After long hours of flight, Novie saw the private plane landing, her eyebrow creased when she saw some people wearing a big jacket and the gloomy weather.
Peyton said that they are going to Vegas, but she still had her pajamas on and nothing, the luggage Daniella prepared earlier was left in the car.
She was sitting in a cream leather chair while coffee was on the table, Daniella and Peyton are sleeping on the small bed squeezing their body, Daniella had her legs wrapped around Peyton's body while the woman spread her body all over the bed. The two were snoring so loud that Novie needed to wear a headset.
She found another person laying in the other bed but she's not sure if it's someone she knows or not; the person had a blanket all over the body blocking the face.
Novie sighed and looked at the window, she saw some employee busy running around despite the cold weather. She wanted to call Ken but Daniella already planned everything including taking her phone.
(I will call him later) she said to herself.
When the pilot announced that they have landed, Novie got up to wake up Daniella.
"hey. Wake up, we are here", she tried to shake their body but none of them moved, they are like dead sleep.
She shut her eyes
(Seriously you two drag me here and you can't even wake up) she complained inside.
She had so much problem. Her work, parents, Ken and she also forgot to inform Malvin that she can't make it, again.
When she was about to wake them up again. The person sleeping in the other bed moved, Novie looked at its direction and widened her eyes when she realized it was her friend Mila.
"Ah!!!!"
Mila and Novie screamed at the same time, and just like her, the girl was also wearing her pajamas.
They run and embraced each other, her tiredness disappeared.
"what are you doing here?" Novie asked as she pulled herself away from Mila.
The woman looked at her with pouted lips.
"that two women showed up in my room" Mila reply with one finger pointed at the two women sleeping on the bed.
"don't worry you're not alone. They did that to me as well. So, do you have a dress we can use" Novie asked her, hoping that she can change her clothes before they leave the airport.
Mila shook her head and sat on the bed.
"what are we doing here? Suddenly those two grabbed me from my bed. I was so scared" Novie could see Mila's skin shivering. She imagined Mila's fear when Daniella took her.
After some hours of driving, Novie and the others arrived in the hotel. Daniella booked a luxurious room with four rooms.
Novie slumped her body on the soft bed and sighed, she reached the telephone on the bedside table and dialed Ken's number but it was out of reach.
--
Novie went out with Mila while Daniella and Peyton went somewhere. They went to the buffet located on the rooftop.
As they left the elevator, Novie wrinkled her eyebrows when she saw a familiar face.
(Mr. Castro?) She exclaimed inside.
"Hey I think that's the school principal" Novie whispered to Mila while their feet walk to the buffet.
Mila handed her a plate and looked at the direction her eyes were focused.
"Oh! wow, that's a sight." Mila blurted and bumped her shoulder.
Novie rolled her eyes and ignored Mila's tease. After getting the food, they looked around and saw an empty table next to John
When Novie turned to Mila, her face shifted in flat, the woman was giving her a playful smile.
Since there's no empty table aside to the one next to John, Novie and Mila march to its direction while she silently prays that John will not recognize her, especially with their previous conversation, she doesn't know how to face him.
"Novie?"
(Damn it!!!) Novie curses inside while her lips form a fake smile.
"Hi, Mr. Castro" Novie put her plate on the table and extended her arm.
"I told you to call me John when we're outside" the man smiled widely while accepting her hand.
Novie gulped and chuckled. "well... I don't want to disturb you so I will start on my food" she faintly said hoping that John will understand the meaning behind her words.
"ok. But can I talk to you tomorrow? I really want to talk to you but I got busy so... can we talk maybe after lunch?" Novie gulped, her eyes focused on him and without knowing, her lips parted to say yes.
The man's face lightened and immediately went back to his chair.
"I am so dead" she murmured as she picks up the utensil.
–
The next day.
Novie entered the cafe next to the hotel she was staying after she and John agree it to be their meeting place. She was wearing a pink furry sweater and paired it with black jeans and ankle boot. Because of the cold weather she needed to wear a jacket Daniella provided. Thankfully, the woman already planned everything including their clothes though she still wonders about the dress Daniella gave her, it was a strapless black long dress with sequin.
She roamed her eyes around and found John sitting by the corner; she marched to his direction while her mind was fighting if she should treat him nicely or not.
John stood up and pull a chair for her. She smiled and sat down.
"What would you like to order?" John asked while a bright smile stretched his lips.
"I'll get Macha-latte thanks" saying that John waved a hand in the air, and the waiter came to take their order.
"so it really surprised me to see you here" John started.
"Me too," Novie replied she had her eyes gawking at the table, avoiding his eyes while playing with her fingers.
John informed her of the reason why he's here. He said he visited his grandparents and meet with his friends whom she saw dining with him yesterday.
Novie listened to John as he shared all the previous job he had, she found out that being a principal was not his dream but he pursued it for some personal reason.