Chapter 14 Nostalgic Taste

Chapter 14 Nostalgic Taste. 

  "Let the party begin!" My dad proclaimed, causing everyone to cheer excitedly.

The hall was filled with tables, and it seemed that they had set everything up while my mom and I were gone to change clothes.

  Each table had a designated spot for our guests, and in the center of the room stood a large, throne-like chair wrapped in blue and gold fabric. 

  It was clearly meant for me, and my mom and dad led me over to it. They lifted me up onto the chair, which was a bit larger than normal to make it stand out. The giant cake baked by my mom was placed next to me, and I couldn't help but marvel at the number of people in the room. When was the last time I saw the hall this vibrant and full of life? Never.

Our guests, dressed in formal suits, began to move around the room. Some of them walked around with wine glasses and plates in their hands, serving the other guests, while others went to the table where the food was set up. This banquet was buffet style, so they were preparing the serving utensils.

But my dad stopped some of them and I overheard their conversation. "Hey, you guys don't have to do this. All of you are our visitors, so you should go to the table and just eat. My wife and I can handle this. You've all had a long day at the government office and this isn't your job, so please just sit back and enjoy the banquet."

However, despite my dad's pleading, they refused. "Mr. Esca, we all know that this isn't our job, but we want to help you out. We saw that you didn't have any catering servers, so who will serve all of your guests?

As I watched and listened to the scene unfold, my heart swelled with warmth and pride. It's hard to believe that my dad, once the object of fear and contempt, is now a respected figure. He's come a long way from the days when he was surrounded by people who only pretended to respect him out of fear, or tried to bring him down through any means necessary. But he's proven them all wrong with his good deeds and hard work. I've always known that my dad was a strong and capable man, but seeing him earn the respect of others in this way is truly heartwarming. It's a strange feeling, but I'm proud to call him my dad now. I never thought I'd be able to say that. I've always had a complicated relationship with my dad, but seeing him like this, working hard for the good of the people and earning their respect, has helped me see him in a new light.

While I'm having my own monologue, my mom approached me. "Hey Justin, are you hungry? Do you want to taste the cake?" I was suddenly drawn back to the massive, mouthwatering cake in front of me, my stomach growling at the thought of taking a bite. I nodded eagerly. 

  "Then, which flavor do you want?" I pointed to the top layer of the cake, which was the ice cream flavor, my favorite. "Sure thing!" My mom replied, slicing a piece of the cake and placing it on a plate for me.

As I examined the slice of cake, I was amazed to see that it contained three layers of different flavors - dark chocolate on the bottom, chocolate and cream in the middle, and vanilla on top.

  That cake was already impressive, but the fact that each layer contained its own layer of flavor was mind-blowing. It was hard to believe that my mom had baked it all by herself, but then again, considering everything that had happened today, it was a miracle in and of itself.

  As I picked up my fork, ready to take a bite, I noticed something strange. The room had grown quiet, and when I looked around, I saw that everyone was staring at me, as if they were waiting for my first bite. 

  The pressure was overwhelming. Swallowing nervously, I lifted the fork to my mouth. "Here goes nothing." As the flavors of the cake exploded in my mouth, a flood of emotions washed over me. This taste was familiar. It was the same as the ice cream cake he had given me. That ice cream cake and this one, they were one and the same.

  Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. "Are you alright, Justin?" My mom asked, worry etched on her face. "Yes, I'm fine," I replied, savoring the familiar cold sweetness of the cake. "This cake, this ice cream cake, is delicious. I'm sorry." Our guests once again broke into applause.

Again, I didn't expect that day would come that I will be able to savor that once again, after more than 20 years. 

"This is delicious!" I can't stop myself now chomping on the sliced cake so within seconds my plate is suddenly cleaned.  But my head suddenly ached. "Acckkk!!! Brain freeze!!!"I forgot that this is basically an ice cream but more solid and bigger. 

"H-hey Justin, you alright?" Earlier my mom was the first one who asked me that and now It's my dad. Both of them are too worried for me. 

"Uh hahaha yes I'm alright, both of you don't have to worry that much. It's just that it's so delicious that I can't stop myself!"

My mom noticed my cleaned plate."You want more?~" She asks. I quickly handed her my plate and didn't say a word. "Give me a sec kay?" Mom detached the top layer of the cake from the base of it. It turns out that even if it's part of a cake, there's a board separating it from the bottom.

Because of the sheer height of the cake, I can't reach the top of it so my mom brought it to the table level where I can freely get my own slice. Well I guess it's pretty obvious that it should be separated from the others because it's an ice cream, It will melt. 

  Mom handed me a plateful of cake again.  "Here you go, Justin~ But don't forget, we have other delicacies here. You might want to try it. I can guarantee that all of them are special!"

***********

Like my mom said, I tried various dishes and again, it's all flavorful. "Arrghhh I'm full. I guess I need to stand for a while. I stood up and I saw all of our visitors were enjoying themselves. "Where are you going?" Dad asks. I replied, "I'm just taking a little breather. It will not take a while." "Okay come back later because we will start to receive your gifts." Gifts? Exciting. 

After receiving my dad's approval I made my way to our balcony. This event hall had a large door leading to that balcony. It's designed like what you saw in medieval castles. Our mansion is like that after all. Classy. 

As I opened that door I saw a familiar figure on our balcony and she's  staring at the sky. I guess small talk wouldn't hurt right?

CHAPTER 14 -END-

To Be Continued.