CHAPTER SEVEN- MR. KNOW IT ALL

JOANABE POV

It's been three years I've lost contact with him, It's been thirty-six months I've been wanting to hear him, It's been twenty-six thousand two hundred eight hours I've been missing him, longing him. The person I've been seeking for is right on my phone talking to me like he did before.

He loudly exhales that creates a vibration through my ears, "Hello, Joanabe?" 

Is this the day, He will ask me out?

Is this finally the day he will say 'I miss you and I love you?'

Is this it?

~~~~~~

"Joanabe?" he said to the seventeen years old of me while swinging his feet, sitting in the chair. 

"Knock, knock." 

I looked at his eyes with a questionable look in my face, and I gave him an awkward smile.

"Yes?"

"You are supposed to say who's there?" His eyes were locked in the dark blue skies.

I looked up and met the moon on my face. "Who's there?"

"Joanabe." He plainly said to me.

I raised my brow without turning my face to him. 

"Joanabe, who?"

"Joanabe, my prom girl tonight? I mean, my girl tonight?" The soulful of his voice caught my attention, I quickly looked at him and his eyes met mine. 

The eyes that on mine were like the skies under the moonlight, I got mesmerized.

"Tonight huh?" I breathe.

"Probably for the rest of my life?" He said that to me.

He those words to me with sincerity, I could not believe it.

My mouth and eyes went wide open.

"You promise?" I hesitantly asked him, my voice pitched as I could feel my heart beaten triple times.

"I promise, pinky swear." He chuckles and raised his pinky finger to me and interlocked it with my pinky finger.

~~~~~~~~~~

After that night we spent in the balcony I haven't met or seen him around.

I miss Kane so much.

"Hello, this is Kane. Is this Joanabe's phone number?" He sounds so hesitant to ask.

My tears start to block my sights, and I bite my lower lip as no words that can come out from my mouth.

I lean on my wheel.

*SNIFF*SNIFF*

"Joanabe, are you crying?" I know he will feel sorry for this, but I can't help it, to feel so emotional over his voice. 

"I am sorry for calling you suddenly; I got your number from your manager. I met her in States while strolling in the streets. I miss you." 

Still, no words can express how much this means to me.

"Can we meet in Diner Casimir tonight? I want to see you. I'll wait here for you."

He took a deep breath and says in his deep voice, "I'll be waiting for you, Joanabe." 

I hung up the voice.

He only misses me, nothing more, nothing less while banging my head in my wheel.

I drive my car to my mom. She must have waited too long. 

My mom is standing in the place where I left here, she is hugging herself and alone. 

I stop right in front of her, "Mom get inside."

She nods at me and ducks her head to get inside in my car. She grabs the seatbelt and buckles it around her body. 

Her eyes are in the mirror.

"Joanabe, are you crying?"

I try my best not to cry in front of her, but my tears are falling to my cheeks. 

"Mom, *sniff* I go-got a phone call from *sniff* Kane," I sniff loudly to her my shoulders are shaking up from my emotions.

"What did he say?" My mom quickly pulls my face to make me look at her.

"Mom. You know how much I miss him. Ever since he made that promise to me, I've been hoping for him."What did he say?"

I cried louder.

"Mom, I've been searching for him. He never said any word to me after three years. Why love has to be so hard?" 

"Joanabe-"

I interrupt my mom.

"I am confused. I don't know if I should be happy or not. I don't know if he means it or-or not. There are so-so many questions running in my mind and I don't have any answers."My voice shutters and my hiccup are starting to get louder.

"Joanabe, it alright. What did he say on the phone call?"My mom's fingers wipe the tears that are non-stop from falling.

"He said that-that he will...wait for me at Diner Casimir tonight."

My mom smiles weakly at my mess face, "Shh, isn't that great? You will finally meet him, and you will finally get the answers from your questions."

She grabs my hand and holds it firmly, kissing the top of it. 

"I have your back."

I kiss the top of our hands and smile at her.

"You got this alright?" She blows my face.

I closed my eyes and open it again.

"Don't think about too much in the past. He is waiting for you right now." My mom said gently.

I nod to her firmly and grab the steering wheel and drives in my car properly.

After a long silent ride on our way to the restaurant.

We arrived at Diner Casimir. I park my car in the street near it.

I unbuckled my seatbelt so as my mom.

I open the door of my blue car to get out and close it then hurriedly run to my mother's side door to open it for her.

She gets out of the car and nods. "Thank you."

My feet won't move, my body stiffens in my position. The wind seems cold, and I shiver from its touch.

The warmth of a hand suddenly melts the shivering of my body.

My eyes scan the restaurant. It is pretty crowded.

The smell of the country bread, kinds of seafood, and salads greeted us as we walk closer to the restaurant. 

I haven't been here.

This must be one of Billy's favorite places to eat.

Mom's hand opens the door for us.

My mind seems not thinking straight.

*WHAT WILL I SAY TO HIM? WHAT WILL HE SAY TO ME? WHAT IS THIS MEETING ALL ABOUT?- OR IS FOR?*

**GROWLS**

I am hungry, I blush hard as a tomato when my tummy growls loudly in this place. I hear my mom chuckle and people start to smile lightly at him.

I looked down because I feel embarrassed. 

"Joanabe! Joanabe here!"I slowly lift my head up to see the man's calling.

Kane raises his arm to direct our attention to him.

He gleamed at me lively, and I smile at him in response.

We walk directly to him. He stands up from his seat and greets us, "Good evening, Mrs. Mullins and Joanabe."

"Good evening." My mom coldly response to him.

I can feel my face dull. 

"I think I should leave Joanabe here with you. Talk to her properly."

*WHAT? WAIT! MOM IS LEAVING ME ALONE WITH HIM?*

"Mom-"

"Joanabe, baby you must have a proper conversation with him. Okay?"

My mom holds my hand tighter and lets it go.

"I'll grab a cab going home so don't worry about me and enjoy your time with him. I will cancel your reservation at the other restaurant."

 "Thanks, Mom."

We watched my mom walks away from us and leaves the restaurant.

He is about to make a gentleman move, but I quickly grab the chair and sit. He seats on his chair shockingly.

Kane cleared his throat, "what will you have? My treat." 

He offers me food, but I stare blankly at him.

"They have smoked salmon and casseroles of flaked cod your favorites." He happily says that in front of me but it feels more like a punch of my face.

He still remembers and I hate it.

I came here to hear him sorry and how much he misses me, but he does not seem unhappy.

He is more lively than before.

"Are you sure they are my favorites? Time flies, things have changed."I crossed my arms in my chest, raising my brow at him. 

He stays quiet.

"I have so many questions to ask you, Kane-" 

"We should eat first. I know you will like their food service here."He cuts me off. 

I huff and look irritated.

"Kane, I should go. What's the point of this?" 

Kane grabs my wrist instantly. I forcefully shake my wrist, but I have no match of his strength. 

He looks at me seriously as I look at him. 

"Joanabe, I am engaged."