The cab stopped in front of a large mansion, and I got down quickly, handing him a wad of cash which, to my luck, was the exact amount required. The driver drifted away, still in awe of the place he had dropped me off at.
I turned to the large gate and rang the bell.
Bzz.
"How may I help you?" the speaker under the bell buzzed.
"Uhm… it's Theo."
"Oh, Master Theodore. Welcome back."
"It's Theo."
The gate opened automatically, and I walked in briskly right before it closed behind me.
I walked on the pavement, inspecting the place. It seemed there were more flowers—newly added lilies and roses. The swimming pool was larger too, with a new mini–water park right beside it. A new fountain stood with the statue of the Greek god Apollo holding a golden bow and arrow on top of it. I spied a little pond with exotic fish happily exploring its waters.
I sighed disapprovingly.
Edna always went over the top with the home designs.
I decided to explore the rest later.
I knocked on the front door.
The door opened slowly, and a well-built middle-aged man in a T-shirt and cargo pants stood at the doorframe… glaring at me.
"How was Japan?" he asked.
"Cool, I guess," I said. "How's Edna doing? I haven't, uhm, called her to tell her I'm back."
"Just your luck, son. She's currently in Africa working on some projects with her partner. Hey, at least I can rest a little before she comes back. For now, I just need good sleep and good food.
"Your room's clean. Had it made just for you—food's already ready."
I smiled widely.
"Thanks, Mason."
"It's my job."
He opened the door wider, and I squeezed through his bulky build and entered the house.
I ignored the new tapestries, vases, paintings, statues, chandeliers, and aquariums and headed straight to my bedroom.
I lay down on the large bed and exhaled all the exhaustion within me.
I knew I had a lot to think about—Shenji, Edna, high school, hot cheerleaders—but I cleared my mind, and soon sleep took over.
---
When I woke up the next day, the first thought that crossed my mind was whether the food I missed yesterday was still up for grabs, even though I'd been—I checked my watch—twelve hours late.
"You're awake," a voice said quietly.
I panicked and frantically turned on the light—did I turn it off the night before?—and looked around, trying to figure out where that voice had come from.
I looked to my left, and there I was, exchanging glances with a black skinny guy who looked around my age.
WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS WEIRD GUY DOING IN MY ROOM?!
"Sorry for the intrusion, Master Theo, but I was sent here to drop off some new clothes for you and to inform you that Madam Edna wishes to see you."
"How long have you been here?" I eyed him suspiciously.
"It's barely been five minutes."
I grumbled.
"Sure. I'm coming."
"I'll wait for you outside your door."
He paused.
"By the way, I'm Ash."
---
I brushed my teeth, spent a few minutes basking in the hot water of the bathroom tub, and changed into the new clothes Ash had brought.
He was waiting for me outside when I got out, and he followed me down the stairs toward the dining hall.
I looked behind me to catch a glance at Ash.
His face was blank.
Sheesh. What a weird guy.
I was met with a smiling sister once I entered the dining hall.
Edna had changed these last few years. I stared at her. She'd lost all her little swats of acne and pimples, and her beauty shone bright.
Then I sent my gaze downward.
Woah. My sis had REALLY grown up these past few years.
"Theo, how was school? I sincerely apologise for not being here yesterday, but no worries—once Mason told me you were back, I flew back here immediately," she said.
"I see. Well, school was shockingly fun."
"I can't believe you didn't accept my offer to send you to one of the best middle schools right here in New York. You just had to go for the scholarship."
"Hey, at least I have proof that I'm actually smart for a change."
"I've always been aware of how smart you are, Theo. No need to go proving it to everyone," she said.
"By the way, you're leaving high school to me—"
"Edna, chill. Sure, but I'll decide where I wanna go."
"Top five at most," she said.
I groaned and sat on the seat furthest away from Edna.
"I'm starving."
"Ash, please tell our cook to get us something for breakfast," she said. "Please."
"On it."
Ash excused himself with a bow and left with quick steps toward the kitchen.
Edna waited till he was out of view.
"What do you think of Master Ashish?"
She saw my confusion.
