Secret Doors

Portia’s P. O. V:

Airi and I decided to renovate my room and office next. It’s funny that both of us can manage to renovate the house even though we are both girls. Since we are going to replace one of the walls with glass Airi called her cousin Jean he’s a close friend of mine too. “Hey, Jean can you come over? Here at Portia’s house.” Airi said at the other line. “Why? Did she break her bones again?” Jean said jokingly.

“No, not this time. But she needs help fixing her house.” Airi told him and I laughed at how cute they talked. “Sure. I’ll come over.” Jean agrees. “Wait for me, I’ll be there in an hour,” Jean said before hanging up. “Doesn’t he have any schedules today?” I asked Airi. “Maybe he takes a leave today. He said he feels tired and away lately.” Airi told me. “Being a doctor must be so hard,” I answered her.

“I guess, he looks grumpy lately,” Airi told me. “Anyways let’s prepare lunch so we can have energy later,” I suggested to Airi and we both go downstairs to prepare avocado salad and some chicken and garlic bread. After eating we rest for a while and paint some parts of the house. We heard Jean calling for us downstairs. “I’m here,” Jean calls out. We go downstairs to meet him.

“Hey, nice to have you helping, Jean,” I said as soon as I saw him. “It’s been a month since I saw you,” I told him. “Yes, I thought you broke your leg but seems like this time you broke your house.” He joked. “Hey, I’m not that clumsy dude.” I tried to nudge him and we laughed. “Anyway, I bring a cake with me so we can eat later.” He said and handed it to Airi.

“So let’s get working?” Jean said Prepare to work with us. “Come on let’s go upstairs so you will see,” Airi told him and we go upstairs. “We need a hand to install this glass in this area so she will have a divider between her office and bed,” Airi explains to Jean. “I see. Let’s work on it now.” Jean understands the instructions and we started working on it.

We have some talk while working in the room and office. “So what’s next after we put this glass wall?” Jean asked. “We are planning to renovate the living room,” I told him. “Let’s do it now because I only have this day as a day off. I’ll spend this day helping with you guys.” Jean said. “Really? That’s thoughtful of you. Thank you.” I thanked him. “Anytime.” He said and smiles at me.

“So how was work and love life for you Jean?” I popped a question while putting the vinyl flooring for my office. “Oh, about that.” Jean suddenly became serious. “Lately I feel detached from my current life situation. Work has been very tiring and my girlfriend became stubborn and we almost fight every day.” Jean confessed his problems. Airi and I looked at each other and then turn to him. We didn’t know that it became this hard for him.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Hey, dude, what happened?” Airi asked Jean full 0f concern. “Lately she become this complete stranger to me. She doesn’t understand my job anymore.” Jean said that worries us. He continued adding the hanging shelves while telling the story to us. “Have both of you talked about it?” I asked him. Jean and his girlfriend are lovers since his college days.

I admire both of them in their relationship as they grew strong together. His girlfriend was always at his side when everything falls down for Jean through thick and thin they survived. But why now? When everything is starting to feel good. “We haven’t had a good talk since our last fight.” He said and I can feel he’s frustrated already.

“Maybe both of you need a vacation,” I suggested to him. “Yes, Portia is right maybe you both need a vacation as she did. Look at her she realize a lot in her life when she had a rest.” Airi added to our conversation. “Yes, try to find the spark again Jean.” I agreed with Airi. We finally finish the setup of the office and my room. We headed next to the next room where I am going to make crafts and DIY room.

“I was planning to open an online craft store so this extra room will be my crafts and DIY room,” I told Jean who is now polishing some of the plywood we are going to use. “Wow, Portia you had a big change since you got on vacation. I can sense positive energy in you.” Jean complimented me. “Yes thank you for noticing. I have come to realize a lot of things and events in my life lately.” I told him.

“I wanted to do a little change in my life and try to move on from the past.” I continued and he smiles again. This best friend of mine is literally handsome when he smiles. “I am so proud of you for taking a big step in your life,” Jean said proudly and hug me as a congratulation. “Aww, so sweet thank you for staying with me through thick and thin Jean.” I also thanked him and tap his back in between the hugs. He messed with my hair when we parted.

“Maybe my girlfriend and I needed to take refreshments like you. So we can fix things in ourselves too.” Jean said and I happily agreed. “Yes try out the resort I went into. They have the best deals. A fancy and luxurious accommodation at a great price.” I excitedly share with him my experience in the hotel. “Oh, sure send me the details.” He said them Airi enters.

“I wish I can have a vacation too. But we have a lot of work since you have a one-month leave, Portia.” Airi complains and we both laugh at her. “After we finished our current project. I promise you can have your vacation.” I promised to Airi and hug her. “Aww, you are so sweet my dear Portia.” She said in excitement. The three of us had more conversations until we finish the DIY room and the living room.

“Time flew so fast it’s now three am,” Airi said while looking at the stars. We are currently on the rooftop of my house having some strawberry champagne. It was a gift from the hotel owner to me since I am chosen for the last dance. “Yes we had so much fun to the point we didn’t realize it.” Jean agrees while tasting the champagne.

“By the way, this champagne tastes so good Portia.” Airi compliments the champagne. “Oh, yes it was a gift from the hotel since I won the last dance,” I told them. I took a gulp as I only wanted to taste the champagne and not drink so much. “They are generous. What a great service.” Jean said while taking a sip on his glass. My phone rings with an unknown number.

“I just have to take this. Enjoy yourselves guys.” I told them and go down to the terrace of my house. “Hello? Who’s this?” I answered the phone and I heard his hiss. Oh boy! Didn’t you know I miss you?

“Levi? Is this you?” I asked. “Miss me?” Levi asked as a way of confirmation. “Of course, I always miss you,” I said almost crying. Why am I being like this to him? “Don’t worry you will see me next week brat.” He said. “Is this your new number?” I asked him. “No, I broke my phone so I am using the Hotel’s phone.” He explains.

“I see. How are you? I miss you. Did you eat on time? What happened to your day? Is everything alright?” I asked non-stop questions as I feel so worried about him. He laughed at the other line. “I’ll meet you next week and ask me that when we see each other. I have to hang up now.” Levi laughed at my questions.

“Hey dude is it wrong to ask you when I miss you this bad?” I asked him. “I do miss you too but stay calm okay? Take care. Got to hang up now.” He said and he hangs up. Tsk, that man he will only call to tease me.