Chapter 33：Ah! Busted! (1/2)

As my consciousness trudges through the darkness, a song cuts through it, forcing my eyes to open blearily.

It's the ringtone I've assigned to contacts that are in my immediate family.

I'm still at Jett's!

Groaning, I roll my body off the bed and search for my bag that's probably beneath one of these pieces of clothing that were left strewn about from last night.

I finally find my bag underneath my bra and jacket.

Looking around to see if Jett's still in bed, I end up answering the call since he doesn't seem to be there.

I guess he got up early?

”SISSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!” A shrill voice blasts through the phone. I wince and pull my head away to keep my eardrums from rupturing.

The screaming has stopped, so I have deemed it safe to place my ear on the receiver again. ”Llana, are you trying to blow my sense of hearing out?” I let out a sigh.

My lovely and very clingy sister, whines, ”SISIIII...!!! I haven't seen you since we got you from the airport... We barely talk on the phone either!”

”I'm so sorry, Llana. It's been way too crazy. It'll settle down for a bit now, though...” Guilt consumes my heart at the moment for not being better at keeping contact with my family. I miss them a lot, and I really should see them soon.

”HAH! Whatever! If you don't come and see us for dinner tonight... I really won't forgive you!” She responds while sounding very miffed at the situation.

I don't blame her at all for feeling that way, to be honest since I wasn't able to give them much time for like the past two months or so.

Just as I am about to say yes, the door opens, and a voice calls out to me.

A voice that unmistakably belongs to a male.

”Rysia...?”

Uhhh... Crap! I hope Llana didn't hear him. She hasn't reacted yet, so I guess she hasn't.

I try to move further away from the door. In a poor attempt to block most of his voice out, I cover the phone's receiver with my hand.

Without noticing that I am on a call, Jett continues to talk casually. ”So, you were awake already?”

”I'm making breakfast. Why don't you join me?” In an almost chirpy tone, the man that is clearly in an excellent mood invites me excitedly.

... Uh oh.

”Sisi...? Was... Was that a GUY JUST NOW?!” A shrill scream erupts from the phone speaker. I wince and move the phone away as far as possible.

”Oh? What's happening? Did you get a call?” Jett comes even closer to me as he obliviously continues to ask me questions.

At this point, even if I had wanted to lie, there's absolutely no way out from this now.

I can no longer say that it was just the TV or something. Jett! It's all your fault! Huhu...

In a panic, I silently motion to him to keep his voice down even if I've already been caught.

With a look of amusement on his face, he just smiles snidely and makes his way to go out the door.

It looks like I need to follow him out later on my own once this call ends.

I let out a sigh and bring my mobile phone to my ears once again.

”Llana... that was Jett. I'm at his place,” I tell my sister before she bombards me with questions. There was silence at first, but she speaks after some time.

”My dear sweet Sisi, as punishment, you are to bring Jett with you to our family dinner date. You've got a lot of explaining to do. I won't hold you up now since we'll be seeing each other real soon.”

My eyebrows arch as I wasn't expecting that reaction at all. Hmm.

Before I could hear the notification that indicates that the call has ended, I listen to another voice complaining about the extra person I have to take along with me.

My dear and charming young sister Llana didn't even bother asking for permission, and now... blah blah, the call ends, and I could not hear the rest.

I sigh again and rest the phone on my lap.

Scratching my head, I'm wondering if I should even tell Jett about this.

Eh.

I think it should be fine, I guess... it's not like they've never met before.

I'm sure my parents will be thrilled to see him again.

Okay. I need to go. Jett's been waiting since earlier.

...

As I get closer, I hear some clattering of utensils and dishes as they're being set on the table.

To add to the atmosphere, the scent of brewed coffee lingers in the air, and it proves to be quite calming.

Gentle sunlight filters through the blinds, and it illuminates the entire kitchen.

I squint a little towards a figure and see that it's Jett. He's standing by the table with a bright smile on his face.

”... Why aren't you sitting?” I ask him, puzzled.