𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

'~•.•°•-11. A Chat Gone Wrong-•°•.•~'

"This is for you, dear. It's a special custard that's been made in my family for generations. All healthy and natural ingredients" then she added "The name's Freda. Freda Lombard"

I stared briefly and blankly at the custard but quickly put on a friendly expression as I reluctantly took the plate of custard. "Oh. Why thank you...." I said then went to go set the custard aside and gazed back at Freda.

"Though as kind and hospitable you and your people are, I'm afraid that me, my friends and my brother need to leave. I was supposed to take my brother to college yesterday but plans seem to have taken a different course. Besides, my father might be worried sick so I must head over to a payphone to reach out to him and find Gideon to work something out" I explained.

Freda nodded along with every bit of my word as if understanding. "I see" she began. "Well in case if that doesn't work out. I'll do everything in my power to help you out as soon as possible." Then she slightly tilted her head.

"Gideon? Huh?"

I nodded "Yes. I wanted him to charge my car but he refused since my car is too advanced for this town to not have charging stations... Personally, I find him a little too grouchy....." I said.

Freda smiled softly and nodded "Ah. Gideon tends to be intense when it comes to socializing with the others. Don't pay mind to him, dear. It's just the way he is. It's normal for everyone here." She stated.

"But for now? Just let loose, have a good time, get a bite to eat!" She insisted.

To be honest, I'm in no mood to party. I didn't want to party, I'm not even hungry at all. I was just desperate to call my dad and leave this town. But I didn't tell her that since I didn't want to be rude. I just smiled.

"Thank you, Freda..." I said then turned away to go make my way through to return back outside.

Once outside, I went around to the side of the house seeing Blake sitting at the cement steps.

I could see her forcing her smile and patting the space beside her. "Come. We still have lots to talk about"

Despite that she's rubbing me off the wrong way, I went over to sit on the steps beside her out of respect.

"How was your experience with my mother?" Blake asked.

"Your mother seems like a very nice lady. She offered me some custard..." I replied.

"Did you try it? The custard?" Blake asked as her eyes somewhat lit up with hope.

I shook my head "No actually. I didn't get the chance to.."

Strangely, I see Blake turn her head away and hissed something under her breath. I couldn't really tell but it looked to me like she was disappointed and bitter.

It was an odd behavior but I figured that I was probably being disrespectful for not trying the custard. Maybe to the Nilbog locals, it was a sign of respect if a tourist takes a bite of the baked goods that were given. But again. I wasn't hungry.

Then soon, Blake turned back to me, wearing that forced smile again. "Well, no matter. Perhaps you'll get a bite to eat later before you take off" she said. Then asked "So, Olivia. Do you have any boyfriends where you're from? Anyone special in particular that you're seeing?" She was all ears.

I shook my head "No. I don't have any boyfriends. I don't have anyone to call 'mine'. Honestly, I haven't been able to see any guys due to the lack of traveling. I always wanted to travel all over the world to learn different cultures and stuff. But.... Responsibilities always held me back.."