27 - Marianne

"O-Oh, you're here as well…" I said with a smile.

"Yes, auntie. This came as such a surprise to me. Umm," Crista grinned at me and abruptly glanced at Ryan with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, right. This is Ryan Gonzales, he is a good friend of mine. Ryan, this is Crista, she is Aki's wife," I introduced them to each other. Both Ryan and Crista smiled and gave each other a friendly handshake.

“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know auntie has a very good-looking guy friend…” Crista remarked and praised.

Ryan let out a soft chuckle. “Thanks for the compliment. But I think compared to Jack, my genes are nothing.”

Both of them, which included me soon, giggled at their silly jokes. Trying to appear as natural as possible and being the oldest of us four, I then invited Jack and Crista to join us at our table. Immediately upon hearing my offer, Crista's face lit up, which brought a smile to my face in response. Perhaps, I began to consider inside my head, Crista and I could get along too...

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