"Mom! Dad! I'm home!"
Callie cheerfully opened the door very wide. She removed her shoes and smiled brightly. "Come in, my m-mom and d-dad were a-also here.."
Ivan and Athasia nodded as they both removed their shoes and followed the girl. A woman in her 30s, with a ponytail, wearing an apron, greeted them. She gave a kiss and a hug to Callie.
"Hello kids! You must be Callie's friends. Come in, please don't be shy.."
Athasia observed the interior design of their house. It was wide and peach. There were pictures hanging on the walls, some were painted. The atmosphere towards the living room was lively.
There was a flatscreen T.V and two long sofas. A glass table with a flower vase. The mat was soft and soothing to her feet. Just like what she wrote in her novel.
The woman stood beside her daughter, who had already introduced her friends. "Nice to meet you. I am Callie's mom. You can call me Aunt Ellie." She had a personality just like Callie.
"Oh? They're here already?" A deep and pleasant voice coming from the kitchen resounded as soon as a tall man in his 40s showed up. He must be the father of this family.
Aunt Ellie introduced him, "This is my husband. You can also call this old man your Uncle Charlie," she said, tapping her husband's chest.
Uncle Charlie smiled, "Yow, zup kids?" Then he showed a warm smile before looking back at his wife. "Honey, don't call me old man in front of them," he whispered.
Aunt Ellie frowned. "Don't throw your tantrums on me. They're our daughter's friends." She whispered back, secretly pinching her husband's back.
Callie stood between them with her blushed cheeks. She must be shy from her parents' behavior. "M-Mom, Dad," she uttered.
Her parents understood it. "We will prepare lunch for the both of you. Join us, okay?" Aunt Ellie said, dragging her husband back to the kitchen.
"You have a nice family," Ivan commented, taking his notes from his bag.
Callie felt more shy, "S-S-Sorry f-for that.." her stutter got worse. "I r-really w-want to b-bring a f-friend at m-my house," she whispered, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Don't be shy, you deserve them," Athasia said. She turned the page of the book she's also checking. As littleyoonie, she secretly smiled. 'I'm glad I gave her a lively family'
Callie left them in the living room because she said that she'll going to help her parents prepare lunch for them.
Being alone with Ivan made Athasia think about more things. Even though she wrote Callie there as a side character, she never thought that she'll get close to her.
This is because in her novel, the original groupings were Athasia, Amber and Max. Her female lead never got this close with Callie and Ivan.
Well, at least it made her happy. Athasia was slowly spreading her wings with the right people. It was another development she achieved.
After a couple of minutes, the foods were already served on the table with everyone sitting with each other.
"Now, eat to your heart's content.." Uncle Charlie exclaimed, taking the lead on the table. "We cooked this with our love, so enjoy it kids," then he laughed with pride.
Aunt Ellie, who's next to him, clicked her tongue. "You're always noisy in front of the table. You're scaring our daughter's friends," she snorted.
Hearing this, Uncle Charlie turned gloomy. "Eh? Am I?" He faced Athasia and Ivan, "Please don't be scared, kids. This is the first time Callie brought her friends. I got too excited," he chuckled awkwardly.
Ivan looked at him after munching his food, "It's okay sir, the food was delicious," he commented, giving his thumbs up.
Of course, getting a compliment made Uncle Charles beamed. He tapped his wife and bragged.
The table was noisy, yet warm.
Athasia always wanted to experience this in the novel. Well, thanks to littleyoonie, she didn't even get her wish. 'I somehow feel guilty'
As her parents continued, Callie tapped the table with her fingers, "S-Sorry for t-that guys. They're a-always like this. That's w-why my b-brother didn't w-want to e-eat with t-them.." she said.
However, after hearing her brother, her parents stopped and straightened their backs. They started to act like real parents.
"Callie, you don't need to hurt us like that. Your brother was always busy. He never told us that he didn't want to join us," Aunt Ellie said.
Callie counterattack, "But it's true, mom"
Uncle Charlie immediately brushed his wife's back before she became emotional. "My, my..I will give your brother a real bearing this time. Puberty really hit him hard, eh? We don't always have guests and this is your first time bringing your friends. I just want to lighten up the mood," he said.
Ivan munched another piece of meat. "The mood was good, sir," he commented.
Uncle Charlie sparkled again, "Right Ivan? Conversations like this are normal for families eating together," he proudly said. "How about you, Athasia? Do you think it's embarrassing to eat with your noisy family?" He was very proud, expecting that the girl would also take his side.
"I don't know. I never experienced this kind of thing, sir," Athasia answered.
That's when the atmosphere turned silent.
It's true though. Athasia's father wasn't like Uncle Charlie, who's cheerful and loving to his family. It's not like she's comparing them. She just didn't know what words to use when describing Alexis Rymerton.
As a daughter and father relationship, they're always distant from each other. She also rarely sees her father at home.
Athasia put her spoon down and looked at them. "I'm sorry" she bowed her head. "I didn't mean to spoil the mood"
To her surprise, Ivan raised his hands and patted her back. "It's okay, your answer is valid.." he faced Uncle Charlie again. "I want another serving, sir. Your cooking is very delicious,"
The man immediately took Ivan's plate, "Y-Yeah.." He gazed at Athasia awkwardly, "H-How about you?" he asked, feeling guilty.
Ivan was right. It doesn't matter if you're eating with your family or not. What matters the most is she's eating with the people who opened and welcomed her with their heart.
Athasia smiled, "Yes sir! I suddenly felt more hungry..Aha..Ahaha"