章 226: Plan and execute
With only a day left, Anna, as promised, visited Lillian to help her out.
The two left home together already in the late evening, intending to come up with a perfect plan.
**
"I thought you were planning to help me. Why are we here in the first place?" Lillian shouts at the very sight of fancy drink that Anna ordered for herself.
The drink itself looked posh and grand, with seasonal fruits, whipped cream, and chocolate chips decorated on top to the base- vanilla milkshake.
"And, you ordered this monster shake. Can you even finish it by yourself?" Lillian said, peering at the delectable shake in front of her.
"I can. Firstly, we are here to discuss this confession you are planning to do. Tell me what you have in your mind?" Anna asks while sipping into her delicious drink.
Lillian pauses, collecting her thoughts, she answered.
"I meet up with Giselle and then take her out to a nice restaurant. I treat her to a decent meal, and then we go for a walk, and I confess-"
"Boo, you suck, and Giselle rejects you. How unromantic can you be, Lilly?" Anna remarks.
"What?" Lillian yells in discourage.
"Let me guess! you watched a few romantic movies and came up with this boring plan, right?"
Lillian couldn't react as it is clear that is what she did.
She admitted.
Taking another sip along with a spoon full of the toppings, Anna continued talking.
"That is why we came here first, for you to tweak your plans slightly to give a more appealing atmosphere for Giselle. After all, this is your first time experiencing romance in life, so you need more help than anyone. I won't say that your plan is bad, but it might scare Giselle. If I recall, she did decline your invite at first. So if you give an environment that requires Giselle to be cautious, it will add pressure to the mood. You don't want her to feel wary if you are planning to confess your love."
"I agree," Lillian consented.
"Gift, you can convey your love with a present. Make it interesting and something she likes. That way, you can express your feelings to her without making her feel awkward."
"Gift! Isn't that too basic too?" Lillian mumbled under her breath.
Anna lifted her finger to point Lillian.
"You two have a history already. Remember, you rejected Giselle first," Anna recalls.
"You don't have to rub it,"
"You two are on terms as friends now, and I'm sure that Giselle secretly still loves you, which means she is hiding it deliberately."
"Why would she do that?" Lillian doubts from Anna's explanation.
"Fear, Giselle is afraid of losing you again. Hence, she chose to lay low with her genuine feelings for you."
Hearing it out loud made Lillian smile brightly.
Anna hissed, remarking that she never thought that a day would come in her life to watch Lillian act shy and so in love.
"Do you have any idea for a gift?" she asked.
Lillian took time thinking about coming with a perfect gift that can express her feelings truly and show how much she cherishes Giselle. Giving her space, Anna concentrated on devouring the monster shake.
**
Slurping the last few drops of the sweet drink, Anna waited.
It appeared that Lillian sincerely thought about giving Giselle a present, which can reveal her love.
"I got it," She finally spoke.
"Good, now, we can go shopping and get that present dolled up for your girlfriend,"
"I already have it," Lillian tells.
Anna blinked from the response. If it is a gift, then it should be something purchased outside. Also, what Lillian owns are non-romantic objects. Therefore, when Lillian admits to having posses the present already, it made Anna worry that this plan might fail.
"Lilly, we are talking about romantic gifts. Are you sure the one in your mind is romantic enough to impress Giselle?" Anna questions in doubt.
Lillian assured her friend not it worry as the gift is the most romantic thing Lillian can come up with in her entire lifetime. Anna gaped from hearing it. She requested Lillian to share the details, but Lillian denied it, saying that she can only share it after delivering it to its new owner.
Anna pouted from the suspense.
"It is an item that I already possess, so I only need a box or so to wrap it up- wait, I don't even need to gift wrap it. I can give Giselle the present, myself," Lillian thought.
Anna watched Lillian trying her best. It made her feel happy, as well as proud.
Also, if Lillian already decided what to give and even has it ready, then there is no purpose for the two to shop anymore.
