8:Dinner!

Avery

It was 8:45 pm when Azai and I arrived at the restaurant where we were about to have dinner with Amory and Alessia. As Azai said earlier, this was as per Alessia's request because ever since I came back we haven't had a proper conversation even though we go home to the same house. She's not even there most of the time but whenever she is, she would be busy talking to daddy regarding their work. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't even want to see me because she never tried to talk to me, not even once.

I got out of my car and so did Azai. I looked around and was amazed at the beautiful lights hanging from the trees. We parked right in front of the restaurant which seemed nice, the lavishness seeping out of this area in the most obvious manner.

"She always chooses the best," Azai caught my attention as we walked into the restaurant.

“She always wants to be the best," I sarcastically replied, which made Azai smile.

The guard opened the door and I went inside the restaurant while Azai walked behind me. We stopped in the middle and our eyes searched for our siblings. At the far end where there was a large clear mirror, I saw Alessia and Amory who seemed to be talking and were both laughing.

“There they are," I told Azai and we walked toward them together.

"Hey," Azai greeted when we got close to them.

"How was your school?" Amory asked as he stood up and pulled a chair next to him for me to sit.

“It's good! Thanks,” I said as he kissed me on the head before sitting down. He had always been sweet to me and would spoil me a lot, he is our hermano mayor afterall.

“How was your day?” Alessia asked as she looked at me. Now she's talking to me. She's still the same as before, no wonder she still doesn't have a husband.

"Like the usual, discussion, activities, and home works," I told her.

“How about you Azai?” She turned to Azai who was frowning at her.

"It's good, Ave and I have the same classes. Nothing usual," Azai replied.

"Oh right, I forgot you're twins," She replied and Amory laughed. Seriously, was that her attempt of a joke?

“Alessia is so stressed out with her work, don’t mind her. We already ordered food so let’s just wait for a couple more minutes for it to serve,” Amory told us and I just nodded.

"How was your work?" I change the subject as we wait for the food they ordered.

"My business is getting better and better! I ordered new flavors of wines from Italy and guess what, my contact in Napa Valley just sent an email assuring that I will have at least 3 bottles of the screaming eagle cabernet sauvignon 1992." My eyes widened at what he said.

“Are you serious? ” I asked in shock.

"No way," Azai said in disbelief.

"Actually, it all happened because of me. The guy who contacted him for the screaming eagle cabernet sauvignon 1992 was my old friend from San Francisco California, he's currently in Napa," Alessia explained.

"Yes, and that is why I thank you so much sis," Amory smiled happily at Alessia.

"No problem my dear brother," Alessia replied.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile. She's always the best, isn't she?

Alessia and I were never close, she’s competitive and she always wanted to be the best among us. I get the idea that she just wanted to be a good example to her younger siblings but I don’t like the way she treats each one of us.

She always demands for what she wants. No wonder why she’s still single.

We waited for our food for at least 2 minutes before it was served. Since Amory was the first to arrive, he ordered all our food which consisted of 4 plates of steak salad and 4 glasses of Chardonnay white wine, which was really good with steak.

We said a little prayer before we proceeded to eat. "How was the food?" Amory asked, I smiled at him before replying.

“It’s perfect,” He just smiled back as he continued to eat.

"Amory and I eat here most of the time," I looked at Alessia as she ate the salad on her plate.

"And we love their steak salad," Amory added.

“Only the two of you? What about Azai?” I asked and the expression on their faces suddenly changed, the atmosphere taking a quick sour turn as their bodies stiffened and their movements slowed down.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked next.

“No of course not, there's nothing wrong with your question. Azai is usually busy with school so he doesn't really come along with us,” I frowned at what Amory said.

Azai is busier than them? Did he just lie to me? I can sense the tension here as clear as day, there’s really something bothering them. Amory’s excuse was nonsense. I know how busy they are at work and I literally know Azai’s schedule when I left. He’s also not a busy type of guy especially when it comes to his family.

"Okay," I replied to Amory and he just smiled at me.

I turned my attention to the food in front of me while Alessia started talking about her work, Azai and I listened intently.

Alessia is a cardiologist and she was planning to build her own clinic that she and daddy had been planning for a long time. Azai and I took nursing as a course so we were interested in the conversations that would take place between daddy and Alessia as well as when she would talk about her work and her co-workers.

An hour passed and we finished eating. Azai excused himself and went to the comfort room while Amory was outside to accommodate a sudden phone call. Since Alessia and I were the only ones left, I turned on my cell phone and pretended to be reading something to avoid talking to her.

"By the way Ave, welcome home!" I slowly looked at her at what she said. I smiled a little before I focused my eyes on my cell phone again.

“I’m really happy you're back! I really am!” She added and I just took a deep breath before smiling at her again.

Amory returned and said goodbye to meet his friend who he had not seen for 10 years because he had been living abroad and had visited his bar just now.

"I'll be leaving too, I'm on duty later so I need to go now so I could take a quick rest," Alessia added as she stood up.

I just nodded and stood up to say goodbye to them.

"You and Azai take care, see you tomorrow," Amory approached me and kissed me on the forehead.

"Go home when Azai's done, you both take care of yourselves," Alessia said and I was very surprised when she walked towards me and hugged me.

"I'm really happy to see you," She whispered in my ear before separating herself from me. I just smiled, again.

“You both drive safe too,”

They said goodbye again and walked out of the restaurant.

"They left?" I looked behind when I heard Azai's voice and I just nodded in response.

"We should go home too so we can rest since we're going out tomorrow," I told him. He just smiled at me before holding my hand as we walked out together.

I just sighed and smiled, no matter how much he hid I could feel the sadness he was feeling.

If I had not left, maybe I would have known the reasons why Azai is like this and maybe he wouldn't be this sad. I felt really bad. I knew he didn't have a good relationship with our family during the past few years because I can really see the changes. Azai was the sweetest one and he was close to anyone around him, but that was before. Everything changed and now I felt guilty.

It's all because of me right Azi? my mind ask while looking at the dark sky.

_____________________________