E T H A N 

After a while, the car had already started and I took a peek at Claire's balcony. I saw Claire in the car and next to her was Samantha, who looked like she was laughing, holding out a phone. Wait, is that mine?

I just ignored it and waited for them to leave. When the coast was clear, I came out and went straight out of the door. Of course, I made sure to get a double-take to know if they were really gone.

When I was about to leave, I heard a low voice calling me out even if the gate was still unopened. "Hey, who are you? I've never seen you here before."

Suddenly, without even looking at who was on the other side, I ran back. God, why now? As soon as I heard loud footsteps behind me, I took my chance to run to the pool area. It's small but I'm sure that whoever was chasing me wouldn't want to get soaked unless it's the police.

Not even hesitating, I jumped. Yes, I'm still dressed.

Damn, the water's boiling hot. It's even hotter in the hot spring. Like a continuous volcano. I don't even want to stay much longer if it weren't for that person chasing me.

The guard stopped by the pool, looking at me while I was in the pool. What now? Why is he here? Does he even know there's someone who already got inside Claire's home and he's just standing there?

Then, he suddenly laughed.

"Sir, it's me, " he told me before lending a hand to help me. "I was the one who ran after you."

What? That was him? I really hate this day.

Frowning, I took his hand and pulled myself up. "Why did you chase me then?"

He noticed the tone in my voice so he couldn't help but let out a chuckle. I, on the other hand, stood there with my T-shirt soaking wet. Oh great, my pockets are also full of water.

"Who ordered you to chase me?" I angrily asked the guard as we both went back to the entrance. The guard then gave me a pat on the back before he answered. 

"Mam Claire agreed for me to scare you." I knew it. She wouldn't really let me go that easily. When he noticed that I was deep in thought, he then decided to hand me a towel.

The only thing that I could do was to thank him and think of a way to ask Claire about this.

I still can't believe that she would agree into scaring me. That crazy woman, indeed.

I just nodded and decided to leave the vicinity. My sister's going to be too suspicious. Nodding to the guard, I told him, "Please lock the gate. Please also tell Claire to remember the deal we made. I'm leaving now."

The guard agreed and I bid goodbye before walking down the street. 

Even though I only took a few steps away from Claire's house, I saw a white Honda Civic parked not too far from where I was. Wait, is that my sister's car?

No, there's no way she would be here.

Shaking my head, I decided to walk more. But with every step that I take, I could clearly see the plate number that the car had. Oh great, that's her.

She probably had noticed me already since the car engine started and went slowly in my direction. After a few moments, it stopped beside me and the window had finally rolled down. 

"Hey Ethan, get on board. You look like someone who's lost in this place. You can easily get robbed if you're unfocused, " my sister told me as she opened the door for me to climb in.

I suddenly got on board and thanked her. My sister paid no attention at first, not even knowing that I was soaking wet right when she got me. 

Or so I thought. 

"Ethan, by the way, did you pee? Why are your jeans so wet?" Yen asked me while handing me a towel so that the car seat I was sitting in wouldn't get wet too much.

"Just went to a friend's house and then swam in their pool." I smile at her. She gave me a weird stare before laughing. 

As she drove out of the subdivision, she said, "So, you just jumped in their pool without taking off your T-shirt and pants?" 

"I---Wait a minute, why are you even here in the first place?" I asked her once frowning. She turned the car right and proceed to drive. She didn't really look in my direction but I knew that she heard my question.

"My friends and I went outing. I used your car, of course. Apparently, I have a classmate who lives here so I dropped her off." she answered before stopping the car suddenly on the side. 

I was really confused as to why she had stopped the car but she suddenly faced me with a serious look on her face. 

"Ethan, tell me the truth."

Now, this took a serious turn of events. I just sat there, looking away as I frown. That was the truth. What does she even want now?

When she saw that I was nowhere near to saying anything, she warned me, "Look, you're in really big trouble right now."

"I don't even know what you want me to say," I argued with her. 

"Vanessa called me earlier. He was very angry because someone answered the phone, a woman. She also messaged you and then you didn't answer." Hell, here we go again.

There was nothing I could do but look away and put my hands under my chin. 

"Jenny also seems to have seen you there in the subdivision. The phone call that happened was said to confirm to Vanessa that you have a woman," she added.

When I heard that, I reacted. "A woman? Are you crazy? I just went to Claire since apparently, I wanted to apologize." 

"The girl from the hospital?"

"Well, there's nothing we can do. Even if that information helped, Vanessa won't believe it." 

"I don't understand you. What are you trying to say--- " she suddenly interrupted me again.

The next words she said, I almost died on the spot.

Four words I really don't want to hear. Those were the four words that I dread. 

"Vanessa's coming back home."