The dining table was set neatly, sunlight spilling across the plates. Eva reached over to place a strip of bacon on Adrian's father's plate, a small smile on her face. Adrian was quietly eating, focused on his breakfast.
Ash hurried past them.
"Today is Saturday, why are you in such a hurry?" Eva called after him. "Come, sit and join us. Let this be our first breakfast as a family."
Adrian lifted his eyes briefly from his plate, then returned to eating without a word.
Ash slowed, hesitating as if unsure whether to sit.
"It's bad behavior to resist your mother's food," Adrian said evenly, "Where she has wholeheartedly prepared herself."
His father turned to him with a steady look. "Stop being mean to your brother," he said, then shifted his gaze to Ash. "Come on, son, have a seat."
Ash sighed quietly and unwillingly pulled out the chair beside Adrian, sitting down at the table.
Eva smiled softly as she watched them.
Ash reached for the bacon just as Adrian did, their forks colliding. For a second, they looked at each other before both pulled back.
"You should take first," Adrian said, clearing his throat.
"No, you should take first," Ash replied.
"Just take it," Adrian pressed.
"You take it," Ash insisted.
Eva and Adrian's father exchanged a look of quiet confusion. Then Eva stepped in gently. "Hey, no need to argue." She picked up a slice of bacon and placed one on each of their plates.
Adrian's father set down his cup and spoke calmly. "This evening we'll have dinner with the Johnson family, for the preparation of the wedding, which will be held the day after tomorrow." He turned his gaze to Ash. "Son, I want you to be there. I want to officially introduce you as my son to them."
Ash's fork and knife slipped from his hands, clattering softly against the plate. His mood shifted, and all eyes turned toward him.
"I'm full," Ash said abruptly, rising from his seat. "Excuse me." Without another word, he walked out.
Adrian watched him go, then looked at his father and Eva. "I'll be off to the office," he said quietly, standing as well.
Eva reached over, brushing her hand lightly against Adrian's father's arm. Her expression softened with concern.
"Don't put it to heart," she said quietly. "Give him more time to open his heart."
Adrian's father sighed, his eyes lingering on the doorway where Ash had left, but he gave a small nod.
...
Adrian sat in the back seat of the car, the window lowered. He leaned slightly out as he spotted Ash cycling ahead.
"Where are you going? I can take you," Adrian called.
"Not interested," Ash replied shortly, pedaling faster. He turned onto a narrow path and soon disappeared from sight.
The car rolled to a stop. Adrian kept his eyes on the empty path for a moment, then leaned back. "That bicycle...didn't I lock it in the store?"
Bravin glanced at him through the mirror. "He got another one, Alpha."
Adrian's brow furrowed faintly, but he said nothing. After a pause, he asked, "Do you know where he's going?"
"If I may guess," Bravin said from the wheel, "it's to see his grandmother."
Adrian exhaled a slow sigh. "Pull off to the office."
...
{Ash}
The soft shh-shh of rice being cleaned in the winnowing basket filled the air.
"Grandma, I've come!" Ash shouted as he threw the bicycle to the ground and hurried forward.
His grandmother , standing at the kitchen door, lifted her head at the sound of his voice. When she saw him at the gate, her face lit up and she quickly set the basket down. She walked toward him with open arms.
"Oh, my bunny, I've missed you so much."
They embraced tightly.
Just then, Ash's uncle Aster stepped out from the kitchen, smiling. He pulled Ash into a hug. "Welcome, Ash, it's been a while."
Grandmother held Ash's shoulders, looking him over. "Have you eaten?" she asked gently. "I was just about to make some sweet rice pudding."
"Yes," Ash said with a grin, "but how dare I resist my grandma's food?"
Her face brightened at his words. "Good. Then you'll eat with us."
Aster chuckled softly beside them, still keeping a hand on Ash's back.
In the kitchen, the warm scent of cooking rice filled the air. Ash stood beside his grandmother, helping her stir while Aster prepared some vegetables at the counter.
"How is your mother?" Grandmother asked as she measured out sugar.
"She's good," Ash replied.
"And what about your stepfather?" she asked again.
"He's fine," Ash answered, his tone faltering, mood shifting slightly.
Grandmother paused, glancing at him with quiet concern.
Before she could say more, Aster spoke up. "Is his son nice to you? I heard he's an Alpha; the way most Alphas are, cold and ruthless. In addition, S-ranked, like his fiancee's brother."
Ash fell silent.
Grandmother set the spoon down, her voice firm but full of love. "If he's mean to you, tell me. I'll deal with him myself."
Ash managed a small smile. "He's good. He doesn't treat me bad."
...
That evening, the Leclair mansion glowed with warm light. A sleek car pulled up at the entrance, and Johnson, his wife, and their daughter Celeste stepped out gracefully.
They were received warmly at the door by Adrian's father and Eva, who welcomed them with polite smiles. After a brief exchange of greetings, Eva guided them inside to the dining table, where aroma of different dishes filled the air; spiced meats, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and bowls of steaming rice.
When everyone was seated, Johnson asked "Where is Adrian?"
Adrian's father replied evenly, "I called him. He said he'll be late, but he's still on his way."
Eva then looked toward Johnson and his wife. "And where is Lucien?"
The couple exchanged a brief look before Johnson said, "We had already told him. I don't know what excuse he got."
A faint silence lingered, but Eva quickly smiled to lighten the mood. "Well, let's start dinner before it gets cold."
As the dishes were passed around and the conversation softened, Celeste sat quietly, her gaze shifting to the empty seats.
Lucien...Adrian...where are you?