DINNER I

Kaye was lying on her bed, curled up like a human ball. She buried her face between her knees and arms. She was heartbroken. She was distraught and she couldn't think clearly. She wanted to be his friend like how they used to be, but it seems impossible to her.

"Honey, can we talk for a while?" Maggie asked from the outside of her room. She could tell that her daughter was upset and she didn't want to annoy her.

"Can we talk during dinner? I'm really tired mom." Kaye plead to escape from any oncoming interrogations. And she was right because her mother intended to ask her more about Ivan and her.

"Alright. Have a good rest." Maggie didn't wait for her daughter's response. She walked down the stairs and went to the kitchen to prepare food. Although Kaye just made an excuse that she was hungry, Maggie, as a mother, could see how famished and exhausted her daughter was.

During dinner, Kaye had changed to a pair of pajamas and indoor slippers. She didn't bother dressing up since there's no one around aside from her parents and servants. Well, that's what she thought.

Laughters echoed in the living room and the atmosphere seemed lively. Kaye was still groggy as she walked towards the kitchen, avoiding whoever's in the living room.

"Good evening Ms. Kaye!" greeted one of their helpers who was currently cutting fruits and arranging them on a platter.

"Hi Elna. It seemed lively in the living room. Any visitors?" Kaye asked while getting a glass of warm water.

"Some people came to visit. I believe they will be joining you for dinner." the helper named Elna responded just as she finished her task.

"I might as well bring my food upstairs. I don't think - " Kaye was still talking when her mother's lovely voice interrupted her.

"Oh here you are, sweetheart. I'm glad you're awake. Dinner's almost ready." Maggie walked into the kitchen with a face brimming in happiness. She was holding a food box with some sort of shrimp viand in it.

"I'm planning to eat my dinner upstairs." Kaye retorted stoically, a bad premonition was telling her not to join the dinner her mother was talking about.

"That would be rude darling. Oh by the way, Ivan's here with Miss Maine."

"Just as I thought." Kaye rolled her eyes at her mom.

"Aren't you happy that Ivan's here?" Maggie asked her daughter while looking directly to her dark eyes. A look that makes one's soul hide from scrutinizing gaze.

"Of course I am. We're friends after all." Kaye said sarcastically that had her mother frowned at her.

Maggie wanted to say something but looking at her daughter's stern face, she chose to close her mouth.

"Anyway, just join us for dinner." Maggie said and left. She didn't want to interfere in her daughter's happiness. If Ivan couldn't solve this, it's really up to fate.

Kaye slumped on the chair near the kitchen counter. "I don't even want to see him." She muttered under her breath. Without much choice left, she decided to give them some face. Moreover, she didn't want to be labeled as rude.

After 20 minutes, their kitchen helpers set the dining table and brought out the foods they cooked. Kaye followed them sloppily with a glass of milk on her left hand.

"Hi Kaye. How are you?" Miss Maine attempted to talk to her while reading her expressionless face.

"I'm fine. Where's uncle Chad?" Kaye asked since she couldn't see the man who treated her nicely among the crowd.

"He had to go back to the hospital for some emergency matter." Miss Maine responded before taking a seat opposite Maggie.

"It's nice to see you Ivan." Ivan who didn't expect the greetings from Kaye was stunned for a moment.

It took him a minute before realizing that she was actually greeting him. A smile slowly appeared on his lips before he greeted her back. "I'm glad to finally see you, Kaye. You're just as I imagined you to be."

"Uhh...uhh I hope that imagination was positive. Have a seat." Kaye was acting like a real host but her heart was beating so hard everytime she looks at him. It's even getting wilder when she caught him looking at her.

"My husband won't be joining us for dinner. He had to attend some matters as well." Maggie interjected when the atmosphere turned warmer. It was more like, two parents acting as chaperones during blind dates.

"I heard that you're working on your company now. How was it?" Ivan asked Kaye when all of them were seated. Both mothers didn't bother them, engaging on their own conversation.

"It's fine. I'm having a good time." Kaye answered with a smile that didn't even reach her eyes. "How about you? When did you get your operation?"

"More than a month ago. Remember when you fainted in the middle of the street due to fire?" When Kaye nodded Ivan continued, " I decided to get my eyes operated on that day."

"I see. No wonder you left in a hurry. I must've inconvenienced you back then. It's good for you." Kaye commented but her face didn't show any change of emotions. Her voice sounded flat and bored.

"Hey Ivan. When will you introduce your girlfriend to us?" Maggie asked intentionally to see how her daughter would react to that.

Kaye flinched for a moment. Her hand holding a spoonful of rice paused for a few seconds before she continued eating. However, those few seconds were enough for the three people to see what effect it had on Kaye.

"Regarding that auntie, I don't have anyone yet. I like someone but looks like I'll have a hard time getting her." Ivan was looking directly to the woman who sat across him, but Kaye was so oblivious to what's happening.

At one point, Kaye thought he was lying but she decided to ignore whatever he's spouting since it wasn't her business at all.

"I wanted to know something though." Maggie interjected with curiosity on her voice. "How did you know that my Kaye was Therese when you're blind? It was really a surprise to me."

If the topic earlier was of no interest to Kaye, this time she looked at Ivan with a shock written on her face.

It was shock at first, next it was replaced with happiness, then fear came to invade her system but it ended with sadness.

No matter how she feels, it wouldn't change the fact that the man she likes since she was young, likes somebody else.