Chapter Eighteen

"Have you both eaten?"

"We're fine—"

Ahleya cut off Alec.

"We haven't, actually."

"Perfect. I just finished cooking."

"Let's get inside and eat."

Deborah nodded with a smile.

After settling into their seats around the table, Irene served them plates of steaming hot food. The aroma wafting from the dishes was heavenly.

"Please help yourselves. There's plenty for everyone."

"Thank you so much, Irene. "

"This looks absolutely delicious."

As the tension lingered in the air, Ahleya and Alec kept their distance from each other during the meal. Magalang sila sa pamilya at nakikibahagi sa maliit na pag-uusap, pero paminsan-minsan ay nagkatinginan sila pero mabilis din ang pag-iwas nila.

Sina Diego at Irene ay nag-alok ng iba't ibang mga lokal na pagkain para subukan nila ni Ahleya at Alec. Natuwa si Ahleya sa sariwang seafood at tropical prutas, habang si Alec ay mapili sa pagkain.

Sinubukan nila ang kanilang makakaya na maging sibil sa bawat isa, pero hindi nila maitago ang tension na nakapa