Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 102

After hanging up the phone, I had zero desire to go back to the living room.

I made a sneaky exit and started to wander around the neighborhood. The whole place was dolled up for the New Year and had a real festive vibe. A few kids were running around, having a ball.

Before I knew it, I found myself outside the complex, aimlessly meandering the streets like a vagabond.

Out of the blue, I noticed Neil's car parked at a nearby intersection.

Why was he here? Was he looking for me?

I felt a little jittery.

Quickly, I realized I was overthinking. Bonnie was getting out of the passenger seat.

Neil also got out of the car. They chatted by the roadside for a bit before hopping back in. The car started moving in my direction.

As soon as Neil saw me, he slammed on the brakes.

He sprang out of the car, circled around the front, and stood in front of me. His brow was furrowed slightly, and I wasn't sure if it was because of Bonnie or me.

"Happy New Year." I said, managing a calm smile.

"Uh huh." Neil grunted in response before asking, "When are you heading back to Sterling Estates?"

Behind him, Bonnie rolled down the car window, watching us nervously.

Didn't Bonnie tell him that I was going abroad after the holidays?

But then again, it made sense. Neil was all over the place when it came to me. If he knew I was leaving the country, he might do something rash. Bonnie wouldn't want to bring that upon herself.

She was probably waiting for me to make the first move. By the time I was miles away, any wavering on his part would be pointless.

I glanced at Bonnie and casually said, "We'll see. Don't sweat about me; look after her first."

So they were on a date on New Year's Day?

"She..." Neil instinctively looked back at Bonnie. After spotting her watching him, he stuttered slightly, "I'm just dropping her home."

"Irene, don't get the wrong idea." Bonnie interjected earnestly. "I snuck out while my parents were away, and they thought Mr. Whitmore had egged me on to leave home. They wanted to give him a hard time, so he found me and is taking me back."

Ah, there she was again, playing the peacemaker.

Bonnie was trying to maintain her image as the innocent, kind-hearted girl in front of Neil.

I gave a small smile. "Alright, I got it. You better get going."

"Goodbye." Bonnie waved at me.

I pretended not to see and turned to leave.

When I was beat from wandering around, I headed back to Harold's place. Simmons was just about to leave, and I was secretly pleased with my perfect timing.

But then my dad said, "Rena, Stella wants you to come over. You should go with Simmons. Don't forget to bring a gift for Iva."

"Aren't we visiting Kelley too?" I asked, surprised.

"Just Harold and us will go. Her place is too far, and it's tiring to travel, so it's better for you to go to Stella's. We'll be back tomorrow or the day after. Manage your own schedule for now." My dad said that as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

What the hell? In the middle of a family holiday, he wanted me to live at someone else's place?

Even if Stella was my best friend, this wasn't right!

Simmons was grinning, and he waved at me gently, "Let's go, Rena."