Anna sulks from the sudden turn of events.
Noticing her, Lillian suggests that they don't need a reason to roam the streets. She also thanked Anna for coming up with a good idea. It saves both money and time since Lillian can focus on the place she plans to take Giselle for a nice meal.
She invited Anna to check out a few places nearby and their ambiance.
Anna happily agreed to it.
Both spent the rest of their time, visiting the restaurants and occasionally trying cafes. It doesn't necessarily have to be a restaurant for hanging out.
***
Melanie summoned Giselle at an emergency, asking her to run for an errand to the supermarket. She needed a few ingredients necessary for tonight's dinner and so, requested Giselle.
"Where's Gigi? Ask her to go," Giselle pleads.
"Gigi went out to meet her friends. It is only for this time, Giselle." Melanie begs.
"Mom, dad hasn't come back yet?"
"No,"
"Mom, I don't want to go. Can you wait until Gigi returns?"
"What are you saying? The market is only a little far from here. Plus, if I wait for your sister, it might get delayed. Why are you suddenly refusing to help? Please, Giselle,"
After resisting a lot, Giselle finally gives up,
"Alright, only this time and you owe me for this,"
"Fine. Now, here- in case, if you forget the items."
Melanie gives her a list with items names on it to purchase and some cash.
Giselle leaves.
..
It wasn't that dark, yet Giselle felt lonely going out alone. It used to be Gigi, who often goes out to do an errand for Melanie. Only on rare occasions do Giselle accept the job. However, it isn't like she hates to help her mother. Giselle gets only approached when both Gigi and Eric are unavailable.
Nonetheless, Giselle's mind has been all around these past few days, getting stressed in and out.
She walked faster and reached the mart. Only after entering, she could relax. Without wasting a second, Giselle went to purchase the items listed by her mother.
**
Exhausted finally, the two drove back home; Anna dropped Lillian at her place.
Stopping in for a small chat, Anna advised Lillian what to do and what not.
"Are you sure we did something useful? I assumed I would help you, but it looks like there is nothing we did today except for the location hunt!" Anna moaned.
"Stop it. You did give a great idea and help me to choose a good place to take Giselle. It is me who should feel grateful to have you as my friend."
"Thank you very much, Anna, for your kind service."
Lillian bows respectfully.
Anna patted her head gently and lifted her face to see Lillian grinning in joy.
"You look happy, Lilly. I'm glad you were able to find love," Anna uttered.
Lillian's grin only got broader from the comment.
"Ah, I forgot to ask you about important stuff!" Anna recalls.
Lillian blinked curiously.
Closing in the distance, Anna leaned next to Lillian's ear and softly whispered.
"Lilly," She summons, her eyes sternly staring at Lillian's.
"W- What is it, Anna?" Lillian sweats from the sudden change in mood.
"If you like Giselle, then you are not straight anymore?" Anna asks.
She never meant it with any ill intention, but let alone to clarify.
"Hmm… Now that you ask, I did think a lot about this. If I'm in love with Giselle, then does it make me gay?" Lillian pondered next to Anna.
Both stood with a serious expression on their faces.
"I don't think so," Lillian returns her answer sincerely.
"Oh, which means you are attracted to guys too?" Anna queried.
"Yes, it is not like I hate the company of the male gender," Lillian admitted.
"So, Giselle has to keep an eye on you, I guess," Anna teased jokingly.
"Hey-" Lillian poked Anna for being rude.
"I am only stating the truth. Anyways, so you are attracted to both genders, I believe," Anna guessed.
"I think so too," Lillian replied.
"Bi-sexual! How convenient to have a wide variety of choices. I'm jealous," Anna whined randomly.
"I don't have boys and girls lining up to confess their love for me, Anna. Just because I'm attracted to both genders doesn't mean that I'm at an advantage here. You shouldn't be jealous. After all, even as straight as hell, I never dated until now,"
Lillian explained.
