Books

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Right at the moment Solanne and Yael went down the stairs, they were greeted with a very good smell of dinner.

Solanne was really thankful. She doesn't know what she was looking, nor she doesn't even understand why she was crying, however, she knows that her emotions are all over the place and that she wanted to thank Vincent.

Suddenly, she might even believe in a saying that there are no coincidences on the world.

Vincent's gaze softened as he looks at Solanne and he can't help but smile. "I'm glad," he said before patting Solanne's head.

"Let's eat before dinner get cold." 

Suddenly, the scene had changed. If someone would see them, the three of them looked like siblings for a moment. There was harmony between them and they looked like those families portrayed in paintings. They looked as if they were frozen in time.

Of course, At the dinner, Vincent and Yael was seated beside each other while Solanne was in front of them. Just as they all started eating, Solanne casually asked as she took the first bite, "Do you sell your paintings? Oh my god this is delicious!" 

Vincent shook his head. "Well, thank you. As the answer to your question, No. I don't. It's just a hobby now. However, I can give you one." 

"Huh?" Solanne was shocked. "That seems unfair, you know. That's your hard work." Yael was quietly eating on the side. Well, it was not like he was out of place, he just doesn't know what to talk about. Although he's very comfortable with his idol members, he has troubles interacting with people. 

He grew up with people's attention being drawn to him. Although he was able to managed such feeling and attention, there were times he wanted to become just a nobody. 

Just like now. 

Just like how Solanne has always treated him like a human who was normal and whose fame was never known. 

Would it be a weird thing to say that he found comfort? 

That's why he was very thankful of Solanne leading the conversation like this.

Additionally to that he founds it easy to talk to her. Moreover, the food was delicious. 

"I gift my works to those who need it. I feel like you need it, so… feel free to tell me what you like. Well, except for the painting of Mr. Brown upstairs. He's precious and only mine." 

Solanne blushed she honesty had that thought. She wanted to view that cat, the 'miracle cat'. 'Perhaps, I might even worship it,' she joked. But she was really amazed by how Vincent had froze Mr. Brown's majestic on a painting. 

"Of course, I would not steal Mr. Brown from you. I'm just thinking of adopting a kitten." 

"I know a foster home here in this province. Would you like to go there?" 

Solanne smiled widely. "That would be great! But, I was thinking to adopt one after the situation is all over. You know, so that we can go back to our own lives." 

Vincent smiled. He glanced at Yael whose expression seemed to be confused. He was quietly eating. He was so amused. 'This kid is getting more and more confused,' Vincent uttered in his mind as he shook his head. He was so entertained by him right now. 

He shifted his gaze to Solanne. "I feel like that would be a long time." 

"You think so?" Solanne drank some water. "It's really concerning about the pandemic now but we don't really know what will happen." She sighed as she added, "Would it really be okay for us to stay on your cabin?" 

Vincent nodded putting some food on his plate. "No worries. I'm grateful that you are taking care of my other kittens. Also, since you both are here, tomorrow, let's harvest some vegetables and buy some meat to my friend." 

"I'm down to that. It's been a while since I have visited. Are you fine going out, Yael?" Solanne shifted her attention to him and he felt his heart skipped a beat. He pulled himself right back together. He nodded. "Of course." 

"You won't be uncomfortable?" 

"You sound as if I'm something fragile." 

Solanne chuckled. 

"You two looked like siblings," Vincent commented. 

"We're not!" Suddenly, Yael's voice interjected before Solanne could even counter. She was surprised as she looked at him. His ears were bright red. He doesn't know why but he just doesn't like the thought of labeling them as siblings. 

"I'm sorry," Vincent teased. He sounded like an older brother apologizing to his youngest sibling after teasing them and making them cry.

"I'm just joking." 

Solanne laughed. He pat Yael's head. "I don't mind having a sibling like him. He's the same age as my brother." 

Yael slapped her hand away. He rolled his eyes. "Don't." Yael doesn't know where his conviction was coming from, he just don't want to be his sister or anything. 

"How grumpy." 

Their dinner continued, most of the time Vincent and Solanne exchange stories while Yael listens and sometimes give one comment or two. 

