Selina set the pastry box gently on the counter before walking over to the table. The aroma of pancakes and bacon still lingered in the air. She smiled as she approached the table.
"You really cooked all of this, Gray?" she asked with curiosity, her tone was light but tinged with a hint of surprise.
Gray gave a small shrug before he slid the plate toward her.
"Yeah. I figured it was about time Lily had something fresh instead of reheated meals."
Lily clapped her hands together proudly.
"Don’t worry, Sister! Brother’s pancakes are the best in the whole world! You have to try them!"
Selina’s lips curved upwards. After a second, a soft laugh escaped from it.
"Well, if the little one says so, then I definitely have to." She sat down across from Lily and moved the plate closer to her.
Gray poured her a cup of coffee without asking. When he placed it in front of her, their eyes met briefly.
"Thank you." Selina offered him a grateful smile.
"Come on, come on. Taste it, Sister!" Lily was already leaning over the table, urging her to try it.
Selina obliged at Lily’s persistence. She cut into the pancake and took a small bite. Her brows lifted slightly.
"Mm. I see what you mean. It’s simple but... comforting. It’s delicious."
"I told you, Sister!" Lily muttered triumphantly as if Selina’s approval was the final confirmation of Gray’s cooking greatness.
Gray chuckled, shaking his head as he took another sip of coffee.
"I’m glad it passed the test."
Selina looked between the two siblings, her expression softening. She placed her fork down for a moment and just watched them.
"You know," she said gently, "seeing you two like this... it feels a little like family."
"It is family! Brother is my family, and now Sister Selina too!" Lily beamed instantly.
Gray nearly choked on his coffee, coughing lightly as he tried to cover it with a laugh.
"Lily..." he muttered in a low voice, slightly embarrassed. Though he couldn’t seem to hide the warm smile spreading across his face.
Selina, meanwhile, only smiled. She simply reached for the pastry box and untied the ribbon.
"Well then, as family, I suppose I should contribute." She opened it to reveal neatly arranged croissants and tarts. "How about we eat these pastries after breakfast?"
Lily gasped, her eyes going wide again.
"The pastries look so good! Sister Selina, you’re the best!"
Selina laughed out loud before handing her a small tart.
"I know it looks good. But be careful, it’s a little sweet for the morning. I think you’ll like it."
"Yes, Sister!"
As Lily dug into the pastry happily, Gray leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them. The morning had been simple. They were just eating a simple breakfast, but it felt special because of their presence.
The morning passed by more slowly than usual.
After breakfast, Selina didn’t leave right away. Instead, she even grabbed a bag from her unit. Inside the bag were a few board games she had kept away.
"I don’t know if you’re into this kind of thing," she said as she placed the box on the coffee table. There were uno cards followed by Monopoly Deal, and a few more decks of cards.
"But I figured it might be fun for us to play."
"Games! I love games!" Lily’s face practically lit up.
Gray raised a brow, though the faintest smile tugged at his lips.
"You’re really making yourself at home here."
"What can I say? You two make it easy." Selina smirked.
And so the afternoon unfolded in the most unexpected way.
The three of them sat cross-legged on the floor of the living room. The sunlight poured in from the wide glass windows. As they played, their laughter echoed on the four corners of the room.
"You’re such a terrible liar, Gray," Selina teased, shaking her head. They were playing a game that required them to bluff about their cards.
"I wasn’t lying. I was... improvising," Gray countered, though the grin on his face betrayed him.
By the time noon arrived, none of them had any energy left to cook. Selina made the suggestion first, and Lily seconded it instantly. Soon enough, a knock came at the door, and the aroma of pizza and fried chicken filled their condo unit.
They sat around the table again. Lily bounced in her seat as she reached for a slice
"This is the best Saturday ever!" she declared out loud with her mouth full of food.
Selina laughed and handed her a napkin.
"Careful, Lily. You’ll get sauce on your shirt."
Gray leaned back in his chair, letting the noise and chatter wash over him. He let the two girls talk together as he ate in peace.
After that, their afternoon was spent more on playing games. When they were bored, they watched movies instead. It was just a fun and chill day for the three of them.
- - -
When Monday arrived, the short, happy days of Gray were finally over.
This time, the weight of his work and its responsibility returned heavier than ever.
He and Mara both arrived at the office early in the morning. They were already dressed sharply for the day. Their destination wasn’t just another meeting.
Today, they were invited to the Everett Tower itself. It was an invitation Gray knew they couldn’t take lightly.
The purpose of the meeting was clear.
They would finally sit across the table from Conrad Everett. It was not just a normal meeting, but as partners who would discuss the terms and conditions of Conrad’s investment.
Because of it, they just couldn’t walk in empty-handed.
He and Mara had worked relentlessly to prepare their side. Most of his time on Sunday was spent on preparation. He had buried himself in numbers, graphs, and projections.
Gray made up a small but detailed presentation that outlined exactly what they needed in the store. It was primarily the construction budget for building their second store, as well as the funds required to secure its start.
Every figure he placed in the presentation had been double-checked.
Gray wanted Conrad to see not just his dream, but his plan. He wanted to show its practicality and its foundation.
Now, as Gray adjusted his tie in front of the mirror of his bathroom, he caught his own reflection. His shoulders were squared, his expression was steady, but his eyes carried a flicker of unease.
This was no small step.
Today could decide the future.
*Knock *Knock *Knock
A firm knock echoed against the bathroom door.
"Gray?" Mara’s voice came from the other side. "Daniel’s already waiting for us downstairs."
Gray took one last look at himself in the mirror. His chest rose and fell as he deeply breathed a few times. He straightened his tie and smoothed his jacket.
"Alright," he quickly replied after a few seconds.
He gathered himself and stepped out of the bathroom. Mara was waiting just outside with her tablet in hand. She was also wearing a formal suit that was meant for girls. As she saw Gray, her face lit up.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"As ready as I’ll ever be." Gray gave a single nod.
Together, they left the office and descended the building. When the doors slid open to the lobby, Daniel was already there. He was standing straight with his hands folded neatly in front of him.
The black sedan was already waiting behind him.
Daniel gave a respectful bow of his head as soon as he spotted them.
"Sir, Ma’am. The car is ready."
"Hello, Daniel," Gray greeted the man as he adjusted his. "Let’s head to Everett Tower. We can’t afford to be late since this presentation is too important."
Daniel opened the rear door for them. Mara slid in first, then Gray followed.
As the door shut and their ride started, Gray clasped his hands together. His eyes flicked briefly toward Mara. She gave him a small and reassuring nod before turning her focus to the tablet.
She was reviewing the presentation slides one last time.
The drive didn’t take long. Before they knew it, the car slowed to a stop in front of a towering building. Everett Tower loomed above them, its sleek exterior gleaming under the morning sun. It stood there so mighty as if it were a beacon of power.
Gray looked up at the skyscraper through the car’s window.
No matter how composed he tried to appear, a slight anxiety pressed down on his chest. This wasn’t just a building. It was the very center of Conrad Everett’s empire.
"We’ve arrived, Sir," Daniel pulled the door open.
Gray stepped out first, followed by Mara. The lobby doors slid open automatically as they approached, revealing a vast floor. On the lobby, there were towering pillars and chandeliers that glittered like crystal stars.
Almost immediately, two staff members dressed in black suits approached them with courteous smiles.
"Mr. Gray, Ms. Mara," one of them greeted with a slight bow. "We’ve been expecting you. Please, follow us."