章 43: Boy From My Past II
The park has changed a lot, it seems more comfortable than the last time Mai was there. Children are seen playing there while their parents sit and chat on park benches which are shaded by vines. There are also more trees and grass, making the garden look shady and beautiful, but still, there is an uncomfortable feeling when Mai sees it. Although this is the second time Mai has seen the garden after knowing what happened 12 years ago.
"That's the place where the accident happened, the place that scared me," said Mai quietly.
Ivani was silent, looking out towards the garden. She felt sorry for having said the wrong thing even though she didn't know anything.
"Are you sure you want to go back there? Do you want your memory back? That might not be fun." Aaron said, he glanced at the garden in question. The garden also had an uncomfortable effect on him.
"Of course. I have to know, I have to remember more," Mai said without hesitation.
Riven also glanced at his cousin as if to say 'are you sure about this.
"Okay... It's up to you then," said Aaron.
"Thank you... I owe you. I have a feeling this time I'll remember everything." Mai said she felt excited.
"Great," said Aaron.
"I'm screwed then," he whispered.
Riven who was sitting next to him rolled his eyes and pretended to be watching the road.
"What do you say?" asked Mai.
"No...it's okay," said Aaron.
Mai also frowned. It felt like he heard Aaron say something.
"Yeah... Already... Remember, we're here for vacation, have fun, don't always talk seriously. Let's just enjoy our vacation, okay?" Riven interrupted.
Riven had a feeling this would not end well. Their vacation will be a mess if Mai manages to get her memory. What would the girl say if the child who traumatized her was the one who would help her get her memories back?
Why did Aaron agree to help her anyway?
If Riven had known about this earlier, he would have refused this holiday event in Bandung. Maybe they can go to Bali or Lombok instead.
"That's right... That's later, I've also bought groceries for the barbeque party. We can have fun tonight, just imagining it makes me hungry," said Ivani.
Even though Riven and Ivani tried to lighten the mood, it was still awkward. Mai and Aaron were like confused people whose minds were out of place.
Ivani can understand Mai's attitude but why is Aaron also joining in. Does this have something to do with Aaron's previous disapproval of a vacation to Bandung?
Not only this time Ivani felt strange. From the start, Aaron's attitude was strange towards Mai. Sometimes Ivani caught him stealing glances at Mai with a look that Ivani couldn't explain. Aaron also seems to care about Mai and wants to help Mai to get her memories.
Is it possible that Aaron has a crush on Mai? Ivani had tried various ways to attract the man's attention but nothing worked. The man she had a crush on even seemed more interested in her own best friend. But... It's not like Aaron has gone back to his ex. Ah, Ivani is getting dizzy.
-----
Two-story Villa Porter in a classic style with white paint and blue railings. The yard is wide and Riven says there is a swimming pool beside the house. The house was like a palace in a fairy tale and Mai felt deja vu when she set foot in the courtyard of the house. Mai looked around her and she couldn't shake the familiar feeling.
There's something about this house, - she thought.
"Why Mai?" asked Ivani who was confused to see her friend was silent like a confused person
The house is very luxurious. Ivani just gaped. Even though there were eight of them here, it felt like the house was still too big for them.
"I think I've been here before." Said Mai.
"Hah?" Ivani said, she looked confused.
"Your aunt's house is not far from here, maybe you've seen this house," Ivani said again, she felt it was natural.
Mai did not answer, she stepped into one corner of the garden in the house. Aaron watched her as he unloaded their suitcases from the car. Danny, one of the housekeepers, greeted them, lifting their bags inside.
"There should be a little basketball hoop here." Said Mai.
"She's right," Riven whispered to Aaron.
There was indeed a small basketball hoop in the corner, where Riven and Aaron had played basketball when they were little.
"Has she been here?" he whispered again.
"Just peeking from the outside," Aaron said quietly.
"This isn't a good idea. I bet she'll remember everything." Riven said quietly.
"That's good, isn't it," Aaron said quietly.
"Just tell her the truth," Riven said quietly.
"I can't just suddenly say everything, Riv. It will blow her mind. I need to be careful." Aaron said quietly.
Riven took a breath.
"If you play with fire you'll get burned," Riven said quietly.
