“Ellie, are you sure you don’t want to move to another place? This house is already too crowded for all of us,” Krizzia complained.

Ellie slightly laughed. “See… I knew you guys were going to complain. That’s why I didn’t want to bring you guys along.”

“But Krizzia has a point. Have you seen how many people are actually staying here? Even though the house is big, I still think its too crowded for everyone to live and work properly,” Samar added.

Ellie sighed. “Look, let’s just try to bear with the living conditions. It’s only for a few days. I really want to finish everything as soon as possible. Remember I still have a book to finish.”

Krizzia looked at Samar, as if asking for some kind of help. “Ellie… can I ask you something?” she uttered slowly.

“What is it?” Ellie asked curiously.

“What are your plans when your work with the DBSK boys is over? I mean… we’ve noticed you’re really grown close to Micky. And we were wondering…” Krizzia was saying when Ellie immediately interrupted her.

“The two of you are wondering what I plan to do with Micky? Is that what you were going to ask?”

Krizzia was somehow left speechless so she just nodded her head.

Ellie smiled and started to stare blankly at her friends. “Honestly I don’t know what to do next. I am very grateful for all the things he has done for me. But I am still undecided if I should continue my relationship with him once my work here in Japan is over. Somehow I don’t want to keep my hopes up. I know he’s just being kind. And I always try to remind myself that I did make an agreement with him. And that I shouldn’t expect anything else from it.”

“But I think… he already likes you,” Krizzia suddenly uttered.

Ellie stared at her friend. “Like is a very simple feeling that comes and goes. Yes, he may like me now… But will he still like me when he learns the truth? I don’t think so,” she uttered as she shook her head. “No man will be able to accept me once he learns about my past… Just look at ….”

“Oh, don’t you even dare mention that man’s name. Just hearing his name makes me angry,” Krizzia said out loud.

“Krizzia, you know you shouldn’t be mad with Mark. It wasn’t his own decision to stay away from Ellie,” Samar reminded her friend.

“Yes, I know. But he’s already old enough to know what is wrong and what is right. He doesn’t have to follow everything that his parents say,” Krizzia said with anger in her voice.

“Let’s just try to understand him. He really loves and respects his parents so much. So it’s no surprise he chose to end his relationship with me than go against his parents’ wishes,” Ellie tried to explain.

“You still have the heart to defend that guy? Unbelievable! What kind of heart do you have? Why do you easily forgive everyone who has hurt you?” Krizzia asked back.

Ellie suddenly paused for a few seconds before answering. “That’s not true. There are still a lot of people that I can’t forgive.”

Krizzia quickly understood what Ellie said. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any intention of bringing up that topic,” she apologized.

Ellie tried to smile even though it was obvious that she was already affected by what they were talking about. “It’s okay. It’s already in the past. And it’s something I can never change. All I can do now is accept everything and try to deal with all the problems that will come along the way.”

“You’ve really grown stronger now. I am so proud of you,” Samar uttered with admiration for her friend.

“Yes, our little sister has truly grown up. Don’t worry, no matter what happens… we will always be beside you. We will always support you in all the decisions and plans that you make,” Krizzia said with a sweet smile on her face.

“Thank you. I wouldn’ t be able to bear all my problems without the two of you. I owe all my courage and strength to both of you,” Ellie uttered.

Their conversation was suddenly stopped when someone knocked on the door of their room.

“Ellie, it’s Micky. Can I come in? I need to ask you something.”

Krizzia immediately opened the door to let Micky in.

“Yes, what is it?” Ellie asked.

“Well there were some problems with the transporting of some of the props needed in the shooting today. So the whole production staff decided to postpone the shooting. We’re all free to go sightseeing today. So… would you like to go out with me? We can go and have a walk ….anywhere you like,” Micky said with a bright smile.

Ellie couldn’t help but smile as well. Somehow Micky’s excitement and happiness was too contagious. “All right. We can have a stroll… on one condition.”

“What?” Micky quickly asked.

“Let’s bring Samar and Krizzia along. I don’t want them to get bored here in the room all day long,” Ellie answered.

“Fine with me,” Micky replied. “Let’s just bring Max and the others as well.”

“Ellie, you don’t have to worry about us. You can go and have fun with Micky, if you want to. Krizzia and I will be fine here. We’ll just sleep and rest,” Samar suddenly said with a yawn.

“Sleep and rest? Oh I see… I’m sorry. I never thought about that. I forgot you were the one who drove the car for hours. You must be tired,” Ellie said with concern.

“The two of you can have a date… if you like. Samar and I will just stay here,” Krizzia uttered mischievously.

Micky couldn’t help but laugh. He was somehow amused with Krizzia.

Ellie suddenly thought of a perfect way to make her friends happy. “Okay. We’re going out for a while,” she said sweetly.

--------------------------------------

Minutes later….

“So where are we going?” Micky asked curiously.

Ellie looked at him and smiled brightly. She was somehow feeling very inspired to do something special for her friends. “Do you think we can go to the market? I want to cook a special meal for Krizzia and Samar,” she asked.

“Sure, no problem. Just make sure the dishes you’re going to cook are good for the four of us. I would really like to taste the foods you’re going to prepare,” Micky replied.

Ellie nodded, then laughed. “Don’t worry. I will be making enough for everyone.”

Micky laughed. “Make sure you have enough food to feed an army. You’ll be surprised with Max’s appetite especially when he likes your dishes.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I already noticed,” she answered with a charming laugh.