Novel & Cerita Friday Dinner

Ryleigh assumed it was just a deep cleaning week—until Natalia found her by the east windows, wiping them down for the second time without realizing it. “There you are!” Natalia hissed, glancing over her shoulder like someone might be listening. “Didn’t you hear?” Ryleigh blinked. “Hear what?” Natalia grabbed her arm and tugged her behind a curtain, lowering her voice. “There’s going to be a dinner party Friday night. A big one. The Luna is visiting.” Ryleigh’s eyes widened. “The Luna?”

Otherwise, my son won't be pleased when he's born! She even whipped her phone out and added, "How about you transfer a few million dollars to my son as consolation? Otherwise, he might not acknowledge you as his grandmother!" However, Maya failed to notice the grim look on Matthew's face. Even Dad's expression turned dark. Dylan held me in his arms as he stared at Matthew with a sneer on his face, as if he were watching a spectacle. "That's enough!" To my surprise, Matthew actually smacked Maya across the face. "Who says that I'm the heir to the Gibson family?"

But it did. We had agreed to keep our relationship a secret, only going public once we both secured promotions. Scratch that. Once he got promoted. Before I could spiral any further, my phone buzzed. Kurtis: Go pick some clothes and flowers. Fedrick will show you the place. Kurtis: Bad news. Abdalla moved the dinner to tonight at ten. Get prepared. What?! The shock slipped from my lips before I could stop it. The dinner was supposed to be tomorrow!

A folded note, precise and unadorned, as if even his handwriting knew better than to take up too much space. Dinner party Friday. Gregory will be there. Don’t embarrass me. -L

I was starving, so I just picked up my plate and started eating. Unexpectedly, Jenny snatched the plate from my hand, her voice sharp and piercing. "Why are you acting as if you've never eaten in ages? We haven't even split the cost of the dinner yet! Why are you eating? 326 dollars. Pay me now!" I thought I misheard her. "Did you say 326 dollars? I'm paying half by myself?" Jenny spoke as though she were utterly justified. "Yes! You're an outsider. You can't just come to our house and eat and drink for free, can you?"

It didn't even have anything to do with him. Freda: Good evening, all. I trust you are having an amazing time. Due to an important event coming up next semester, the departmental dinner had to be pushed to this semester. This is an official statement from the department announcing that this session's department dinner will be holding next week Friday. The theme for this year's dinner is 'Midnight in Paris' (Vintage Elegance). The department apologizes for such a rush. We hope to see everyone at the dinner. Signed,

"It's okay. I know you've been good. Even if you keep it, it won't count as breaking the rules." Yet I still shook my head, fingers digging into my palms, not daring to look up. The kinder they acted, the colder I felt inside. They were the ones who sent me to that hell, and now, they were putting on this show of warmth and affection. Dinner was already set out on the table. Dad transferred our holiday money to Talia and me, and the number on the screen made my eyes sting. Mom smiled. "Tommy, we'll take you out after dinner. There's something going on nearby today. It'll be a lot of fun."

"I'm not saying I forgive you. I'm not there yet. But I'm tired of carrying this around." "Then don't," Cole said. "It's not that simple." "I know." We sat in silence. The waitress brought our drinks. No one touched them. Mr. Ashford cleared his throat. "I'd like to propose something." "What?" Maya asked. "Dinner. Once a week. All of us. No phones. No distractions. Just... family." Maya looked at me. I looked at Cole. Cole looked at his father. "I'll think about it," Maya said.

I had no idea if I'd live past tonight. I dared not return home even as the day darkened, but hotels were too expensive, and I couldn't bring myself to pay the tab. Just as I was debating my choices, my phone rang. It was Tony. I never really knew his last name because he never told me. "Hey, Caden. You busy? Care to come out for a drink?"

: Same Time Next Week The weeks that follow settle into a quiet rhythm neither of us discusses out loud, dinners every Friday at the same small restaurant, sometimes joined by Lila for an early meal before Noah drives her back to my father's estate, sometimes just the two of us lingering long after the other tables have emptied.