Phoenix never spoke to me after that. And I still stayed at the mansion the next day.
When he finally recovered, he locked himself in the room all day. He refused my help, saying that it was his fault from the start so he has to fix this.
He said that he’s the one to be to blame for everything in the first place so he is the only one who should fix it.
I sighed. He is really stubborn when it comes to his land.
I saw Lola Nanding cleaning the picture frames that were hanging on the wall.
She was gazing at one particular picture, and I saw tears falling from her eyes. She was shocked when she saw me and wiped her eyes. "Oh, you’re there, Sereia…"
She announced, smiling gently at me and fixed the picture frame on the wall.
Her eyes were red now. Why is she crying? I guess it was too personal for me to ask her about it.
"Lola Nanding, don't you want to hire a maid?" I can't help but ask.
"Oh, I’ve given up on maids. I had actually hired some but they were too focused on ogling at my grandson that they didn't get their job done. Others didn’t even know how to clean and kept on asking about Phoenix.” She replied.
I nodded at that, but still worried about her. The mansion is a bit big after all, and she’s the only one cleaning here…
“My grandmother fell down the stairs and fell because she also didn't want to hire a maid ...both of you think the same."
She gasped at that, "Did your grandmother fall down the stairs?" There was a streak of worry and sadness in his eyes.
"Oh, you’re close with her too?” I asked.
She shrugged, "A bit. Your grandfather introduced her to me and we talked a few times…” she trailed off. “But don't worry about me, Sereia.I can handle myself. I'm still strong."
I nodded, dropping the subject. "All right."
"Can I ask where your husband Lola Nanding is?" I Asked again later.
She smiled sadly, "Oh, he left me already. He decided to be early and go to heaven."
Saying that her eyes lit up and she giggled, "I’ve already moved on. Wait, Sereia, my dear.. I want to show you something."
She then left to get something and when she returned, she was carrying a picture book.
She led me to the living room and made me sit at the chair and happily looked at me, "Open it."
I did what she said and my mouth fell open at what I saw. There was a woman smiling as she leaned on the man behind her. If I’m not mistaken, it’s Lola Nanding and my grandfather in the picture.
I cleared my throat, "I know you and grandpa are close but I didn't expect you to be this close ..."
She laughed at my expression, "We're so close to each other. It's so much like we're best friends. But ..." she trailed off. She has this faraway look like she's brought back to the memories. She sounded happy. I can't miss out on the sadness in her tone.
"How many years have you been friends with grandpa?" I asked, feeling that she doesn't want to talk about it anymore.
"We've been together since we were kids. Childhood friends."
That made me stop and think about Maria.
She and Phoenix are also childhood friends. And I couldn't help but feel jealous. Although Maria was really true to her words when she said that she won’t visit here anymore, I still feel something bugging me.
I have this urge to want to know the real Phoenix. How he grew up….what he went through, and so many details.
I looked at the pictures again and saw another one of them hugging and staring at the camera. They looked young and happy.
"So both of you are really close...you two look like boyfriend and girlfriends,” I attempted to joke and she chuckled at that.
"That's also what others often tell us. But no, we're just friends. Friends ..."
It didn’t take long for tears to slowly start falling from Lola Nanding’s eyes. I gasped, wiping it away.
She blinked at me, "Oh, was I crying? I'm sorry my dear, I just remember what we went through. As friends."
I nodded understanding. She’s really feeling nostalgic about it….she reached out and held my hand. "Sereia, I hope you just enjoy things. Because it hurts when you remember something that you regret you didn’t do. That pain of what-ifs and memories will only stay in your memory, and you can’t change back the time to fix your mistakes." She said, pointing at my heart.
“But I’m happy that even if our brains forget. They are still here in our hearts." She smiled. "Take care of the things that are important to you. Especially now that I see that you and Phoenix are getting better. I can see that he is also changing. He's Becoming happier. You saw him through his dark times, and I’m hoping you will stay throughout the end.” She said, smiling bitterly.
“Sereia my dear, he needs you. " Her eyes were filled with hope now as she stared at me.
I pressed my lips together, "Oh, we’re only friends. Please don’t expect something from me, Lola Nanding.."
"Oh, we don’t know what will happen in the future…” she hummed. “I really want to see my grandchildren before I die.”
“Lola Nanding, please don’t say stuff about dying, you really like to joke," I said, not liking the direction of our conversation. I don’t want to see Lola Nanding in a coffin soon. I still want her alive. It’s a bit selfish since people come and go, but she’s precious to me.
“Now please help me. Phoenix is still overworking himself despite just recovering from his fever.” Lola Nanding said, pointing at the tray of food that she prepared for him.
I nodded and held it to give to Phoenix.
"Here’s your snack," I said as I lay the tray filled with food on his table. He just nodded his head without looking at me, busy signing some of his papers. “Please don’t overwork yourself. Lola Nanding is worried about you.” I said and he was just quiet, ignoring me.
I hate that I can't do anything. All I can do now is to support him. This land used to be ours too, so it's painful to know that this is how it is. I can't blame Phoenix because he does everything he can, and I know that.
Suddenly, on my way to the kitchen, I heard a male’s voice in the living room saying. "Good morning, mom."
"Mom? Where’s Phoenix? Asked a female’s voice.
I quickly went to the living room and saw an old man and an old woman who seemed to be just the same age as my parents. The woman was wearing a very expensive-looking orange dress with beautiful details while the man was in a suit, looking clean and handsome for his age. He looked just like an older version of Phoenix.
They looked at me at the same time, as well as Lola Nanding who they were talking to.
They had this puzzled look on their faces, staring at me. I offered them a polite smile as silence filled the air.
"Ah, Leticia, Arthur, it's Sereia. Gabriela's daughter. She's staying here for a vacation.” Lola Nanding said, breaking the tension that surrounded us.
Lola Nanding then turned to them, “Sereia, this is Phoenix’s parents, Leticia and Arthur.”
I nodded, bowing a bit for courtesy, Hello, good morning, Mister and Mrs. Hill.”
"Good morning." The woman replied, her eyebrows raised as she looked at me. I felt chills as she looked down at me. She flipped the fan that she was holding and turned to Lola Nanding, now brushing me aside. "Is Phoenix here?"
Lola Nanding pointed upstairs, "Oh, he’s busy working on his room."
"We don’t have much time and we decided to stop by here. Can you call him Lola Nanding?”
“Alright.”
I also came with Lola Nanding to peek at Phoenix but he was lying on his bed, his eyes closed. Oh, he looks like he’s sleeping.
Lola Nanding then returned to them, “I’m sorry, but he’s sleeping.”
Phoenix’s mother scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Is he really sleeping? Or he’s avoiding us?”
Phoenix’s dad put his hands on his wife’s shoulders, “Honey, we talked about this. We promised to talk calmly to him.”
“Tsk, you're very soft to your child. Yes, I won’t make a scene.” She replied.
I opened Phoenix’s room and entered.
"Your parents came. They want to talk to you.” I said, knowing that he was just pretending to sleep.
Phoenix sighed and turned away from me, "Make them leave. I don't want to see their faces.” He said.
“Are you sure? They seem to be wanting to tell you something.”
“Why are they even here? When I'm at peace already, they’ll come here to disturb my life again? I've had enough of their bullshit."
The venom in his voice was evident. I looked down. He's really that bitter when it comes to his parents. I guess they left a big wound on him that made him never forget about it.
Leaving his room, I was about to go to my room and I heard Phoenix’s mom approach me.
"Sereia?"
I turned to her, “Yes, Missis Hill?”
She smiled, "I'd like to talk to you, is that okay?"