Lilac

Chapter 3

Skye and Allen had another meal at Eliza's café. On the side, Eliza was an excellent server. She was patient and diligent with each customer, including them. They were seated in a good area of the café, overlooking the town, similar to the seat that Allen was able to get during his first visit, which was not so long ago.

Compared to other customers, they had stayed the longest time, and yet Eliza had not inquired or expressed concerns. Skye had stared at her the entire time, intrigued. He thought of many scenarios so they could have a chat, but he didn't want to sound pleading or nice. He wanted to express his frustration and bitterness. He needed explanations and answers, and he swore he was going to get it no later than today. However, the day seemed to be ending soon, and the thought left him crossed.

"Excuse me, sirs." A man had approached the table, and Skye did not notice him until he spoke. "My mother would like to speak with you…in her office in the back of this store."

Skye looked at Allen, and by the look of Allen's eyes, he understood "the mother" would be none other than Mabel Sandoval. Allen glanced at his watch. The old woman appeared to have been disturbed in her sleep, seeing it was nowhere near lunchtime yet. Eliza had called out for help.

Allen stared at Skye as if nudging him with his eyes. His eyes turned to the man standing by their table and then back to Skye. Skye finally got up, but not before taking a glance at the bar where Eliza stood with her back turned to the crowd. It annoyed Skye still. Anyway, her very existence annoyed him.

Skye followed the man, and Allen followed him. They went through the front entrance, and to the area where the inn was. It appears Mabel's hut was situated literally behind the café. Skye and Allen were sure there was access from the café to her home, but they were sure Mabel would not want them to know where it was and how to go through it.

"Hello, gentlemen. Good day!" Mabel greeted them as they stepped into a room that smelled of roses, humidity, and curiously a hint of mint and charcoal. She was smiling wide at them as if they were guests she had been waiting for a long time now.

Skye, by instinct, went to Mabel and gestured to kiss her hand. Mabel gave her hand, and Skye did as was expected.

"Bless you, child," Mabel said. "You must be Skyler."

Skye gave her the slightest nod. He didn't realize until then that having to proclaim himself to her would be embarrassing. Mabel stared at him for a while as she made some nods as if understanding the situation completely. "It's been a year, hasn't it?" She said in the same manner Tony would ask a similar thing to him. Skye could then tell they were siblings in that sense. They were both great actors to their advantage.

"Yes, it has," Skye replied.

"Don't tell me you never had someone while she was away," Mabel teased, laughing after what she said to Skye with eyes on him. Skye was not the least bit amused. It had, on the other hand, made his mood sour.

"I'm not like that," he said. "I take my responsibilities seriously."

"You have no responsibility for her. You and her, you're both single, legally, right?" She said, turning to the other person in the room on Skye's left, who could only be his assistant, Allen. "You're not married. You have no children together. I suspect you never even slept together." She said with her eyes turning back to Skye.

Skye turned to look at Allen, and Allen understood it to be his cue to leave the scene. Mabel followed with her eyes Allen as he walked out. The other person, Mabel's son, crossed his arms as if in warning.

"With all due respect, we are engaged to be married," Skye said with a tinge of annoyance in his tone.

"She doesn't believe you're still engaged," Mabel said in a matter-of-fact tone.

He stared at her for a moment as if she was mad. "We never broke up. She–" Skye's face hardened as he gritted his teeth.

Mabel watched the play of emotions in the young man's face. "Why?" Mabel asked. "Why would you do all this? Tony has given you everything you needed—a job, money, clients. Why? What else do you want from Eliza?"

Skye stared at Mabel, surprised over the enumeration of material things that appeared to be what he wanted. Why would he be here? Because he wanted her. They were supposed to marry. He was keeping a promise. Why would she even ask?

"Never mind," Mabel said, as if putting a period to their conversation. She then turned to her son. "Aidan, can you help these men to their room? You can give them the vacant one on the first floor."

-----

The turn of events left Skye astonished. He had not planned to stay at the inn where Eliza would be within reach. He had not planned to speak with the mysterious aunt in a rather calm manner. Heck, he had not expected to be offered a room to stay in. He was sure Eliza would run away, or her aunt would eject him from the vicinity. What an interesting turn of events.

He contemplated whether he should go back to the diner where Eliza would still be, serving customers. He looked up, realizing Allen's eyes had been on him for some time now.

"What now, boss?" Allen asked when their eyes met.

All the perplexing open-ended events that happened just now were forgotten. Yeah, what now? This plot twist was unexpected.

