บท 3: FRIENDSHIP AND MEMORIES: WHAT A JOY! 3

After taking a shower, Joe went to the dining hall with David. The lovely Madame Lila Ji, David's mother, was waiting elegantly for them. Madame Lila Ji is a picture of sophistication and aristocracy. She was renowned in the business world as the woman who never had any strand of hair misplaced. The Madame loves order and organization.

Still, she is a mother first. Her magnificence unlike others is empowered with her motherly aura. She adores her son and loves Joe too much but not to the point that they became spoiled brats. The Madame knows the current news in their lives and though she does not interfere when it comes to their personal lives directly, it is her habit to scheme mischievously to get her desired results. Some of her schemes include her opinions given even without being asked.

Yet, no one can deny that she is lovable. Everyone in their household including their lowest worker appreciates how the Madame treats them all equally. In the business world, she appears regal. Though she has a strong personality, she is impartial.

"That took so long…" she said and motioned them to sit down.

The two took their respective seats as the maids began to serve dinner.

"So who won the game this time?" Madame Lila asked, knowing of the Basketball tradition.

"I did," the two simultaneously answered.

Madame Lila's right brow arched in amusement, "Really?" she said as she sliced the steak into pieces, "By the way, I heard that you had been stalked by a girl again, Josephine."

Joe looked at Madam Lila and smiled, "Auntie, it's Joe…and, it's not a big deal. I'm used to it." She calls her Auntie as a sign of respect but they were by no means biologically connected.

Madame Lila sighed, "I already told you a million times that I refuse calling you Joe. Your mother, Kate, MY BEST FRIEND gave you the name Josephine Chen. Therefore, you are Josephine."

"Mom, she likes Joe better--" David began.

"Anyways," Madame Lila cut off David's statement right away. "I'll deal with your boyish behavior later. By the way, I already enrolled the two of you to the university you chose, University of Chiness, was it?"

The two nodded simultaneously, "Isn't it too early for enrollment though, Auntie? We are not yet done with this school year."

Madame Lila chuckled, "I had to interfere with your enrollment. After all, I wanted the best schedule and professors for you. Besides, I am confident that the two of you will pass high school or should I be worried?"

"How far did you interfere? They already have the professors set for the classes next school year? Classes do not start til September, right?" David asked.

The Madame looked at Jacob disbelievingly. "Do you really have to ask the extent of my interference? I only interfere if I see it fit. But yes, I already paid the professors to teach you at the best time schedule so not to worry. Josephine will take interior designs and you, David, will major in Architecture. You two are going to help with the company after you graduate, is that understood?"

David smiled. "Good thing I love buildings," he said and smiled at Joe.

Joe sighed in relief. She loved Interior Designs as well. Besides, Architecture and Interior Designs are in the same Department so the chances of seeing David is better.

"Oh! Kenji will go to the University of Chiness, as well. He will be majoring in Business Administration."

"Let me guess, everything is set for him as well?" David asked and winked at Joe.

Joe shook her head and mouthed, "Behave."

"Well, of course, the Ji clan is prioritized. We are after all part of the Board of Trustees. Kenji will be staying here in the manor with us."

Joe smiled widely, "Really?"

Madame Lila nodded, "I just hope that you will not grow even more mannish because there will be another man joining the family."

Joe sipped her water and sighed. 'I can't wait to be in College.'

*****

Sunday night came. Joe was typing her research paper in her laptop when the door flung open. It was David. He immediately dove onto her bed.

"Don't you know how to knock?" she asked without looking away from the monitor.

"I did. You did not hear it," he responded and sat down.

"Yeah… right…" she answered knowing that he was not telling the truth.

"Let's watch a movie. There's a couple of new ones on the streaming channel."

"Go to your room and watch them then," she replied without looking at him.

"But I want to watch it with you," he whined. She is the only person ever allowed to witness him whining.

Joe took off her reading glasses and looked at him, "Don't you have anything important to do like our class' final research paper?"

"I already submitted mine a month ago."

Joe put her glasses back on. "You did?" she asked, surprised. "And you did not tell me?"

"I did tell you. As a matter of fact, I reminded you about that research paper several times. But hey, who said 'Nah… I'll be fine… I'll procrastinate'?" he replied then chuckled. "I'll give you a hint… it wasn't me."

Joe took off her glasses again and glared at him, "Well, I'm not in the rankings anyway. What's the point of turning it in a month earlier than the due date? I'm not a geek like you," she responded and combed her hair with her fingers in a boyish way.

David shook his head. "Just admit it. You're just jealous because I am constantly in the ranking. Well, could you blame a smart guy like me?"

Joe swore that no other girl had ever seen the conceited side of David. David treats her differently than he treats others. In school, they know him to be of cool natured, quiet, and mysterious. "They really don't know…" she uttered.

"What don't they know?"

"That you are the most CONCEITED person alive!"

"Just tell me if you want me to do your research paper for you."

Joe's face livened up, "Really?"

David laughed, "No way. I was just kidding."

Joe managed to get a hold of a small book and threw it at David, "Jerk."

David stood up, "All right then, I'll leave you with your research paper. Good luck on finishing it. bye," he said and walked away.

Joe looked at the screen of her laptop as she put her glasses back on, "Jeez… I wonder if I can finish this on time for tomorrow."