Clark's Lunch Invitation

When the seminar was over, Clark urged his friends to meet his family yet nobody approved of his invitation.

"It's not a good idea to come over to your house, Clark. Well, at least not for me. You know my reputation right? I'm going to pass," Stephen shook his head as his face turned sour. He had known that Clark was a son of a rich family. Hence, he quickly thought that the parents would not like him. Especially with his situation in school that he was almost expelled. He would be seen as the bad influence type of friend that all parents would tell their kids to avoid hanging out!

Their group was just about to go out of the hall but their pace was slower than a normal walk. Most students who were in rush had even bumped them several times but they did not mind it at all.

"It's just eating lunch in my place. Come on, guys! You must come! I already told dad that I will bring my friends over. My dad already agreed," his tone was almost in the boundary of pleading. For some reason, he was compelled to bring his friends with him.

He repeatedly tried to pursue them, yet, Stephen was unwilling and won't give in. Claire also gave him an ugly look.

"No, Clark." Claire also rejected without saying any reason.

"You see, my mom rarely comes home because of her job. It's why we are celebrating." Clark explained hoping for them to understand the important occasion.

"It should be a family matter, right? Not all celebration can be intruded. That would be inappropriate." Joey supported not going on his place.

"No, no, no... Not at all! My brother would also bring his friends," Clark waved his hands simultaneously.

Only Sofia remained indecisive. But it's not because she could not come up with a decision. The lady was wearing AirPods on her ear and was listening to some podcast. Her attention was somewhere else! She was not aware of the ongoing dispute!

Sofia felt a slight tug on her arm. As she looked around, she saw Clark's determined face.

"Sof, let's eat lunch in my place. My family is celebrating today and they cooked plenty of foods," he smiled at her with expectant eyes.

"Sure! An invitation from the son of a rich family, this is once in a lifetime!" Sofia playfully said as she put away her phone and AirPods.

"Ehh? We are going?" Stephen looked at Sofia with furrowed brows and few lines on his forehead. The girl just waved her hand as if it was nothing.

"Yes, our driver is waiting in the school's parking space. Let's go!" Clark walked faster and lead them ahead.

"His parents will just look down on us," Stephen whispered at Sofia.

"You think too much. Aren't you the one judging Clark's parents before meeting them. Don't generalize," Sofia retorted with a serious gaze.

"Ahh... You are probably right. Then, I can only hope that this would not turn out bad," Stephen shrugged.

"I don't feel like going. I haven't joined dining the rich and it would just make me conscious of how I eat," Claire also approached Sofia after Stephen.

Sofia patted Claire's shoulder, "Practice socializing, if we go to the pro scene, we will be required to socialize and eat with different people. Things will change so it's better to learn to engage with the upper class."

Learn to engage with the upper class! Claire bit her lips and her face looked grieved. She could not imagine herself socializing with the elites.

"I'll show you the ropes of how to build a company from scratch. Soon, we will stand at the top. But before we get there, we would need to socialize with different types of people. You'll be fine," Sofia added and gave her friend a reassuring look.

"Are you planning on building a company? Is it why you are so interested in attending this seminar?" Claire queried.

Sofia nodded at her and smiled, "In the future, our group will become one. It's too early to decide which company should we venture. We need to have adequate knowledge and funds. Just have confidence, we are still young. The possibilities are endless."

'The possibilities are endless!' Claire breathed some air and thought of their future goals. It seems impossible but Sofia's tone was too convincing that she started to picture out an image of herself owning a company!

"How did you know these things? You seemed so different since yesterday, Sof. Last week, all your talks are about tanks and the great combination of skills to kill an opponent. But now, you are talking about business!" Claire pointed out her observations.

"Well, last week, I have mastered everything about how to use a tank. Now, I realized that this routine is a liability. I charge my phone and buy internet to play. It's all for the sake of entertainment and there is no profit from it. So, it is good to convert this knowledge as an asset. I will make sure that we will benefit with each time we spent in the game." Sofia glanced at her and slightly smile.

As the group arrived at the school's parking lot, a driver wearing a formal uniform quickly hopped out from a gold seven-seater SUV. The driver swiftly opened the door and greeted them.

From the looks of the car, all of them could guess that it was newly purchased. Perhaps, a new edition unit. Sofia also remembered in her past life seeing this car. But she never owned an SUV.

After they settled inside the car, the driver smoothly drove towards Clark's house. They were too busy paying attention to their phone that the ride was too silent. The kind of silence that only they would feel comfortable sharing.

Every now and then, Clark's driver would take a peek at them in the mirror. It was the first time that his young master would bring over a group of friends. The driver just turned on the music and did not disturb his passengers.

Sofia glanced at the road and noticed the changes in housing designs. From commercial buildings, they coursed on the road with exquisite and residential type houses. After several minutes, the car turned left and entered into an exclusive villa until it stopped at the mansion.

"We are here." the driver announced and went out. But before he could open the door, Joey already jumped out of the car.

Joey gave the driver a timid smile, "It's okay, Mister. We are not rich. I am not used to people opening car doors for me."

The driver did not speak a response but he respectfully bowed his head.

