Four

Lauresse

Tita turned her gaze to me. "Isn't it Ijha? To which I just nodded. Work should not be prioritized over food," Tita reasoned.

"Where's Ashton?" I inquired.

"That boy is also one. I said to wait until you come to eat but went to his phone." Aunt Cathlyn sighed in frustration. She doesn't want to have her husband and son doing something when it's eating time. She would say that only the food time they gather together and anyone should not do other things take priority over family dinner.

"Maybe it is an important call, wife," Uncle Henry defended as Auntie Cathlyn glared at him. "Tell your son about it. It's like you are going to choke me in death."

Aunt Cathlyn sighed, and she smiled, trying not to feel annoyed. She folded her hands on the table. Her eyes focused on the delicious breakfast she had cooked.

A bowl of fried rice in one bowl. Omelet sprinkled with lots of onion leaves, savory eggs, and sausages.

"Oh!" she gasped, "I forgot to bring the coffee I made! When you're getting old, you start forgetting things," Tita mumbled as she stood up and walked into the kitchen just a few steps away.

I watched Auntie until she entered the door and her getting the coffee.

"When will you two visit the house?" Uncle Henry asked.

I turned to look at him and thought of something to say. I am not the one who decides on that matter, and this is the first time that Uncle Henry has asked me about it.

My last visit was on his birthday. Ashton seems busy with what he is dealing with in life, maybe, taking more part in selling women or doing a job with a man name Alexandro. Does Uncle Henry know what his son doing?

"Ahm, on that matter, Uncle, I will talk to Ashton about it. He's been doing a lot these past few days," I reasoned and turned my head to the dining room door when I caught a glimpse of Ashton entering.

His handsome face was set with a broad smile that I couldn't help but secretly praise him for his charisma. No wonder many people chased him and appreciated his handsomeness when we were in high school, and he always participated in contests, from pageants to anything. You can have it all if you are blessed with beauty and intelligence. I'm the only one who was secretly jealous of him. It was not fair. He had it all.

"Son!" Uncle Henry greeted his son as if they hadn't seen each other a while ago. "Your mother is a little bit upset."

Ashton kissed me on my cheek, inhaling the citrus vanilla scent on him. He constantly changes perfume, so it's no wonder if the one he uses smells different from the previous one.

"I'll appease at, Mama, later, Pa," replied Ashton, and settled at the seat at my right. "Where's Mom?" He pulled the plate a little closer to him with his finger.

"She was in the kitchen, maybe perfecting her coffee. She was busy learning how to make coffee last week, and I'm always there to taste it. I don't feel like drinking coffee right now," said Uncle Henry, shaking his head and laughing a little.

"Mama doesn't seem to be bothered by anything. His friend Teresa? Has she not visited her?" Ashton placed the fork and spoon perfectly at the side of the plate, although he was looking at his father.

I leaned on the seat and just looked at the two.

"Something terrible happened with your Aunt, Ashton. But I didn't tell your mother. I don't want her..." Uncle Henry trailed off, and his gaze went to Aunt Cathlyn approaching.

Terrible happened?

On the plastic food tray were four coffees in blue mugs. The satisfaction was there on Auntie's visage.

"I feel like I want to open my own coffee shop soon," Auntie Cathlyn said confidently and placed the tray on the table. "What do you think, husband?"

Uncle Henry smile, crinkling the side of his eyes, making the laughing line visible on his face. "Of course, that would be perfect. Do you want to have it tomorrow? We can rent an establishment in the uptown?"

"I agree with Papa, Ma. The smell of the coffee was enchanting and delicious," Ashton said supportively with a smile. It was genuine, not the usual smile I see on him.

"I'll think about it, and you two are my second taster. I need your feedback about it. It's a cappuccino. Son, your favorite." Auntie giggled with excitement and placed the coffee near the plate.

Ashton immediately took the mug and tasted it. He moaned in delight and put the cup down on the table. "Goodness, Ma," Ashton's face seemed surprised. I can't help smiling.

"What do you think?" Aunt Cathlyn leaning on the table. She was already sitting. Uncle remained to grin.

I also took the coffee and drank it. It was incredible in the taste bud, rich in sweetness and the flavor of the milk that blends into the coffee.

Ashton's hand went to his chest. "Mom, it's so delicious. Everyone would love this."

"Really?"

"Yes, Auntie, it's so delicious," I commented, bringing tears to Aunt Cathlyn's eyes.

She fanned her eyes with her hands. "I am so touch, Ihja, and son. It's so mean to me." She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

She was a sweet woman. I wish my mother was like Aunt Cathlyn. Uncle Henry smiled happily and stared at his wife. I swallowed, seeing in those eyes the fondness he had for her. It's so sweet and beautiful.

After breakfast, Ashton and I sent us to the living room. I sat on the couch, glancing at Ashton, who was quietly standing next to where I was sitting. His delicate eyebrows almost drew to each other, and his lips pressed. His attention was on his phone.

"Any idea what we should talk about with your parents?" I asked. The silence was too much for me.

Without glancing at me, he answered, "About the wedding, for sure."

"The wedding?" My voice pitched high in decibels, and I lifted myself from sitting and faced him.

"We never talk about the wedding," I whispered. "Why you never told me about it?"

It's like he was in another dimension, focused on his phone. I snatch it without warning, which surprised the latter.

"Lauresse! Give me that!" he cried irately. His phone was his oxygen, and he just couldn't live without it.

I pressed my lips tight. "I'll return it when we're done talking." I brought the phone closer to my chest and held it tightly. He looked at me intently and folded his arms.

"Fine!"

"What marriage? You know we never talked about it. I agree about this fake fiancé but not a wedding," I said cynically.

"I understand," he said. "But you can't say no."

My mouth dropped when I heard it. A no?

"Remember your deal, Lauresse. Surely you know that I am the only one who can help you at this time. Alexandro men are everywhere, and the deal I make with him is the deal you need not complain with," he explained. I will never forget that, and I owe him my life.

Sighing in defeat. "I know, and is it a real wedding or a fake one?"

"Fake one," he answered nonchalantly, and his hand went to my hand, grabbing his phone.

"As always, Laurence. I promise you that I'll get you out of this. Until Alexandro and his business fall," Ashton meant it. "Right now, you'll be safe pretending everything. Alexandro is expecting it. Once you are my wife, he won't be doubting anymore."