Chapter 3

Looking at the two anxious men before her, Vanessa calmly said, "They're just photos. We can always take more." "You've burned everything! There's no other way but to take new ones next time. We haven't traveled together in a long time anyway." As Keanu conceded, Seamus quickly added, "Yeah, and we could bring Hannah along this time; she's always said she's never traveled before." Vanessa couldn't help but scoff at herself once more at Seamus' suggestion. Keanu and Seamus, assuming she had agreed, visibly relaxed. Just as they were about to head inside, they noticed several boxes in the living room that weren't there when they left that morning. "What's this?" they both asked in unison. Vanessa glanced over. "Oh, I quit my job. I'm planning to find a new one." "Didn't she really like that job?" The same question lingered in both men's heads. For some reason, Vanessa was acting unlike herself that day. It unsettled Keanu and Seamus. Seamus opened his mouth and started to ask more when an abrupt ringing interrupted the moment. Keanu answered the call, and Hannah's anxious, helpless voice came through on the other end. "Keanu, there's a sudden blackout at my place. I'm scared… What should I do?" Seamus' expression immediately changed at those words. He quickly interjected before Keanu could respond, "Don't worry, Hannah. I'll be right over." Keanu's brow furrowed, tension written all over his usually calm face. With worry for Hannah taking priority, Keanu and Seamus both grabbed their car keys and hurried out. Vanessa remained as calm as ever. After they left, she made a phone call to Maya. When she was younger, she lived with Maya, who treated her like a daughter. Now that she was leaving, it was only right to properly bid Maya goodbye. After learning that Vanessa was going home to get married, Maya asked in a tone filled with reluctance and surprise, "Nessa, do Keanu and Seamus know about your plans to get married in your hometown?" Vanessa paused for a moment. "They don't know, Aunt Maya. Please keep it a secret for me. I don't want things to get more complicated than this." There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Maya let out a deep sigh. "I understand. Since you were young, you were like a treasure to them. "From the way you guys always stick together, anyone could see those two boys liked you. I thought you'd eventually marry one of them. What a shame…" Vanessa smiled and said calmly, "There's nothing to be sad about. We don't suit each other." Hearing this, Maya didn't press further. Instead, she lamented, "Nessa, I always knew you'd go back home one day. I just didn't expect it to be so soon. I watched you grow up… "Come visit me before you leave, alright? Who knows when we'll meet again after you go back to Jirphia…" Vanessa chuckled and lovingly whined, "Of course I will. I have a few gifts for you too, Aunt Maya. I'll miss you as well." Maya continued to talk a bit more before finally hanging up the call. Just as Vanessa put down the phone, another call came in—it was her supervisor. "Nessa, your recent design won an award for the company. The trophy just arrived. Since you left before receiving it, I had your intern bring it to your place." The doorbell rang as soon as the supervisor said that. Vanessa ended the call. When she opened the door, she found Hannah standing there with the trophy in her hands.