HAUNTED BY THE HANDSOME GHOST

Chapter 9

Unfortunately, today she was occupied with so many things in college...

Some of the schedules and classes that she had to follow were so hectic, that she instantly forgot about what she was going to do with those weird dreams.

In collage, Maddie took part in various classes until the afternoon. She didn't want to be left behind because she was very excited about her study here.

In this place, no one seemed to bully her anymore .

In this place, no one saw her as if she was a disease.

Maddie was very grateful to be able to live her new life in a positive environment like this. For that, she must doing everything whole-heartedly.

When it was time to go home, Maddie decided to walk on foot like she always like it.

“Maddie!…Wait!” Someone called, not too far behind her back. She looked back and saw Hans rushing towards her.

Maddie smiled and waited for him. Hans quickened his steps almost running towards her and finally ran.

"You walk so fast..." He said panting.

“I don't want to get home when it's dark…” She looked up and relief when the sky was blue and no dark clouds anywhere.

Also, she was used to walking fast. She has been doing this for years and becomes a habit for her. Because she had to walk away from people who stare at her and gossip about her as a child who brings bad luck in the village. Not to mention if she met some kids who like to bully her.

Maddie took a step back when she saw a grinning Hans. A flash of memory from her previous trauma went back to her mind. She was on guard, what if Hans finally act the same way like those people where she used to live?

They just met for the past few days and Hans seemed like a nice guy. But she already had trust issues. Better to be wary than sorry before place our trust in someone else.

Just like what her cousin did to her...

Hans who saw Maddie's reaction became a little awkward.

"Err.. I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I have something to say…" Hans smiled feeling guilty.

Maddie took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She smiled at him and tried to think positively. A little guilt grew within her, for Hans who actually didn't do anything but she already thought of him as someone with bad intentions.

Well… It's just part of her self-defense…

“You don't need to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong…” Maddie said trying to lighten the mood. "So, Hans, what’s up?"

"Yeah, uh.. it about the welcoming party... I heard from some other friends that we will need our plus one to the event... You know, as usual..."

He explained in a hurry. Maddie heard it clearly, but she didn't understand some part of it. Of course, she had never attended such event before.

“Plus one?…” Maddie repeated the word. Her perfect brows furrowed in confusion. In Hans' eyes, she was the cutest girl he had ever met.

“Yeah, like you know, the ball, dance partner, or something like that? But for sure we will be asked about our partner for the night…” Hans tried to explain.

“So… Do you want to come with me? I mean, Loren and Thomas will be going together and it won’t be strange if the two of us pair up, right? So the four of us can stay close together?” Somehow Hans knew a trick that would make Maddie agree with his proposal.

If she heard Loren done it, she would the same.

But in Maddie’s mind, she actually wanted to ask if it was only for man and woman in pairs. But since Loren will go with Thomas she had no other choice. Hans was the only men she ever hang out a couple of times along with their two other friends.

"Okay..." She nodded slowly.

"Okay! Great !” Hans looked so excited, he couldn't even hide his silly expression.

Maddie smiled a little seeing that reaction.

Hans knew that she didn't had any idea that he had a big crush on her. But that’s okay, he would get closer to her slowly. And right know, he smiled like an i***t thinking this was already a good start for them.

"Okay then, I'll get going now. Bye, Hans…” Maddie waved her hand and wanted to turn around when his words held her back.

"Where do you live? Do you want…"

"My house’s not that far, only around here... Bye Hans..."

Maddie beat his words, smiling widely, and walked away. With that she immediately left behind the starring and a little disappointed man behind her back.

Hans actually wanted to chat with her longer or just drive her home to spend more time together. But it was obvious Maddie didn't want to be bothered any further.

This beautiful girl was indeed more introverted and didn't talk much.

No problem, Hans nodded to himself and set his mind on her. He will make everything go smoothly and get Maddie’s heart

**

All the way home, Maddie slowed down her pace and enjoyed the gentle breeze that blew softly. While looking at the beautiful side of orange in the skyline, she remembered the encounter between her and Hans earlier.

Was the way she talk look weird? She didn’t have much experience hanging out with friends her age before. It felt weird for her, but she was trying hard to adapt here. She didn’t want to be a lone girl anymore. At least she had one or two friends to talk to.

She looked around, vehicles and people passing by minding their own business. It’s so lively. After all the loneliness she felt back then. Blending in with the other people like this, didn’t so bad at all.

Even though this day was full with notes and classes that she had to attend. After walking and enjoying this view she could feel a bit relaxed.

It’s a sunny day. A light breeze blowing gently. Trees that stand neatly along the roadside sidewalk made the air fresher.

Not to mention the ornamental plants and flowers that adorn this highway. Despite being in the center of a bustling city, this place was not barren at all. It was actually so beautiful and neatly arranged.

After a few minutes walking, Ria passed a small restaurant that she had visited several times the other day. A small restaurant with the sign "Since 1992" was her new favorite place to eat now.

Apart from having a menu that suits her taste buds, the price was affordable. She walked in and decided order some food for today’s dinner. Two servings of seafood fried-rice at the cashier's counter.

"Got a company for tonight?" Ask the friendly restaurant owner.

“Well, kinda..” Maddie smiled, showing her white, bunny teeth. She decided not to give too much information about this.

However, soon, she engaged herself on a light conversation with her. The owner of this restaurant was so friendly with all her customers who were mostly students. She recognize all her regular customer, including Maddie, that began to regularly ordering some food from her restaurant from the first time the young woman came to this town.

She really likes to chat, Maddie even already knows that this restaurant was a family business. She inherited it from her parents.

After her orders was done, she immediately went home.

**

Arriving at home, Maddie immediately put her food in the kitchen.

It was getting dark. She turned on all the lights in the house except for the room she wasn't using. Not forgetting the garden lights outside.

She rushed to take a shower to freshen herself up. After all was done, she went downstairs to enjoy her dinner. She took one of the meal boxes she ordered and opened it. She coup a spoon and tasted it.

Delicious, as usual.

Maddie then turned her gaze at the other boxes of fried-rice. She actually ordered two portions because she wanted to prove her suspicions.

…and she hoped it is wrong.

During the past week, whenever she cooked anything, it would taste bland. No matter how much salt or sugar she put in it. But, if she cooked for another portion, the taste would be normal.

Maddie once made two small sized puddings to try out her theory. Sure enough, one of them tasted bland. As for the other one, it was delicious, sweet and refreshing as usual.

This time, Maddie wanted to try if she ordered food outside and brought it home. She had already tasted one and this one tasted good. How about the other one?