Chapter 214: Room for One More

For the event, the school had rented out a park away from the city. It had enough space for private vehicles and had a nearby bus stop for anyone who used public transportation. Tents and tables stood around the center where the main events would happen. A small stage was provided at one end of the park.

The administration also decorated the barren trees with streamers. 

All Eve could think about was how hard it would be to remove them.

The four of them walked up to the registration desk. Eri and Ede both wore numbers on their clothes. Gin teased how they wouldn't be able to win the raffles with their bad luck. Eve slapped his arm and ordered him to apologize.

While waiting for the activities to start, their group wandered around the food stalls. Volunteers and small businesses around the city joined the event. Some of the faculty also put up their own booths. There was so much to see and the girls were more than happy to explore.

Gin lagged behind, displeasure written all over his face. 'How could places be so crowded? Didn't people have anything better to do?'

"Don't even try to get left behind, Gin," Eve spoke from the front. She didn't even look in his direction. "I can practically hear your thoughts from here."

"Whatever you say, mom," he muttered with a scoff. 

"What did you say?"

"I said you're the best big sister anyone could ask for."

"Don't let Andie hear you."

"Gee, I'm so careless."

Eve rolled her chocolate eyes, letting it drop. She spotted a large tent beside the stage. It had several seats for the academy's administrative body. Half of the seats were occupied by them and the other half were their guests of honor.

Among them, only one figure stood out for the sisters. She wore a pair of beige pants and a matching oversized coat. Butterfly-shaped sunglasses covered her violet eyes. She spoke with the person beside her. 

But when the girls approached, she flickered her gaze towards them. The smile on her face spread wider. She bolted off her seat and dashed for them.

"Aunt Avery!" The twins exclaimed, pumping their legs and meeting the madam halfway.

"Girls!" 

Eve stayed behind with Gin. She draped her arm around his shoulders and gripped tight. He grunted in protest but let her drag him.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! How's school? Are there any teachers who are mean to you?" Avery asked. She squatted down and held both of the twins' hands.

"Mrs. Hathaway, there's no such thing," someone interrupted from the tent.

"Oh, I was just kidding, Principal. You know that." The madam chuckled over her shoulder. She pulled the girls closer and lowered the volume of her voice. "But, seriously, tell me if someone is being bad."

"Got it, Aunt Avery," Eri nodded. 

Avery beamed and gave them one last hug. Straightening her legs, she waved at the two people approaching her and the twins. "Eve! Good to see you!" 

"Mrs. Hathaway." Eve returned the gesture with a smile. "I hope you have been well." 

The madam turned to the teenage boy under her grip. "And this is…?" 

"This is Gin," Eve introduced. "He and his mother left after the recital ended."

"Ah," Avery uttered. She nodded her head once. "Then, it's also good to see you."

"Pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Hathaway. You look as lovely as you were when you still did movies and not a day older."

The Hart sisters slowly turned their heads towards him. If they had a hard time believing those words came out of his mouth, the friendly smile on his face had the same effect. All three of them wished they had a camera—Eve already taking out her phone.

"Kiss-up." Ede coughed.

Gin side-stepped closer to her and nudged her back. He kept his gaze on Avery. "I heard so much about you and your sponsorship at The Magical Symphony, you see. It struck a chord in me and I did a bit of research."

"I see…" the madam breathed out, looking at Eve for answers. The latter merely shrugged. "Well, don't let me keep you. I have to stay here and maintain social relations."

Eri tugged on her coat. "Can you join us for the games?"

Taken aback, Avery assessed their group and counted an even number. She patted the girl's head. "Aw, sweetie. I wish I could but I can't leave my chair. The administration and I have a lot to talk about. We're going to a meeting soon."

"Okay." The twin sighed. She let go of the coat and kicked the ground.

"I'm sure Gin is more than happy to accompany you."