"I've already gotten burned," Aaron said quietly.
While the two cousins were still arguing in whispers, Mai looked around the courtyard and garden in the mansion, slowly her memories of the house returned.
"That kid lives here. I've seen him play basketball in this yard," she said. Aaron and Riven immediately gasped.
"Are you sure?" Ivani said, who had been listening, asked.
Mai nodded slowly.
"That means...." Ivani said as she turned to Aaron and shuddered in horror.
Mai once told to Ivani that the child was Caucasian, had brown hair and eyes. The only Caucasian son of the owner of this house is Aaron. The hair and eye color are the same as well as age-appropriate and he had an accident in Bandung, although Ivani doesn't know what the accident was.
"Has the villa been rented out?" Mai asked, Mai's question took Ivani by surprise.
"Oh yeah... It used to be... It was a good business. But not anymore, it looks like it wants to be sold," replied Riven.
Aaron elbowed Riven's waist, this villa was never rented out let alone planning to sell it. Riven winked at his cousin as if to say 'let me handle it.
"That kid and his family must have rented this place, my mom said they were on vacation here. I doubt you guys know." Said Mai.
It happened a long time ago, Riven and Aaron were kids back then so they probably didn't know anything.
"I think I found the traces," Mai said, she looked disappointed. Meanwhile, Ivani was silent.
"Yeah, that's hard... There are a lot of people renting this place. It's hard to remember but we'll try to find out," said Riven.
"Is that true?" Mai said, her eyes immediately sparkled.
"Of course, what's not to you," Riven said.
"Thank you," said Mai happily.
"Eh, Von, let's look inside!" Said Mai while pulling Ivani's arm, eagerly inviting her into the villa.
"Why aren't the others here yet?" The word Mai refers to Thomas, Boban, Eddo, and Nica.
"Looks like it's still stuck in traffic," replied Riven.
"They'll be here later." Said Riven again. They too had been stuck in traffic, risking leaving during the day but luckily Aaron and Riven knew a shortcut.
The two girls went inside but Ivani briefly glanced at Aaron, her eyes suspicious. Mai was too innocent, she didn't even suspect that the child was most likely Aaron. This coincidence is too strange.
"Don't worry. I told Danny to remove all the family photos, we're safe," whispered Riven to his cousin.
Aaron frowned.
"If she saw your childhood photo she would probably know," said Riven again.
Aaron let out a shaky breath, Riven was right he was playing with fire and he was about to get burned.
-----
Mai was surprised to see the contents inside the villa, the luxurious furniture and displays are also spacious. Really like a palace, uh no, like European houses in the 18th century, even this house also has a fireplace but still has a modern touch.
This house has a TV complete with a home theater even though the model is quite old, a minibar, and a kitchen with a large refrigerator. The fridge was full of different types of drinks which seemed to be freshly filled but no alcohol, they were all non-drinkers but the minibar seemed to be there. Mai doesn't understand things like that. The life of the rich is different.
Soon Thomas, Boban, Eddo, and Nica arrived. The atmosphere of the villa, which was rather quiet, turned lively. They continued to tour the villa. There are five rooms in this villa, two rooms below and three rooms above, excluding rooms for servants, workspace, library, and a playroom filled with children's toys. Girls take one room downstairs and boys take 2 rooms above because one of the rooms above is the main room which will automatically be occupied by Aaron and Riven.
Mai immediately contacted her mother as soon as she finished packing her things, she also didn't forget to contact Aunt Puspa. She was forced to report this so her parents wouldn't worry.
"I'm allowed to go to Aunt Puspa's house, later this afternoon," said Mai to her two friends.
"Well, we're going to a barbecue, tonight." Ivani reminded.
"Just a moment, I'll be back before 6 pm. So my dad won't be fussy." Said Mai.
"Yes, you have gone there. Eh, should we just go with you? How, Van? For a walk," suggested Nica.
"Whynot," said Ivani, she agreed.
"You want to come with me?" asked Mai. Ivani and Nica nodded.
"Yeah, so I'm not alone!" exclaimed Mai happily.
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awisantoni
awisantoni Here is today's chapter guys. I hope you all like it. Let me know what you guys thought. I love hearing from all of you. Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful day :)
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