It had been a full day without Noel contacting me, worse, he avoided me on Tuesday and Monday evening. Though puzzled by his sudden, negative attitude toward me again, I tried to concentrate on the Wednesday dinner. Hence, I sent invitations to Ruby and her parents whilst purchasing all the necessary groceries. Moreover, I decided that my mother's family appearance would be a surprise — as well as the reason for the sudden gathering. That was obvious because the last time that we had a home gathering was when mother lived with us.

"That should be it." I clapped my hands after placing the box of delivered dairy products on the kitchen island. Thereafter, I turned on the music and began my one-way ticket to paradise — which is cooking because it was my favourite hobby. Setting the spiced chicken in the microwave, I walked around the room as I tidied up the place and replaced the worn out curtains. If mother had to see the house in a messy state, her assumptions about father's reckless behaviour would be firm.

"You seem to be in a good mood." Father walked toward the front door. "Is your little friend coming over?"

"Oh, Noel?" I chuckled as I arranged the utensils in the dishwasher. "I told you that uncle Nathaniel will be visiting."

"Ugh! That silly youngster." He rubbed his pressed eyebrows and picked up the car keys. "Tell him that I died last month."

"Papa! Are you running away from your godson again? He isn't visiting to check on your health; it's for dinner." My lips curled upwards when I remembered how uncle Nathaniel got on my father's nerves because of his demanding, unfazed approach to dad's rebukes and stubbornness. He was the perfect person to be the medium and avoid being chased away due to my father being his godfather.

It was a secretly caring affection that screamed enemies, but friends. Moreover, he had been married to aunt Emma for less than three years. The last time that uncle visited, he brought numerous bottles of wine and drank it whilst informing his godfather that patients shouldn't partake in alcohol consumption. It was hilarious because he complained about being locked out of his house.

"He always has an excuse to get on my nerves." Papa sighed, causing me to giggle at his remarks. For several seconds, he stood at the door as though debating whether to leave or not until the sound of the unlocked door echoed in the room.

"Getting braver, old man." Dad almost ran toward the stairs when uncle Nathaniel unexpectedly patted his shoulder. After moments of silence, Aunt Emma and Ruby walked in with countless gift bags. "I knew you'd pull up a little resistance to my visit."

"No surprise there. You weren't the one being treated like a weakling when bedded in the hospital." I directed aunt Emma and Ruby toward the living room, as the two arguing men followed behind. "Who are you calling a grey head?" Dad waved his hand over his trimmed, dyed, black hair. Although he was in his middle forties and my mom in her late thirties — they still looked maturely fit.

"When will they be here?" Ruby whispered softly when she sat beside me. Her excitement was very visible by her high pitched-voice, which made me relaxed. "I couldn't believe you when you called, but I'm so proud of your decision. I hope it goes well, and I've already given my parents a heads-up."

"No wonder, I was a little shocked that he hasn't begun deliberately annoying Papa." I laughed, then held her hands. "This means so much to me; thanks for being here."

"I'll always be here for you. Always." Ruby pulled me toward her as she hugged me. "If we fail to reunite both sides, then I'll just adopt you, myself."

"Don't be silly, I'm an adult." Giggling, I playfully pushed her away and stared at the gathered people. Father and uncle Nathaniel had gone to the study room whilst discussing international trade. Left alone, aunt Emma stood in the kitchen as she poured beverages in several glasses. "But, I wouldn't mind it if it is you. Though, I'm not wishing for my dad's death — provided that you act as my maid of honour on my wedding with Noel."

"Keep dreaming." She rolled her eyes.

The conversations became philosophical and emotional, the more that we waited for the main guests. Luckily, father hadn't bothered to enquire about the change in manners and why the dinner was being delayed. Whenever the clock ticked, my eyes guiltily focused on the door, but it seemed that my patience slowly ran out. The atmosphere was slowly changing, and I hated the fact that I had believed in my mother — of course, she wouldn't mind going back on her words.

"Dear, everyone is getting hungry." Aunt Emma whispered, then stood up from beside me on the couch before rubbing my cheek and walking toward the kitchen. "Let's serve the food."

I was disappointed, no, a little shocked by my expectations. Moreover, half an hour passed by, and I patiently waited like I did when she left home. "I'm so stupid." I mumbled. It seemed that the woman wouldn't be attending.

