Let the Light Begin

Chapter 9: The Wings of Time

Today is the first day of being an independent woman. I hope I can prove that I can. I told grandma that she didn't need to give me an allowance, but she sent me an email about the money that I had when my parents died. I didn't open it and still wanted to have my money on my own, but she insisted I use some of my money for the things that I need for my new apartment. After doing all the chores, I asked Zyreel and Jenlyn if they were free today. Gladly, they said they were. We will decide to meet at the mall.

I was on my way to the mall when I saw a wallet. I opened it, and it was Gill's. He must drop it here, and he didn't seem aware of that. I will bring it for today if he calls. I am now on my way to Zyreel and Jenlyn. I think they were together, and they will call me a while ago. What a coincidence. Since the mall is near, I went immediately. I waved my hand because I immediately saw them outside the mall waiting for me.

''What's up? Why do you need us to join you here in the mall?'' Zyreel said.

''I need to buy some things for my apartment,'' I said. I know they didn't know that I now live in our villa.

''What did you just say, Annie?'' Jenly said, and they looked shocked,

''I have my new apartment now. It's just my grandma's birthday gift.''

''And why on earth didn't you tell us about that? How come you have your new apartment?'' Zyreel said.

''I will tell you the whole story, but first, let's have to eat. I didn't have my breakfast a while ago.'' I said, and they agreed with me. We went inside and found a place to eat. And now I am debating with myself whether I will tell them about what happened yesterday or not. If I do not tell them about it, they might be angry with me. I'm sure they will know it with Gill, and they will bombard some questions about what happened, so I will tell them everything later.

After we ate, I told them what had happened, and they were all shocked. At the end of

the story, Zyreel and Jenlyn are both crying. ''Why didn't you even tell us that you had a problem?'' Zyreel said while wiping her tears.

''I also have space for a room for you. You should have told me!'' Jenlyn said.

''I don't want you all to worry, and I wanted to leave by myself. Don't worry, guys! I am safe in the apartment that I am living in right now. You can drop by later after buying all the things I need there. For now, you can help me with the furniture that I'll be needing for my apartment. Is that okay with you?'' I said, just for them to calm down. They'd love to choose my furniture if I knew, since they are both excellent at designing rooms.

''Hell yeah! I love it! Let's goooooo'' Zyreel shouted, and everyone again looked for us.

*Annie's ringtone.*

''Annie, your phone is ringing. Actually, it's still ringing and ringing. I think it's important. Go on, answer it first.'' Jenlyn said. I didn't know that someone was calling my phone. Maybe I'm too occupied with the story that I told them. I look at my phone, and it's Gill. I answered it.

‘’Gill? I’m sorry that I didn’t answer your phone immediately.’’

[''It's okay. I was wondering if my wallet was in there? I might drop it somewhere in your apartment.'']

''Yeah! I have it. Actually, we are here in the mall. Why don't you come and get it here.''

[''Who were you?'']

‘’I’m with Zyreel and Jenlyn’’

[''Okay, just tell me where you are in the mall. I'm on my way.'']

''Okay, Gill, take care!''

‘’You too!’’

I immediately dropped my phone, and they both looked at me. I looked at Zyreel and Jenlyn like 'what' look, and they just both shrugged. What just happened? Instead of thinking about what they are thinking, Zyreel just grabs me at a furniture store and looks for the things I'll need.

''I didn't know that you and Gill were that close,'' Zyreel said.

''He helped me move out of my apartment,'' I said. I didn't tell them that part. That's why Zyreel is asking.

''So that explains a lot.''

''We are just friends. I know where this is going.''

‘’Are you sure? Friends?’’

''Yes,'' I said as fast as I could. I can't see myself having a crush on Gill.

‘’What’s all the commotion there?’’ Jenlyn said out of nowhere

We are now looking at the outside of the furniture store, and all the staff are

there. I saw a familiar man looking at us and walking in our direction. All the teams are bowing at him, welcoming him as if he is the owner of this store. What is that, Gill?

''What is that, Gill'' Jenlyn said?

‘’That explains the name of the store,'' Zyreel said.

I looked at the store's name that we went to: Rosales Furniture. So he is the owner of this store. He is now standing in front of me, smiling, with his white cap, black pants, and a polo.

‘’Hey’’

I snapped and looked at him, and the people around us were looking at me. They were all whispering about us.

''Ahm, I didn't know you were a star,'' I said.

‘’I’m sorry. So what do you need? I can help you with that.’’

''She needs everything that she didn't have in her apartment, Gill,'' Zyreel said.

''Hi guys,'' Gill said.

''Oh, you see us!'' Jenlyn, with her teasing voice

Gill just scratched his head. He insists on telling me what furniture I will be. We spent almost 5 hours looking for the things. I bought all of them. Gill said that they are the ones who will deliver it to my apartment later if we are going to my apartment. Since it's still early, we decided to go to the mall's arcades. Zyreel and Jenlyn wanted to play bowling, basketball, archery, and billiards. Since we haven't experienced it yet, we are all excited about playing all of it.

''This is amazing!'' Zyreel said.

‘’How did you know this?’’ I asked Gill, since he is the one who gave this idea.

''Well, I am always here with myself when I am with my dad looking at the store. I am always bored, so I just came here,'' He said and grabbed me at the basketball station. Jenlyn and Zyreel were in another station playing archery.

''Do you know how to play this?'' He said while I was looking at the basketball.

‘’ I know how to play it. Do you want a bet?’’

''Sure, I'm on with that!''

‘’If I win, hmmm'' I am thinking about the best dare, but I can't think of anything else

‘’What are we betting on?’’

'' We will eat street food in a place that I know!''

''Okay! If I win. Let's go out of town this summer'' I suddenly blushed at what he said. But I don’t want to lose!

We started the match, and everyone was looking at us. The game is so smooth. I scored 48, and Gill scored 46. The more time that we played, the more people were looking. I scored 50, and he scored 52, but suddenly, in the last beating time. I just heard everyone's dissatisfied sounds as he scored 55 and I scored 53.

''Ha, you lose. Don't forget our bet!'' He said. Looking at his reaction, he is excited about what will happen in our bet.

''That was so intense, Anne!'' Zyreel said. If they only know what the story is behind that game

‘’GIILLL!!’’ We are all shocked at what happened. Zyreel and Jenlyn looked at me with a question, and I just shrugged because I didn't even know what had just happened.

‘’Alex? What are you doing here?’’ We just looked at them, and Gill looked irritated.