Chapter 96: Sunday Lunch Break

"Oh, darling, no." Avery snorted. "That's not exactly what happened."

A servant stood behind her, introducing their first dish. Each person received 3 slices of bruschetta. The tomato mixture added color to the cheese slice. Its tanginess complimented the other flavors well. 

Altogether, they created a light meal to start out their lunch.

Jackson raised an eyebrow, choosing his first slice. "Are you saying I'm wrong?" 

"I'm saying that your son took his girlfriend shopping on the first date."

He shifted his gaze back at her. Confusion knitted between his brows. "And what is wrong with that? I didn't hear you complaining when we did the same thing."

"That's because you already knew I love shopping," Avery explained, rolling her eyes a little. "I was about to go shopping that day. Then, you suddenly decided to come along when I told you. We ate out after and so it became our first date."

"Ah, first dates," Richard lamented, a bitten bruschetta in his hand. "I usually go with the classic movie and dinner. The former gives us something to talk about and eases us into a conversation. You can also learn about someone through their choice in movies."

"So what does that say about you who loved Titanic?" Ambryan asked. He wiped the corners of his lips with a clean table napkin. Diced tomatoes piled on one side of his plate. "Did they find you romantic?"

"They found me romantic in other ways too." 

"Of course, they did!" Avery affirmed. "I still remember that bouquet you bought for your girl. It was so beautiful. I forgot that it was real. Each flower had vivid colors. The stems were sturdy as well as their leaves. It seemed like they could last forever."

"I appreciate the praise, Aunt Avery, but it was the florist's hard work that deserves the credit," Richard corrected. He took a big bite of his meal. He chewed it slowly and used it as an excuse for his silence.

He wasn't sure but he almost felt a sudden chill shiver down his spine. He'd rather not provoke it further.

Ambryan sliced his bruschetta in six, down the middle then in thirds. Each cube fitted in his mouth perfectly. He tried not to cringe while listening to the conversation. Although he made the pieces small, the tomato flavor still lingered. 

The cheese wasn't enough to tone it down.

Why did he make a pact to always eat the tomatoes served at this house?

"Back to my original question then," Jackson brought up swallowing the last bite of a bruschetta. "If you took her shopping at first, how did you end up in the roller skating rink?"

"Evangeline and I talked about them. Then, I remembered there was an establishment open nearby," Ambryan replied curtly. 

"That's all you have to say?" 

"I thought we agreed that it's best for you not to know too much?" He shot back. 

"Yes, yes, until I meet her," Jackson grumbled. He already heard it the first time. There wasn't a need for a second. Or a third. Or a fourth and so on. "But can't I know your perspective on this date? Then, I can ask for hers later on. It would give me a better idea than a one-sided story."

"You might be onto something there, dear…" Avery thought out loud. She sipped a bit of water from her glass. The bottom thudded against the wooden table. "Do you want to know my perspective on the date? It's very interesting."

"You mean how you spied on us?" 

She smirked at her son's glowering expression. "Why wouldn't I? I was worried! But I didn't stay for long. After I saw Evangeline drag you out of that mall, I knew you were in good hands."

Richard put his bruschetta down. "Wait, wait, wait… dragged out of the mall? How?"

Last time he checked, Ambryan towered over Evangeline. He couldn't imagine how someone shorter than his best friend managed to do such a thing. Ambryan could easily reverse the situation with his strength too. There had to be more to the story!

There just had to be!

And he wanted to know all of it!

"Yes!" Avery exclaimed, giggling as the moment replayed in her head. "She really did drag him out. Her hand was on his wrist as she pulled him towards the exit. It was amazing! I wish I had photos. I was going to steal whatever the media posted but… none of that made it into the news."

Mischief flashed in her violet eyes. "I think someone was embarrassed."

Ambryan finished his second bruschetta. He did his best not to gag, washing it down with water. Once again, he took the backseat and let the others talk. He washed down the cheese residue in his throat. "It wouldn't be good for the company image if its CEO was seen in such a way."

"You mean it wouldn't be good for your image if you were seen in such a way." Avery chuckled. A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. "Oh, my son. You have yet to discover how love makes us do unexpected things and not care for the consequences."

"I highly doubt that, mother. I had always been taught to be level-headed."

Richard shook his head. Why did it seem like for each progress, his best friend would also take a step back? "Don't ever underestimate love, Yan. Or else it might bite you painfully."

Ambryan stared at his plate. On his thigh, he clenched his hand into a fist. Silence fell onto the table. The only sounds came from nearby birds and the ceramic plates. A complicated feeling washed over Ambryan's head. It gnawed his mind and irritated him.

The fist gripped tighter. 

"Please excuse me."

…

…

...

...

…

Ambryan stood in front of a wide door. 

It had white paint and six panels. It had two locks, one from a lever handle and another from a double lock. Somehow, his legs led him here during his walk inside the manor. He spotted a familiar hallway, intending to take a peek. Next thing he knew, he ventured deeper—towards a room he hadn't seen in years. 

His hand brushed the handle. 

The metal felt cold under his touch. 

Dropping the handle, Ambryan tucked both of his hands into his pockets. He took a step back as his gaze swept upwards. A sigh exhaled out of his nose. 'It probably looks the same as usual…'

"Yan! There you are!" Richard yelled suddenly from behind. He jogged up to his best friend's side and noticed the door. His hand clasped the latter's shoulder. "Wow, and here I thought you left because you're tired of answering your dad's questions about Evangeline. I didn't think you'd end up here."

Ambryan opened his mouth to reply.

Then, Richard reached out and opened the door.

The words died in his throat as the room came to view. If one color dominated the room, it would be navy blue. A small sitting area stood on round gray carpet. It occupied the space closest to them. Two shelves of toys took up the corner of his old play area. Only a block tower strayed away from the collection—which had been placed on the floor. 

White curtains covered the back wall windows. 

"I think time stopped here when you turned 13." Richard chuckled, stepping inside. He spun in place and admired the rest of the interior. "Actually, this spot probably stopped when you were much younger than that. Your actual bedroom though…"

His feet strode towards a small opening. Blue paint covered every wall. One side had bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Their black wood stood out against the blue. The wall's only vacant part made way for a customized study table. It seemed to be a wall extension with its cement structure.

It sported the same royal blue.

But, the swivelling chair had navy blue cushions. 

Richard shook his head at the books. If he remembered right, Ambryan also had something similar in his home office. One in particular caught his attention. He pointed towards it while glancing over his shoulder.

He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. "Are those our high school textbooks? Aunt Avery still kept them?" 

"Apparently so," Ambryan said. He stayed by the opening, his shoulder leaning to the side. He took one look at the place and formed a conclusion. His theory had been proven before his eyes.

His room really hadn't changed.

His memories remembered it accurately.

Richard walked backward and sat on a twin bed. Delight surprise painted his face. He hadn't expected a trip down the past for some time but he didn't mind it either. He read the titles one by one, hoping another would trigger a memory. 

"Seriously…" he breathed out as he looked down at the floor. His younger self used to sit there a lot. Eventually, Ambryan would join in—just two boys answering their homework. "I remembered you had the latest PC back then too. It looked completely nothing like the current technology."

Ambryan scrunched his eyebrows. "I did? Most of what I remember was you crying about being rejected by the girls you like."

'... did you really have to bring that up?' Richard cursed internally. Was it a crime to like someone? Whenever his heart beat erratically, he followed it. It failed him many times, yes. 

But he also wanted zero regrets on that.

"So, mind telling me what happened back at the table? You don't normally act like that."