After hanging up the phone, I didn't want to go to the living room.

I sneaked out and started wandering around the neighborhood. The neighborhood was decorated for New Year. Some children were playing around. In the cold air, there was a festive atmosphere for New Year.

Unconsciously, I walked out of the gate of the community and wandered aimlessly on the street like a homeless person.

Suddenly, I noticed Frederic's car parked at the intersection not far ahead.

How did he get here? Did he come for me?

I was a little nervous.

Soon I realized that I was overthinking. I saw Emilia getting out of the passenger seat.

Frederic also got out of the driver's seat. The two of them said something on the side of the road, and then they got back in the car and drove towards the residential area.

At the moment he saw me, Frederic hit the brakes.

He quickly got off the car and came to me. There were slight wrinkles on his handsome face, and I didn't know if it was because of Emilia or me.

"Happy New Year," I smiled calmly.

"Well," Frederic then asked me, "when did you return to Maple Villa after the New Year?"

Behind him, Emilia rolled down the car window and looked at us nervously.

I wondered, "Didn't Emilia tell him that I was going abroad after the New Year?"

"But it makes sense. Given Frederic's indecisive attitude, if he knew I was going abroad, he might do something surprising again. Emilia wouldn't go looking for trouble."

"I might as well keep it from him. Who can stop me when I am in a foreign country?"

I glanced at Emilia and answered calmly, "It depends. Don't worry about me so much. Take care of her first."

I thought, "Did they elope?"

"She..." Frederic turned around and glanced at Emilia, realizing that she was looking at him. His tone became somewhat awkward. "Um, I escorted her back."

"Sylvia, don't misunderstand," Emilia said sincerely, "I snuck out to have some fun while my parents were out. They think Mr. Hudson encouraged me to run away from home and are looking for him. So he found me and is taking me back."

I thought, "How understanding she was. She blamed herself for the mistake again."

It seems that Emilia intended to maintain a kind and innocent image in front of Frederic.

I smiled and said, "Okay, I got it. Go back quickly."

"Sylvia, goodbye," Emilia waved to me.

I pretended not to see and walked away.

I returned to my uncle's house only after I had tired myself out from wandering around. Dylan was about to leave when I was happy to come back just in time.

But my dad said, "Syl, Greta invited you to her house. You could go with Dylan. Remember to bring a gift."

"Dad, weren't we supposed to go to Auntie's house?" I was shocked.

"I went with your uncle. It was such a long journey and we were tired. You should go to Greta's house. We should be back tomorrow or the day after. Take care of yourself these two days." My dad said.

I thought, "What? Did he make me spend New Year's alone at someone else's house?"

Even though Greta was my best friend, she shouldn't have done that!

Dylan smiled and waved at me gently. "Let's go, Syl."