As we stumbled outside the flower shop, we bumped into my grandpa who took hold of both Logan and my arm and dragged us inside. "Where do you think you two are going leaving the shop like that?"
"Er-I called Shaun, he said that he'll come and look after for a while," I said in a small voice and grandpa narrowed his eyes, raising his white bushy eyebrows simultaneously which made him look funny instead of threatening.
"Is that why you're getting paid, eh?" His mocking question was directed towards Logan who's lips pursed into a thin line. "Answer me, kid, before I fire your ass right away."
"Sorry sir," Logan mumbled almost grudgingly, his Adam's apple bobbling.
"Grandpa, we need to really go," I pleaded with my wide eyes feigning innocence as grandpa avoided my gaze, afraid that he would succumb to his dear granddaughter's begging. "Please grandpa, let us go. We have to hurry."
"Where is it you both want to go?" he grumbled and I suppressed my triumphant smile because at least he was ready to hear us.
So, I hurriedly told him the entire story which Logan reluctantly allowed me to. Grandpa surprisingly listened intently, his features softening before slight nervousness overtook him. He understood the situation Logan was in, at least he seemed to understand because he instructed, "Go to the apartment to grab your things kid. You can take the truck. After that, stay tonight in Shaun's room before we can move you in the morning."
It felt so good when an adult took responsibility, especially when we didn't know what to do.
Logan and I visibly relaxed a little and felt pleased at the same time. I asked curiously, "Where will we move him in the morning?"
"The lighthouse," grandpa replied flatly as if he had sorted the entire plan out. The abandoned lighthouse located on the protruding strip of land in the coast would be perfect. Grandpa spent several nights there reminiscing his lovely moments with grandma and I was sure that he would have maintained the place a little even though the ground floor was filled with debris. Besides, nobody went there. Logan would be safe.
"We can move him there now, can't we? It would be safer in case his uncle reports to the police and they come searching at our place," I pointed out and my grandpa's face turned grim.
"I have to clean that place, make sure everything is in order since he's supposed to live there for eleven days," grandpa grunted and I nodded in understanding. We had to trust grandpa, he had more experience in life than us and I knew that his decisions would be wise and thoughtful. I was glad that he even gave up the lighthouse so easily, the place that held profound meaning for him.
"Thank you, sir, for being supportive," Logan thanked a bit too formally, but I could notice the admiration and respect shining in his eyes for my grandpa.
My grandpa brushed it off like it was nothing. "I'm doing this for only my granddaughter."
Logan and I both glanced at each other, a sly, knowing smile etched on our faces and grandpa irritatedly pushed us out of the shop.
"Get out of here you both and don't get caught. There's this shop to be looked after," he grouched dismissively and Logan and I headed to the truck. Logan got in the driver's seat and I made myself comfortable in the passenger seat beside him. We snapped the familiar seatbelt in place and Logan started to drive. I waved at grandpa with a tender smile and he watched us disappear by the end of the street, a sombre expression on his face.
"So this uncle of yours . . . How is he besides ruthless and inconsiderate?" I asked, breaking the odd silence looming over the truck.
Logan's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly and I could notice his knuckles turning white. He let out a sardonic laugh. "Those words wouldn't suffice to how he really is."
"Then how come he's your guardian?"
"It was maybe decided when I was born or something because he's the closest blood relative after my grandparents. Nobody predicted that my entire family would-would be gone Joy, and then my grandma . . . " he trailed off, his eyes focused on the road. "He's a total prick, Joy. He came here looking for me not because he wants to destroy my life, well that's there, but more because he was offended. We didn't inform him of my grandma's death and he might think that's because he isn't important. He craves power and respect more than money or love."
"Oh, so your grandma was his mum or . . . ?" I let the question hang dubiously in the air and Logan sighed.
"No, my grandma was my mum's mum, the only surviving grandparent until-until some months back. My uncle's my father's only sibling, three years younger. On the other hand, my mum doesn't have any siblings," he elucidated and I nodded in understanding.
After a few more seconds when I couldn't remain silent, I started again, "Do you think your uncle will inform the cops?"
"He might, but I have heard that he owns a lot of illegal properties all over the town- cases which are still incomplete. I don't think he would want to deal with it, in case it pops up." Logan's expressions held a sense of uncertainty and fear which scared me too. "But he's a very slow-moving man, he'll take his own time. At least, that was what I know since I last met him three years ago, at-at my family's funeral. He's probably at some seaside café, waiting for his drink and the afternoon sun to cool down."
"It is hot though," I whined, loosening my scarf a little. "God, I'm sweating!"
"You can remove that scarf you know," Logan suggested smugly and I flashed him a scornful smile.
"Thank you very much, I can't take chances even when we're alone in this truck. I don't want anyone to see it. Who told you to bite so deeply anyway? Are you a vamp?" I could barely contain the redness creeping up my neck and Logan looked puzzled. "Vamp means vampire, like champ, means champion."
