Chapter 18: Missing Him

"Everything is fine. There is no need for you to worry," I said, trying my best to sound convincing.

"Really?" she asked skeptically.

"Really. We’re just living together in the same suite, but we have separate bedrooms and to be honest, we’re both not interested in each other…in that way. Just as you saw at the church, Hayden already has a woman that he is in love with…" I said.

"I see. That’s good then…" my grandmother mumbled.

"Of course, like I told you, there is nothing for you to worry about," I said, reassuringly.

"What about you?" she asked abruptly.

"What about me?" I asked, not getting what she was referring to.

"You also have someone that you love, don’t you? You know, that guy who came around our shop very often to see you…" she asked.

That’s right. I never got around to telling grandma that I already broke up with him. More accurately, that he dumped me without a care in the world. Ethan, I wonder where he is now and what he’s up to. Sometimes I would wonder if he still thought of me, even if just a little. However, deep down I knew that that was impossible.

"You mean Ethan, right?" I asked. Just saying his name made me want to break down in tears.

I guess time doesn’t heal everything fast enough…

"Yes. Yes, Ethan…" she said.

"Of course, I’m in love with him. I haven’t told him about all that has happened though. When these 30 days are over, we’re going to return to our normal lives. Trust me," I said.

Technically, I wasn’t lying. I was still very much in love with Ethan, although, I haven’t seen or heard from him since the day that the dumped me. However, my grandmother didn’t need to know that. It would just make her worry more about me, needlessly.

"That’s good. I wouldn’t want to leave you alone when I…you know…" my grandmother said with relief in her voice.

The look on her face broke my heart and I hated when she talks about her own death as if it was fast approaching. Although her life is coming to an end, she is still worrying about me above all else.

"Don’t say things like that. I’ll be fine…and you’re going to be with me for a long time," I said as I squeezed her hand comfortingly.

I think it was in that moment that I was inspired to use my grandmother as the subject of the painting for my project. I wanted to capture her in my painting. It was the perfect idea since I wanted to spend time here with her anyways so I might as well spend that time painting her.

"I have this project to create a painting. I was thinking that it would be a great idea to paint your portrait. What do you think?" I suggested brightly.

"A portrait…of me? Really?" she asked, surprised by the idea.

"If you’ll allow it. I think it’s a great idea. I’ll come here to visit and paint you," I said with confidence.

"Sure then. Let’s do it!" my grandmother agreed before smiling warmly at me.

"I’ll bring the materials over tomorrow, and we can start then," I said happily.

We continued our conversation until my grandmother fell asleep and then I left to return to the penthouse suite. My grandmother’s words haunted me. She was truly concerned about my life after her passing. I didn’t blame her, even I’m concerned about my situation right now. However, the best that I could do was survive this 30 day-period, return to my normal life, graduate, and get a job.

I was thankful for the quiet ride back to the penthouse. The bodyguards hardly ever spoke to me unless it was necessary. I used that time in the car to think and reflect. However, no matter how I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking of Ethan, now that my grandmother has brought him back to the forefront of my mind. It’s been almost a year since Ethan broke up with me and we’ve gone our separate ways.

I still didn’t know or understand why he dumped me so suddenly.

From that day he had just completely disappeared from my life. I couldn’t get in touch with him, and I didn’t know where he went. I asked all his friends and our friends from university, but no one knew either. Ethan really just disappeared. I miss him so much and I am still very much in love with him. I know that I have to let go and forget…but I just can’t.

Wherever he is, I hope that he’s happy and living a good life…

"We’ve arrived," a low sounding voice said, cutting through my thoughts.

I came back to reality and looked out of the car window to see that we have arrived back at the luxurious condominium. I rode the elevator up to the top floor silently with my escorts and sighed silently to myself before turning the door handle to enter the penthouse.

"Oh…welcome back!" Auntie called out to greet me immediately when she saw me enter the room.

"Thank you. Hope you had a good day…" I replied back vaguely.

I noticed that Auntie had a conflicted look on her face like she wanted to say something but decided against it. I could sort of guess why she looked that way as I headed to the dining table.

I looked down at the untouched breakfast that I had made for Hayden this morning. It’s early evening now, so the food had gone way past cold. I wish Auntie would just clear the dish away, but she never did. This is such a waste of food…

"I’m sure…Master Hayden was just in a hurry this morning…" Auntie said in a small voice.

I wasn’t sure if she wanted to comfort me or comfort herself. I shrugged as I took the untouched plate for food into my hand. I had expected that Hayden wouldn’t eat the food that I made for him, so I wasn’t depressed or anything like that. However, there was a tiny sinking feeling in my stomach, after all, this was good food, and it was being wasted.

"Of course. Sorry I wasted food like this…" I replied while trying to smile at her.

"Oh no…it’s not your fault," Auntie quickly said as she waved her hand.

"I’ll help you clear this away…" I said while starting to walk towards the kitchen.

"No, Miss. This is my job. You mustn’t do this, you are a lady of the house," Auntie quickly protested.

"Haha…no, Auntie. I’m not…I’m here because I owe the boss a huge amount of money, but I’ll be gone from here in precisely 28 days," I said with a self-depreciating laugh.

Me? The lady of the house…that is completely nuts!

--To be continued…