< Nina >
“I haven’t formally introduced myself yet. My name is Heather Wilson, lawyer of de Milano Inc at your service... or whatever lawyers from TV are often depicted. We met when you first arrived here.” She says in a straight-laced face and I can only nod but only for two swift movements.
I just recover from the shock of the news earlier.
“Y-yeah, Yu told me about you.”
“About Yu, it’s normal not to know his birthday when he doesn’t even mention it so don’t worry,” she reassures me as she twirls her curly hair.
“I’m surprised, really.”
She then turns to the Japanese owner. “What is it, Mr. Oda?”
The Japanese owner glances in my direction and my cheeks flush. I shake my head, hoping that he gets the signal. And he responds with a smile, uncertainty flickers in his eyes.
“Just surprised that the boss has a stepsister. He never mentions it to me at all.”
Wait, I blink. “H-he’s your boss?”
He chuckles. “Luca de Milano is a friend of mine and he bought my restaurant when it was on the brink of closing down.”
“Frankly, I’m glad that he did. With the de Milano Inc as its name, now it’s a restaurant for meetings and company parties.”
“Your so-called future stepbrother is a great man who keeps his word,” he says as he winks.
“I..see.”
“Anyway, missy. Heather will keep you company. I have to cook all of Yu’s favorite Japanese and Korean cuisines before he arrives!”
How come no one’s telling me about it? Sure, I’m glad that Yu’s coming back. But to know it is his birthday, I haven’t prepared anything for him at all.
Oh right, Heather did mention his birthday is tomorrow.
Speaking of her, I notice that Heather is awfully quiet during my quick conversation with the Japanese owner and as I glance at her she is still beaming.
“Yeah?”
“I’m so happy to finally meet you, Nina. Well, without being drunk, of course,” she says. “You have no idea how pissed I was with Luca.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Well, ever since you’ve arrived, Luca banned me from coming to his apartment, stating that a teenager shouldn’t see what adults do.”
My lips curve in a form of my bewilderment. My eyes squint as I exclaim, “What? How old does he think I am?”
She chuckles. “He may be the most perfect boss and client I ever handle but outside of work, he can be a pain in the ass. He is the youngest in the family so he doesn’t know how to handle teenagers.”
“Youngest?” Apparently, Heather looks at me in mild surprise that I don’t know anything about my future family.
“Luca never tells you anything, huh?” She gives me a sympathetic smile.
Before we can continue our conversation, the people in their suits call for her name. “Heather!”
“Ah, perfect timing,” she says as she gives me a playful wink and turns to a group of people approaching us. “Hey, guys. This is Luca’s sister.” She grabs both of my hands and pulls me to the bar.
I almost let out an “eep” as we both sat on the stools.
They all look at me with utter shock as I feel myself flustered with all of their stares. “H-hi…” I meekly greet them, giving a slight wave.
And now they start asking questions about my name, where I was from, and my origin and all I can do is to stare as my lips are naturally shut. A feeling of deja vu reminded me of my first day of school.
Fortunately Heather stops them as she slightly moves the man next to Nina with a wink. “Don’t interrogate her with questions, she’s shy. We need to finish the preparation before Yu arrives.”
“You’re no fun today, Heather,” mutters the one with cropped sideburns. “Well, feel free to join us with Luca next time, Nina. Next meeting ya!”
“N-nice to meet you,” I answer with another case of my stammering as I look down, wondering if I was rude for not asking their names.
The man with the cropped sideburns pats my shoulder as they unanimously go back for the preparation.
“We’ll do the introductions next time, Nina. You’ll be here in one year, anyway. But unfortunately, I have to leave you here, Nina. I have to check if the flowers have arrived. Are you okay with that?”
“Y-yes, thanks, Heather.” I give her a welcoming smile and her expression lifts up and immediately wraps her arms around me. I can smell the familiar fragrance back when we first met.
“I’m happy to meet you for real, Nina. Let’s catch up one of these days!” And with that Heather leaves the room as she goes to the back door.
Now what?
A part of me is telling me to leave the restaurant while they are busying themselves with the surprise but another side of me reconsider staying for Yu’s sake.
But then again, Luca will be here.
Maybe the best option is to lay low, hide somewhere that Yu and Luca won’t notice and then I will just show up if I have the chance.
Nah, this is a stupid idea.
“Oh, God! Luca and Yu are here! Turn off the lights!” One of their friends hastily burst inside.
Oh, shoot! I have to hide now! I’m literally closest to the entrance so I will definitely be the first one on the view. So I scurry myself at the corner of the front door, next to where the umbrellas are being placed.
And with that, the lights are off.
“I told you, Luca, not to use my car! You have yours right?” It is Yu’s voice.
“I hit a fence this morning, so my car fenders need to be replaced.” And that’s… Luca’s.
“More reasons for me not to trust you with my car!”
Lights on.
“W-what the—”
“SURPRISE!”
“Happy Birthday, Yu!”