Casey looked around. This was definitely a single-room apartment. Although everything that was needed was here, like the kitchen, and the dining and living area, it was all on a small scale.
He now wondered if there wasn't enough money to get a better apartment. But then he remembered that EMMA paid Astrid a hefty amount for being their first perfume line's ambassador. Not to mention the money paid for being the ambassador of their new collection, which was much larger than the former. Should he have paid more?
Wait- could Astrid's agency actually not giving him the money he earned? And here he thought that agent was trustworthy. Should he do a comprehensive background check on the entertainment company Astrid signed in to?
As Casey was having delusions on his own, Thomas was also feeling very uncomfortable. Because the whole apartment wasn't even as big as the smallest bathroom in their mansion. The place only had one bedroom. Even if Andreas spent the weekday at the military academy, this place was still hardly adequate for two growing boys to live in.
Thomas felt truly uncomfortable at the thought that Emmaline's family might not have the money to even afford a two-bedroom apartment. But he couldn't say anything here. Since the two hadn't recognized him as an 'uncle', it would already be a miracle if they would. He didn't have the right to say anything about this matter.
"Please, sit. I'll go and prepare tea and some snacks," Astrid said.
Casey wanted to say that there's no need, but before he could, Astrid had already walked towards the small kitchen. So, he could only walk towards where Reas was and sat opposite the other. Tommy followed him and sat beside him.
He looked at the teenager sitting before him. The other was observing him and Tommy, as if pondering what kind of judgment he would pass on to them. Casey attempted a friendly smile, but his facial muscles felt stiff, making the gesture come across as awkward.
"Hello, Reas," he greeted.
Because what Reas said just showed that he didn't have any interest in being a family with them. Rather than the strong emotion of 'hate', what he's giving them was indifference. Something that Casey had been afraid of since he found out about the twins.
Thomas was also just as lost as Casey. He was unsure how to respond or whether he should even speak. His emotions were a chaotic whirlwind—sadness, frustration, regret, and pain all blending together into an overwhelming weight on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
But he also understood that he had to say something. If he just left it as it was, not only Andreas, but even Astrid would only treat them as nothing more but a passing acquaintance. Maybe Cassius would be in a much better position, as well as Nicol. But the twins would still have some reservations for even those two. And because of that, deep inside, they wouldn't truly feel like they're family.
But for things to at least not reach that point, the twins needed to understand their grandfather's perspective. And that was something even Thomas might not be able to accomplish.
So, where could he go from there?
As the strange silence continued, Astrid was finally done with making tea. He put them on a tray together with a plate of sesame balls. Before he could lift the tray, Reas had already stood up and walked to his side, carrying the tray for him.
He glanced at his brother. Of course, he also heard what he said to Casey and Thomas. He gave the other a raised brow, as if saying 'do you really need to be that direct?'. Reas, in turn, just shrugged. Which was almost equivalent to him saying, 'why shouldn't I?'.
Astrid could only shake his head helplessly as he followed Reas, who had already placed the tray on the center table. He sat beside the other and poured tea for Casey and Thomas.
"Please, have some tea. It's from our farm, so I can assure you of its quality."