Chapter 4 Agreement

• Chapter-4 Agreement
• The fresh smell of the coffee beans hit Danica’s nostrils. She inhaled the aroma while stepping inside the coffee shop Stacy worked in. Stacy had left her phone at their house last night. Even if Danica might deny it, Stacy knew that Danica was actually here for a tasty cup of hot chocolate.
• Last night, they had chatted a lot and Danica had explained everything to her after Aziel fell asleep. Thanks to God, Stacy understood everything, plus, she was supportive. However, she was disappointed in Danica for not informing her before leaving California, for which she apologized sincerely.
• Instead of standing in the queue, Danica waved at Stacy to take notice of her, who nodded her head and motioned Danica to sit in one corner. Of course, she didn't need to say what she wanted. After all, Stacy knew her favorite. Hence, she quietly pulled out a wooden chair for herself on a table for two and sat down.
• She was looking out the wall-sized window when a voice interrupted her thoughts, “Hi, is this seat taken?”
• Danica’s breath hitched hearing the familiar deep voice—a voice that she got habituated only hearing through YouTube. With rapid heartbeats, she turned to face the tall fair-skinned boy. His short chestnut hair seemed messy as if he came here the first thing in the morning. He was only wearing a grey hoodie and black jeans with white converse.
• “I guess your silence means no,” said Troy and sat on the chair facing Danica. He placed his camera on the table and started, “How are you doing this morning?” He felt stupid for asking such a silly question.
• “I'm good. What about you?”
• “Fine.” He pursed his lips, trying to find a topic to talk about. “Um, I'm sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have left like that,” he told her.
• “But why did you leave like that?” she inquired, looking anywhere but him.
• "Why do you think?" He raised an eyebrow in question, yet she kept quiet. "Danica, for god's sake, you have been gone for three years with no news or whatsoever. Then you just show up here out of the blue. What do you expect me to be? I was obviously flustered when I saw you. I didn't know what to say to you," he blurted out.
• Danica looked at him in surprise and tried to come up with an excuse, "I—"
• Troy interrupted her, “You know what? Never mind. You don't have to tell me why you left if you don't want to.” Danica was grateful that he had always been very understanding of her. “But what brings you back here in California? And what have you been up to these days?” He was staring intently at her hazel eyes, waiting for a response.
• Danica averted her gaze again and replied, “I was in New Jersey. I had gotten a full free scholarship in Princeton, so I settled in New Jersey with Aziel. I returned because of Aziel. He has a birthday wish for his eleventh birthday, which went by three days ago.”
• Troy’s heart clenched when he learned that Danica returned for Aziel’s birthday wish; she didn’t return for him. He knew that he shouldn't have expected since expectations only hurt in return. Yet, somewhere in his heart, he had hoped that one day Danica would return for their friendship. Maybe she would have never returned if it wasn’t for Aziel.
• “I suppose his wish must be something big enough for you to return here. I'm curious to know. What is it?” he asked, hiding his hurtful emotions with a charming smile.
• Soon, a waiter appeared, placing two cups of hot chocolate coffee on the table. Danica looked at Stacy, who winked at her, and mouthed, ‘Enjoy.’
• Danica sighed, taking a sip of her drink. It helped to calm her nerves. She still didn't understand why she felt the way she did around Troy. He was just her former best friend whom she had a crush on. It wasn't like she felt anything more than that for him. She started to speak calmly, “This summer, Aziel wants to do something unique which none of his classmates had ever done. I still don’t know what that can be. Aziel left it all on me, so I brought him to California. I know many places here so maybe I could take him to some nice places around here and—”
• “And you think that is unique?"
• “No, but I can still try to find a unique place?” Danica was confused, and she was not sure if she was telling him or questioning herself.
• The thick, awkward air was filled with contagious laughter within a few seconds. Troy was laughing at Danica’s choice of words. “You will never change, Danica.”
• He laughed for a bit more, while Danica crossed her arms against her chest, frowning. However, she was glad that she could see him laugh again. She had doubts about whether she would ever be able to see it face to face again, but now, her doubts were cleared.
• “Done?” Danica arched an eyebrow after it seemed like Troy was done laughing. “Do you have a better idea?”
• Troy twitched his lips, pulling himself into a train of thoughts. A better idea? He thought for a few more minutes, drinking his hot chocolate until something hit his mind. “Has anyone, let alone Aziel’s classmates, lived in a mansion filled with four celebrities?”
• Her eyes grew wider as she breathed out, “What are you suggesting?”
• “Move into the Rose mansion. Gabrielle, I, Trevor, and Hernan, we live together, you know? And the four of us are celeb figures. I am sure Aziel will love this as his birthday gift.”
• “Troy…” Danica paused for a brief moment, pursing her lips.
• Meanwhile, Troy could feel the familiar feeling in his heart again, something he felt each time Danica uttered his name—those goosebumps.
• “Troy, I am not sure that is a good idea. I—”
• “Think about Aziel, Danica. You came here just for him, so you can do this for him at least.”
• She wanted more time to think about the offer Troy just placed. Accepting the offer meant that she would meet all of her old friends, whom she abandoned without an explanation. Unfortunately, the offer seemed really good. It would make Aziel the happiest he has ever been, and nothing else mattered more to her than Aziel.
• “Fine,” she started, “but under one condition.”
• Troy was excited to hear Danica agree. She would be living in the same house as him, which meant she would be close to him all the time—he wanted it for such a long time. “What is it?”
• Danica answered with full determination, “I will be paying the rent for as many days as we stay.”
• “Sure,” he agreed at once. He was well aware of how stubborn Danica was, and even he could not change her decision. “You can move in tomorrow. I will pick you up from your house.”
• She forced a smile on her face and placed her hand over his on the table. “Thank you so much for helping me out, Troy.” He seemed as though he did not believe her. “I meant it, really.”
• As much as he wished to pull his hand, he missed her touch. Her hand was still cold as always, yet it made an effect on his heart only she could do. So he remained still and gave a cute smile, showing his dimples.
• They had no idea that a fan of Troy was clicking pictures of Troy and Danica as they were holding hands and looking at each other with a smile covering their faces.
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