The Billionaire's Daughter
Chapter 24: Replacement

The past three days went by in a blur of educational fun and excitement. I half expected the conference to be boring but I was wrong. There were discussions but there were also activities that tested the delegates' patience, endurance and leadership skills. There was one day we played games like those in "Minute to Win It". Some Philippine inspired game "Pinoy Henyo" which Rob and I really enjoyed a lot. It was like a modified charades game, which everyone really loved.

The discussions were very empowering and educational. It would really help me on my journey to University. The Conference all in all was an unforgettable experience, which I will treasure forever. Another good thing about it was gaining new friends. I was able to meet and befriend students from different schools which I may have a chance of meeting again in the future. Of course, who could forget about Rob. He was a heaven sent. A very trusted new friend.

Rod and I really bonded well because of this trip. In just a span of three days, due to the quality time we had, we got to know about each other and ended up being closer friends.

We had "friendly-not-a-date" dinner every night and surprisingly, I enjoyed his company. He makes me laugh and he always pay attention to each word I say. He remembers everything I told him about me and he surprises me each night with something that I told him previously.

Like the first night he gave me my favorite flower, yellow carnations. The second night, he ordered my favorite desert chocolate mouse and then asked me to watch a late movie at the hotel's theater room with my favorite movie "A Walk To Remember" and with Caramel Popcorn that I absolutely loved. Tonight, he asked the Restaurant's band to sing "Mirrors" which I also mentioned to him to be my most played song in my playlist.

Rob is every girl's dream and I am lucky to spend so much time with him, but I still wished every day that it was Franco who was with me. Franco, who I haven't spoken in three days. Whenever I call him either his phone is not reachable. Maybe he was busy with his mom and work that he left his phone unattended. I have a lot of things to tell him when we see each other.

"Earth to Saphira."

"Oh sorry, did I space out again?"

"You kinda do that a lot today."

"Sorry. I just miss my bestfriend. I haven't spoken to him in three days which is unusual."

I saw some flicker of hurt in his eyes upon my words but perhaps I was just imagining.

"Don't worry about him. I'm here now and I will keep you company."

"I know and I am really grateful it was you who replaced him. It was nice having another friend. Thank you so much. And thank you again for dinner as usual."

"You will always be welcome."

We smiled at each other but an awkward silence ensued. I don't know why but after that Rob seem to be distant. After our diner, he led me to my hotel room then said his goodbye.

A perfect gentleman, he usually just say goodbye when he was about to leave, but that night, he hugged me tightly before going to his room.

I should have asked what was wrong as he was acting weird but I just assumed that he was tired. So I went to sleep with worry on why he was acting strange and of course my nightly wonderings on how Franco was faring without me back at home. The next morning, I woke up feeling excited. It was our last day at the Conference and soon will be heading home. I donned white slacks and velvet green off-shoulder long sleeved blouse and beige stiletto shoes, pinned my hair in a messy bun.

I waited for Rob for a few minutes because he always picks me up every morning from across the hall so we can go down to the conference together. It was almost 5 minutes before the conference time and he still haven't showed up so I proceeded downstairs. I was surprised that he was still not there. I asked our new friends but they said he hasn't arrived yet.

I was about to go back up to his room when he entered the hall with a girl clinging to his arms. The girl was one of the delegates who have been trying to flirt with him for the past days, which he thankfully ignored, but I guess she succeeded last night with the way she was trying desperately to cling to his arm while they were walking. I don't know why but I actually felt some hatred for the girl. It was like something I felt when I saw Madeleine with Franco. I want to pull that girl's hair and tell her to back off but when I saw Rob's passive face, I felt some sense of relief that the girl seem to be irrelevant to him.

He was expressionless but when he saw me, I saw some longing and regret crossed his face. I waved at him and smiled and after a few seconds of just staring at me, thankfully he seemed to remember me and smiled back. Slowly disentangling himself from the flirtatious girl, he walked towards our seat.

"Hey. I was worried about you. I was about to go back for you when you entered the hall."

"Sorry. I was.... late due to some..."

"No need to explain. I understand."

"No you don't."

It was a silent whisper but I heard it. I don't think he want to talk about it but later I will replace out what the problem is.

"Rob."

When he looked at me, I saw sadness in his eyes and it was natural for me to feel protective of him since he is now my friend.

"Is there something wrong, Rob? You can tell me you know."

I wanted to hold him, hug him and tell him that whatever it is I will listen. But of course, we were at the Conference and something cheesy as that will not go unnoticed, so I just took his hand and held it tight. "Soon I'll tell you. For now, I'm happy. Just don't let go of my hand."

With that, we attended our last day of conference together. Literally together, holding hands.0000