Skye turned his back to him and checked his bag. He had brought Eliza's diary with him. He thought about whether he should take it to her or Mabel. But somehow, now he started contemplating burning the book. He now felt embarrassed having the damned thing with him. Reading someone else's diary was not a behavior to be proud of.

He pulled the diary out of the bag, and he did what he would usually do on a boring day—read the diary over and over again.

"For now, let's rest," he told Allen, without looking at him. He had made a beeline for the bed by the window. Allen just stared at him as if he had gone mad. He took a deep breath and started fixing his stuff to the cabinets.

As Allen picked up his phone, Skye remembered his phone. He had to tell his mother he wouldn't be home for a while. He got up to get back to where his body bag was and pulled out his phone. There were five missed calls from June. It had been a while since he saw her name on his phone screen.

He dismissed the notifications and dialed up his mother's number.

While Skye stayed more frequently in the home of the Sandovals, he kept in touch with his mother. Since he lost his father, she had been by herself. He didn't mind being at home, but he preferred to sleep in Eliza's room.

"Mom, it's me. What are you doing right now?"

Sylvia's voice was quiet and sounded worried, but she responded to her son's query right away.

"I heard you went to where Allen found a person that seemed to be Eliza," she then said when Skye became quiet.

"It is Eliza," Skye confirmed, recalling his dear Eliza's face, which had become firmer and sterner than he last saw her. Her features were the same, very adorable, but the air about her had changed.

"How is it?"

"I haven't talked to her. I missed the chance. Her aunt made sure I wouldn't be able to do so today," Skye said.

"Her aunt?" Sylvia repeated. "Which aunt?"

"Mabel Sandoval," Skye said.

"Mabel? There's a 'Mabel' in the family?"

"It's a long story," Skye said. Then there was a thudding sound coming from outside. Since it was sounding quite close, Skye turned to look at Allen, but he was busy texting. His heart began thudding. If it was so close, it could be someone using the room upstairs. The thought that the person in the room right above him would be Eliza elated him.

"Son? Are you there?" Sylvia's voice pulled him back to the earth.

"Yeah, mom, I think I'll be away for a while. Sorry," he said. "I have to go."

"What? Skye—" the voice of his mom trailing off, shattered his momentary bliss into pieces. The breaking of her voice sounded like Uncle Antony and Aunt Mabel just now. It perplexed him.

"I have to go," Skye repeated, and he hung up. He looked up to find Allen now staring at him, looking concerned, and then he turned his eyes back to his phone.

June…

Skye was sure all the chances he could have been given just now would be shattered into pieces if Eliza found out he and June were still in touch.

Allen suddenly walked to him, showing him his phone screen. It said "TL June" on the header. The line of messages in the box showed "Where are you?" "Are you with Skye?" "Please answer my calls."

Skye moved his hand and chose some buttons on Allen's phone screen. He had blocked June and then deleted the entire conversation.

"Boss!"

"Why would you even keep in touch with her? She resigned a long time ago," Skye said. "You don't even need any referrals from her. I can give you ten more referrals if you need them."

"That's not the point," Allen said. Skye looked up at him, surprised that Allen would look flustered. Allen sighed hard.

"What—" Skye was cut off when Allen turned his back to him to go back to his stuff.

Skye contemplated Allen's back, confused over his assistant's expression just now. Allen had not shown a bit of interest in his personal affairs, no matter how intriguing it could be for outsiders. It was the very reason why he chose Allen. Allen had more interest in finding out the truth than dispersing information he knew.

-----

The next day had also been rather quieter than Skye expected. The Aidan person who had called him and Allen over to Mabel's hut yesterday called them over again for breakfast. The elder woman woke up early to join them for breakfast and most probably for some conversation.

Skye figured if he turned down the invitation he would have problems with approaching Eliza in any way later.

Mabel was easy to speak with. In that sense, she was much like her brother, Skye thought. Allen was allowed a smoke break after he finished his serving of breakfast. Skye had quit smoking half a year ago, but the situation made him ache for a pack.

"What's your plan, Skye?" Mabel finally said, leaning her arms on the dining table. "You plan to ambush Eliza or something?"

"I want her to come back home with me," Skye said.

Mabel stared at him for a moment, the same look she had yesterday. "You see, I feel conflicted about this because Eliza, a year ago...she came to me, seeking help. She told me that she broke up with her fiancé who cheated on her," she said.

"She misunderstood," Skye said, standing his ground. His heartbeats became erratic, but he was sure about himself. He was sure about his feelings. He had not done anything wrong to her or their relationship.

Mabel stared at him with a stern look and a hint of annoyance, if he was not wrong.