“Are they here yet?”
Fidgeting, Menandro was restless. Its been a while since he sat there waiting for the two. They will have dinner together. But even with just seconds, Menandro can’t help but feel it like hours.
Soon, the one he was waiting for arrived.
“Why are you here?”
Aiden asked and did not bat an eye to look at his father.
“I bet you already know the answer, don’t you?”
“Just, don’t cause scene”
He was a bit surprise by what his son said. After all, he expect him to start a fight but…
“Did you mature over those times? I am proud”
A glare was then given to him, but the eyes of the two gentlemen’s was caught with the maiden’s appearance.
“Lea”
With his hand holding his lips, Menandro gently put it down to fic his clothes.
“Good evening”
She mumbled a greetings that made the old man smile.
“You are indeed… alive”
Offering his hand, Lea is not sure of what he wanted to do. But soon as she slowly reach her hand to him, she was pulled in a hug. Even Aiden was surprised.
“I am more than happy that you are back, Lea”
“Yes?”
“You look beautiful. Just like the first time I saw you”
“Thank you, Lilith helped me prepare… she is capable and kind”
“Lilith, ah that maid. She surely knows how to show your glow”
“Thank you sir”
She doesn’t know what was happening. Although the hug isn’t something that she hates, the man hugging her she doesn’t feel wary about him. Indeed she was nervous but on top of that,
‘Why do I feel relieved?’
“Sir? You can call me father, just like you used to do”
“Fa-“
Surprised, she feels it uncomfortable to speak and call him like that. but the smile of hope soon as he let go of the hug, Lea can’t help but look at Aiden, asking for help.
“Stop teasing her, FATHER”
A chuckle echoed on the dining hall. Menandro didn’t expect him to be that mad. But the moment he hug Lea, he knew that someone is glaring at him as if he wants him dead.
‘Indeed it was Aiden… but why is he so mad? Is it because I hug Lea?’
Pulling her to his side, Aiden even pull a seat for her.
‘Aiden, to get jealous of your own father… Oh Claudia, aren’t our son so childish too?’
The meals then arrived. As if there was a feast or a grand occasion to celebrate. None of them talked about what happened to Lea. They just had a casual talk. Until Menandro talk something about how Aiden loves to eat shrimps and lobster.
“Yes, he even waited for the cook to finish that meal. I think he was just five by that?”
“Shrimp and lobster? That sounds tasty”
A small smile in Lea’s lips disappeared the moment she heard the knife of Aiden falling on the plate.
“You…”
“Yes?”
Confused by why he is so mad, Lea can’t help but be worried.
“Do you really not remember anything? About… you?”
Silence then touches the place.
“I…”
“It is alright, Lea. Don’t think much about what my dumb child said. He is just curious that is”
Forcing a smile, Lea can’t help but wonder why she find it hard to answer that question.
“Sorry”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry of”
Aiden started
“It is I who must apologize. Forgive my rude question”
Not knowing any words to say, she then smile to calm the atmosphere.
“I will cook shrimp and lobster for you as a thank you for your help… before I leave, lets eat those dish”
Staring at her, she doesn’t know where she said something weird.
‘Is there something I said wrong?’
Looking at the father and son, she can’t help but be worried how quiet they become.
“You are allergic in shrimps and anything related to them”
Mumbling it loud enough for her to hear, Aiden can’t help but remember that time when she accidently eat one. That time when they attend a party with Aiya and Elton.
“I am?”
“Yes… it was something I learned when you got hospitalize after fainting… you eat a dish with shrimp on it…”
“Is that so?”
Confused on why he knows that, Lea’s head started to hurt as she hear some words repeating on her head.
Lea’s POV
‘There was a shrimp in your food. Base on the test that have done, your body is not taking seafood naturally’
Who is that person speaking? What…
‘ Unlike other people, shrimps and the likes of them are toxins in your body’
What is this? Why do I feel like…
‘ It gives you a different effect that once you take any of it… even if it is just in your throat, you can get signs like what you experienced just now’
I think I heard this somewhere before…
‘ For your body have a strange reaction in it. Which is to say, in order for you to continue your life like what it is used to be, be careful in what you eat’
That time…
‘It is lucky of you that the substance you are wasn't that much. It became a factor for you not getting any fate injury’
That time…
‘How can you eat something that you have allergies with?’
What is this…
‘Good, don't cause any more trouble. The car will arrive later. Do take rest. I have to go’
Why do I feel hurt somehow? But for some reason…
Why don’t I feel any hatred?
“Lea? Are you alright?”
Soon as I get back to my senses, there Aiden was. Looking at me with so much worry on his face. Somehow… it made me chuckle a but. Giggling as I look at him.
“That look doesn’t suit you too…”
I giggled not knowing why I am acting like this.
“Lea, can I ask you a favor?”
“Yes?”
Looking at Aiden, she was surprised to hear those words. But what she was more surprised of… is when Aiden asked her something she never thought he would
“Can I hug you?”