Chapter 77: Why Were They Here

Once they managed to talk it through, they could feel all the grudge subside.

Both of them kept chatting on late into midnight.

It was like one of their sleepover nights. But no matter what, they had to get up early in the morning so
that they could leave with the group as agreed previously.

Their trip happened on a weekend and it lasted for two days and one night.

It was an opportunity for their friendship to find a new direction amidst the wilderness.

Janessa was accustomed in climbing mountains with other travelling groups or just on her own.

This time however, she took special initiative to invite some of her climbing club friends and arrange the
activity for the sake of Alana and Eric.

But Alana knew nothing about it.

Janessa just said that Eric would be coming along as well.

She expected her friend to react, but Alana simply smiled to let her know that it did not make a
difference.

Once they arrived at the meeting point, Janessa was astounded to see the number of people.

Although she did plan for this event intentionally, a lot more people turned up than she actually
expected.

Some even took more of their friends.

Rayan and Gracie were also part of this group incidentally.



As Janessa was taking the final headcount of the participants, a fellow climber informed that two more
friends were on their way to join the event.

This new addition was not any trouble.

Every participant needed to arrange for their own gears in order to complete the mountain trek.

The group was just meant to keep each other company and take care in case of any emergency.

As she waited, Janessa rested against a tree and looked at the space ahead with a sense of
helplessness.

Eric waked over to her and while handing her a bottle of water said, "I did hear about this mountain
before.

I am actually surprised that you are so interested in things like mountain climbing."

She took the bottle but did not drink from it.

She eyed Alana who was standing far away and commented, "I knew you were a talented singer.Since
when are you into mountain climbing?"

"Come on sis, do not underestimate me.I often went for mountain treks when I did not have a steady
job.That was much before you knew me,"

Eric said proudly as he slightly beat his chest mockingly.

He showed off to Janessa.

"Fine.But do not complain when you are drained of all strength."

She smirked at Eric and walked over to Alana.



Then she gave her friend the water bottle.

The moment they smiled at each other, a commotion in front of them drew their attention.

The person who was the center of the mayhem was clearly visible.

It took Janessa a split second to recognize him.

‘What is Rayan doing here?’ He was decked in sportswear.He looked very enthusiastic and was very
different from how he dressed during business.He was towering over all with his tall and stout stature.

His absolutely fit body looked even better in those sportswear.

Even Eric had a good figure but he never exercised enough.

That made his stature thinner than Rayan.

"So, finally everybody is here.Let us begin.If we do not begin now, we will be late!"

Janessa finally announced after she had a good look at Rayan.

She sounded a bit vexed as she spoke.

She was annoyed at Rayan's lack of consideration for the others who had been waiting for so long.

Just as Gracie heard Janessa speak she was about to talk back, but Rayan immediately stopped her.

The group started the journey.

Janessa and Alana took the same car.

Naturally they started discussing Rayan.



"Why are you still at loggerheads with Rayan? It feels like the moment you two are at the same place
you two will start fighting with each other,"

Alana asked as she drove and stole a glance at her friend inquisitively.

"Concentrate on driving.Otherwise, we might just fall off from the road.If that happens we will be done
for good,"

Janessa said in a teasing tone but ignored her friend's question.

In reality, she had no answer to this question.

It was like this for them right from the beginning.

If they were to change their attitudes towards each it would be uncomfortable for them.

"Well, don't mind it.But you know the woman who was with him seemed very hostile towards you."

"That is understandable.She was Rayan’s ex-girlfriend.They are together right now again."

"Girlfriend? She was in a short skirt.How would she even climb the mountain in that? It is sad that he
has such a girlfriend."

Alana understood in the first instant that Gracie was not a nice person.

She had encountered many people like her right from her childhood.

So she knew really well, how to handle them.

As Gracie became the focus of their discussion, Janessa started revealing more things.

She told her friend about the baby she had lost and how Gracie was actually the mistress.



Hearing this Alana was ready to explode out of rage.

By this time the car had reached the destination.

Alana parked the vehicle and slammed on the steering wheel and screeched, "That woman is so
malicious! I will be honest with you.Never have I ever known such an evil woman."

"Don't worry.That was all before I and Rayan got divorced.Now if she tries to harm me or the people I
love, she will regret every moment of her life thereafter."

If this was Janessa's older version, she would remain silent for the sake of her family.

But now the tables had turned and she had no responsibility to care for any of them anymore.

"Yes.Just tell me if she even tries anything.I will give the bitch a good lesson."

"Don't get so angry.Also, do not walk with them once we start climbing.Who knows, she might do
something crazy and put us in some kind of risk."

After Alana finally calmed down, the two friends stepped out of the car.

A group of the participants proceeded to climb the mountain along with appropriate tools.

The people in the group who had prior experience took the responsibility of guiding the rest of the
people over there.

Initially Rayan and Gracie were in the first echelon.

But with time Gracie started lagging behind.

Slowly she and Rayan were the last two in the group.



Even Alana was not physically strong but she had climbed before with her friend, so she had some
advantage.

Thus when she saw Gracie's condition, she laughed out loud.

"I am sure this is really difficult for her.She needs more exercise.That way she won't be a burden on the
whole team."

Though Alana was not loud Gracie could hear everything very clearly.

She was indeed very tired by now.

She was in this situation because of Rayan who wanted to do this trek.

Janessa was to blame for everything.

Gracie rubbed her waist and slowly followed Rayan.

But after a while she could not even catch up with him.

"Hey, is everything okay? Will you be able to complete this trek?"

He looked back and made her sit down on a stone.

He was worried for her.

"Don’t worry for me please! I will be okay if I just sit down for a while.I am sorry."

They were already lagging much behind.

Although Gracie was really happy to be finally alone with Rayan, it was not safe in the wild
surroundings.



People often said that wild animals came out from nowhere.

"Don't worry.Come on, hop on my back!"

Rayan helped her and quickly moved towards the team with his girlfriend on his back.

Even with her on his back, he moved swiftly.

He was much faster than Gracie when she walked by herself. Within a while they were back with the
team.


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