Daniel turned and realized she was just teasing him.
"You're cute" Tara rose."come on,it's time for breakfast"
"Coming" Daniel rose and followed Tara downstairs.
He got to the dining hall and saw all kinds of food on the table,ranging from mashed potatoes to various sandwiches and pastries.
"Mom! Why this much food?" Tara voiced.
"Hush!" Joyce said to Tara as she faced Daniel and said."I don't know your favorite food ,so I made everything"
"Uhm,thank you ma,but I'm not a picky eater"
"I told you so" Tara smirked.
Her mum shot her a glare which wiped the smirk off her face.
"Well,if the food's too much,I can pack it up and give it to Daniel"
"That's too much, ma'am"
"Don't worry about a thing.I bet you don't eat healthy enough.Tara,look at his arms"
"Yeah,they're like chicken bones" Tara said, stifling a laugh.
"Ok then" Daniel agreed.
They dug into the meal with Tara throwing a few jokes once in a while.
"This is what a family is" Daniel thought as he watched the playful banter between Joyce and Tara."I wonder if we would be like this if they didn't pass away" He thought as a sad smile stretched across his face.
"What's wrong?" Joyce asked.
"Nothing" Daniel said quickly as he took a bite of his croissant.
When they finished breakfast,Daniel offered to clean up.
"How sweet of you! Tara,go assist him" Joyce said as she handed her plate to Tara.
"But,why?"
"But nothing"
"Ugh!" Tara groaned as she stormed into the kitchen.
"Is that a groan?"
"No" Tara replied.
"You don't have to" Daniel said,washing the dishes.
"Nah,it's fine" Tara said, standing next to the opposite sink."You wash ,and I'll rinse"
"Okay" Daniel agreed.
While they were washing the dishes,Joyce snuck into the kitchen and took a picture before hastily rushing to her room.
"They look so cute together" Joyce said,staring at the picture.
"What was with that smile you gave when we were eating" Tara asked.
"Oh,you noticed?"
"Yeah,so what's up"
"Nothing,it's just that I didn't sit at the table with anyone while growing up.I don't even use it anymore ,so seeing you and your mum playing and laughing had me thinking..."
"If you would experience the same thing if your parents were still around" Tara completed his sentence.
"Exactly"
"Take us as your family from now on.If you need anything,just ask" Tara said,rinsing the last dish.
"Yeah, thanks" Daniel replied as he followed Tara to the living room to sit.
"Can I go now?" Daniel asked.
"No,you're staying for the whole day.I'll let you go around eight pm"
"But ,it's just nine am"
"I know" Tara smirked.
"Merry Christmas,son" Julian's father bellowed, laughing at the top of his voice.
"Merry Christmas,father" Julian replied with less intensity than his father.
"What's wrong? You have eyebags" His father asked, pointing his fork at him.
"I was playing an online game all night" Julian lied.He was thinking about Cassandra.He felt terribly bad that he didn't explain things before leaving.Julian knew that her parents were barely home ,so that meant she would be spending Christmas alone.
"Shit,I have to go see her" Julian thought as he headed back to his room.
He took a shower and hastily put on clothes.
"Please tell my father that I'll be out for about two hours" Julian said to a nearby servant.
"Yes sir" The servant replied.
Julian left his house and headed to Cassandra's.
"Who's there?" Cassandra asked after hearing a knock on the door
"It's Julian"
Cassandra tried to mask the joy on her face as she opened the door for him.
"I thought you were done with me?" Cassandra asked,folding his arms.
"I am,but I'm not going to let you spend Christmas on your own" Julian replied,entering the house.
"You're done with me?" Cassandra asked.
"Let's not talk about that today. You're supposed to be happy ,so let's make that happen" Julian said,sitting on her couch.
"Aren't you going to the room?"
"No,Cassandra.As tempting as it sounds,I'm not doing that again."
"Then,why are you here?" Cassandra asked,sitting next to him.
Julian leaned forward and enveloped Cassandra in a hug. "Merry Christmas,Cassandra" He whispered."I'm sorry,but this will probably be the last time I come here"
"How is this supposed to be a happy Christmas?" Cassandra said softly as tears threatened to fall.She hugged him tight."I love you ,and I'm content as long as I'm around you"
"Thank you" Julian said, hugging her tighter."Our food should be arriving soon" He released his hold.
"What food?"
"I ordered Chinese food"
"I love Chinese food! Wait,how did you know?" Cassandra frowned.
"Lucky guess" Julian shrugged.
The food arrived and Julian and Cassandra ate at the table.
"This is like our last meal together" Cassandra voiced.
"You don't have to be ominous about it but yes" Julian replied
After that,they ate in silence.
Cassandra had a lot of things on her mind ,but it wouldn't just come out.She kept on glancing at him,trying to engrave his face in her mind.
Even if school resumed,she doubted she'd get close to him.
After the meal,julian helped her clean up before sitting on the couch.
"If you had one wish that only I could fulfill,what would it be?"
"That you stay with me forever" Cassandra said quickly.
"Aside from that" Julian frowned.
"Slow,passionate sex"
"Nope"
"Then,how about you hand me your clothes?"
"Why?" Julian asked.
"At least I'll have something to remember you by"
"You're talking like I'm dead.We can still see each other in school and talk about stuffs."
"Where's the pleasure in that?" Cassandra pouted.
"There isn't meant to be pleasure in seeing me" Julian said.
"Ugh! Just go already!" Cassandra pouted and stormed to the room.
She slumped on her bed and tried to hold back the tears.
"Here" Julian said, tossing his shirt on her bed.
Tara stared at his naked torso."you're going to go back like that?"
"How about we exchange clothing? You get my shirt ,and I get anything of your choice" Julian offered
"My panties" Cassandra yelled as she removed her skirt.
"You mean the panties you're wearing currently?"
"Yes,you said anything of my choice right?"
"I did" Julian said as he turned around for Cassandra to remove it.
"You can turn around now" Cassandra said, tossing the panties to him.