The photographer(freenbecky)

Chap 20: old friend

"Aaron?" said Mio still didn't believe who she see in front of her.

"Mio? What are you doing here?" ask Aaron.

"This is my mom's shop. Why can't I be here. What about you? My mom said you always come here" ask Mio.

"er.. wanna come and join me?" invite Aaron. Mio just agreed and inform her mother before follow Aaron.

"Where have you gone? I've never seen you after that incident? I thought I'm not gonna see you ever again" said Mio.

"I'm still here. I don't go anywhere. How about you. Are you okay now? I heard that you continue your study oversea just to overcome your trauma because of that incident?" ask Aaron while his eyes still focus on the road.

"erm, I'm okay now. Just some incident happened make me remember what happened, but I'm totally okay with it." Mio answer. Her eyes sometimes take a glance at Aaron. She still feel awkward around him. First because she didn't close to Aaron as much as she close with others and second, it almost 8 years they haven't met.

After 30 minutes of driving, they arrive at graveyard. Mio confuse, who Aaron gonna visit. Then she just follow Aaron until they reach at the right grave. When Mio look at the tombstone, her eyes wide open when saw Rachel and Ruby name on it.

"you... always visit them?" ask Mio.

"yes, every week I'll visit them here." After that, both of them prefer to be silent. They put the flower at the tombstone and pay respect. After spent 30 minutes there, they get back to the car.

Right after Mio enter the car, she burst into tears. Right now her chest felt so tight like she can't breath. She have been hold herself from crying in front of her late friends and she can't hold it anymore.

Aaron who just got into the car shocked to see Mio crying hard. He don't know what to do so he just end up hug Mio, patting her back, trying to calm her down.

"I never visit .... Them....all... these years....how.... how can I... be this ... cruel....I.. I should visit... them..lo...long time ago...... why... why now......I ...I ...don't even now.... There here....." said Mio while crying.

"Its okay. You also got hurt drom that incident. They must understand it. At least now you know where they are" said Aaron. Mio continue crying for another 10 minutes before calm herself. Aaron then bring her to the café, just to eat something light to fill their stomach.

Mio look at Aaron face with her puffy eyes. Aaron who notice Mio gaze look at Mio.

"you have questions to ask me?" ask Aaron. Mio nodded.

"Why you seem to have changed. From what I remember, you are a nerd guys who crazy about science. How can you turn to be... like... erm, more presentable now? And you have got some fashion sense now.. did you get yourself a wife that change you?" ask Mio with lot of questions at one time.

"Am I? Maybe I just felt like I need to change after someone constantly criticized my look? And for your information, I'm still single af. No girls dare to come near me" replied Aaron.

"why there is no girls want you? Are you one of typical CEO that always fired their employee and throw paper all over the office?" Mio trying to make a joke.

"wow, how you know it. You've got six sense?" ask Aaron. Mio got shocked.

"Really? Wow, the nerd guy turn 180. How can I believe it. Ouh, so that's why you've got businessman vibe on you. Wow" said Mio. Aaron then stand up to show his fashion to Mio, more like to show off.

"Am I? maybe" said Aaron. Feel proud of himself.

"Are you sure you're that fierce CEO you told me. Is there any CEO who will act like you?" ask Mio weird. Aaron then realize his action and take his seat back.

"Ehem... sorry. Just happy to hear you compliment me." Say Aaron, try to turn back his personality.

"I'm just joking tho. Just be yourself. Aren't you tired to be 24 hours fierce like lion?"" Mio giigles a little.

"really? Okay. Finish your food then I'll send you back. Your mom gonna mad at me if I didn't send you back." Said Aaron then continue to finish is food.

"have you met with Daniel?" ask Mio.

"not yet, but I guess I'll meet him soon. But I saw him sometimes go visit Rachel and Ruby. It just that we never cross out path." Answered Aaron. Mio nodded and continue eating.

After they finish eating, Aaron send Mio straight to her house, not the shop because Mio didn't want to continue working there. After bid farewell, Mio go straight into her room with Shiro that follow her from the entrance.

She just lay on the bed. Spacing out but her mind blank right now. Then she remembers Aaron.

"How can person change drastically? But... he do look more handsome. Whatever. Ouh, I forgot to ask for his number, but I guess I'll never meet him again after this" mumble Mio to herself. Then suddenly Shiro jump on her bed and lay himself on Mio's stomach.

"Shiro!! Please know that you're fat okay. "said Mio try to push Shiro but Shiro make himself flatter, make Mio can't move his body. Then Shiro happily sleep there. Mio give up and sleep with Shiro.

While at the shop, Mrs Ayasa still waiting for Mio. So she call Aaron.

"What? You send her back to home already? She sure knows how to run from her job. I just about to assign some work for her to do. No, no one can help me" said Mrs Ayasa.

"Aunty, maybe I can help you if that something I capable of doing it." Offer Aaron. Mrs Ayasa happily accept it.

After 20 minutes, Aaron come back to the shop to help Mrs Ayasa until evening. He then excuse himself, decline Mrs Ayasa offer to have dinner with her.

"you are the first person that decline my offer you know" said Mrs Ayasa.

"I'm sorry but I've got some work to do and its urgent. Maybe next time" replied Aaron before vanish from Mrs Ayasa vision.

"wow, ho goso fast. I offer work, he come. I offer food she go? What a weird kid" said Mrs Ayasa but what can she do. She can't force people to follow what her say.

When Mrs Ayasa arrive at home, Mio already waiting at dining table to have dinner together. And like Mio expect, she got lecture by her mother because disappear without notice.

But Mrs Ayasa didn't tell Mio that Aaron came to help her because she knew that Mio will be mad if she know that she make her friends do something for her. She know Mio's patient limit so she not gonna tell her.