Right after dinner, as Solanne and Yael volunteered to clean the dishes, Vincent casually said, "Is it okay for you to share one room? There's only one bed. I'm sorry, I just wasn't able to consider this before." 

Solanne blinked as she looked at Yael. "Are you okay with it?" She considered Yael's feelings. They were not that close before and sometimes, he's still reserve and that Solanne had also assumed that Yael was a person who has an important regard on his space.

She wanted to respect his choices. 

She can't see what Yael's expression as he was looking down but he just simply gave a nod. "It's okay. I trust you." 

Solanne's eyes widen in disbelief hearing those words. She felt like she has been promoted or something. Yael was the type of person who respects his space, so she knew that she can't just barge in but now? Solanne smiled inwardly. She felt like the reason for this was because of all of her delicious meals. 

Back in her mind, she had this thought to bribe him with food. She guessed that it works. 

She shifted her gaze back to Vincent. she seemed be to be happy. "That won't be a problem." Vincent smiled knowingly but Solanne was too happy to understand. 

"Thank you. Let me just prepared upstairs. Also are there any games you would love to play? I have some board games upstairs just in case."

Solanne gave a thumbs up. The soap was still there on her hand. "We will leave the choices to you." 

--

As soon as the dishes were finished, they went upstairs to continue the game. Of course, Vincent had also prepared some tea drinks for them to enjoy while they play. 

He prepared some lemon tea. Solanne had a thought that Vincent was a very caring and attentive person because of the food and things in the cabin he owns, she was right looking at how he's this on hands on his guest. 

She feels a little embarrassed feeling that they're imposing too much. Still, Vincent looked like he was enjoying. 

As they sat on the floor, circling the boardgame in front of them, their first game was uno. Their game was peaceful for the first few minutes but when their cards started to diminished, it has become so chaotic. Yael who was also quite before has started to argue as the cards with plus four and two dropped. 

"Hey--" Solanne was about to protest when Yael has dropped another plus four on the floor but Yael just grinned at her. She's frustrated alright, she has been losing for a few times already and the two men were never done teasing here. They were so awkward with each other before but now they even look like they were brothers.

"You both are hurting my feelings," she mumbled as she raised her brow. She tolled her eyes.

"Solanne it's just a game," Vincent pat her back and she just rolled her eyes.

"Next time, let's play monopoly," Solanne glared both of them. Yael grinned at her.

Their game continued, and even though they were adult, they played like they were like children never backing down. It was a good thing that they weren't taking any alcohol as their drinks because if that was the case, they might have several things they might regret doing.

After a few rounds of game, they have considered playing monopoly. However, as they were already adults, they felt their body being tired from walking and the activities they have done has already worn out their bodies. Solanne was already on the sofa, and her smile was so wide it almost tore her cheeks and lips because she was petting Mr. brown. The cat was not welcoming her at first but, after courting the cat a few times with treats that Vincent gave her, the cat settled beside her, loafing and it was just so cute.

Yael was beside Solanne reading some books that he had borrowed from Vincent. Seems like, Vincent was also interested in different mythology and gods as he has different books about it on his shelves. Vincent on the other hand Vincent went down stairs to check the bread he was baking. According to him, he learned baking from hulis parents and that he had inherited their business. Vincent cafe and bakery was the only supply of bread here in this province earning him a decent amount of money.

Speaking off, Solanne peeled of her gaze on the cat and shifted it on the shelves besides the table.

Solanne cleary remembers Vincent's stories about some legends going around on the province. She also has some suspicions she wanted to know about.

She kissed the cat before standing up. Yael raised his gaze and looked at Solanne before he continued reading.

On the other hand, Solanne went straight to shelves. With a sigh, she touched each book and that she can't help but be amazed that most books were hardbound and that they were leather bound even. She knew from her experience that these books were expensive. Her eyes wondered on the titles. She seemed to be more drawn on the books.

"Are you curious?"

Solanne raised her eyes only to see Vincent behind her. There were sime flour stains on his clothes and he smelled like butter. Solanne smiled.

"I just remembered your stories. The one you talk about the phone before."

Vincent smiled knowingly. "You wanted to know more?"

Solanne nodded. She has questions and that she was curious. "Yes."

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