"Helen's body is too skinny. She needs to eat more." Steve’s mother refused to agree with Dave’s comment that Helena would gain weight with portions like this.
Helena let out an awkward laugh. "That’s right, I won’t suddenly get fat just from one meal."
Dave smirked, pulling up one corner of his lips.
"Are you sure this won’t happen again? You’re going to be living here permanently, right?"
Dave’s question made Helena think. If it was just once, she wouldn’t gain weight immediately.
Helena looked at the portion on her plate. But Mrs. Steve would probably keep treating her like this, wouldn’t she? And by then, her body might start expanding.
Don’t get it wrong—Helena wasn’t afraid of gaining weight because she cared about appearances. She was aware that being overweight or obese was bad for her health in the long run and could lead to many illnesses.
"Mom, next time, you don’t need to serve Helen’s food. What if there’s something she doesn’t like but feels she can’t refuse because you’re the one who gave it to her?" Steve chimed in, realizing that Helena might be uncomfortable.
Steve’s mother pouted when her son took Helena’s side. She looked at Helena. "Is there anything on your plate you don’t like, dear?"
Helena was about to shake her head, but Steve answered for her before she could. And his response was completely different from what Helena wanted to say.
"Helen might say there’s nothing she dislikes, but Mom, you know what she’s like, right?"
Helena blinked. What does that mean? She wanted to ask Steve. What kind of person was she in his eyes?
Steve’s mother sighed at her son’s response. She turned to Helena again. It seemed she was the only one who understood what he meant.
"Helen, dear, next time, you can pick your food. Don’t be shy."
Helena smiled and nodded in response to Mrs. Steve’s words. She finally understood what Steve meant. Helena had a habit of pleasing others without considering her desires.
The family dinner, consisting of ten people, continued and eventually ended after everyone finished their meals.
---
"Steve, Dave, you two should stay here as well," Steve’s mother said to the two men who were about to return to their apartments.
Steve exchanged a glance with Dave. Then, they both turned to look at Mrs. Felton simultaneously.
"Mom, I’m already used to my apartment, so—" Steve’s words were cut off by his mother.
"What about Dave?" she asked, ignoring her son.
She had already guessed Steve’s answer but was still disappointed when he refused. This time, she hoped Dave would grant her request.
Dave, instead of answering, turned his gaze toward Helena, who was standing beside Mrs. Steve. Helena raised an eyebrow.
Why is he looking at me? she wondered but didn’t voice out.
Dave stared at her intensely before his expression returned to its usual blank state as he looked back at Mrs. Steve.
"Alright. I’ll go get my things from my apartment first."
Dave’s answer shocked Steve, while his mother beamed happily. Helena, on the other hand, showed no particular reaction since she couldn’t understand the man.
"Are you serious?" Steve asked, looking at Dave in disbelief.
Dave nodded and said, "There’s no reason to refuse."
In reality, Dave had his reasons for agreeing—he wanted to keep an eye on Helena. He wasn’t going to let that woman out of his sight so easily. Who knew what she would do in the Felton household? His aunt’s offer was the perfect opportunity for him.
"Oh, okay." Steve didn’t question him further, though he was still curious about Dave’s motives.
The two of them finally left after saying their goodbyes.
---
Steve was currently driving, with Dave sitting in the passenger seat. The plan was for Steve to drop Dave off at his apartment before heading to his own.
Their apartments were in different locations.
Steve tried not to dwell on why Dave had accepted his mother’s offer. But the thought kept nagging at him.
"Dave," Steve called, breaking the silence that had filled the car since they got in.
"Hm," Dave hummed in response.
But after getting a reply, Steve fell silent again, seemingly unsure of how to start the conversation. A rare occurrence.
Dave, noticing this, raised an eyebrow before finally asking, "What is it?"
It was amusing to see someone as articulate as Steve struggling like this. Even Dave, who was naturally quiet, never had trouble starting a conversation.
Well, maybe because Dave was blunt.
Steve seemed to be deep in thought before he finally spoke. "About Mom’s request earlier, it’s unlike you to accept. This isn’t the first time she’s asked, you know what I mean, right? Do you have a special reason?"
"Is it weird for me to accept your mother’s request?" Dave asked in return.
"Extremely weird," Steve answered firmly.
Dave smirked, making Steve frown. What was his cousin planning now?
"If you’re that curious, why don’t you join me? Accept your mother’s request and stay at her house," Dave said with his usual smirk. He had no intention of revealing his true reason.
Steve frowned in thought, trying to figure out what could be behind Dave’s decision. His narrowed eyes scrutinized Dave. There was something he suspected.
"Dave, don’t tell me this has something to do with Helena?" Steve asked directly. His guess was based on the fact that before Helena appeared, Dave had never acted this recklessly.
Dave made a vague sound in response and kept his eyes on the road ahead. He neither confirmed nor denied it. But to Steve, that was answer enough. He was used to his cousin’s strange behavior.
"What’s up with her?" Steve asked again.
Dave didn’t reply.
"You hate her, don’t you?" Steve guessed.
"Whether I hate her or not doesn’t matter," Dave answered coolly.
Steve, used to Dave’s cold demeanor, pressed on. "Then what?"
"I won’t tell you," Dave replied, shutting down Steve’s chance to pry any further.
Steve scowled. "Dave," he warned.
"If I said I wanted to monopolize Mrs. Felton’s affection, what would you do?"
Steve gaped. "What?"
Just as Steve knew Dave well, Dave also knew Steve inside and out.
His mother was Steve’s only weakness. No one would have guessed that a seemingly perfect man like Steve was a doting mama’s boy.
"You know, Helena is included in this too. Aunt treats us both with the same affection. But for some reason, I’m worried that the love she gives to me and you will be completely taken by Helena."
Dave smirked as he watched Steve’s expression change. Just one more sentence and his plan to mislead Steve would be complete.
"Since I don’t want my share of love taken away while I’m not around, I decided to accept Aunt’s request."