Cheddar Days.

"I don't get it, why do you insist on lying to people? wouldn't it be better if you try telling him the truth?"

"Yurei, I know you're right, I should have told him that, it was the truth but it's not the right time for it! I mean what kind of evidence would I present to Garrick that would make him believe he's really the father of my children?! ask him to come to the hospital to do a DNA test?"

"Maybe! that's what...you should've done...Ned." Tacito replied, "Listen, I told both of the kids to not talk about this in front of him, I tried my best to get THEM two to stay away from him, And I know how important Garrick is to all of us...even you two.

But to walk-up to Garrick randomly, and drop a bombshell on him like that, I mean what the hell was going on inside Jade's head?! Of course he was gonna react badly!" Ned said.

"Her method may have been wrong, but she proved she got more balls than you do!" Yurei spoke-up, "Lying to him right now is only going to get him to be distrustful of you...it might've been on accident, but I dug my own knife into your shoulder that day, because you hid the fact that you had Aroon with you all this time." he added.

"He's right...that day Yurei... probably wouldn't have...attacked you if... both you and...I were honest." Tacito added to his words.

"I still don't think this is the right Time to be honest! if Garrick had his memories at least, it would've been a piece of cake, like with the Satcliffes! but Garrick doesn't have his memories back.

And it's obvious that he doesn't believe this, so without an evidence, I can't just tell him the Truth! I'd rather lie to him until he gets his memories Back, then he'll have his truth served straight to him.

At least In my opinion, that's just better than to have him believe that I'm making fun of him." Ned said.

"Btw, What do you mean making fun of him?" Yurei asked, "I don't know how or what's going on between those two, but apparently Garrick believes he's getting bullied by Jade, not that it's unbelievable.

After all, she punched him in the face the first time they met! and she continued to verbally insult him so many times afterwards.

And it seems like it didn't get any better.

What she did today was the last straw, Garrick now believes that she just pranked him, and made fun of him because he's an orphaned kid who desperately wants a family of his own." Ned explained.

"Talk about jumping into conclusion! Garrick should compete in gymnastics or something?!" Yurei said in disbelief, "I do not...think his assumption...is anything weird.

Anyone could see...this is her...picking on his...insecurities." Tacito said.

"Aside from telling him the truth, do you guys have any other advice to share?" Ned asked.

...Some time later...

"I am worried about Ned, do you think something happened sugar?"

"I don't know Muri, I don't think he'd tell us though, he's been hiding lotta shit lately."

Muriel sighted as he watched Thorn kick the ball again, he really wanted to play earlier with them but he was afraid he'd get hurt, he got already warned by the doctor to not overwork his body.

Muriel felt that he was under too much stress, he never had to care about what happens to his body like this before, sure he was sick but it didn't stop him from living his life to the fullest before.

Noticing his obvious disappoinment, Thorn abandoned the ball and walked back to Muriel, "Hey babe, don't be sad! I know you wanted to play earlier, how about you just kick the ball around with me? let's play carefully, nothing serious...or if you're tired, I'm ready to leave." he said hugging Muriel from the back.

"No, it is fine if you want to play more sugar, I am just a little bored...how come sex is okay but sports is not!" Muriel replied.

"You being bored is more of a reason for me to stop playing, how am I going to continue having fun when my adorable Angel isn't?

Look, I'll go get ready real quick, Meanwhile you can wait for me in the car, M'kay?" Thorn said breaking the hug.

Turning to face him, "Okay sugar." Muriel replied smiling.

Smiling back sheepishly at his mate, "I feel like a fanboy right now being praised by my idol, is this a dream? feels like it! every time you call me Sugar." Thorn said winking.

"Oh la-la! So cheesy Thorn, you are so sooo cheesy!"

"Haha! Wait for me Muri, I'll brie back!"

"Was that a cheese Joke?" Muriel asked, "Relax Muri! Just take it cheesy." Thorn said making Muriel throw his head back laughing.

...Few minutes later...

"Aaaaand I'm back!" Thorn spoke cheerfully while climbing into the driver seat, "You missed me?" he asked looking at Muriel who tried his best not to smile at him.

"No." Muriel said hoping to tease him, "I missed you too babe." Thorn playfully replied giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Tonight is pretty cold, is it not? I want to wrap myself in a blanket." Muriel said wearing his coat again, "Are you cold babe? why didn't you turn on the heat?" Thorn said turning it on.

"I did not wish to mess with the car, Where should we go now by the way? Should we go home? I mean it is dark anyways." Muriel Asked with wandering eyes, "My Angel, your wish is my command! if you tell me to go to the moon I'll do it, I heard it's made of cheese." Thorn replied jokingly grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh mon dieu Thorn! you are so cheesy for real, I should stop calling you 'Sugar' and call you 'Cheddar' instead." Muriel replied.

