"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
-Joshua J. Marine

• • •

Abel guides me downstairs through a hallway and into a door on the left leading to their dining room.

Immediately, 7 pairs of eyes turn to face us as we walk in. The only person missing, is his dad.

The empty spaces are either next to Denzel or Zane. With the way Zane is winking at me, it's a wonder why I choose to sit next to Denzel. Abel follows suit and pulls out the chair next to me.

I feel Denzel giving me a questioning glance at my clothing but thankfully doesn't comment.

Mrs Dellasandro doesn't say anything about what I'm wearing and instead lets me know that her husband will be here any second now.

For the time being, I take in the meticulously laid out assortment of food. In the centre of the table is a large saucepan filled with colourful chicken couscous. On either side, are dishes filled with salads, crusty bread and other foods I'm not familiar with. Either way, food is food and I'm practically salivating at the variety.

The sound of heavy footsteps entering the room has me diverting my attention from the delicious looking cuisine.

The man, who I'm guessing to be the father takes the seat at the head of the table.

A chorus of 'Hey dad' or 'hello' reverberates around the room.

As I look towards him, I notice his large stature covered in a sleek, black suit. His skin tone is almost the same as Abel's but a shade darker. He has a low buzz cut which looks to be a dark brown and the darkest eyes I have ever seen; in fact, the blackness of it almost covers the white parts. Put all these features together, and you have one very very intimidating man. Even more so than Denzel and that says a lot. Despite the fact that he's not related to any of his kids, he could definitely pass as the biological father for Denzel simply because of their similar facial features.

If I wasn't nervous before, I definitely am now. Taking a deep breath, I calm the anxiety building up and look towards him.

"Well who do we have here." His voice is extremely deep matching his exterior.

His intense eyes are focused solely on me as he speaks.

I clear my throat before talking and try to make sure my voice doesn't shake.

"Hello, Mr Dellasandro. I'm Keziah."

He stares at me for a second before busting out a big smile.

"The Keziah?" He starts laughing loudly while I'm sat there I'm absolute shock. "Abel here has not stopped talking about you! I'm glad we finally met. And please, call me Titus."

For a moment, I stare at him with my mouth hanging open slightly. This big, intimidating looking guy is not intimidating at all! By the looks of it, he's probably one of the happiest people I've seen. Either the serious face was all a façade or he just naturally looks like that. Wow. I am well and truly surprised. But it was a nice surprise.

Immediately, all nervousness and fear evaporates leaving me feeling nothing but content.

Titus greets his whole family before we all hold hands and say grace.

Mrs Dellasandro grabs the saucepan full of couscous and begins by dishing some out to the younger ones. While she's doing that, everyone else grabs the other dishes of food.

Abel immediately puts some salad and bread on my plate before his own. Before he grabs anything else, I ask him what the other items are.

Abel picks up the plate with long kebab looking things, "These are brochettes which basically are spiced kebabs but cooked differently. And these," He then picks up something else, "are Moroccan eggplant fritters. Both my parents are from Morocco so it's common for us to eat their food. Also, the bread isn't just regular bread, it's actually called Khobz."

"Oh wow, that's cool."

"Try it, I think you'll like it."

I try a bite of everything and immediately decide I should come here more often.

"Mrs Dellasandro, this is amazing!"

"Oh thank you dear! But please, call me Adah. Mrs Dellasandro makes me feel old." She chuckles happily and continues eating her food.

"You should try the couscous Keziah. It's my favourite." Titus passes the saucepan to me so I can dish some out.

I spoon some up and into my mouth and moan almost instantly.

"Oh my goodness, this is delicious!"

Next to me, Abel starts choking loudly. I rub his back until he eventually stops.

"Are you alright Abel?" I ask in concern.

He nods at me and then leans in close, "Please don't make sounds like that here. I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself much longer."

My eyes widen in shock while Abel moves away from me. I catch Adahs eye and find her smiling softly at us.

Laughter from Zane causes me to look towards him.

"D-did you just say 'oh my goodness'?! You sound like my grandma!"

Feeling embarrassed, I bite my lip out of nerves.

Denzel throws a piece of bread at his head which stops his laughter.

"Hey!

"Don't be rude Zane."

"Don't act as if you didn't find it funny too. I can see you trying not to laugh."

I look at Denzel and indeed find him holding back a smile. Even the timid Monroe is smiling. Lovely. At least I know how to make them laugh.

"Boys, Stop." Adah Says.

"So Keziah, where are your parents from?" Titus asks me.

"They're both Nigerian so we also have traditional meals."

"Oh that sounds lovely! Maybe your mum and I can teach each other our recipes! We could have a mixed culture meal! How exciting!" Adah's enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me.

Titus laughs at his wife, "Relax Adah, you haven't even met her yet."

"I know but I already know we're gonna be friends."

Titus just shakes his head. From what I can see, they have a really close and funny relationship. They both compliment each other so well and that's easy to see through their similar personality.

"Keziah, why are you wearing Abel's clothes?" Jamison speaks up to me.

Cue awkward laugh, "Well the thing is, I dropped my clothes in the shower by accident."

"How do you even manage to do that?" He asks.

"Abel here scared me, so technically it was his fault."

"Oh, so we're back to the whole blame it all on Abel game huh?" Abel smirks at me.

"It's not a game when I'm speaking the truth."

"Sure you are Brown Eyes. It's not my fault you scare easily."

"But it's your fault that you scared me."

"Just like it was when you punched me in the face?"

"Exactly like that. I just wish you would have learned your lesson by now." I sigh out.

"I have a feeling that there's still time for me to learn." His smirk turns into a smile as he stares down at me.

I then realise that the whole table has gone silent as they watch our exchange.

"Mummy, how come you didn't tell them off for arguing like you do when me and Tristan argue?" Tatiana looks towards her mother with a questioning gaze.

"That's because they weren't arguing sweetie. They were flirting."

I start stuttering in surprise, trying to explain the fact that we weren't flirting.

"Oh please, I know flirting when I see it."

I shrink in my seat and refuse to make eye contact with Abel. Instead, I shove more food into my mouth. "This is really good."

Great, trust me to avoid every and all awkward situations. I really need to work on that.

Zane speaks in a shocked tone, "Wait, you got punched by a girl?"

                              • • •

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