Chapter 19: Family Breakfast and Unexpected Guests

Morgan greeted Arini first. The still beautiful elderly woman hugged Morgan without hesitation, as Morgan willingly lowered himself as much as possible. Arini carefully cupped Morgan's face and kissed both his cheeks. 

"How are you? How are your parents?" Arini asked without releasing her hands from Morgan's cheeks. 

"I'm doing great. Mom and Dad are healthy too, they send their regards to you and Uncle," Morgan replied, patiently bending down so Arini could touch his cheeks. 

"We were deeply saddened by your grandfather's passing, Morgan. If only Uncle Satria hadn't been on a visit to Finland at the time, we would have come to offer our condolences," Arini said, apologizing for the events a few months prior when Richard Mason Maxwell—Morgan's grandfather—passed away. 

"We are certain Richard lived an extraordinary life and left the best values for his family." Satria approached Arini and Morgan, patting his friend's shoulder and freeing him from his constant bending. 

"Thank you, Uncle." Morgan accepted Satria's handshake. 

"And left a horse ranch for this cowboy, Papa. But for some reason, he loves to stalk me," Katon grumbled, annoyed. Both Arini and Satria laughed. They understood that the grumbling was just talk; Katon was happy to have Morgan along on his adventures. 

"He seems like a lonely man, Uncle, Auntie. I feel obligated to accompany him," Morgan retorted, taking a seat next to Katon. 

"Shut up, jerk!" Katon threatened, making Morgan chuckle. 

"Speaking of loneliness. Is there any woman you'd like to introduce to us, son?" Satria asked casually. Katon saw Arini glance disapprovingly at Satria. But the man continued to look at Katon, clasping his hands together to support his chin. Katon could feel Morgan shifting uncomfortably beside him. 

"I have been with your mother since we were teenagers and married her when I was 29. That's a year younger than you. And you still haven't found your soulmate?" 

Katon heard Morgan snort, which he quickly disguised by blowing his nose with a tissue. There were many women around Katon, but they never lasted more than a week. That's why Morgan snorted. "Yet found someone on my ideal, Papa." 

"Yeah, just for one night," Morgan whispered, immediately wincing in pain as Katon stepped on his foot. Luckily, he still had the tissue to cover half his face. 

"If he hasn't found any woman, what can we do? Don't push him, Tria" Arini said, distributing plates. Of course, she served Satria first, then invited the two young men to choose their food. 

"Then how did you both end up with the same bruises?" Satria asked while Arini served him. Katon and Morgan exchanged glances, making Arini frown. 

Finally, Katon recounted the incident on the plane from New York. Occasionally, Morgan added details. Arini gasped and sat down, looking worriedly at her eldest son and his friend. 

"Everything's okay, Mom. Don't worry. Many people testified on our behalf," Katon said, pulling up a chair and stroking his mother's back. 

"That's right, Auntie. It was self-defense. Katon will be fine," Morgan said while eating. Katon glared at him, annoyed. Morgan's words clearly implied that only Katon had killed two people. 

"Who was the person you helped?" Satria asked. Katon's face instantly lit up. 

"Mr. Teguh Putra, Papa," he replied. 

"That name sounds familiar..." Satria seemed to be thinking, trying to remember the name. 

"Of course. He's the owner of the diamond mine in Cempaka, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. Maybe Papa has met him." 

Satria shook his head. "No. But I know his profile." 

"I'll give you his business card later," Katon said. 

A fleeting shadow appeared on the glass wall separating the kitchen and the backyard. Katon stopped eating. 

Katon's face broke into a wide smile as he put his plate back on the table. 

"Where is he? Where is he?" Lily shouted, almost hysterically, as she entered the kitchen. The 18-year-old girl, 170cm tall with long dark brown hair, a face sprinkled with freckles typical of her English Stuart Collins bloodline, and most uniquely, the only one of Satria's children with green eyes. 

Katon stood up and left his chair, knowing Lily's habit. And sure enough, the girl jumped at him, forcing Katon to hug and carry her. Katon laughed and spun around, carrying his youngest sister, who was also hugging and laughing. 

Morgan stared in awe at the beautiful girl, Satria Anindito Collins' youngest daughter. 

"I missed you, Mas..." Lily exclaimed. Contrary to her appearance, which took after her great-grandfather's American-English DNA, Lily's voice had a thick Javanese accent. 

"I missed you too, Lily pies," Katon said lovingly, putting his youngest sister down. Lily turned to Morgan, intending to greet him. But Katon didn't release his grip on Lily's waist. "Wait. At least until he closes his mouth," Katon hissed cruelly at Morgan. Lily giggled, placing her right hand over her mouth, while Morgan quickly closed his. 

"Mas Morgan, how are you?" Lily asked with her thick Javanese accent. Further emphasizing her Javanese accent because Lily dared to call Morgan "mas/brother" too. 

"Lily... wow, how tall you've grown. I still remember when you were knee-high to me," Morgan said, standing up and hugging Lily. 

"Nonsense! When was I ever knee-high to you?" Lily retorted, and Katon pulled her away from Morgan. Lily laughed. 

"Enough of the pleasantries. Lily, sit near Papa," Katon ordered, his voice sounding haughty. 

"Why? I want to sit near you!" 

"Later, when Morgan's gone. Or do you want me to kick Morgan out of the table now?" 

"Hey!" Morgan protested Katon's words, and Lily, amused, finally approached her parents and kissed them in turn. 

"Will Rosie be joining us?" Katon asked as they started eating together. 

"Did you tell her about your arrival last night, Ton?" Satria rebuked. Katon was silent. Yes, he forgot to tell Rose too. Hmm, she shouldn't have guessed? or, she expecting him to be arrive in a few days before the end of the month.