A Taste Of Defiance

"Hey! Lucas called out, interrupting Mark's train of thought with a kick. What's on your mind?

"Sorry," Mark said, feeling flustered and unsure of Olive and Lucas's intentions.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Olive asked, her eyes locked on Mark.

"Oh, right! I'm Mark. Nice to meet you, Lara," Mark said, reaching out for a handshake, which Lara accepted.

"Nice to meet you too, Mark," Lara replied with a smile.

Ping!

Lucas and Mark checked their phones and saw a message.

"Oh no, our driver is here?" they both said sadly. "We have to leave now."

"Guess we'll have to wait until next time to try Lara's noodles," Olive said with a chuckle.

"Who said we have to wait? Pack me all the different types of noodles, Lara. I'll take them home and heat them up," Lucas said with a smile.

"I'll take all the types too, please," Mark added with a smile.

Lara nodded and went to the kitchen. Thirty minutes later, she returned with two boxes, handing one to each of them.

"Thank you!" Lucas and Mark said happily. "We'll see you another time."

"Okay, Lara! We'll see you later tonight,"Olive said as she led Lucas and Mark to the bus station where two black and blue Lamborghinis were waiting.

**

"Alright! I'll talk to you on the phone, Arthur," Mark said with a smile, and Olive nodded as she watched him get into the black Lamborghini.

"I'll call you about the debate. You jerk!" Lucas said with a laugh, causing Olive to frown as she watched him get into the blue Lamborghini.

"Are you coming over?" Olive asked.

"Of course! How else are we going to try the other dishes? See you soon!" Lucas said with a laugh before tapping the chauffeur on the shoulder to drive off.

The two cars then drove away, and Olive watched them until they were out of sight before making her way back home.

____

The walls of the George mansion were clean, made of warm, honey-colored stone, adorned with intricate carvings and ornate details that seemed to tell stories of their own. Tall, slender windows with delicate shutters and ornate ironwork balconies added a touch of French Renaissance charm, while the slate roof's subtle curves and turrets evoked the grandeur of a medieval castle.

As the cars arrived, a sweeping driveway, lined with manicured hedges and towering trees, curved gracefully up to the entrance, where a stunning fountain and ornate gates made of wrought iron and gold leaf seemed to whisper secrets to the wind. The grounds were a lush tapestry of emerald green lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and sparkling water features.

The two Lamborghinis pulled up at the mansion's entrance. Mark and Lucas exited the vehicles, and the servants quickly came over to help carry the boxes of food.

"Be careful with it or you'll regret it. Take it to the kitchen immediately and don't touch it," Lucas ordered with a stern expression, while the two maids nodded in agreement and headed towards the back of the mansion, where a door led inside to the kitchen.

As Lucas and Mark entered the grand foyer, they were surrounded by opulence and splendor. The interior of the mansion was a masterpiece of elegance and refinement, with every detail meticulously crafted to perfection. The walls, adorned with intricate moldings and gilded paneling, seemed to glow with a warm, golden light. A sweeping staircase curved gracefully upward, its delicate banister adorned with carvings of flowers and vines.

Aiden was seated on the sofa, and as soon as he saw Lucas and Mark, he stood up and rushed towards them.

"Wassup men! Where did you both go without me? Aiden asked, as he exchanged handshake with Lucas and Mark.

"We went to try some new cuisine. I thought we had the best cook in the house, but I was proven wrong today." Lucas said with a grin. "Anyways , I've brought some food home to heat up later.

"And where did you get this food from?" A woman's voice inquired as she descended the stairs. The woman, dressed elegantly in a black floral Chanel gown and hat, caught the attention of Lucas, Mark, and Aiden.

"You didn't mention that my mother was here," Lucas muttered to himself. " Good afternoon, mother!" He greeted Mrs. George with a smile.

"You still haven't told me where you got the food from," Mrs. George pressed, her tone serious.

"From a friend, mom. Are you satisfied now?" Lucas replied, his frustration evident.

"What kind of family does this friend come from? The food doesn't look like it was prepared by a top chef; it seems more like a simple meal." Mrs. George remarked.

"Did you go through my things, mom?!" Lucas asked, his angry eyes fixed on Mrs. George.

"I can't let you and Mark eat that, so I've instructed the maids to dispose of it." Mrs. George said as she sat down, her words fueling Lucas's anger even more.

"You did what?! How dare you?!" Lucas shouted, his body tense with anger. "When did you start caring about what I eat, how I sleep, or my life in general? So stop pretending, mom, and stop snooping through my things." He added.

"I'm here now, and I want to make sure you're doing well. And as for that friend of yours, I don't want you and Mark associating with him anymore. You're the 3RM, you don't need another friend from a less privileged background." Mrs. George said.

" He's not from a less privileged background, ma'am." Mark said, with a heavy sigh.

" Do you think I'm naive? Those foods you brought home are all street food. How do I know? I travel a lot and I'm aware of what's happening in our society, so don't underestimate me." Mrs. George said, her body tense with anger.

"I don't care, just don't go behind my back searching through my things again." Lucas said as he started walking towards the stairs.

"You'll be spending your two-week vacation at home." Mrs. George announced, shocking the three teenagers.

"Are you serious, mom?!" Lucas yelled as he walked back towards her. "What do you mean I have to stay home for my vacation?"

" Yes, you are! You can do all your schoolwork at home, and if you need anything, you can just order it! But you're staying home, and that's final." Mrs George said with a serious expression.