**Next Morning**
“Il mio bambino.” Crystal's mother, Martina, said in a sing-song tone as she and her husband came in.
(Il mio bambino is an Italian language and it means ‘my baby' in English)
She looked around and saw that it was only the maids that were there.
“And where is the young miss?” She asked them with eye narrowed on them.
“Welcome, ma'am and sir.” They all chorused.
“She is still asleep.” One of them answered.
“Asleep?” Martina asked and looked at her husband.
“Yes.” The maid answered.
“Mamma.” Crystal called out as she descended the stairs with hands on the rail.
(Mamma is an Italian language for ‘Mom’)
“My baby.” She cooed as she went to hug her.
“Papà.” She greeted. “Good morning.” She smiled.
“Good morning, my child.” He replied and smiled at her.
“Hope you slept well?” He asked.
“Yes, thank you for asking.” She said and looked back at her mom.
“So how was the party you attended?” She asked.
“Nice and heartwarming.” Martina said and went to take a seat.
“Tesoro.” Her dad, Rowan, said to his wife. She looked at him and gave him a peck. (Tesoro is an Italian language which means ‘sweetheart' ).
They were busy talking about other things when they heard someone's footsteps. They stopped talking and looked at the stairs.
Behold, Ellie stood there already dressed in her clothes since the maids had cleaned them for her the previous night.
“G-Good day, sir and m-ma'am.” She stuttered out and gulped nervously.
“Non sapevemo che avessi unospite.” Martina asked her daughter in Italian.
(Non sapevemo che avessi unospite means ‘ we did not know you had a guest')
“She is just a close friend of mine.” Crystal said and shrugged.
“Really? Haven't seen you with her before. Except for Shawna and the rest.” Martina said.
“Mom, she is my friend and also we are in the same class.” Crystal clarified.
“Honey, let her be. She said she is a close friend.” Her dad, Rowan, said.
“How are you doing?” Martina asked Ellie with a little smile.
“Fine, ma'am.” She replied with a little bow.
“Crystal, I will love to take me leave.” She said and pursed her lips.
“Oh, no, why don’t you have breakfast with us then you can leave.” Martina suggested.
“No, ma'am. Thank you. My granny would be so worried about me and not to talk of my sister.” Ellie said and Crystal walked over to her.
“Okay, bye then. I will ask one of the drivers to drop you off.” Crystal said and was about to call someone when she remembered something.
“Wait, can I have your contact?” She asked.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have a phone so..” Ellie said and sighed.
“Don’t worry, we will meet in school.” Crystal said and patted her on shoulders.
“Thanks for the accommodation.” Ellie said and exited the house with Crystal.
“Lan!” Crystal called out as she stood outside with Ellie. The man came running towards her.
“Take the car and drop this lady here off at her place.” She instructed. The man smiled a little and bowed. He gestured for Ellie to move forward.
Ellie looked back at Crystal and smiled. “Good bye.”
Crystal smiled at her.
“She’s got a pure heart. If only Shawna could just leave them alone.” Crystal thought as she watched them drive away.
“So responsible.” Rowan said as he to on a seat beside his wife in the dining.
“Yeah, yeah.” Crystal said and rolled her eyes.
“Ain’t you guys suppose to take a bath before eating?” She questioned them and raised her eyebrows.
“We already taken our bath in the hotel we had lodged in and more so I am so hungry right now.” Martina said as she served herself some pasta and sauce.
Crystal scoffed and helped herself also.
<><><><><><><>
“Isn’t Ellie supposed to be home by now?” Their granny, Rachel, thought aloud and yawned. She looked around and saw Elsa sleeping on the couch.
“She slept here through out the night?” She thought and went to meet her. She tapped her and Elsa muttered some incoherent words. She groaned and was about to toss to the other side when she fell straight on the floor.
“Ouch!” She winced in pain. Rachel chuckled and asked, “Are you awake now?”
Elsa opened her eyes and saw her granny. She stood up and stretched out her bones. She yawned.
“Good morning, granny.” She greeted and looked around.
“It's morning already?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Yes.” Rachel replied.
“And wait is Ellie back home yet?” She asked as she walked away from her.
“I was about asking you the same question.” Rachel said and went to take a seat.
“Or do you think she has been kidnapped?” Elsa asked and Rachel looked up at her.
“What do you mean by that?” She asked.
“I mean Ellie doesn’t stay out late like yesterday and also she is not back yet. Maybe we should report to the cops first.” Elsa suggested.
“It is not up to 48 hours yet, Elsa.” Rachel said and stood up.
“Let me prepare breakfast.” She said and went into the kitchen.
“Okay, I will be going to work. Let me go have my bath.” Elsa said and went into her room.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Who’s there?” Rachel shouted out from the kitchen. She used the napkin and cleaned her hands. She hurried out of the kitchen and went to open the door. Before she could open it, the person already pushed the door open.
She moved back a little bit and looked at the person.
“Ellie!” She called out.
“Granny.” Ellie said awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck nervously.
“Where have you been since yesterday?” Rachel demanded.
“I.. Erm.. You know… I was.. Erm.” Ellie could not find words to describe it.
“Spit it out.” Rachel said angrily and scoffed.
“You know I said I went in search of a job. I fell asleep somewhere and it started raining and..”
“You fell asleep somewhere?” She cut her off with eyes wide open.
“Hmm.. Not really, granny. It is just that.. You are making this so hard to explain. And besides I am back now.” She said and sat down.
“You are back now? Gosh, your sister and I was so worried about you and all you do is say you are back now?” Rachel complained.
“I am sorry.” She admitted guilt.
“You know we were even about to go report to the cops.” Rachel said and huffed angrily.
“I am sorry, granny.” Ellie cooed and went to meet her.
“I promise I won't stay out so late like yesterday.” She said. She pulled her granny towards herself and beamed. Rachel snorted and shook her head.
“I am quite busy in the kitchen. Let me go.” Rachel said and pulled away from the hug then she left.
Elsa whistled as she came to the sitting room. She stopped suddenly when she saw her sister. She looked at her strangely.
“Hey, will you stop looking at me like that? ” Ellie said and frowned.