Chapter 193: Family Dinner 3

The doorknob turned and in entered the men of the three big families. Leo Martins with his two boys- Channing 22, Brave 17, Aaron Saint with Jayden 22 and finally Dr. Kash with Cody 17. The cheerful atmosphere that accompanied them made them dashing as their features matched perfectly with their fathers' younger selves. Their mere sight always took the women's breath away.

After being married for over 20 something years now, the love they had for each other was still strong. The family bond they have come to established, their long-time friendship which had stood the test and trials of time was the most beautiful as their children too have grown to establish their own bonds with each other.

After playing basketball with the boys at the park, Aaron, Kash and Leo together with the boys now returned refreshed to partake in their monthly family dinner which they established 20 years ago, to allow their children build a close bond and friendship with each other like they themselves, has now realised as for the first time, none of them were absent. All their children were present with them and they were about to eat and socialise together. There was nothing more beautiful than this.

At the hall, the women stared at their husbands. The boys also hugged their sisters and they started chatting. Afar from everyone's gaze stood two people that stood frozen at the same spot staring at each other.

Jayden's ears were deafened to the chattering that was going on around him as he stared at Ever. Behind the kitchen counter stood Ever, also staring at him with complicated emotions.

Two years, it has been two years since they last saw each other. After that day she broke up and ceased all forms of contact with him, this was the first time they were seeing each other again.

Seeing him just reminded her of their high school days, that day she made him a walnut cake, his favourite and confessed her feelings to him. It felt just like yesterday since that happened.

Regrets? She didn't know if what she was feeling at the moment was regrets or not but she was certainly feeling hurt as the memory of that day came to mind. She had taken a flight to Cambridge. Booked a hotel suite room with her money. That was the same hotel he was going to auction his first painting after learning painting from Aunt Rowena. She had intended to surprise him only to be surprised by him.

All Ever wanted was a simple life. She had always felt inferior to all the other kids in the family because she didn't inherit any of her parent's brains. She didn't inherit her mother's slender body, long legs and beautiful face. She was the type of person that was just a 1.60m tall woman with a curvy structure because of the extra fat she carried around her lower body and D-cupped size. She wasn't a drop dead beauty like Jade or Amber, whom were very slim and commanded a lot of attention wherever they went but, Ever carried within her the kind of beauty that one would only notice after being around her for a long time.

When she was in high school, her classmates would make fun of her. She was the first from the bottom in class because she couldn't remember anything even if she studied for a whole night. Once she had tried to quit school and that was when Jayden stepped in. He had helped her with her studies, patiently teaching her and from the bottom she rose to the top 20 in her class in that particular semester.

Perhaps, she had felt too comfortable around him, spent too much time with him causing her to even develop feelings for him. She never thought he would one day be her boyfriend because he was just so handsome for someone like her, but he promised her. He told her, she was the only one he could see even if he were in a room filled with girls.

He said so many things to her, made her feel like she was the only really beautiful. In the end, he was just like every other man. They would tell her she was too plump. She was too this and too that. It was like she could never fit into the criterial of a beautiful woman like everyone else, because she was either too short, too thick, too curvy or she had a rather normal face. A too normal face that made people to easily forget about her. She never stood out. She was always the second lead in everyone's happy story.

Shaking her head and turning away fast, Ever wiped the tear that threatened to fall from her face. Today was a joyous day and she shouldn't be the one to make things awkward for everyone. She was a strong woman now. She was no longer that stupid girl who fed on attention. She was her own person.

Looking at her back turned to him, Jayden felt his heart ripping apart. He had told her long again never to turn her back on him. He had told her he hated seeing her back facing him yet now, instead of facing him, she had her back turned against him.

They had a beautiful relationship before. She was the only girl who commanded his attention without even trying. Since growing up, he had always felt himself drawn to her uniqueness. She was different, beautifully different in her own way. He had made sure no boy went near her since high school, when she first started developing. She had developed so well even at a younger age that it worried him. He was always by his side because he feared that the boys would go to her and play with her. He didn't want anyone setting their predatory eyes on the woman he wanted.

Till now, their breakup is something he could never get over. He didn't know where he went wrong or how he had hurt her for her to call him and breakup with him over the phone. She had cut off all forms of contact with him after breaking up.

Jayden's gaze lingered hard on Ever until he felt a touch on his shoulder, bringing him back to his senses. He turned and saw that everyone was already seated except him.

''Jay, what are you thinking about?'' Channing asked as he sat beside Amber. He looked at the only empty seat which was directly facing Ever. He looked at everyone and felt that they were all purposefully taunting him. He went forth and sat down and looked at Ever coldly. The latter turned away swiftly as if he were a plague.

''Everyone is here. It is so beautiful to have everyone here finally. Jade and Jayden, you are welcome back. Is good to have you back'' Leo said as he sat at the head of the table. They were the hosting family.

''Uncle, you promised to let me pay the base a visit when I come back. I am here now'' Jade said.

''Pervert'' Jayden muttered.

''More like you want to go and ogle at the new military recruits that are there'' Amber said. She stayed at the base with AI Alice, so she had information about what was happening at the base.

''What? Can't I satisfy my eyes?'' Jade asked and August Maijune shook her head.

''This girl, I wonder who you take after to be so shameless'' August Maijune said and everyone turned to look at her. She saw their eyes and pointed at herself asking "'me? I wasn't like that''

''I wonder who was talking to me about 99 and 1 reasons in this same house?'' Liyah said rhetorically.

''Big sis, how can you betray me like this?'' August Maijune glared at Liyah.

''Mom, everyone knows I take after your shamelessness. End of debate'' Jade said confidently.

''You…'' August Maijune was rendered speechless.

''Well, we have a lot of good food here. The women did a wonderful job. After here, we will take care of the outdoor activities. We the men will do the grilling'' Leo said and the ladies clapped their hands.

''This is walnut cake, Jayden we made this specially for you and Jade'' Liyah said to Jayden.

''Aunt, I stopped eating walnut cake two years ago'' Jayden replied as he looked at Ever.

''Huh? Why?'' Liyah asked back.

''I'm allergic to it now. I get rashes when I eat it, walnut cake and I don't make a good match I guess'' he added shocking everyone in the room. He remained nonchalant after saying that.

''Wow, I just felt goosebumps all over my body right now'' Brave who sat beside Ever said.

''Everyone, eat. Those who are allergic to walnut, don't force yourself to eat it. There are a lot of good food today, let's eat everyone'' Leo said and eyed Aaron and Kash meaningfully.

Everyone started picking the various dishes into their plates to eat. Jade picked the most from all the dishes on the table. Her plate was full as she sat back relaxed ready to eat.

''Whoa, third cousin, are you able to digest all of this food?'' Cody who sat beside Jade asked.

''Off course, this third cousin doesn't need to go on a diet. My body is able to digest all of this''