章 24: 24 Strong Perfume

October, having received a message from this person really made her happy and excited which could be definitely be noticed on her bright green eyes. It seems that this person was coming home in City D for the first time in the whole 6 years. She immediately tapped on her phone to reply. After confirming of when she'll pick up her childhood friend from the airport, she then looked out of her window with a bright look on her face. She was looking forward to their meeting.

"So, October, what have you been doing while I was away?" Elise asked then drank her wine as they waited for their food to arrive. She started a conversation with October, knowing that this person was not the type to open up a conversation first in the 5 years they have known each other. October was the type that can disregard anything and not talk at all for hours. However, she can't stand it and she also felt like there was some kind of a wall between them. How can October still be so distant with her even after in their years of friendship?

"Just...working." October replied nonchalantly as she continued to stare outside without touching her wine.

"Anything out of the ordinary happened?" Elise asked just to keep the conversation going. She was used to October's short answers and was already not bothered by it although she sometimes felt troubled on what to talk about next.

"..." October was silent; however, her eyes lost its previous brightness.

Having not heard any answer or even utter a single word from October, Elise looked up from her wine glass and noticed the change on October's atmosphere that was heavy and kind of...sad? Elise then tilted her head in wonder and she was also intrigued as to why she felt like October was giving off such a vibe. Was she mistaken? Was she just overthinking? For October to express such feeling obviously was really unheard of.

Elise knew that she won't know the answers unless she asked the person herself. Putting her wine glass down, Elise pursed her lips and decided to push October for an answer, "So something really did happen, right?"

October, hearing Elise's question, turned her head and looked down on the wine in front of her. However, she still didn't give Elise a definite answer making Elise a bit frustrated of how October was only giving her a silent reply.

Elise looked hard at the downcasted eyes of October and felt that something really went wrong or so that's what she thought. No matter how much she wanted to ask October about what could've happened, she knew that October won't budge and will continue to be silent.

Letting out a long sigh, she folded her arms over her chest and, with deep concern in her voice, told October, "Fine. I won't pursue this issue even though I am dying to know what it was. However, please do know that I am always here for you whenever you needed anything. I'm your friend. I care about you, okay?"

October blankly looked at Elise, though her eyes were really sharp as it looked deep into Elise's eyes as if seeing through the person's thoughts. Seconds later, she blinked her eyes and nodded her head, "Yes, I know. Thank you, Elise."

October picked up her wine and was about to drink it when her phone beeped. She then stopped and put her glass of wine down. She was wondering if there were other things her childhood friend forgot to tell her. She quickly opened her phone but it turned out that it was a message from a person she least expected to receive.

Without feeling much, she leisurely opened the message, "My daughter, it's almost your precious brother's birthday. We are expecting your presence there, especially my dear husband, your father."

October's eyes sharpened as she read the message. She was really feeling disgusted at how this woman always calls her "daughter." It was really vexing to the core. She unconsciously tightened her grip on her phone as if wanting to crash it with her bare hand, enough to make her hand shake and turn her knuckles white due to her strong grip. She was on the verge of throwing her phone hard on the wall and let it crash into pieces.

Elise noticed the change on the atmosphere around her and immediately looked at October. She saw October shaking on her seat while staring hard at the phone on her hand. She frowned at how heavy and icy her friend's demeanor was almost to the point of making her shiver.

Who could have messaged October that made her so upset like this? However, she decided to just close her mouth and act as if she did not see and notice anything. Although she was frustrated at this, she can't do anything about it. Maybe, one of these days, October will open up to her. The only question is, when will that be? Will that day even come?

October, on the the other hand, closed her eyes for a moment in order to collect herself and control her emotions. She then opened her now rippleless eyes at the same time her atmosphere turned back to being calm and apathetic. She put down her phone and decided to just let it be for now. She will deal with it at a later date. She glanced at her wine but was already not in the mood to drink it.

October felt like all of her will was tested all day long, especially for the fact that she has to deal with this headache she was experiencing that was caused by Elise's perfume. It was already getting into her, but she has to endure it though she was already almost at her limit. She also has to stop herself from covering her nose least Elise will misunderstand something.

October really felt weirded out. It seems like some things were changing on her body, especially her breasts that seems to swell. And now, her sense of smell seems sensitive these days.

"Excuse me, ladies." The waiter said as he started to put down the food that Elise have ordered. Having to wait for a good 30 minutes or so, their food finally arrived.

Elise looked at the food in front of her and was already satisfied. Food presentation itself was already delicious. She has to really give it to the restaurant that had a good reputation for years. She was excited on how it all tasted.

The waiter bowed and walked away as he finished serving the food on their table.

"It smells great." Elise commented as she smelled the food. She looked up toward October and said with a big smile, "Thanks for this treat."

October nodded as she stared at the food in front of her. It at least covered much of Elise's strong perfume so she was really relieved with it. Finding that the food was tasty and she herself was hungry, she started to eat.

Both silently enjoyed eating. October already ate at this restaurant; however, at that time she was not able to taste much of their food for she was more occupied at the fact that she was sitting on Lexus' lap and that he was feeding her.

Now that she was here for the second time and was eating normally, she finally found that their food was amazing.

After a couple of bites, October went to get a side dish and ate it, yet she started to feel so nauseous...she wanted to vomit. She frowned and hastily put down her fork and covered her mouth with her hand.