"H-hello?"
Shit! I bit my lip because of stuttering.
"Meredith?! Finally, you answered my call! How are you? I was worried about you."
I gulped and sat slowly on the edge of the bed. I can feel my heart stumbling and falling as I think of a response.
"I'm sorry. I'm fine, Alessandra..." I merely whispered.
"Oh, I missed you. Gabriel said you didn't inform him about your sudden leave, but he got your text so, when will you be back?" she asked without a pause.
I held my forehead as I laid down my bed. I sighed heavily, "Yeah, I will be reporting on Monday. I'm sorry, there's an emergency so I had to go to Queensland," I said, lacking of energy.
"Great! We're planning to go out of town, to Galla Via Island! I'm expecting you to be here with us before 10 in the morning," she said.
I gulped, feeling my nerves starting to build as I think of meeting him in an hour.
"Uh, I'm sorry. I just got here from a long drive. Maybe next time?" I said, refusing.
"No way, you've been gone for quite a bit so you have to be here. Don't worry, you'll relax there, so please go with us?" she said in her sweet voice.
Again, a deep breath escaped my lips. Why not? Three months is too short to make Gabriel remember who he was, so I think... this is the perfect time to start.
"Okay, I'll go..." I said, exhaling.
She didn't respond for a while. I heard a door closing from the background of her line.
"Love... it's Meredith!" I heard her shouted.
I remained silent as I held the phone tightly. I blew out a breath, trying to calm my heart who's aching for his voice.
I only heard a small talk behind the phone until I heard a soft voice...
"Too early to use a phone, huh?"
I squeezed my eyes shut, I don't want to be affected by what he said, but I heard Alessandra's giggles before the call was cut.
The thought swung me into a massive heartbreak. There's no need to know what probably happened between them after that.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment longer until my eyes started to heat up. No, I have to be strong. This is my only chance. If I won't do this, Zekiah's memories might not come back.
I stood up and decided to pack my things that I have to bring to Galla Via Island. I brought some personal things together with my shirts, shorts, a floral dress, and a few pairs of two piece.
I bit my lip as I stared at the two piece I'm holding. "You're my last resort..." I whispered before putting it inside my bag.
Even before 10, I'm already in front of Gabriel's mansion. I didn't bring my car because I have a plan.
I scanned myself first. My red spaghetti strap dress was just fit for our trip. I curled my hair, giving myself loose curls that flowed over my shoulders. I also applied light make up and pink lip stain.
I pressed the door bell for a few times before I heard steps walking towards the door. I quickly fixed myself and smiled when the gate opened.
My pulse thumped throughout my veins as I stared at the person in front of me.
"Hi!" I said.
Instead of replying, he scanned my body. I swallowed hard, wanting to hug myself at the intensity of his stares.
"What are you doing here?"
My eyes rocketed on him while he's crossing his arm securely over his chest.
"Uh, Alessandra invited me. She said you're going out of town?" I almost whispered to him.
"I see..." he muttered.
Because of his icy stare, I suddenly gripped the strap of my shoulder bag tightly. He's standing a couple of feet away from me, but he was towering me by his height and broad chest. God, I badly miss him so much.
"Love, Is that Meredith?"
Alessandra suddenly beamed behind him and hugged his torso.
I licked my lower lip and averted my gaze aside.
"Marcus is also on the way," she added before removing herself from Gabriel.
"I'm happy you're here! Let's go inside, my friends are there, too," she excitedly said and pulled me by my wrist.
"Hi, everyone! Do you still remember Meredith?"
"Hi, Meredith! It's Deborah..." she pointed her long finger over her chest.
I nodded, "It's nice to see you again, Deborah!"
"Ximena, remember?!" exclaimed the girl in a floral maxi dress.
"Yeah, how are you?" I asked politely.
"We're fine," she glanced at the girl beside her. "And this is Ferry, she didn't attend Sandra's house blessing," she said while smiling.
"Hi, I'm Ferry. Alessandra's best friend!" she held her hand in front of me, without so much immersion.
"Meredith, It's nice meeting you, Ferry!" I smiled at her although she never smiled back.
"So, Marcus is the only one left?" Alessandra said.
"I'll go take a shower first..." Gabriel interrupted. He walked upstairs where the four ladies followed him with stares.
"Oh my, gosh! Can I shower, too?" Ximena blurted out.
"Yes, there's a comfort room near the kitchen," Alessandra stated before laughing.
"You're so possessive." Deborah rolled her eyes.
"Of course! What's mine is mine!" she said then she raised her brows at her.
"Oops! I'm kidding..." Deborah replied, rolling her eyes once more before closing the topic.
While me? Well, I'm not comfortable sitting with them, especially with Ferry gawking at me in scrutiny.
I blinked before staring mindlessly as the juice in front of me. I drank it, when I was hydrated enough, I put it back.
"Anyway, where are you from, Meredith?"
I almost jumped up my seat when she suddenly asked me. I glanced at the other but they're busy talking about a different topic.
"Uh, I'm from Queensland Island..." I said then swallowed hard.
"Queensland?" she repeated.
"Yeah," I shifted on my seat uncomfortably.
She only nodded before turning to the others. I heaved a deep sigh of relief and ran my fingers through my nougat-brown hair. I drank from my glass to calm myself.
Then and there, Marcus barged in and walked inside the house.
"Hi, ladies!" Marcus widely opened his arms for them.
I blinked rapidly as I stared at Alessandra's friends hugging him.
"You look so hot today, I miss you!" Deborah said seductively.
Marcus laughed at her remark before pulling her in and kissed her torridly.
My lips parted with what I had just witnessed. Is he for real? How many girls does he have? What happened to Sarah?
"Meredith, when did you arrive?" I returned from my reverie with his serious question.
"Yesterday, sir..." I said with my undertone voice.
He only nodded and returned his attention to Deborah who's hugging him. "Let's go, sweetheart..." he said huskily.
They all got out of the mansion so I also stood up.
"Meredith, you'll go with Gabriel and me. Marcus has his car so the girls will go with him," Alessandra informed.
I nodded and brought myself to sit. Gabriel's not yet here.
"Well, see you after an hour..." Ximena waved her hand at us.
I timidly smile at her depart before leaning on the backrest of the sofa. I closed my eyes to lessen the tiredness from my the long drive earlier.