"So, I'm guessing this dinner isn't just to eat and drink."
Kyle took a sip from his red wine and eyed the two women sitting in front of him, specifically the one by his side.
"What makes you think so?"
Anastasia questioned her brother. He was too observant and inquisitive. Scrolling through her phone she took a glimpse of the silent soul sitting beside her. Ever since they entered the restaurant she has been quiet and barely spared them a glance.
"You've been smiling too much for my sanity and you are oddly quiet."
Kyle voiced out his observation. It bothered him to see his sister all smiley and silent for more than an hour. It was unlike her.
"Alright since you're disturbed by my silence I'll state the reason for this dinner."
Her lips stretched to a painful length. She was excited to announce her latest news to her odd siblings.
"I've been engaged!!"
Anastasia screamed.
Kyle was sure the whole restaurant heard her, even the people on the streets must have heard her voice. He covered his ears and waited until she finally closed her mouth.
Esmeralda on the other hand was shocked. Not what she expected.
Anastasia looked at one sibling and then the other. Their silence made her frown. Weren't they happy for her? Though Esmeralda might be the one she least expected to be jumping and shouting for joy but Kyle's silence also disturbed her.
" Who is he?"
Esmeralda asked. What she said surprised her siblings who looked more shocked than before. She was happy for her sister, finally someone else could keep her in order. But she didn't expect it would be so soon! What was she saying? Anastasia's already twenty nine years old, so getting married at this age wasn't a surprise.
"Logan Preston."
Anastasia still stared at Esmeralda like she was an alien from Mars that came to invade Earth.
"Congratulations."
Esmeralda said and unknowingly a smile graced her lips, it wasn't big but it was manageable. It would take some time for her to get used to the fact but her sister's happiness was important.
"Well then, that's a cause to celebrate."
Kyle recovered from his shock and congratulated Anastasia.
"By the way, the boys graduation is coming up. What are we getting them?"
Anastasia asked with her fingers interlocked. She had been meaning to have this conversation with her brother and sister. It wasn't easy knowing the fact that they were busy people who hardly had time for themselves, but now that they're here why not discuss the matter.
"Aren't we attending the ceremony?"
Kyle drummed his fingers on the table. He didn't like sitting idle without doing anything with his hands. It was an habit of his.
"Yes, but we can't go empty handed. It's their day and we need to make it memorable." Anastasia rubbed the bridge of her nose. She turned her head to look at the quiet being who made herself comfortable with her eyes closed.
Feeling the stares of not one but two people Esmeralda opened her emerald green eyes and frowned.
"What?" she asked
"Do you have any idea on what gifts we should buy?"
Esmeralda sighed and nodded her head full of white hair. She unconsciously bit her lower lip but as soon as she bit it her lip was yanked out immediately.
"What did I tell you about this habit of yours?" Anastasia gave her sister a stern look.
"Sorry. I know what we can buy but the list is pretty lengthy if I may say."
"It doesn't matter. We can pick the most suitable one for them."
Kyle suggested and ran his pale hand through his dark locks.
"Since that's settled we go shopping tomorrow."
Anastasia announced with a clap of her hands. She was ecstatic at the fact that she would be going shopping tomorrow with her siblings.
"Can't you do the buying and we the staying at home?"
Kyle groaned and ignored the death glares from Anastasia. He didn't like the crowd. One of the things he had in common with Esmeralda.
"And miss the chance of the three of us going shopping while I give you a tour round the mall and force you to try out new clothes? Not a chance are you getting out of this one."
Anastasia gave a victory smirk at her brother who groaned again with a look of displeasure on his handsome face.
" Nana, when are you coming back?"
Kyle turned his attention to his sister who had on her award winning expressionless face. She deserves a Guinness world record for keeping that look for a long time.
"Soon. Just hold on for a little while, it'll be over before you know it."
Esmeralda assured her little brother. It was more like she was talking to herself. There was no lead on those people, it's like one second they're there and the next they've disappeared without a trace. Maybe she wasn't searching right or there was a mistake somewhere. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the hand and then the owner.
Anastasia gave a small smile sending the message that everything was going to be okay. She felt her sister's internal struggles and sighed. Esmeralda was doing the best she can to live normally but with caution and she felt proud of her.
Kyle could feel the awkward ambiance and decided to lighten the mood up a bit.
"Asia, why do you travel so much?"
"What's the nature of my job you dimwit?"
Anastasia knew what her brother was doing so she decided to play along. But with all his doing he couldn't help but annoy her in the slightest way.
"Must you be so harsh on me? I'm your baby brother, you're supposed to be pampering me!"
Kyle pouted. Anastasia always behaved differently with him claiming that he's the man of the house and he needs to toughen up. Well, he wouldn't lie with the fact that it's true. But still, she was too hard on him.
"Pamper you?! You must be joking!"
She laughed as if she heard the most ridiculous thing on earth. What did he think he was? A baby?!
"Laugh all you want but you know what? I've still got Nana who pampers me alot!" Kyle declared with a smirk on his face.
"And that's why you're like this. She's spoiled you too much that I'm getting a headache because of you."
Anastasia pretended like her head was hurting to prove her point. She loves her brother but sometimes he acts like a child. Even the other two doesn't act like this. Who was she kidding?! They were all the same. Guess it runs in the male genes of the Accardi family.
"Did you hear that Nana?! She said you've spoilt me!"
Esmeralda shook her head and smiled. These two! They always fight about petty things and then drag her into it. She loves them but there are certain times she feels like snapping their necks when they start.
"Just leave him for me to spoil Asia. He's my baby after all."