Mom and Jasper are now both enjoying each others company in the living room as I make my way to the kitchen. I pour muself a glass of water to cool down a little. As I drink, I start thinking who that man could be. Maybe he is mom's friend. But I rarely see or hear her talk about a male named Jasper. But then, I never hear her talk about any male in general. Then, are they dating? No, I don't think mom's dating anyone. I go to take a little peak at the two and they're sitting very close to each other. To close for comfort. On my part then. I return to the kitchen with the dating thought and place my glass in the sink. I make my way over to the living room and stand in front of the two talking adults. It's rude, I know. "Hey honey, were where you?" Mom asks as she looks up at me. "Kitchen, drinking a glass of water." She nodded. "I want to introduce you to someone. This", she said as she places her hand on the man's shoulders, "is Jasper. He's was your father's best friend." I move my eyes away from hers to meet Jasper's. "Hello Bailey." I mumbled a little 'hi'. I feel slightly embarrassed thinking they were dating. Wait, no, it's still possible. "Are you dating each other?" I ask straightforwardly. Jasper coughs on his glass of Coke my mom had offered him. Mom pats his back a little. "Honey, first of all, I would dare to date your father's best friend. Second of all, he is married." My eyes widened as I hear her say those words. "I beg your pardon? Married? Wait, did you also say he's dad's best friend?" She nodded. "But I thought... And you never... I'm so sorry..." I say in one breath. "Sit down, sweetie." I sat down beside her. "I'm very sorry sir." He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Anyways, I only came by to make sure that Chortlanie still lived here." He smiled gently. "And you sure still do." His phone rang and he picked up, talking to a person who seems to be confirming and informing something. "It seems to have gotten quite late. I should be heading home." We walked him to the front door. "My whole family would come and visit on Wednesday this week." Mom nodded and we said our goodbyes.

The past two days have been hard to move around in school. School drains my energy to the maximum nowadays. Strange as to how I used to be invincible, but now I'm known as the fool who confessed to someone's boyfriend. I'm standing in front my mirror staring at my reflection. I'm wearing a simple black stripes dress that ends a few inches above my knees. My hair is held up in a ponytail. I wasn't sure if I should wear sandals or my Totoro slippers. "I'm at home, so I'll just go with my slippers." I slip into them and go downstairs. Today is the day Jasper and his family will come for a visit. I don't remember who he was. I never saw him when papa was alive. It's so strange. I enter the kitchen and see mom preparing dinner. "Do you need any help?" I ask and walk over. "Yes. Please remove the plaits on the dining table, the glasses... In overall, just set up the table." She said, a little bit stress. She must be nervous. It's so strange to see my overall relaxed CEO of a mother so worked up. They must mean a lot to her. I thought to myself as I prepare the table. As mom finishes cooking and I setting everything on the table, we hear the door bell ring. Mom looks up and fixes her hair, pulled her blazer, pulled her skirt down. You know, all the things nervous people tend to do. She walked to the door and I follow quietly behind her. She opened the door and there were a man, Jasper, and what seems to be his wife. Jasper was wearing a white V-neck shirt, gray trouser, a black coat and brown semi-formal shoes. His wife was wearing a casual sleeve off shoulder flower pattern dress combined, surprisingly, with white vans. Casually beautiful. "Good evening Rosie, Bailey." Said Jasper. Mom gestured for them to enter. They both entered and we all went to the living room. Jasper and I sat down as mom and his wife stared at each other. A minute later, their hugging each other like thy're trying to squeeze each others soul out. It's funny and nice seeing mom being this emotional. They must mean a lot to her. I envied mom a little in that very moment, but pushed my jealousy aside. I loathed the feeling. "Rosie, I think you still have some introducing to do." The let go of each other. "Bailey, Annabeth. Annabeth, Bailey." She introduced. I stood up and shook her hand and we said our small 'nice to meet you'. The doorbell rang. I left for the door. I opened the door. "Ajax...?" I said, looking at him in shock.