My hand traced the warm seat before standing up. At that moment, I could feel my trembling fingers and cold legs. It was at the time when the aching pain in my chest reminded me that reality wasn't a fairy tale. If I couldn't have her, then I just had to appreciate what I had left. Because for a girl like me, days were never rainbows and unicorns from the start. I'd hoped to close this chapter on a positive side, but pain was inevitable.

In the end, she never came back home.

"Sorry, I'm late." The voice that always called my name whenever I rushed to hide under the bed as a kid; the sound that made the darkness tolerable whenever she sang lullabies under the moonlight. It was the familiar tone, which patiently taught me to make lanterns that flew freely in the sky.

"M... Mother." My voice was a whisper and I unconsciously raced toward her before, surprisingly, engulfing her in my arms. "I thought, I thought you won't come. Why did you take so long?"

"Oh." I heard the shock in her voice before her hands rubbed my loose curls. It was a gentle touch and I couldn't hold the tears in my eyes. Slowly, wet warmth caressed my cheeks as my cries echoed in the room. "I really thought the dinner started at seven o'clock, I'm sorry, I'll be early next time."

"It seems that our guests are here, shall we dine? Emma, prepare three more seats." Uncle Nathaniel managed the situation until the awkwardness was none existent. I slightly turned, my almost swollen eyes fixed downward, when aunt Emma and Ruby placed more plates at the table. Although my head was resting on my mother's shoulder, I could feel the burning gaze from my father. For my comfort, I prayed that my uncle would fix it. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Nathaniel Spenser. It's a small gathering, I hope that it will be to your satisfaction."

"Ugh, a true host." Mumbling to myself, I could feel mother chuckle as she broke my hiding place — the hug.

"Quit the formality, Nathaniel." She giggled, then sighed. "This is my husband, Robert Olson, and his niece, Fiona."

"It has been long, Penelope. It's a pleasure meeting you; Mr Olson, Fiona." He responded before his greetings were immediately acknowledged by the guests. With that, he introduced the rest of the family to them, including my father, who had been sitting on a dinning chair since mother walked in. Unfortunately, I was too occupied to have noticed his immediate reaction to them. There was silence until he faked a smile.

"Welcome to my home, Mr and Mrs Olson. I hope that my daughter's cooking is to your liking." The spiteful tone was equivalent to a death threat coated in politeness. I smiled, then walked toward Fiona, who seemed confused by the sudden atmosphere. Whilst everyone took their positions at the dining table, I held her hand and led her to sit between Ruby and I.

"How was the journey here? I guess the traffic was too much." I whispered to her when the starter dish was placed on the table. Immediately, she smiled shyly and held the soup spoon.

"The traffic is indeed terrible here, but your house is so warm. Unlike, the corbella residential area, this place is lively and kind of crowded. Hence, we arrived a little later than expected." Fiona twirled her spoon, then stared at the bowl of vegetable soup. "I heard that you are also at Hillcrest academy. I'm in my tenth grade, you?"

Although my attention was on Fiona, I could listen to the conversation among the four individuals. They were engaged in a polite debate about uncle Nathaniel's marriage; which seemed to have relaxed the atmosphere. "Twelfths grade."

"Oh my." Fiona's eyes beamed. "Then, you are in the same grade as the person that we went mountain hiking with at the camp. No wonder, he kept pestering me about you since we met. Is he your boyfriend?" She teased.

"What?!" Covering my mouth, I knew that I was in trouble by the glance that aunt Emma gave me. Without hesitation, I turned back to our conversation, Ruby seemed to be listening as she tilted her head. "Who?"

"Hm? His name was Li... Lin... nyui." Fiona closed her eyes whilst trying the words. "I've forgotten, but it sounds something like it."

"Thanks, I doubt that I have a friend by that name." I lied.

Thereafter, I focused on the food before me. Although the silence took over, and I was deep in thoughts, it seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves because paired interactions slowly built up. By the time that desert was about to be served, Ruby asked the guests if they wouldn't mind the teenagers having the final meal in my bedroom.

Of course, Ruby played it off so well that nobody suspected that it was an opportunity for her parents to resolve the tense situation without my presence. According to her, my presence would have hindered their honest opinions during the discussion, hence, preventing them from fully opening up. I did have my doubts and curiosity, but when we walked toward my room, I was certain that I'd heard the walls breaking.

"Wow..." Fiona excitedly clapped her hands, then dashed toward my study desk wall that was filled with Noel's fan art. "Ah! You are Noel's fan too. He is so adorable, and look at his beautiful lips."