"Rosen - Zhang residence," Claire read the tiny plaque placed on the wall. The letters were written in a stylistic calligraphy imbued with color gold paint. A status symbol indicated that the residents were not simply rich but also distinguished in the community for charitable works.

"Your last name is Zhang or Rosen?" Claire asked. Until now, they have not known their full identity. But it was normal as it had just been days since they knew each other.

"It's Clark Rosen Zhang. My middle name is Rosen," Clark mumbled as the group followed his lead. Marbles and pebble stones were arranged on the pavement giving the steps a unique decoration.

"Let me guess, rich kid! This is your residential house, and you have many more houses for vacations, right?" Sofia teased and Clark nodded in confirmation. Affluent people really owned many properties!

"Wow! So much money, ehhh!" Claire playfully smacked his arms.

"Ouch! You don't have to get physical on me, Claire!" Clark rubbed his arms easing the pain from Claire's hands. Some redness quickly appeared.

"Ohh the Zhang! You are really rich! You own that chemical company!" Joey commented as if recollecting the details that he knew about Clark's family.

"Nahh... It's my father's business," Clark plainly answered.

The house is a typical huge rich house with a modern design. They caught a glimpse of a flowering garden and neatly trimmed plants on the side. The lawn was wide and perfectly maintained with water sprinklings for the grass.

"Do you have a pool?" Joey curiously asked Charles.

"Here? No, we only have a beach house somewhere in Boracay Island," he grinned shyly after seeing the surprised look on his friends' faces. He didn't mean to sound boastful but the topic has been opened and before he could realize it, his mouth had already answered his friend's question.

"Say whaaat?" Joey dramatically prolonged his words as his eyes widened from the information he just heard.

"Kidnap this boy and ask for ransom! HAHAHA" Stephen joked and Clark's rich laughter followed.

"Well, speaking of kidnap... do you have bodyguards?" Claire quickly inquired while looking from side to side.

"I have. They are mostly special agents and are just everywhere," Clark admitted.

"I told you, guys. This is a residential house and he got many more houses around the globe! Bodyguards and monies... Rich kids life! But you lack one thing, Clark!" Sofia smiled as her eyes scanned the overall design of the house.

"What does he lacks?" Stephen muttered.

"He lacks women!" Sofia giggled.

"Ehhh... women? I do have an ex. But right now, I don't want to engage in a relationship." Clark spoke softly.

"Yeah, me too. My last break up was too messy that I just want to lay low," Joey sympathized with him.

"What can we say, one is from a rich family and the other is an athlete. That's completely a definition of girl's magnet!" Claire snickered.

"HAHA You're probably right, Claire. But wait until you hear from this bad boy's love life!" Joey pointed to Stephen putting him in the hot seat.

"AHHH... Yes, another magnet!" Claire shook her head and throw Stephen a glance.

"Ohh, please! I never had a relationship!" Stephen denied and glared at Joey.

"Yes, not a relationship. Just a series of flings," Joey chuckled.

"I can't help it. Girls like hot boys like me." Stephen smirked.

They all laugh as they entered the house. Expensive paintings were decorated on the wall. The kind of paintings that can only be bought in auctions. Unique designs of vases holding fresh flowers on the center table until their eyes darted to the old man reading something on his laptop. Presumably, Clark's father.

"Dad! My friends are here!" Clark confirmed their presumption when the old man looked up and waved his hand at them.

"Hello, you kids must be hungry already! The food is ready but Jasmine has not yet arrived. Who knows if she was caught up with endless chitchat in the school!" Clark's father joked as if ridiculing Clark's mother.

On the large antique wall clock, the time was already 12:18 pm.

"Guys, this is my father, Charles Zhang," Clark stated and the group slightly bowed at the old man.

"Dad, this is Sofia, Claire, Joey, and Stephen. They are not my classmates. Oh, Claire and I are in the same P.E class... Uhmmn, We are on the same squad. And our group will be competing in the Tournament on the 14th," Clark continued to introduce them quickly.

"Feel at home," The old man said and gestured a handshake from each of them which the group obliged.

They noticed a sound coming from the outside, laughing loudly. Some are giggling and snickering.

"Wahaha, I got it!"

"Wait a second, retreat... hehe"

"On my signal, one, two, go!"

"Attaack! HAHAHA"

"It's James and his friends, they are playing in the balcony," Clark told his friends.

As they were about to get comfortable on their seats, Clark's mother arrived. Charles smiled gently at his wife and spoke, "Welcome home, dear!"

"Ahh... It's good to be back! I volunteered to be the speaker of the school's seminar so that I can swing by to you. How are you and the boys?" Jasmine said as the couple shared a tight embrace.

"It's good to see you back. The boys invited their friends." Charles said.

"Hello, I see you all in the seminar! I am Jasmine Rosen. Although I am married to Charles, I kept my maiden name. Hehe" Jasmine greeted the group warmly.

"Thank you for having us," Sofia spoke formally.

"You're welcome! Let's eat! Sorry, I have a long conversation with your school head. She is an acquaintance and we kinda have a catch-up chitchat. hehe," Jasmine looked at them with an apologetic gaze. There was also no air of arrogance with her tone. From far usual rich wife aura. All they could sense is the friendly and warm smile the woman is giving them.