When they reached the mall, everyone went straight to the department store and the furniture section. They were picking the right couch for the new studio.
Lemon and Kellen, on the other hand, were busy checking out the bean bags. They’re both having fun with its colors and are undecided about which ones they will buy.
After choosing a couch, they then checked out the bunk beds. Kip’s planning to add them to the rooms on the second floor so we have something to sleep on in case anyone needs to stay overnight.
The group also bought a small dining table and four chairs that they could put in their mini kitchen. Kellen even added a coffee table to the living room.
“That’s enough or there won’t be any space for our instruments,” Drew told them.
“Yeah, that’s enough!” Roj seconded. “You should scold Lemon Drew, she’s the one who wanted to add more stuff to the studio.” He added. Drew looked at Lemon and saw how her eyes widened in surprise, so he chose to shut his mouth.
Whenever Drew looks at her, all he can see is an innocent girl. She looks too kind and too caring though she’s quiet most of the time.
He happened to meet the girl’s mother and even Tori seemed nice. He doesn’t know why his cousins hate this family. He couldn’t even pinpoint where that hate was coming from.
All he knew was that back when Ysmael was still in high school, he already hated them. He even tried his best to look for them.
Ysmael even asked him to ask Kippler about the family’s whereabouts when they found out that she was Kippler’s cousin. That was how we found out that they were in France.
However, Drew didn’t expect they’d come back. When Ysmael found out that they were in the country and that she’d be studying at SMU, he started plotting his revenge.
He may not have started with it, but Drew was certain he was planning something and it was something bad. Of course, Drew was intrigued. Who wouldn’t when you learned that your cousins hate your friend’s cousin?
So Drew tried his best to find out the story behind the hatred. When he found out, he couldn’t help but feel angry as well. At one point, he wanted to help them with their plan.
But when Drew met her, he felt like he was blessed with holy water. She’s someone you wouldn’t want to hurt, intentionally at least.
Maybe that’s why he swore to protect Lemon from his cousin when he met her. He doesn’t care if it will cost him his relationship with them and he can’t pinpoint the reason at that moment.
All he knew was that he needed to protect her and he couldn’t let anyone harm her. Whether it’s his cousins or someone else. Whatever it takes.
“Let’s go, dude!” Kip called and that interrupted Drew’s thoughts.
He saw them heading for the appliance section. Apparently, they’re planning to buy aircon and a mini fridge too, as well as a coffee maker and a microwave oven.
Everything would be delivered later in the afternoon, so after paying for everything, they decided to head to the pizza house nearby. They said they’d be busy later, so it’s not bad to get some early snacks.
“Let’s be quick guys. Otherwise, the delivery will get there before us,” Homme reminded the group.
“True,” Kellen agreed, then she asked Kip to order food for everyone.
When the waiter left, Kip faced them again to discuss the payment for everything they bought. Everyone’s attention was on him. Everyone’s listening attentively.
“All the receipts are with me since I used Dad’s credit card. We’ll take turns with the payment. I already told dad about it,” he explained. “I’ll pay for the first installment, then you guys decide who’ll be next, and so on.”
“I’ll write down everything, including the schedule of payment and who’s paying so everything’s organized,” Kellen volunteered.
“By the way, mom called earlier,” then all attention turned to Lemon. “She said she’d send Lyra to the studio so we have a housekeeper. She said she’d take care of her salary so we won’t have to worry about that.”
“Auntie’s spoiling us!” Roj blurted out.
“That’s why we have to do well,” Kevz added.
The orders then arrived and everyone dug in right away. After that, the group headed back to the studio.
When they arrived, Lyra was already there and Guido was helping her wipe the floor. Without a second of rest, they all started helping out.
An hour later, the furniture and appliance delivery arrived. They then get started to put everything in place.
“Guido, where do you stay?” Kevz asked the caretaker.
“There’s a small room at the back of the building. That’s where I stay and on weekends, I go home to visit my parents,” Guido responded.
The caretaker isn’t that old. He’s probably in his late twenties or early thirties. According to him, he’s been the caretaker ever since the building was put up.
The place was rented twice before Tori purchased it. The tenants in the past didn’t ask him to leave and neither did the new owner.
Kevz giggled before turning his attention to the caretaker, “Guido, Lyra will be staying here with you. Make sure not to take advantage of her, okay?” then he let out a loud laugh.
Lyra instantly blushed when Kevz’s words reached her ears. Lemon, on the other hand, can’t help but shake her head at their friend’s silliness.
Guido is good-looking despite the simple outfit he’s wearing. But Lyra’s pretty too. Looking at both of them, it seems like they’re of the same age or closer.
“You can trust me, I’m even qualified to be a priest, so there’s no need to worry,” then they all burst into laughter.
Kevz’s silliness was unstoppable and he’d pick on anyone. Good thing Guido knows humor too, so he wasn’t offended.
After everything was set in place, Kippler asked their driver to fetch their instruments from Lemon’s place. Guido and Lyra went with him so they could help him out.
While the rest were waiting, Lemon sat down on the couch with both feet up. She slipped her earphones and started playing music on her phone.
She was in that position when someone took one earpiece and she didn’t even have to look to see who it was. She just knows.