"Ahem!" Ruby hid her laugh with a dry cough.

"I heard that Noel might be dating, can you imagine? I don't believe it; after all, nobody is good enough for him. Right?" Fiona smiled shyly, then traced the jawline of the image. "I've had a crush on him for years."

"Oh?" I threw myself on my bed before my desert was handed to me. Moreover, her words didn't affect me because I had gotten used to it since my class had fans too. Honestly, I liked that he got the attention, yet focused on me. A cocky smile crossed my face before biting the strawberry. "Hm, I bet he tastes this sweet."

"Eww, so perverted." Fiona shyly covered the visible blush on her cheeks, then pulled the plate closer.

The night sky darkened, and the bright stars filled the lonely sky. It had been a long night and for two hours, Ruby and Fiona managed to distract me from reality. It felt like a dream; when we played the video games, sang karaoke and watched movies. For once, I forgot that within the happy hours, the floor below was heated in arguments. But, with time, all wounds slowly healed. What mattered was that the cold blood was coated, thus letting the internal affairs be handled within.

When Aunt Emma called us back, we noticed the difference. Everyone's mood was better than before, and the communication flowed without stressing. After a while, my father and I stood at the door as we walked out the guests. Honestly, I didn't care what was discussed without me, but what mattered was that they came to a mutual understanding filled with misunderstandings. After all, not all problems are completely cleared.

"I'll see you later." Ruby hugged me, then waved when her parents finished talking to Papa. With a quick farewell to my mother's family, they boarded the car and drove away.

"Thanks for the excellent hosting, Peter." My eyes widened when Mr Olson called my father by his name. Momentarily, my first instinct was calm father, but it seemed that it didn't affect him.

"It's my pleasure, Robert." Papa replied. At that point, I knew that my stunned expression was very visible, yet, I smiled. If I knew earlier that uncle Nathaniel and aunt Emma were negotiating experts, then I would've known where Ruby took her advising persona from.

"Little Aurora, stay safe and visit us too." I happily nodded until Mr Olson laughed. "We'll be leaving now, thank you."

I couldn't respond before Fiona hugged me and reminded me to greet her at school and home. After a while, when they walked toward the car, my mother stood by my side and hugged me. "Thanks for the dinner, your cooking skills are on par with my chef. By the way, I would like it if you came for the holiday after your exams. It's almost the end of the year."

"I will, take care."

"Thanks for raising our daughter, Peter. I'm truly grateful." That was all that she said before heading toward the parked car. Eventually, it was driven out of the yard and I remained quiet at the door.

"I know that this was all your set-up." Father sighed, then stared at me. Thereafter, a soft smile spread across his face. "When I was left with a child, I was truly devastated, and I had no idea how to raise a kid, worse, a female child. Because I didn't know what a girl child required to be raised, where my boundaries were as a father, and what duties as a mother that I'd do without making you uncomfortable."

"..." I slowly stared at the tiled floor and waited for him to proceed.

"But, I cannot deny that my behaviour brought about the separation of my family. I didn't communicate well with your mother and I regret it because I worked hard since I felt indebted to her. She sponsored us and cut her family off, whilst I aimed to be the man that she could feel equal to. It appears that I failed to admit that her wealth status made me feel inferior and less of an alpha. It was my pride..." He sniffed in the tears and covered his mouth. It was the first time that father looked regretful and vulnerable.

"I..." I sighed, then looked away. He probably wouldn't like it if I made him feel vulnerable.

"I look worthless right now, but, I'm happy that she is happy. I was too greedy and immature for her. If I had been better, then another man wouldn't have seen her in such a miserable situation. I shouldn't have treated her like that; I don't know what I was trying to prove. Dominance? Pathetic." This time, he slid his body off the wall and cried. I could only watch him because whenever I tried to comfort him, my words got caught up in my throat.

Papa's cries made me clench the dress before I took a deep breath; in most cases, silence was better than meaningless words. But, if it were Noel, then I would have comforted and embraced him. In the worst case, it's my prideful father, and I knew that me seeing his vulnerable side would hurt him more than his regrets. Hence, I left the handkerchief beside him and walked back inside the house — leaving the door ajar.

The moon was bright, it was better to lift the burdens and guilts that had been sealed and rotting the heart for years.

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Thanks for reading this chapter, support the story by commenting or upvoting.

I've been writing a historical fiction in drafts, hence you'll notice that this chapter feels kinda too formal in speech. I realized it while editing. I've been practising a lot for the new story.