Chapter 103
We told Aunt Mel that we were spending Christmas abroad a week before Christmas. She cried a lot, so
much so that she had to cover her mouth.
Mom was very upset too. She kept Aunt Mel company for the whole morning, and her eyes were all puffy.
Aunt Mel went on about how disappointed she was regarding Felix. She couldn’t understand why he became so inconsiderate about his family’s feelings. She also mentioned that Lilac looked like a cunning
woman, and that she feared that she might hurt Felix.
There was nothing much Mom could do except offer words of consolation. She could empathize with Aunt Mel very well. After all, we had been neighbors for 20 years–we were like a family now.
We treated each other like a part of our lives, but Mom couldn’t do anything about Lilac’s visit. For the first time in 20 years, we had our Sunday roast separately. I didn’t know how the Whites coped with that,
but my family was enjoying ourselves.
Mom cooked a delicious meal, and Dad opened a bottle of red wine for Mom and me. I raised my glass,
poised to offer a toast. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
I answered the door right away, thinking that it must be Aunt Mel. I didn’t check who the visitor was and
said out loud, “Aunt Mel, the food is ready. Come join us!”
“What Aunt Mel? Open your eyes!” joked the visitor.
Colin? He flicked my forehead playfully. I tilted my head, curious as to why he was there. But Colin being
Colin, he walked past me and invited himself in. “Uncle Gerald, Aunt Harper, can I join your dinner?”
“Of course. Come. Lulu, bring an extra set of cutlery, will you?”
Dad was overjoyed that someone finally came to drink with him. Together with Colin, they finished a
bottle of red wine, during which Colin boasted how my drawing was used as a reference by the professor.
He also said that I was becoming more successful as I had earned 20 grand on my own. In the future, he
was certain that my family could live comfortably.
During the meal, Colin cracked jokes to make my parents laugh out loud. Mom and Dad continued to
stuff Colin with food and wine. I was delegated the role of a waitress, bringing them whatever they
needed.
After the meal, Colin and Dad wanted to play a game of chess. They cheered and bantered, each refusing
+15 BONUS
to sacrifice their pawns. The atmosphere was lively. Shortly after, Dad grew tired. Mom went to tuck Dad
in and asked me to keep Colin company.
I dragged Colin to my room and plopped him on the chair before my desk. Then, I found a stool and sat on it. Finally, I had time to ask him the question I desperately needed an answer to. “Colin, won’t your
mom be mad if you dine with us?”
“Mom would love to join you guys. Why would she be mad?”
“Huh?” Aunt Mel wanted to visit too? I rested my head on the desk, just right in front of Colin. He didn’t need to speak and I could already smell the faint scent of alcohol on him.
A thought crept into my mind–Colin was quite handsome. His demeanor was gentler when he was tipsy. He propped his head up on the desk with his hand, like a big, fluffy dog that was asking for more pets.