Earlier on that day...
Torin picked up Lyra at their unit as soon as he finished his office work at the military base.
Lyra had messaged him that she had refused to travel with Zach and Keira, complaining that she would have died witnessing too much sweetness between the two.
He had cooked some soup and left medicine for Lyra’s hangover. He left his condo early that morning, so the two of them did not have a chance to see each other after the kissing incident in the car last night.
"Why am I the one nervous? It’s not me who did something wrong, right?" he mumbled as he waited for Lyra to come out from their building.
He was so consumed with the thoughts about whether or not Lyra would remember what had happened that he was startled with a sudden knock on his car window.
"What the heck!" he hissed as he lowered his window.
"Hey, Bro. What’s wrong with you? The door’s locked, how can I enter?" Lyra said with a creased forehead before she walked back toward the passenger seat.
"Let’s go and have dinner at home instead. I’m sure they will prepare a feast for Keira," said Lyra who looked at her wristwatch.
"Uhh, sorry. I was thinking about something and did not see you," explained Torin as he started the car.
"Huh, is it a woman you’re thinking about?" asked Lyra teasingly, hoping the latter was thinking about her and would say yes. But she knew that it was only her wishful thinking.
Then she added, "By the way, thank you so much for the soup and medicine. That’s so thoughtful of you."
Torin blushed all of a sudden but tried to hide it from Lyra as he said, "You’re welcome. It’s nothing. Next time, don’t drink that much without a friend whom you can trust beside you. There’s a lot of cases these days where bad men take advantage of girls, even though you’re workmates. Especially, if you have the tendency to pass out after drinking too much."
Lyra did not comment, so Torin cleared his throat and sighed before he asked, "Did you remember what happened last night when I picked you up?"
His heart was pumping so fast as he waited for Lyra’s answer. Though he kept his eyes on the road while driving, he was still looking at what Lyra was doing from the corner of his eye.
He heard Lyra cough as she murmured, "I don’t actually know, Bro. The last thing I remember is coming out of the building and you helping me to walk to the car."
Then he felt Lyra move her body to look at him, as she said, "Wait, did I do something weird? Like vomiting on you? Cursing you or worse?"
Torin gave Lyra a quick gaze before his lips twitched and he said, "Never mind... Let me suffer alone..."
Lyra creased her forehead and exclaimed, "What? Is it that bad to even make you suffer?!"
Then she let out a humorless laugh as she added, "Oh my gosh, Bro... I’m not sorry at all. Yeah, you should suffer! You deserved that!"
Torin’s face crumpled, as he scratched his head.
........
"Try this, it’s the slightly used muscle in the cow, so what you get is naturally tender cut of beef. The most flavorful part," said Zach as he put the bone-in cut grilled rib-eye onto Keira’s plate.
"Because you love cheese too much... there..." said Zach lovingly as he watched Keira, waiting for her reaction.
Keira’s eyes rounded as she gestured a thumbs up and said, "Wow, it’s so juicy and tasty."
It was a surprisingly simple grilled rib-eye steak with brown butter and blue cheese, but Keira loved it so much that she finished it all.
"You can try this. It’s partnered with fresh mint, cilantro, and parsley chimichurri sauce," said Zach as he cut another plain grilled bone-in cut rib-eye and dipped in the sauce to feed Keira.
While Lyra and Torin both looked crept-up with Zach’s and Keira’s sweetness, the two elders were both smiling from ear to ear watching the couple.
"I bet Grandma Terry will soon squeal," Rizie commented to her mother who was quietly eating.
Sheila sighed. She was really happy to witness that her son was finally happy. Though she was a bit surprised with the changes she noticed in Zach, she was satisfied because Keira was able to bring out the best in her son.
However, for some reason, she still couldn’t help but get worried...
"Oh, I’m so full!" Torin cried out after the heavenly meal.
At that moment, Grandpa Shen came with two bottles in his hand.
"Here! Let’s drink!" he announced excitedly as raised his arms, emphasizing the two bottles.
It was whiskey and red wine.
Josh, who was behind him with a tray, said, "Steak is the perfect accouterment to a simple tequila refresca, made with Campari, grapefruit soda and fresh fruit. I also have a champagne cocktail in here for you to choose, Milady."
Keira smiled sweetly when Josh served it all to her.
"Ah, nothing beats red wine, my dear! It’s the classic, like your grandpa here, I suggest you try this instead," offered Grandpa Shen as he poured the wine in a glass and offered it to Keira.
"What is this? You guys are already playing favorites? We are also here. How come you don’t offer us drinks." Hissed Lyra as she narrowed her gaze at Josh, who scratched his head in return.
"I will take Grandpa Shen’s glass, little bro," said Keira as she smiled beautifully at Josh who blushed that instant.
"Thanks, Grandpa," said Keira who accepted the wine and took a taste of it.
"Go and give those to your sisters and Auntie Sheila," whispered Keira with a wink and Josh quickly followed.
Keira noticed that Zach was again staring at her so she asked, "What? Don’t tell me I’m also not allowed to wink to your little bro?"
"How come you can read my mind?" answered Zach with a devilish grin that made Keira roll her eyes.
"There, indulge yourself in this wink! I won’t stop!" said Keira as she kept on winking at Zach who burst into a fit of laughter.
"Gosh, when was the last time I heard Big Bro laugh like that?" murmured Rizie.
"Yeah, you brother is very happy. He deserves it," their mother commented. Zach was more outspoken and loose now.
He showed what he felt, unlike before with Thea, he was a bit reserved back then.
Grandma Terry sighed as she suggested, "Let’s finish our drinks and give them some privacy."
"I agree with Grandma. Otherwise, we will have an eyesore soon. Geez..." Lyra commented that made the others laugh.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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