Thorn found himself chuckling, "Cheddar? Nice! sounds Gouda to me you know! here, let me tell you another joke...What did the piece of cheddar say to the ghost?"

"What did it say?" Muriel asked curiously, "Don't scare me—I'm Lac-ghost intolerant! HAHAHAH!" Thorn replied bursting into laughter as soon as he finished the joke.

Hiding his red face in his own hand, "Dad jokes, well done." Muriel said, before he too ended-up bursting with laughter.

...An hour later...

"I think we got everything we need...wow it's almost 8 pm, we really took our time here." Thorn stated as he pushed the cart around, "Would you believe it if I said I never went grocery shopping before?" Muriel said.

"That's crazy! you're saying it and I don't believe you babe, how come you never went grocery shopping before?"

"I shopped for all sorts of things, but not food...usually my servants do that since I was a kid, I remember Mallory used to beg the maids to take her with them, she would always come back with lots of treats, and give me my share...

I also remember how my parents scolded her for that."

"Haha! sounds like Mallory was an awesome big sister." Thorn said, the two finally stood behind other shoppers, waiting in the long line.

Grabbing a chocolate bar from the display shelf, "She is, or she was...Mallory is nothing but a stress source for me now." Muriel said as he stared intensely at the bar for a while.

"What pushed you to think this way? Thorn asked, "Mallory loves chocolate, I love it because of her." Muriel said returning the chocolate bar to its place.

Since Muriel dodged answering his previous question, "You want her to quit her job so bad don't you?" Thorn said.

"I do, yet I cannot bring myself to say it to her face, I cannot tell my sister how to live her life, She is an adult woman." Muriel replied.

"To be frank with you Muriel, I don't know how to help with sibling issues since I'm an only child, i never been in your shoes to say they fit."

"Just Try to imagine, if someone you care about, not necessarily a sibling, was making what seemed like a bad decision after another right in front of you, what would you do Thorn?"

Coaxed by his mate to give an answer, Thorn paused for a few seconds to think, then he stared at the display of chocolate bars Muriel picked from just now, "Wanna hear my opinion? I saw shit like this happened right in front of my eyes as life went on, couple of friends doing bad dangerous stuff...and I couldn't do shit to help so many times, I was helpless...

And when I did manage to help, I'd end-up ruining it instead." Thorn said chuckling.

"But you did not give-up, did you? the fact it happened so many times and you kept on trying to help." Muriel spoke, "It's not cheap being a good person you know." Thorn replied with a weak smile while pushing the cart forward.

"You were around when Leonard was still in my life...was that one of those moments where you felt helpless?"

"Yeah, I guess that's why I tolerate Ned, cuz he got rid of that green fucker for me."

"I was pretty helpless too at that time, in fact I was stupid as hell, he got me under his spell like an idiot." Muriel said frowning at the memories of his ex.

Shaking his head, "You were a victim, I was the idiot, I should've snatched you away from him Sooner, he didn't deserve you anyways!" Thorn said.

Raising an eyebrow at him, "And you deserve me?" Muriel asked playfully, "Oh I know I deserve you now, this mark is my witness." Thorn replied sticking his tongue out.

"Well said." Muriel winked.

...Few minutes later...

"Actually, I am going to get that chocolate bar!" Muriel said as Thorn was busy loading the bags into the car, "Okay! I'll be waiting for you...or do you want me to get it for you?" Thorn asked, "No, I will get it myself Sugar."Muriel replied before walking back into the grocery store.

He went inside and immediately received a smile from the cashier with Seafoam-green hair and eyes who handled their purchases earlier, "Did you forget something Miss? " The guy asked, his eyes were following Muriel as he walked to the chocolate bar display and picked a few.

"Yes, these." Muriel said putting on his best female voice, thinking the cashier believed he was a woman after all.

"That guy who was with you, is he your boyfriend Miss?" The cashier asked, "Yes, he is." Muriel replied with a slight smile.

"I wish you the best, Muriel." The cashier said putting the chocolate bars in a small bag, he handed it over to a confused Muriel.

Muriel wondered where the cashier knew his name, but then thought that he could've heard it while he and Thorn where talking earlier.

The blonde walked to the door but before he could step outside, "Btw Muriel, you should correct me next time when I address you as a Miss." The cashier Said making him turn back to him.

"What are you talking about?" Muriel asked, "I know my brother ruined your life, so I'm happy to know you're seeing Better Days...Thorn is a really a good guy, way better than Leonard, so don't take each other for granted." The cashier replied before going back to his work, as an old woman pushed her cart towards him.

Still confused, Muriel walked out of the store in a hurry.

He found Thorn waiting for him in the car, so he climbed in quickly, "Is everything ok?" Thorn asked him, "What the hell just happened." Muriel replied, "Huh?! what are you talking about so suddenly babe?"