Lawrence asked Amber out on a tour date with her the next day and she readily agreed. She had promised to tour around Paris after her schedule and she was glad that he was offering to be the tour guide. She threw on a washed jean and a black dotted blouse, and a pair of black sneakers to match.
“Wow! You look completely different from what I saw yesterday” he complimented when she got out of the hotel and she smiled. On getting into the car, she asked “How exactly am I different from yesterday?” she wanted to get the context behind the compliment in order to give the right expression.
“Hmm… how should I put it? Yesterday was more of a femmie fatale but today, you are giving the girlfriend vibe” he responded, making her blush hard.
He was absolutely right after all, she had dressed corporately for all her meetings and now that she suddenly switched style, it’s normal for him to marvel at the drastic change because she looked a bit smaller and cute.
“I guess it’s because I want to enjoy my tour better like an ordinary tourist” she stated. “Then you should be my girlfriend for today, I will take you through the most exciting tours” he said and she paused for a bit at his choice of words before shaking her head for an approval.
“Good then, you can be my guide for today” she approved and he smiled before zooming off.
They both visited popular cafes, parks, buildings and the malls around. He made sure to explain unique things about each places to her so she would get the meaning behind them and she enjoyed every bits of their stops.
They were together for hours and didn’t even know that so much time has passed. They finally head to the last place on their list which was a skyscraper. She marveled at the huge building in front of her that was lit up in beautiful colors.
“They view from the rooftop is amazing, let’s end our tour here” he told her and led her to the elevator that took them to the rooftop.
The rooftop was hugely lit with different lights and it was set like a medium sitting room, couches were set there with different sofa pillows. There is a medium table at the other side with just two chairs and a candle lampstand in the middle of the table.
They were all covered by a huge covering to prevent getting drenched in the case of rain.
“This is crazy” she gasped at the beauty of the sight. She took her time to look around the rooftop before proceeding to check out the layer of the city. She was enjoying every single view and could not even wish for me.
“This is so beautiful and ethereal. I can’t imagine being up here, this high” she complimented, getting lost in the moment.
He walked up to her to share in the view with a smile. “This is how it feels to be on top of the world. Everything becomes less visible but prettier, you get to appreciate their tiny beauties that had stacked up together to form a beautiful cluster. This is why they say the small happiness matters because it will grow into a cluster and end up lighting one’s world if we give it time” he explained and she nodded in agreement.
They stared at the view some more before the chefs brought up a long cart of food which they filled the medium table with. “Let’s have dinner before we go back” he told her and they moved to the table.
She enjoyed every single dish that she tasted while complimenting them one after the other. They talked some more over their personal lives in general and found out that they have many things in common.
“You mentioned something about Umbra being a name you got through the suggestion of your friend when you were small. Do you by chance remember who the friend is?” he asked, fixing his gaze on her.
She kept mute for some minutes before giving him a response. “of course, a friend brought me to this point through the name he gave me so I know and remember him of course”.
A slight look of disappointment washed through his face but he was quick to brush it off with a smile. “I must have been mistaken then” he said and she asked what he meant by that. “I had a friend then when I was growing up, we were so close because we only had each other. We would draw together whenever we feel sad or even happy. We made it a habit to always draw whatever we might be feeling. I gave him the name Umbra because his brush strokes were always carrying a dark pigment. It’s like a shadow hovering around whatever he had drawn. I haven’t heard from him in a while, I hope he’s doing well. I really want to see him soon” he explained with a sad voice.
“How did you get separated from him?” she questioned further, “My family suddenly moved so I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye” he answered with a choky voice and she could feel the pain in his voice.
“Sorry about that” she said to him, unsure if that will be enough to console him and he smiled “I am not sad, I just want to meet him again. He might have not been free from his shackles” he muttered.
“From shackles?” she repeated. She didn’t understand what was going on with him and the friend he was talking about but she could see that he extremely misses his friend. “I am sure he is doing well where he is right now so you also have to stay strong till you eventually find your friend” she advised.
“That’s true, I have to stay strong” he agreed before locking eyes with her. His gaze lingered for quite a while as his lips trembled, he wanted to say something but he was hesitating, he didn’t want to ruin the mood.
She knew something was on his mind also but she feared he would say it eventually, it was something she already knew before he said it and she prayed he wouldn’t find the courage to do so because she will only give him an answer that will break his heart the more. She had to step in before he spills it, so she stood up and took action.
“It’s getting chilly here, I don’t work well with cold air” she stated and he finally broke the stare, blinked ferociously to swallow his words. “We should get going then, it’s quite late too” he supported with a short painful smile.
She also played along and returned the smile, picked her small bag and they left for the hotel where she bid him goodbye since she will be heading to the airport early the next morning.
“I had so much fun and experience with the little time I was here. You are really a wonderful man” she complimented and he laughed. “You are a wonderful person too and I can’t wait to see you at the top. Let’s have a proper dinner the next time we meet even though I don’t know when” he responded and she waved at him before turning to enter the hotel.
She stopped as she got to the entrance and faced him suddenly, “I hope that you will find your friend soon. No! You will surely find him soon” she shouted to him and he couldn’t help but laugh at her assurance.
“Thank you, Miss Amber” he shouted back and they parted for real this time.
She couldn’t stop thinking of the rooftop moment in the elevator, she had to cut him off that way so it wouldn’t hurt so much when he finally finds out that she’s the fake Umbra. She wouldn’t want a bond that will lead to enmity later on, it is better never to start it.
She got to her room and dialed her mom’s number to catch up with her but it was the nurse that picked the call. The urgency in her voice aroused her suspicions, “What’s happening? Where is my mother?” she questioned and the nurse hesitated before revealing to her that she’s missing.
“She’s missing? How? What were you doing when she went out on her own? Where could she possibly run to on her own?” she yelled and fumed with anger before she realized that was not the way out, she’s helpless right now and the only solution is to call Tom.
He is the only one who can help her out at that point. She quickly disconnected the call and dialed his number. “Sir, you have to please help me out, there is no one I can call right now” she trembled as she spoke to him on phone.
“I hope all is well, is something wrong? What is happening?” Tom asked, sensing the urgency of his voice.
“My mother is missing” she revealed.