Lost & found: Where did Seb go?

Chapter 3: Late Night Talk

It was midnight when Lola was awakened by the noise coming from the balcony just a couple of steps away from the room she was sleeping in. She was staying in Sebastian's room. Cristian tricked his brother and made Lola stay in Sebastian's room without his consent just because he doesn't want to be kicked out of his own room. Lola found it childish at some point, but Sebastian simply gave up and chose to sleep on the couch in the meantime. She stood up and slowly tip-toed to check who was making the noise outside in the middle of the night. She slowly opened the door that was connected to the balcony area. She found Sebastian setting up his telescope.

Sebastian noticed Lola, lurking behind him. "Did I woke you up?" he asked. "Yeah," she answered honestly. Lola went outside to check up on him. She shivered, feeling the cold midnight breeze. "It's cold here, Seb," she pointed. He agreed and went inside his room to get Lola a jacket. "Here. Take this," he said as he handed a jacket to Lola. She took it from him and wore it. Lola stayed silent as he continued setting up his tool. "It's a perfect time to find a planet," he murmured. Lola leaned on the balcony walls and stared at him, immersing herself in the sight the moment was giving. She never thought she could still enjoy such a view that was all about him after all that happened.

"Did you know what my Mom named me when I was still inside her belly?" Sebastian started talking about his mom all of a sudden. Lola was surprised as she was trying not to talk about his mom as she still noticed pain in his eyes. But she decided to help him ease the pain. She thought, 'If that's what makes him feel good, then I'll listen as long as he wants to talk about her'. "What did your Mom named you?" Lola replied. He smirked and said, "Mars. She called me Mars." Lola figured to let him open up to her. So, she just nodded to let him continue, whatever it is he wants to say. But Lola laughed at the thought of him being called Mars. "Imagine, me, Mars? Maybe that is the reason why I'm into them. These stars, these planets. They remind me of my Mom," he sighed. Then, he stopped looking at his telescope and looked up to the sky, trying to navigate something. He also continued setting up the telescope.

"Come and take a look at this," he showed Lola the star he was looking for. She slightly bowed down and looked at it as instructed. "That is Mars." Lola was mesmerized by the sight she was looking to. She then looked up and pointed to the planet she saw. "That's Mars? Wow," she said. Sebastian nodded. "So, what made your Mom change her mind? Did she tell you anything about the reason behind Sebastian?" she added. He scoffed, thought for a second, and replied, "No, but I'm glad she did not go for the Mars thing. I can't imagine being called one." Lola smirked. "I got something more to call you now. Mars," Sebastian simply smiled and replied, "You know, I'm starting to feel remorseful for telling you something about myself". "What? No. I love Mars. I love y-" Lola was taken aback by her sudden reply. She thought it was not an appropriate pickup line to say. "Whatever you say," she added.

Sebastian told Lola to stay indoors and go to sleep. The temperature was getting colder and colder. Lola tried to help him bring his tools but he refused and initiated that she should go back inside. Left without a choice, Lola agreed and followed Sebastian's instructions.

When Lola woke up, nobody was home. Both Sebastian and Cristian left for work and school. It was passed eight o'clock in the morning when she got uncomfortable by the sun rays cooking the right side of her face. She saw Sebastian's note, pinned on the overhead cabinet, written "I had your breakfast ready, Milady." Sebastian was obviously trying to mock her. Lola snorted and went to the fridge to get a cup of cold water. She noticed a full meal covered on the table. It was a hotdog, egg, bacon, and toasted bread with a strawberry jam jar on the side. She smiled but later realized to make up a plan to make them come back to Inswei. She saw Sebastian's letter again and got pissed. She decided to make sure he won't make fun of her during her stay. She took her time eating her breakfast and got satisfied by it. She was pissed knowing that she loves Sebastian's cooking skills. Feeling competitive, she decided to start a war between them where she will be the to be hailed as the winner.

Lola checked the fridge to check for anything possible to be cooked. She was disappointed when she found nothing inside the fridge. She wonder how Sebastian was able to make something delicious out of scratch. She then planned to visit the market and buy some food to restock the brother's fridge and start making something to be proud of. She also decided to ask the brothers about anything they would want her to buy but later realized that the two doesn't have a phone to reach out to. Lola sighed, a sign of giving up.

Before heading to the market, she called her mom. She informed them about the current situation. "The boys are not planning to come back, Mom. They think there's no reason to. They have already adjusted here and are settling here for good." Catherine's jaw dropped at her daughter's news. "Oh, Were they thinking about their father's debt? There's no need to, your father and I paid for everything a few years back. That was why we were looking for them for years, Lola," Lola was surprised. She never knew everything about it. "You did? You mean, Seb and Cris were hiding for nothing, all these years?" Lola thought they wasted a lot of opportunities for the brother and felt bad for them. "Why didn't I know anything about this, Mom? For five years, I hated him thinking he doesn't want to see me anymore. But it's in fact, the otherwise. And now you're telling me, all their efforts hiding was useless?" she added. Left speechless, Lola couldn't believe what she heard. She then bid goodbye to her mother.

On the other line, Catherine was left dumbfounded. Lola had a point.