14 Chapter 13

There were hundreds of clovers all over the wall, lavender, and purple, and everything in between. We were standing in her room looking at her latest masterpiece. I guess this is what she meant when she said painting clovers, literally painting clovers.

"What do you think?" Lena asked excitedly. Her eyes switching between me and Lester.

"It's wonderful." I smiled at her.

"It's good. I can do better." Lester shrugged, laughing, placing an arm around Lena who was also laughing. She shoved him with her elbow playfully.

"Okay then you don't get cake."

"What, there's cake?" Lester looked at me, and I shrugged.

Lena then went to the bedside table to open a box, showing a circle cake with cream colored frosting. "Mango cake." She announced, holding it up to show us. "But only people who compliments me gets some."

"Wow! Oh my god! It's like the work of a god!" Lester immediately exclaimed, exaggerating.

"Very good." Lena laughed as she placed the cake on the chair near us.

I looked around her room, then I realized this is my first time in here. The room was so… bare, a bed, a bedside table, two chairs, a mini fridge, the closet, and the bathroom. I don't know how long she's been staying here, but she had nothing personal in this room. All hotel items. I felt a wave of sadness pass me, Is this how she's been living the past few years? I made a mental note to check the house she'll be living in when we get home. It should feel like home there.

"I'm calling room service for some booze. We need to celebrate!" Lester was already dialing.

==

I woke up groaning with my head slightly throbbing.

Lester was singing loudly to something I don't recognize.

"Dude.. Keep it down, will you?" I peeked up at him.

"Come on, rise and shine!We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow, we've got some shopping to do." Lester tugged on my blanket.

"How are you doing that? You drank more than me last night." I tried to hold on to my blanket but failed.

"Gotta learn to handle your booze bro. She beat ya." He answered looking smug.

Last night was something. It's the happiest I've ever seen Lena, and wow, that girl can drink, apparently it's the Irish heritage. I've learned so much about her last night. Her father is half Irish, which I think explains the eyes, those beautiful eyes. Their main hotel is in Ireland, which Liam is handling, that's why he's not around much. Learning about her family felt great, it felt like I really am part of her world, her life, her future.

"Ow!" I didn't realize I was zoning out again until a pillow hit in me the face.

"You're spacing out again. Shower, get dressed, chop chop!" Lester was already dressed and impatiently waiting.

==

After getting ready I wanted to drop by Lena's first to let her know where we're going. Maybe she even wants to come.

"What?" She asked as she answered the door.

"What's wrong?" There was something in her expression, her voice.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Are you going somewhere? Have fun." She was about to close the door.

"Hey, wait, seriously what's wrong?" I'm getting worried now, maybe I shouldn't go out today, but Lester is gonna be disappointed.

Lena sighed and went to sit on her bed. "It's nothing really, It's just that I still have to finish the lobby and I don't think I can."

Oh. The lobby, right, her master project. I forgot about that. I knelt in front of her, holding her hand.

"Just, don't put too much pressure on yourself okay. I'm sure you'll be able to do it."

"In 2 days?" She scoffed. "I don't even know what to do with that space."

"Well, don't rush yourself. Take as much time as you need, I have to go back the next day but I can always come back on weekends. I'll wait till you finish, okay?"

Lena just looked at me, no change in her expression. I don't know what to do, how can make her feel better?

"Okay." She sighed, standing up.

"Okay?" I asked, following her.

"Yes, okay. I won't think about it so much. You can go." She was standing by the door, holding it open.

"I don't have to go anywhere today. Lester can go by himself, I can stay here with you." I offered.

"No, I don't want you here."

It was like I was slapped, I felt hurt. But looking at Lena's face, sadness, frustration, and everything in between, I know she doesn't mean it. This is just one of her bad days, I'm already used to her being angry, now I just have to get used to the sadness part. This isn't forever, she'll get better when she's ready.

I moved to the door. "Maybe we can go to the cake place you love so much? We can get snacks and cookies to bring home, I'm sure my mom would love some." I asked as a last attempt to get through her.

She stopped for a moment then finally nodded. "Okay, text me what time."

With that, she shoved me out, closing the door in my face.

It didn't feel good leaving her like this, but I know I should give her her space. I went back to our room to get Lester. As we were leaving, I noticed a shadow on the balcony next door. She's sitting on the rails again. I just sighed and left the room.

==

All throughout the day I texted Lena to give her updated on where we were, in case she wanted to join. But I got no response. I tried to focus on Lester and what we were doing.

It was a perfect weather, the sky was clear, no sign of rain coming. I wish the sky could cheer Lena up.

We went to the market, and different shops, Lester buying things left and right. I thin the only reason I'm here is to carry the bags. I only had my mom to think of, and I already know what to bring home for her so I wasn't as enthusiastic in shopping. After hours of shopping Lester and I decided to have lunch then to go to the cafe that Lena loves for dessert. I tried asking Lena to join us for lunch but she didn't want to, so she was just gonna meet us at the cafe. Maybe the cake would cheer her up, I hoped.

After waiting for almost half an hour at the cafe I decided to call Lena, where is she? Why isn't she answering my texts?

L: "Asher."

A: "Hey, where are you?"

L: "I'm on my way, I was just running a little late."

I sighed in relief. She seems to be doing better that a while ago, not much, but at least there was an improvement.

A: "Okay, we'll just wait."

L: "Asher…"

A: "Yeah?"

L: "I'm sorry about earlier."

A: "No worries, all good."

She ended the call without saying anything. I smiled a little, today isn't so bad.

Lester and I already tasted a few of there pastries but I refused to let him order any cake, not without Lena, we have to taste her favourite first. Lester just laughed at me. Another half hour passed and she still isn't here.

"My phone's about to die. Where is she?" Lester looked up at me to complain then went back to playing on his phone.

I was about to call Lena again when my phone rang. It was her number, perfect timing.

"Lena?"

Lester looked up as my phone dropped to the table.