I stiffly replied at the quick lie.

"I see. You looked really familiar, dear. What did you say your surname was?" she probed with budding interest.

"Ah... it is... Uhm..." I stuttered from her sudden attack. I blinked and tried to keep my composure while coming up with fake name.

"Beth. Leave the poor boy alone. Can't you see your intimidating him?" a deep voice called out across the room. It was the man who intimidatingly threw off Stephen on my first visit here. From what I remembered the prick called him, it was Roland.

"I'm not. I was merely asking his name." Beth defended and turned to me in disbelief. "I wasn't intimidating you, am I dear?"

"No, no. You weren't. Though I hadn't thought that I would be greeted with an interrogation," I replied while trying to act like a victim.

"Goodness. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I was just interested about the new guy in town, which Lenna seemed a bit entranced..." she trailed off in thought but stopped before she gave out any more details.

From the twinkle on Beth's eyes when I reacted to Lenna's name, she noticed something I hadn't gotten myself into understanding.

There was brief silence in the shop before Roland interrupted. "I'm sorry for not introducing ourselves last time. I'm Roland Leighton and this is my wife, Beth. The Wilde's and Bailey's was a family friend. So if you need anything around here, don't be afraid to come by the bakeshop for help."

I watched stupefied as the intimidating man turned into mush in front of me. It took me a second to recover and accepted his handshake.

"Nice to meet you. And thank you for the offer. I appreciate it."

"So, what can we do for you this morning?" he asked, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"A coffee and two bagels, please," I repeated my order again.

This snapped Beth from her inquisitive state and quickly punched in my order. After I paid, she skipped towards the coffee machine to start up my coffee. She swatted her husband's arm and commanded him to get the bagels I ordered.

I watched in delight as the married couple interacted. In a few minutes, Beth served the food and drink I ordered by the window seat where I waited. For a second, I felt nervous for staying. If she decided to have interrogation round two, there would be anyway for me to not answer. But then new customers came in and out of the shop. It kept them busy from minding my business.

As the meeting time came around, I noticed a silver truck parked by the door. My eyes continued to watch as the newcomers got out of the car. And as the people piled out, a smile slowly plastered on my face. On the driver side, Gabe got out looking equip from the chilly weather. On the front passenger door, Lenna's cousin, Archie, jumped out.

My eyes didn't linger long on my other companion and studied on the passenger getting out on the back seat. Lenna helped Gavin out of the car before closing the door. She wore a navy denim from head to toe and hiking boots. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, showing more of her facial feature that was slowly growing on me.

The group easily spotted me as they entered the store. There was a quick exchange of pleasantry with the owners before they greeted me. I watched Gavin squirmed out of Lenna's arm as he went around the counter and jumped into Beth's waiting arms.

"I see you are early," Lenna remarked as her eyes wandered in my direction.

"And I see you barely got here on time," I bluff tapping my watched for indication.

"Kyle, glad you made it." My attention turned towards Gabe who stood behind the group. I noted in the corner from the corner of my eye Archie heading towards the back of the store.

"Thank you for allowing me to join you on your trip today, Gabe," I greeted back formally.

"I see you already had breakfast. I hope we won't be taking too much time from you if we eat before heading out," he stated as he headed towards my table.

"No. It's okay." I gestured towards the empty seat on my table, offering it to him.

Gabe pulled one of the chairs across from me, giving a spit second to glance at Lenna who had taken Gavin away from Beth while they briefly chatted. They excused themselves when another batch of customer piled in the store. With Gavin in her arms, Lenna headed towards our table and took one of the chairs beside me.

"So what would be the agenda on today's trip? I presume you've made some sort of itinerary for today," I slyly teased as Gabe took Gavin from Lenna's arm and settled him on his lap.

Lenna turned to me with a grim smile but didn't point out how I sounded. "No. I didn't make anything but I do know that we will be taking the lift and slide down the mountain." Her voice slightly pitched higher as her attention turned back to Gavin, who was already grinning from ear to ear.

"Yehey! Slide!" The little boy squealed in delight.

"If you're up for it Kyle, you can go biking with Archie and I," Gabe offered as he adoringly ruffled the kid's hair.

"Biking?" I sounded hesitant.

"I think that would be fun." Lenna commented.

I peered up at her before replying. "Okay, I would take it into consideration."

"Have you tried mountain biking before?" Lenna asked. Her voice had a hint of mockery to it.

"Sure. What would be the difference if you aren't on plain ground?" I inquired vaguely to no one in particular.

"The ground won't be plain," Gabe replied out of courtesy.

"Okay? And?" I persisted.

Before anyone replied, Archie arrived with a full try in hand. "I got breakfast."

"Archie, Kyle doesn't know the difference between regular biking and mountain biking?" Lenna looked up toward him with a slight gleam in her eyes. She was enjoying my oblivious state.

"What?" Archie stared at me in disbelief, his hand halting mid-air as he placed the plates on our table.

"I didn't say I don't know the difference. I said what would be the difference," I rephrased her question and defended myself.

Archie quickly finished placing all the food and signaled to give him a second. He hurriedly returned the tray and jogged back to our table. He took the last empty seat and positioned himself in my direction.

"Where were we?" Archie asked again after taking one bite of his sandwich meal.

Beside me, Lenna cut her potion in small piece before feeding a forkful to Gavin. The little boy grabbed a baked potato from Gabe's plate while he was taking a sip of his cup of coffee.

"Mountain biking," Lenna replied in my stead.

"Does he already know it won't be on plain ground?" Archie inquired.

"I'm not stupid," I mumbled in testament.

"Says the man who doesn't know the difference," Lenna teased before she started eating.

"You'll like it if you like heart beating excitement and a whole lot of deathly turns... I advice for you to not make any breaks going through the speed bumps – well, they aren't much of a speed bump than a small hill jumps..."

"I only heard death trap from that description." I interjected dryly.

Lenna covered her mouth as she started to choke in laughter. She grabbed a glass of water and drank half of it's content. It was animated seeing her do it. Gavin seemed to like looking at his mother laughing as he started giggling himself. Gabe smiled at her, but his expression held a deeper emotion rather than amusement. Even if it was for a second, it caught my eye.

After Lenna cleared her airways, I promised not to kill her with laughter in return to not mock me if I wasn't familiar with mountain biking. If they knew what I had been doing for most of my life, which was going to business school and running a multi-million dollar industry, I wouldn't have the time for outdoor activities. Even at thirty, the only time I had a proper vacation was when I was a kid and my parents took us to our vacation home at the Hamptons. Being rich doesn't mean I had the time to travel around the world. It might be one of the reasons why she had done what she did. I was a workaholic. There was never a time I spend to take her anywhere.


Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen2U.Com