Chapter 4 Why donst you sign the modelling contract? (1/2)

Ryn dropped her bags and sighed tiredly. After days abroad she was back home. Her parents were not at home, as usual. According to the note stuck to the wall, they were following their friend's suggestion for another project. There was even an envelope of money for her pocket money. Even though she was getting a lot of jobs, they still treated her like a child - a grown-up independent child who still needs money from parents.

She sat on the sofa and closed her eyes. It was a tiring but she was satisfied with her work. Yes, it was frustrating with 'him' trying to talk to her, but she focused all her attention on her job.

The ringing of the phone woke her up from her nap. She did not even realize she had fallen asleep. She must be more exhausted than she thought she was.

She replied the message from her manager. Then, she pushed herself to stand and walked to her room, bringing along her bags. Maybe today she would just eat outside. She was still exhausted to even cook her own meal. But she had the strength to go out.

Weird.

She took a cab to go to the nearest shopping complex. Her hand rubbed her stomach as she planned what to eat. Burger? Steak? Noodle? Rice?

”Ryn?”

She glanced backward when her name was called. She was on the way to her favourite restaurant.

”I thought I saw you. We saw you on the stage. Wow.”

Ryn gave them an awkward smile as Rebecca babbled. It seemed like she had to wait more before she could eat.

”Where are you going?”

”Erm… actually…”

”We're going for bowling after the meal. Why don't you join us?”

”Erm…”

”Come. It's going to be fun.” Without waiting for Ryn's answer, Rebecca pulled Ryn's hand.

Ryn sighed. She just wanted to eat alone peacefully. But it seemed she couldn't do anything to stop them.

They entered a fast-food restaurant. They had to put two tables together to fit everyone. Ryn waited at the table first while the others buy their food. Although she was not close to them, she did not mind spending time with them. She needed to learn to be socialized…. Again. She almost forgot how she was used to be.

”You never told us you're joining the show,” Erine asked as they were chewing their food.

”It was a last minute thing. I thought you all know.”

”No. Do you?” everyone shook their head.

”I guess I gave you all a surprise. Erm… surprise?” Ryn laughed awkwardly.

No one laughed with her.

So awkward. She cleared her throat and drank her drink. Her cheeks reddened.

”Anyway, have you heard that Ms. Ong and Mr. Lee were caught alone in the second music room,” Rebecca started to gossip.

”Ms. Ong? I thought she said she would rather be with a cat then be with Mr. Lee.”

”I know. Apparently, when the cleaner found them, they were half-naked.”

All gasped. Ryn especially leaned forward. Her eyes sparkled. She had no idea who Ms. Ong and Mr. Lee were but the way Rebecca telling about them, both lecturers were quite popular.

”I guess she finally accepts him.”

”The big question right now is whether his sons accept her.”

Ryn's head kept turning as she listened to them. Fascinating. Guess she missed a lot by being quiet.

They spent the time chatting and laughing. She even forgot her exhaustion and spent the day having fun with them.

When she got back, she learned a lot from her new friends. So many interesting things happened in the university. It was funny because she was in her third semester and now she just had the mood to get to know more about the place she was studying.

Oh well, better late than never.

*-*-*

”Don't worry about us, sweetheart. We're happy here.”

Ryn rolled on her bed and squeezed her eyes. How could she be angry when her mom's voice sounded so excited?

”I'll call you back, sweetheart. Don't push yourself too hard. Bye.”

Ryn tossed the phone to the bed and went to the kitchen. She planned to finish the leftover food she bought in the mall. Stupid jet-legged. It was getting late and her eyes were still wide open.

She washed the dishes. Then she started cleaning the house. Luckily for her, she had two days off so she could just re-charge herself.

It took her several hours to finish everything. She rubbed her hands happily as she looked around the place. She loved it when the place was clean and sparkly.

She skipped to her room, satisfied with her work. It was time for her to catch her sleep.

She checked her planner for the last time, and then laid on the bed. It was almost 10.00 pm, way past her sleeping time. She yawned a few times. Already her eyes were heavy with fatigue.

And then the phone rang…

At first, she wanted to ignore it, recognizing the number although she had deleted his number in her phone. Then she changed her mind and answered it.

”I miss you.”

Just those simple words made her heart tremble. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.”If there is nothing you want to tell me, don't call me again. We're though.”

”Wait… wait for a minute. Don't you… don't you think you're being hard for us?”

”Goodbye.” She disconnected the call and put the phone down. Four days with him… it did not feel this hard. Those days were filled with shooting and eating… just having fun. She did not let herself alone with him. She always made sure she was surrounded with the crew.