Stuck In The Past

"Ugh…"

"Madam, are you perhaps not feeling well?" Everest thoughtfully asks Belen as she loudly grumbles outside the department store within A STAR.

"She's taking her sweet time," Belen annoyingly grits her jaw by displaying a fake smile at Everest, only for him to notice she is referring to her mother, Ernestina.

"I thought it was strange at first but seeing it now." Everest wonders to himself, "she does not seem close to her mom at all."

"She is the unwanted guest that will be attending the Christmas event with us."

"So in total, it'll be you, me, your mother, and Noah…right?" Everest uses his fingers to count.

Belen rolls her eyes while crossing her arms, "yes."

"Then there is something else I don't understand." He pauses to look at Belen, confused, "why must I accompany you? Why don't you take Noah instead?"