"I-I—"

"You what?" Ede challenged. She had an eyebrow raised while her chin tilted up. It was the best thing she could do to seem like she was looking down on a person.

Gin leaned down and smiled with his teeth gritted together. "I'm delighted."

"Ah, wonderful. Off you go now." Avery shooed the four away and rejoined the tent. First thing in order was to sing praises about the twins. She informed the entire faculty about their amazing performance at the recital. Then, she proceeded to narrate how well her son got along with them—going as far as imitate the conversation between Ambryan and Erin.

Her stories were well-received.

None of the listeners would forget about them in a long time.

"Mind explaining why you were so nice to Mrs. Hathaway?" Eve teased Gin. The twins walked a bit closer to the latter. They also wanted to hear his answer. 

He averted his eyes and shrugged. Suddenly, a cart for balloon animals seemed interesting. He wouldn't take his gaze off it. "She is a lady of great power."

"And…?"

"And I'd rather not get on her bad side."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

Eve found their designated table. Finally done from walking around, Gin brought out his Nintendo Switch and opened his most recent game. The twins sat across from him, enjoying cups of bobba tea. They got different flavors and exchanged sips so they could try both. Eve also had one. She offered to Gin but he chose to have water.

Now, it was only a matter of time before the event started…

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"Tell me why a school suddenly thinks it's a good choice to invite a model to their family event?" Mikael asked as he stepped out of his Lamborghini Aventador S. He wrapped a scarf around his neck. "Shouldn't it be their sponsors or something?"

"If you want to blame anyone, blame Evangeline and The Magical Symphony," Jordan replied, climbing out of the driver's side. He locked the car and tossed the keys to his male model. "The ad campaign was a huge hit. They even managed a video montage and played it across the city."

Unconvinced, Mikael placed his hands on his hips. He observed the park from a distance. There was lively music and chatter. The faint smell of spices lingered in the air. Families loitered in groups. His lips thinned into a grim line.

"And what am I supposed to do here?"

"They want you to join in the fun," Jordan repeated for the nth. Maybe the instructions were too vague? It wasn't like they could predict when it was a live event. "Come on, we don't want to be late. The PR Team and photographers are waiting for us."

"If I didn't know any better, you make it sound like a press conference."

The two men headed for the park. Children ran past them, squealing and screaming. Their guardians followed behind in order not to lose the kids. Mikael guessed that the entire student body wasn't present. The school probably divided them into groups. 

Which meant if this was a success, he'd have to go back for the other Family Days.

"Ah, they're here."

The Principal rose from his seat. Mikael and Jordan, along with the PR Team and photographers, walked up to the big tent. Greetings as well as pleasantries were passed around. Soon, a small group formed for a bit of last minute brainstorming—deciding on which events to highlight.

"Ah, Mr. Davis!" Avery greeted with a wave. She extended her hand for a shake. "Lovely to see you. When was the last time we met again?"

"I think it was at the Athon Launch party."

"Was it? I thought there was something more recent."

"I don't have the best memory so I've been told."

"Me either so no worries." The madam chuckled and moved to Jordan. "It's also a pleasure to meet you again, Mr. Dawson. Luna is really fond of the both of you. It's high time we spend more time together so I get to know her favorite pair."

"I'll be looking forward to it, Mrs. Hathaway."

"We had given it thought and decided to mimic what The Magical Symphony did as I've been informed by a photographer named Tae present," the Principal interrupted as he joined the group. "We'll have Mikael mingle with the students. You mentioned about the twins earlier, Avery. Do you think they'd be willing to let Mikael join them for a day?"

"Yes, Mikael is very good with kids," Jordan reassured, slapping his friend's back.

The madam's eyebrows shot up. "You mean with Everlee Hart and her sisters?"

At her statement, the male model snapped his head in her direction. "Ms. Hart?"

"So you know her already!" The Principal nodded in approval. "Then, it's settled. Let's begin the opening ceremonies, hm?"