BREAKFAST AT THE CASTERS'

[Music Recommendation: Givemy |Remo Anzovino]

•

__________________

"Look, Vili, you should not tell anyone about your stay here, you get it?

"Mia, remember I know nothing of it to be precise," Mia whacked herself for forgetting it.

"Right, you still know nothing so what you do is, whoever questions you of your presence, you'll tell them that you came here to visit me early this morning and in case they ask something like, who let you in, just say Zen did it, get it?" Vilian nodded her head though didn't know what was all this drama about.

"Mi'lady? Are you awake?" Asked the maid laying her head on the door trying to pick up any noise. Mia was still convincing so she didn't pay any heed to the maid who was questioning continuously.

When the maid got no response, she decided to enter the room thinking that the lady was still asleep. Hearing the doorknob turn, Mia quickly replied groggily as if stifling a yawn, "Give me a while. I'll be down..."

"Yes, Mi'lady," said the maid and heard the footsteps fading away from the room.

"Phew! Now, let me get you a good set of cloth while you go get yourself freshened up, or... is my dear friend used to her princess aid?" Mia teased at the end easing the mood.

Vilian rolled her eyes and said, "You better explain to me everything once we get off this silly drama or you know what I might do," threatening Mia, and walking into the entice.

Finally, rummaging through her closet she got a dress for Vilian and herself. The dress easily fitted Vilian even though she was short and thinner than Mia.

"Why do you have to get dressed so much, Mia? You're just in your home and not elsewhere," questioned Vilian looking at her friend who was getting dressed all pretty and nice, with all the makeovers and accessories.

If one were to look at them they'd figure out that she was the one who was at home and Mia came to visit her when it was the other way round.

"Why don't you wear this bracelet- Oh, look! this necklace was gifted by Calder yesterday. Isn't it lovely?"

"It looks eye-catching on your neck," said Vilian placing the sterling silver necklace which had a small white pearl pendant on Mia's neck and hooking it behind. It went perfectly with the pink pearl satin frock she was wearing.

"Mia? Dear, what's taking you so long?" came the worried voice of her mother's voice following a few knocks on the door.

"Come in, mom," said Mia looking at Vilian. Vilian widened her eyes and soon composed her look.

"Good morn- Oh! Vilian? Good morning dear. It's been so long since you last visited us. I didn't know you had your friend here, Mia," said Lady Gizella, giving a bone-crushing hug as if meeting her own daughter after a long day.

"Oh, she just now came, isn't it, Vilian?" questioned with a fake smile.

"Y-yes, we planned to go out today to the nearby cafe, so I came early this morning."

"Oh! That's wonderful but not before you girls have your breakfast. I see Mia starting to skip her breakfast these days. Vili dear, please tell her it's not good to skip meals. It's gonna affect her health."

Mia laughed listening to her mother saying her friend to advise her when her friend was the worst in it.

"Oh, rest assured, aunty. I'll make sure she does not forget to miss her meals," said Vilian winking at Mia and earning a squinting glare from Mia because of her act.

"Come on ladies... Let's not spend any more time here. Breakfast's awaiting," said Lady Gizella and dragged Vilian out of the room, holding her hand towards the dining hall.

"Ma... Have you forgotten me?" came running Mia, behind them and her mother intertwined her other hand with her daughter. Vilian went silent looking at her hand being held by the lady dearly. It reminded her of her mother's memories and tears welled up but she breathed in not wanting to shed tears.

Mia kept complaining to her mother that she always forgets her daughter when her friend visits her house. Lady Gizella laughed and the three entered the dining hall in the presence of Mia's elder brother, Gotham, and her father Senior Caster.

Vilian noticed both the man's gazes on her and she offered a smile to them, "Good morning, Senior Caster and Mr. Caster."

"Vilian, take a seat," Mia raised her hand and pointed to the seat next to the seat she was about to sit. Everyone stared at Vilian walk around the dining table.

A maid came pulling the chair for Vilian to sit.

"Never knew we would be having a guest today..." said Gotham gazing at Vilian

"I'm sorry if I intruded on your family's peace. I thought to visit Mia early this morning," said Vilian.

"And who let you in?" he questioned her annoyingly. Gotham never liked, anyone, visiting them without prior notice.

"Zen?"

"Gotham! Stop it already! She's my friend and has the will to come to visit me. It's none of your business," said Mia, glaring at her brother. Gotham rolled her eyes.

"How has your father been doing? I came to know you did a great job convincing most of the business deals during the time of the party hosted by Winsley. You seem to be good at it."

"She did?" questioned Lady Gizella surprisedly.

"Of course, she did."

"Huh!! She's my friend, after all, so she'd be the best, and not to say she's the best when it comes to convincing, I say," said Mia and laughed with a proud look.

"I did what I was asked to do as father could not attend the party," said Vilian with a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks at the praises. Senior Caster hummed and raised his hand for the maids to start serving the food.

The butler ordered the maids to serve the food in order, one by one, and the maids obediently followed it.

Gotham was silently staring at Vilian as if trying to remember something while Vilian looked nowhere in particular.

Suddenly the double doors of the dining room were pushed open and in came a tall man wearing a black suit. He came forward and bowed his head. Senior Caster nodded his head and continued having his meal. Zen stood beside Mia, "Pleasant in meeting you Ms. Frost. Mia has been wanting to meet you for so long. When did you come here?" questioned Zen oblivious of the situation.

"What are you saying, Zen? Didn't we meet early this morning?" said Vilian, giving a nervous smile.

Gotham who was sitting beside his sister heard what was said and gave a confused look as Zen greeted her as if he met her just now. Mia kicked behind causing Zen to crouch a little by the unexpected attack he got and she whispered to go with the flow and not ruin it.

"Oh... Yeah. My bad. I must have forgotten with the works riddled up in my mind." Though he was no good he somehow managed it and received a secret thumbs up from Mia bringing him a smile.

'Too close' thought Mia and sighed but saw his brother was not buying their excuses. Mia rolled her eyes and started munching her food.

After a little while, Senior Caster gestured through his eyes to Zen and he whispered something in Mia's ears that caused her eyes to go wide and cough. Zen handed a glass of water to her.

Lady Gizella gave a questioning look to her daughter. "Mia? What's the matter? Are you alright?" She questioned.

"Papa! You never said to me that you'd arrange a blind date... I'm just 21, remember?!" Mia questioned her father unbelievably.