The two indulged into their girly conversation, ignoring the surrounding.
Only after clearing each other doubts did Anna chose to leave. She wished Lillian all the luck and requested to let her know the result. Lillian agreed.
Sending off Anna, Lillian drew in the fresh cold breeze. Her lips curved up naturally, looking at the night sky. Ever since she got the positive signal from Giselle, her heart kept racing. She knew it could only calm down after her confession.
With all hopes and desires, Lillian Grey went inside.
***
Due to the sudden rush, the supermarket got crowded near the billing section, which caused Giselle to run late.
Leaving the store, Giselle noticed the time. She got pinched from how long it took for her to pay for the items. Melanie is already informed about the delay.
Giselle tried calling her sister, but Gigi is still hustling outside. Having no other choice, she decided to hurry back.
The walk back home takes fifteen minutes, and within the first five minutes, Giselle sensed the strange presence following. She felt as if someone is watching her from afar.
Overlooking it at first, Giselle continued moving only until another few minutes she still sensed this alien presence continued trailing her. Giselle was sure that someone is stalking her secretly. She stopped from moving further and scanned the area.
Although not crowded, a few strangers were passing by the streets, nothing offbeat from the usual setting. After a while of examining the surrounding, Giselle affirmed that there was no human lurking in the nightfall. Finally, she resumed walking.
Within a few distances, Giselle's phone buzzed. It was in her pant pocket. With both hands occupied, Giselle stopped once again to answer the call.
She placed one bag on the ground and took out her mobile to answer.
The phone whirred nonstop.
However, looking at the screen and the caller's name, Giselle flinched. She hesitated to answer.
Unable to attend, Giselle stood arrested to her feet, until eventually, the call ended on its own.
Exhaling to her herself, Giselle relaxed. Even without running miles, Giselle panted from the contact.
Soon after calming down, she lifts her head to glance around for fresh air. Despite the darkness, it was refreshing to be outside. If she were to face the same situation while being in her room, then Giselle would dwell in the aftermath of neglecting the calls.
Without giving a rest, Giselle's phone whirred again. Startled from the sound, Giselle looked at the screen to find the same person calling her.
Giselle feared.
She is powerless to do anything at the moment other than ignoring the call. Swallowing the cold breeze, she muted the phone first from making a noise. Watching the screen in full panic, Giselle remained.
"How long do you plan on ignoring my calls, Giselle?"
Giselle overheard the voice and turned around to check.
"I was hoping that you would pick up the call at least now since you sensed me following you for a while!"
The voice spoke again, scaring Giselle.
Terrified of it, Giselle glanced around hurriedly to locate the person. She couldn't discover until a shadowy figure emerged from only a few steps behind her. The streets divided into various routes, and so, this person was able to hide easily without getting detected.
Giselle's body froze, seeing him in front of her.
"After all I did to make you leave, you chose to stay, huh?" Diego spoke.
Her face drenched in sweat. Giselle got terrified of meeting Diego in person.
She wanted to run away but couldn't. The intense aura that Diego emitted intimidated Giselle from budging an inch. She got stuck on the same spot, unable to move her limbs and escape.
Giselle felt her completely petrified of this guy right now, and she knew that he is not happy to see her or he wants to sit down for a chat.
クリエイターの想い 
ljack_ace
ljack_ace Happy Thanksgiving to you guys!
I'm grateful for all of you who enjoy reading my novel.
I plan on telling all these stories that I created.
I hope that we can share this journey and have fun all along.
Last year, I didn't have anything, but right now, to see you anticipate the updates makes me happier. It doesn't matter if it pains, I will make sure to take proper care and write for you to read and enjoy.
Life is meant to be explored and not to take it as a competition. Live your dream and work hard. Help each other and spread the love.
I sincerely thank every one of you for giving me your love and support!
Smile, and enjoy life!
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