"Or Ash, as he prefers to be addressed."
"Oh—he's okay, I guess. A lil' creepy but okay," I replied.
"One of my business partners in Ghana passed away, and unfortunately she was his single mother. With no other family, I decided to bring him here to work for me."
"I'm sure you're feeling mighty proud about that," I said.
"Theo!" she exclaimed. "Have a heart. I felt a certain spark once I saw him, so I brought him here," she said, pouting.
"Oh really…" I sang, flashing my most cheeky smile.
"Don't gimme that look."
"What's that you said again about a spark?" I sneered, watching it click in her mind.
"I'm not a goddamn paedophile, Theo."
I gave a short laugh.
"I hear you, Edna."
---
Ash reappeared with two trays of food balanced on both palms at that moment and placed them before us.
"Sweet! Many thanks to the chef," I commented, hungrily staring at the neat breakfast of coffee, waffles, pancakes, and bacon, wondering what I should taste first.
My sister fiddled with her fork as I wolfed the food down.
Minutes later, I picked up my empty plate and got up from my chair to send it back to the kitchen.
Well, that was until Ash intercepted me and snatched it from my hands.
"Hey," I said. "Lemme take them myself."
"Don't strain yourself, Master Theo. I'm here to help."
"It's just Theo."
"Yes, sir," he said, carrying my sister's half-eaten food and disappearing down the hallway.
I stared at Edna as she imitated my smile.
"Now you want to turn me into a spoiled brat," I retorted.
Edna smiled.
"How's Shenji?" she asked, changing the subject.
The woman knew how to hit it where it hurt.
My chest stiffened.
"He's fine, just going through a lot at the moment," I mumbled.
"I heard about his family from an associate. Poor thing. I was planning that we'd go see him tomorrow."
"You think that'll be for the best?" I gulped.
Edna had known Shenji even before I met him. She'd gone to Paige Elementary, Shenji's middle school, years before Shenji enrolled, but they met through Edna's frequent visits during her alumni meetings. She was thrilled when I told her he'd become my buddy.
"He's very bright, and he's won a lot for his age," she had said.
Now she was aware that Shenji had lost his parents.
"Then?" she said.
I was snapped back into reality.
"I'm sorry, I went a little blank for a sec," I said.
"Do you know where he is at the moment?" she asked.
"No, but I'll call and ask."
I got up and bolted upstairs before Edna could say another word.
---
I took shelter on my bed and picked up my phone.
I quickly dialed Shenji's number and hit call before my conscience advised me otherwise. The phone beeped, waiting for Shenji to pick up.
I wondered how he was doing now. Losing a loved one really took a toll on someone, but he'd hidden the worst of it. Was it possible that he was going through worse than I did when my dad—
"Sup, Theo."
His voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Yeah, sup Shen. How're you doing?"
"I'm doing just fine."
I took a deep breath.
"Shenji?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really sorry for what I said back on the phone. It was dumb of me to assume that you were joking."
"I'm really sorry."
I bit my lip, anticipating the worst.
"It's fine."
"Wait. What?"
"You sure?" I said.
"Yeah. Everything's good. I spoke to someone at Hillton's. They agreed to let me live in the dorms till school started."
"Hillton's? You're going to Hillton's?"
"Yup. Mind all set."
"I see… well, I'm at home. Edna wants us to come see you tomorrow, bet?"
"Tom… tomorrow?"
His voice cracked.
"Tomorrow's the— it's the funeral. Maybe another time."
Oh.
Sadness slowly seeped into me.
"Can we come?" I whispered.
There was a long pause on the line, then a sigh.
"Meet me at Central Park. Seven in the morning."
"Thanks, Shen."
"No problem. Well—I gotta go."
"Okay, see ya."
I sighed in relief right after the call ended.
Good thing Shenji never kept a grudge.
I called Edna next.
"I'm literally just two rooms away," she said.
"It's urgent."
"Spill."
"Tomorrow, I need a black suit."
"Noted. I'm going to make some calls."
"Thanks, sis."
"Pause the thanks," she chuckled. "I'm doing this… because I'm coming too."