'Is it just my mind playing tricks on me, or does he appear more handsome than the last time I saw him? Maybe it's the elegant cut of his suit, the way the fabric drapes across his shoulders. Or perhaps I'm just seeing him in a new light.'
Brenda's breath caught in her throat. Her feet might as well have been cemented to the floor.
Grandma Beatrice observed Brenda's frozen stance with knowing eyes. Across the room, Delvin's gaze remained fixed on her, his brow furrowing slightly as he tried to decipher the strange tableau before him.
"Brenda, are you going to stand there forever, or will you come and greet our visitor?"
Grandma Beatrice's voice cut through the silence, tinged with amused curiosity. The sharp words jolted Brenda from her trance. Heat crept up her neck as she forced her legs to move, approaching Delvin with careful, self-conscious steps.
Her left hand clenched into a fist, nails digging into her palm. She nearly stumbled over her own feet as she extended her right hand for a handshake.
"H-hello, how are you?"
Brenda's voice wavered despite her best efforts to sound casual.
Delvin's eyes locked with hers as his hand enveloped hers in a firm yet gentle grip. Her skin was impossibly soft, warm beneath his fingers. Through that single point of contact, he could sense everything—the flutter of her pulse at her wrist, the slight tremor running through her arm, the rapid thunder of her heart that seemed to echo his own.
"I am fine. And you?"
Delvin kept his voice steady, his posture relaxed and composed, hoping his calm demeanor might ease whatever anxiety had seized her.
Brenda let out a breathy giggle, her throat working as she swallowed hard.
"I am super fine. It's been a while since I last saw you."
She withdrew her hand slowly, wrapping her arms around herself to still their slight shake.
Delvin caught every micro-expression, every shallow breath, every nervous gesture.
"You're right. The sun has stolen much of our free time, making it hard for friends to meet and chat."
His words came out warm, deliberately light. A pink flush bloomed across Brenda's cheeks, and her lips curved into a genuine smile.
"Brenda? Would you come with me to the kitchen?"
Grandma Beatrice swooped in like a lifeline. Anyone with half an eye could see the girl was barely holding herself together, fidgeting like a bird ready to take flight.
"Y-yes, Granny."
Relief washed over Brenda's face. She practically fled toward the kitchen, Grandma Beatrice following at a more measured pace, hiding her smile.
---
At Plagatoscal Blueview Hotel, Jasmine paced the length of her office, her heels clicking a rhythmic pattern against the polished floor. Her fingers found her pendant, clutching it like an anchor.
'Tonight you won't come around, will you? I know you finished the job in Emasdale. You have my number—why won't you call me? It's been nearly a day. You're supposed to keep a woman interested, not leave her dangling. What are you doing now? Is there someone else? Were you just leading me on? Don't leave me hanging on this cliff—I might suffocate and die from this sleeping love you've awakened in me. But if I die, I swear I'll hunt you through all your next lives. You'll never, ever find peace.'
Her knuckles whitened around the pendant, the metal edges biting into her skin.
'I'm sorry, Father. I'll have to disappoint you this time. I've obeyed you my entire life. But this… this my heart can't let go.'
She tightened her grip further, her thoughts drifting to her mother, wondering if she would understand, if she would support this choice.
It was her mother who had given her the pendant on her thirteenth birthday—a stranger's gift from the day Jasmine was born, she'd said.
Jasmine closed her eyes, pressing the pendant against her chest, longing to feel her mother's approval radiating through the cool metal.
---
Back at Grandma Beatrice's house, the dining table had been transformed into a feast.
"Hello everyone, dinner is ready!"
Brenda's voice rang out, summoning the hungry household.
Every head turned in unison toward the dining room. The table groaned under the weight of countless dishes, steam rising in delicate spirals.
The aroma—savory roasted meat, fragrant herbs, buttery vegetables—wafted through the air in intoxicating waves.
Delvin's mouth watered. He couldn't begin to imagine how incredible everything would taste.
He had never experienced anything like this—the warmth, the abundance, the sense of togetherness. His chest tightened with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
'Is this how families eat together?'
His eyes flicked to his watch—a nervous habit—even as excitement buzzed beneath his skin.
'Delvin, you should learn to share. You always get to enjoy all the nice things.'
Zauzo's voice echoed in his mind, petulant as always.
'Not now, Zauzo. Let me enjoy this.'
"Feel at home, Delvin, and please, lead the way to the table."
Grandma Beatrice's interruption was perfectly timed, her eyes twinkling with warmth.
"Thank you."
Delvin's smile was shy but sincere, maintaining that poised, mature air. He moved toward the table with barely contained enthusiasm.
As he approached, Brenda pulled out a chair for him. Before he sat, he paused, meeting her eyes.
"Thank you."
His voice was quiet but audible.
Brenda nodded, her smile blooming.
"You're welcome."
The table held more than seven dishes, two bottles of wine glinting in the light, two bottles of juice, and four three-hundred-fifty-milliliter water bottles. Delvin's gaze lingered on the wine bottles.
'Will I taste wine for the first time today?'
He couldn't stop his eyes from returning to them.
Grandma Beatrice caught his wandering gaze and suppressed a knowing smile.
"Do you have any allergies, Delvin? Or is there anything on this table you don't eat?"
She asked with gentle curiosity, deliberately ignoring her earlier suspicions.
Delvin shook his head firmly.
"I actually enjoy trying new recipes."
His voice carried genuine enthusiasm.
Grandma Beatrice began loading a plate with generous portions, placing it before him with care.
"Thank you."
The gratitude in his voice was unmistakable.
Everyone settled into their seats. Faces glowed with anticipation, eyes roaming hungrily over the spread. The others reached for serving spoons and dishes, filling their plates with eager hands.
"As is our tradition, the visitor takes the first bite," Grandma Beatrice announced.
Every pair of eyes swiveled toward Delvin simultaneously. His heart skipped a beat at the sudden attention.
'Go ahead, Mr. Guest of Honor.'
Zauzo's tone dripped with sarcasm.
'Don't ruin my mood, Zauzo.'
Delvin shot back internally, keeping his expression neutral.
Grandma Beatrice's keen eyes never left Delvin's face. She caught the subtle shift in his expression, the brief flicker of something passing behind his eyes.
"Mm… Is everything alright?"
Delvin steadied himself with a slow breath.
"Uh... all good."
Without hesitation, he picked up his fork, speared a piece of meat, and brought it to his mouth.
The moment the food touched his tongue, flavor exploded across his palate—tender, savory, perfectly seasoned.
It was exquisite. