Dinner

“What do you do for living Nick?” Zander asked

“Well I run a small business” Nick answered while chopping the beef on his plate.

“How small is that business to afford this kind of life?” Frank butt in

“Well, I consider it small, since I just started it at the back yard of our old house. We do some buy and sell of cars. And a lot of little sidelines.” he took a small piece of meat and chew it “When you came to be a father not just a husband you will do everything to make a good money for living.” And wink

“What do you do for living Mr. Gray?” John asked

“Almost the same as your father.” And smile

“How do you two met?” that question from Frank makes Zander pause for a while

“She loves to order dark mocha every Friday while keeping herself busy on her laptop. During Sunday morning she took blueberry cheese cake matched with hot choco with 2 shots of espresso.” His eyes smiling while looking at me, “She is always busy that’s why she never notice me serving her favorites. Until one day I hand her a note…and we are now here.” He holds my hand and kissed it.

“That was so sweet” Jessica giggling, while Alice eyes were fixed on Zander’s face

“I was studying law back then, that’s why I can’t afford to look around.” I added “Thank God he put that note on my cup.” And the ladies laugh again.

“Have you finish it?” John ask

“Obviously not cause if she does it must be added into her name.” Garry in arrogant tone

“He is right, cause I married this man.”

“That’s why you need to finish your study first before you get married Jess.” A word from her father

“Yes I agree with your father Jess, but I don’t regret marrying Zander.” With a wink.

“If the guy was as hot as Zander…” Jessica is not yet finish with her words but her father butts in:

“Being good looking is not enough.” Placing his hands over the table.

To break the tension on the table Ana serve the desert “Sweets to add sugar on your tummies” Bringing with her a red velvet cupcakes with a strawberry toppings. “I made it myself” she happily place it on the table while Andrei were holding the rest of the serving plate with cupcakes.

“Why don’t you guys put on a restaurant?” I asked

“Well Jane dear, we are thinking about it. But not this time maybe.”

The dinner went well and everyone is satisfied or rather pleased with all that Ana serves us. Her sons and daughter were well raised. Nick is a strict father he often laughs with jokes; good thing Ana is a very jolly woman. She really knows how to put everything in balance. We chat on their small but beautiful living room and Ana keep on serving homemade cookies for us, just as what a normal loving mother does, she keep on asking if we want anything else. I tail at her the whole night, her warm voice makes my longing for my mother ease a little bit. She look very satisfy with the life that she had. I can see it in her face, she glows.

“Alice we will drive you home” Zander offer a lift since it’s almost 11:30 in the evening

“But I live a bit far from your place.” In her shy and flirty voice

“It’s okay dear we cannot let you took a cab this late.” I answer

Frank gives Larry a lift and we all wave Ana and her family good bye.

“Where is Trina by the way?” I ask Alice who is comfortably sitting at the back seat

“She went out of town with her boyfriend” while checking her phone

“Why didn’t you bring your boyfriend at the dinner?” Zander ask

“hm…I have none.” With a laugh

“Ow, I see how can a beautiful woman like you don’t have a boyfriend?”

“If the guy is as cool as you Zander I think I won’t mind…” and she looks at me “Do you have brother?”

“Unfortunately I was the only one..” he seems enjoying flirting with Alice, seriously as if I am not around. “And very unfortunately I am married” looking at me

“I like married guy.” I don’t know if she is still kidding

“Seriously?” I can’t help it anymore so I butt in

“But don’t worry Jane, I know your husband is unto you head over heels.”  

We kept the silence until we reach the street where she lives, I can’t believe that she’s like this, I thought Alice is a quiet lady who loves to read books and watch movie. Well looks can be deceiving.

“Thanks for the ride!” and wink

“I hope that is not for you.” I sarcastically said. He pulls in and drives back to the main road and just giving me his teasing smile.