His mouth briefly formed an 'O' shape before he shrugged. "I just got carried away in the moment like you did."
"Hey!"
"What?" he almost snapped, his patience of putting up with me evaporating slowly.
"I didn't get carried away like you." I couldn't keep off the sense of accusation lacing my voice, although I knew that he was stating the truth.
He glanced at me, his eyes blank and bored, mocking me. Then came his blunt reply, "Joy, you moaned."
"I-I didn't . . . " even my denial was weak as I gave up wearily. "Let's not talk about this again."
He nodded because even he seemed to be embarrassed about the entire situation.
His one hand reached out to me, but I didn't hold it. "Are you mad at me Joy? I'm sorry if I holding you like that or kissing you in that-that way disgusted or hurt you---"
"No," I interjected quickly, saying nothing else, but not admitting that it actually felt nice. "Hands on wheel Logan, we don't want to die in an accident now, do we?"
Suddenly, he halted the car in one jerky motion and swung the door open wildly. He got out of the car in one swift motion and guilt surged through my body. Realization sank in me that I probably chose the wrong words- his family had passed away in a car accident. This was unintentional, I hadn't meant to say it in a hurtful way.
"Oh no, Logan. I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean it--- " I started and Logan turned around, a baffled expression on his face.
He cocked his head. "What happened?"
"I-I didn't mean it in a bad way- what I said now . . . I'm sorry . . . "
Logan had an amused look on his face. "I stopped the car because we reached." He gestured to the building.
"Right- your apartment." I awkwardly stepped down the car, heat rising into my cheeks from obvious mortification. "Right, sorry."
"I did hear what you said Joy and I know that you didn't mean it in an offending way. You don't have to be so careful around me. I'm as old as you, in fact, older. I'm not a child," he said nonchalantly and I bit the inside of my cheek even though relief flooded through me that he hadn't misunderstood. "Alright now, let's hurry."
"Yeah," I mumbled and followed him into the elevator. The old elevator which shook brutally sent tremors through my body. "Damn, this needs to be fixed."
Logan just hummed in response and we reached the twelfth floor. We strode towards his room and he unlocked the door. As I trod in, he switched on the lights. Compared to earlier when I had visited, now the apartment didn't stink. It was much neater with the minimal furniture in its proper place. Logan quickly started to collect his stuff and I grabbed his phone to call Rosemary. According to Logan, only her, the department store's manager where he worked earlier, Jamal, his old friend who used to previously own this apartment before my grandpa bought it, grandpa and I knew where Logan lived. I had already informed Jamal briefly and now I had to inform Rosemary.
"Hello," I greeted when she picked up the call.
"Hi! You're not Logan, this is Logan's number--- "
"Yeah, yeah. I'm JJ," I cut her off and I could feel her bubbling energy radiating through the phone.
She exclaimed blithely, "Oh, JJ! How are you? I'm so glad you called! The last time we didn't get time to talk and I was wondering when I would be able to talk to you. You see, I have heard so much about you and I would love to talk to you more! You seem so cool--- "
"Rosemary," I interrupted a bit too forcefully. "Rosemary, Logan and I actually have a favour to ask."
"Anything! I'll be able to do anything, just tell me!" She was practically screeching, but I knew that her intentions were to be friendly, good and helpful.
"Ah, thank you. It's just that . . . If any man comes asking for Logan and where he lives, say that you don't know. He might come in the department store later while you're working, so tell him that you don't have anything to do with Logan," I said clearly and she remained silent. "Can you do this for Logan please?"
"Yes, yes, of course!" It was as if I broke her reverie for she suddenly burst out. Then she continued hesitantly, "Is Logan in trouble?"
"No, not trouble exactly. Don't worry." I laughed lightly to ease the tension and her concern drifting between us. "Just do what I'm saying, okay?"
"Okay, sometimes I get worried about Logan. He's always been so distant . . ." her voice wavered and I knew what she felt. She liked Logan, but Logan never opened up to her. He never took her seriously.
"Rosemary, I need to go," I said apologetically.
"Yeah, of course! I'm sorry for getting all gloomy." She giggled nervously and I smiled to myself. "Anyway JJ, bye! See you around later!"
"Sure, bye," I mused and cut the call. Logan stared at me and my shoulders sagged. I quirked an eyebrow in question. "What?"
"Nothing, took quite some time to tell her," he pointed out and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah well . . . Are you done packing?" I noticed a medium-sized bag in his hand. "Is that all?"
"No, we'll drop by again tomorrow. We can't take all the stuff without any person noticing us. We can't draw any unnecessary attention towards us," he explained and I nodded faintly.
"Okay, let's go then," I said and ushered him out of his room.