Dinner (4)

Zoey stayed in their garden checking whether a familiar car halt in front of their gates, she was nervous enough to breakdown as she didn't know the sole reason why Nickel choose this day from all the days that will come. Now that her entire family is at home, she felt breaking down from how his suddenly overprotective brother will do once he knew that Nickel is the mystery guy that his father is kept of mention after she moved to her condo.

No one remembered to mention that to Zick because they were all busy preparing the household.

Zoey contemplation stopped when someone hit her head with a book, a hardbound cover book.

"What the he...." she didn't have the chance to finish her line after she saw the menacing eyes of her older brother.

"Continue what you want to say if you have the guts."

Zoey better shut her mouth to avoid further damage.

A complete silence engulfed the two. Of course, being separated for many years left them no topic to discuss. Zoey wanted to say, but she was hesitating because she knew her brother didn't care about anything aside from being a doctor.

She started biting her nails, a sign that she is feeling uncomfortable with his brother's company.

Zick, who secretly studying psychology, noticed her behavior. He also knew that this was Zoey's common mannerism when she's feeling down or uncomfortable.

"I've heard that Michael keeps pestering you since came back home?" Zick started an old topic for them.

"Well, yeah! He kept showing anywhere I go." Zick saw how irritated his sister when he mentioned that guy's name to her.

"I didn't know how you guys ended up. Well, actually I've heard some parts, but I want to hear it from you, Zoey." He closed his book and looked at his sister.

Zick felt useless when his sister decided to leave the country and tried to study and find her career abroad. He even heard that she was maltreated in their Aunt's place by their own cousin. He felt useless for being a useless brother to the only sister he had.

Zoey looked at him and tried to examine whether her brother was joking or seriously asking her.

"If you're not ready to tell it to me, we still have a lot of time and I can also buy some time to think on how I will dislocate and dismantle that Cortez' boy's body after hearing your side. Let it to my sister."

Zoey was unprepared with Zick comforting words. Words that needed years ago.

When the sound can be heard was the cricket noise, Zick decided to went back inside.

"Go inside or insects will fest your legs there. Also, some areas have a dengue outbreak better to be prepared than never."

--

Nickel left the building after 5 pm but before he hops in the car, he sent Zoey a message.

To: Babe

Message: I forgot to ask. What's your address.

Yes! He's still using the babe term to her and to hide the fact that he already knew his address he even has the audacity to ask it to her. Nice played Mr. Fuentes.

After receiving Zoey's reply. Nickel stopped by the nearest flower shop to buy flowers to Zoey's mom. Well, of course, he needs to show his ideal man persona which he would really do to anyone's mother.

He even bought a fruit basket to them and to Zoey's.

--

When Zoey received his message regarding where they lived. She went inside and told it to her dad, who almost finished cooking his specialty.

When Mr. Alcantara saw that his daughter is still wearing her sailor moon pajama, he laughed out loud.

Zoey was confused why his father is laughing, so she asked, "did I say something funny?"

"Darling, yes I know that I'm hitting Nickel to be your soon to be a boyfriend but, it's still not the right time to saw him your true colors. You really wanted him to see you wearing your sailor moon pajama, didn't you? Hahahaha!"

Due to his father's embarrassment, Zoey rapidly ran towards her room and changed into something formal and casual.