CHAPTER 20
Outside, the fog was a ghost rummaging around. It could be seen through the house's square window. I'm guessing it's tinted from the front, and no one on the outside will be able to see through it.
At least half of the food on my plate was gone. Nana prepared a large amount of food that we all enjoyed. When Gelo's father speaks to us, he has a pleasant demeanor. He was talking to my brother and kept asking him questions about their upbringing. He saw them when they were three and four years old. He described them as rambunctious children. That's what our parents told us when we were kids about Felix and Jay bickering over trivial matters.
Chewing, Mr. Tyrant’s face turned me. I don’t want to be asked. There are questions about my life I wasn’t certain about.
“What are your hobbies, Cath?” he asked. That was easy.
“I read books. Also listened to audiobooks.”
“Books are her life, Mr. Tyrant,” Jay added. “She planned to build a library in the future.” Jay and Felix laughed about that. It wasn’t my dream to build a public library and share all of the books with the children. But I wanted to have that many books to read. That would be a dream come true for a bookworm like me.
“My boy Gelo doesn’t read. I guess you already know that he loves watching movies. He even pleased me with a subscription on Netflix.”
“I’m getting into it, Dad. Actually, I borrowed—Shit!”
“Words, dear.” Nana crossed her eyebrows. She didn’t like cussing in front of food.
“I’m sorry. I think I forgot the book that I borrowed back at your home, Catherine.”
“It’s fine. You can get it tomorrow,” I told him. We continued finishing our meal. For the next few minutes, Mr. Tyrant’s attention was focused on Felix and Jay. He kept on asking them and giving information about Sage. In short, my brothers were far different from Sage.
“Since we’re the only ladies here, Cath.” Minnie got my attention. “I think we should have a girl’s day. Let’s go out of this town and do shopping.”
“Catherine doesn’t like going out,” Jay answered. Minnie rolled her eyes maybe because my brother bickered though he wasn’t the person being asked. Or maybe she doesn’t like that attitude.
“I’d like to go out sometimes.” That was a lie. It’s Minnie. Gelo’s sister and she’s one of the people I could trust in this place. Going out with her sometimes wasn’t a bad choice.
“Yes! Let’s plan it sooner.”
When everyone finished their meal, everyone moved to the couch to settle. The conversation was juicy as peaches. I bet they won’t end it.
…
When the moonlight shone through their tinted windows, we decided it was time to go home. I’m also sleepy listening to their conversation about being children and growing up. Hence, I enjoyed meeting Gelo’s father. He’s an amazing and incredible person.
“It’s nice sharing our dinner with you,” Mr. Tyrant said.
“We do too,” Felix, the oldest of the bunch, answered. “Next time, we will invite you to join us.”
“That would be awesome.” Gelo’s eyes sparkled. Why does that thought of eating with us for dinner wonder him?
“We’re heading home.” We all shortly bowed in front of them. I clung to Jay’s arms as we marched back home.
The next day, Mr. Tyrant left the town again.
…
Angelo was devastated as hell. The next day, I saw him sitting on a huge rock a walk from our house while staring at the fields. He wasn’t like this even before. As a friend, I knew I had to approach him.
The slippers were making noise while I was pacing towards him. Then he finally noticed. Unhurriedly, he turned toward me. The afternoon glow shone on his princely face.
“Catherine,” he said, sounding sleepy and tired. His father left earlier this noon. I hadn’t seen him leave. It’s Nana who told me that while she was watering the garden. She wished his son-in-law good luck. Actually, Mr. Tyrant was planning to stay for a week or so in the town, yet his boss called him. It was urgent and we don’t know when he’s going to come back again.
“Gelo…” I was about to ask why he was here, but that question was obvious and kinda offensive as if I don’t know what happened earlier. “T-The sky’s delightful, right?” I don’t know why I talked about the sky. It was a mixture of magma and gold dispersed along with aqua patches.
“Yeah…” I sat beside him. “Dad left. I thought. He only stayed for dinner and breakfast. I thought he’s going to stay for a bit.”
“Nana said he has an important thing to do at his work. It’s understandable why he left that early. You should understand him, Gelo.”
An introvert like me was giving advice. After this, my mind would explode. I never had a friend and gave advice to them. I don’t even know what I’m telling him was right. I just say what I thought was right to say.
“I don’t hate him. I’m just sad that he left. And my brother and sister would leave tomorrow as well. Why can’t we be complete for at least a week? Is this the curse of being an omega and not Beta or Alpha? We’re not rich but we provide ourselves with food. I don’t understand why they can’t stop for even just a week.”
“Sometimes, each member of the family has their own duties. You’ve been staying in this town since you were born, but I’m gonna tell you there are many families out there who suffered the same. You’re not the only one.”
Silence filled the air. He stood up and I copied him. “Thank you for listening and staying by my side for a bit.”
“No worries, Gelo. We’re friends, right?”
“Yeah. We’re great friends.”
He placed his arms over my back. I stiffened and my body froze. I became a golden statue by his touch. This is just a gesture of a friend to his friend. Why am I tensed?
Then our heads tilted toward each other. Smiles gleamed through our faces. Gelo pinched my chin softly. His head was crippled towards my face. Am I going to have my first kiss? No. His head moved up and he kissed my forehead. The golden rays of the sun passed through the gap between us. A kiss on the forehead means adoration to a friend, right? Not something romantic.
“I love this moment for the two of us,” he said and he wrapped me inside his presence.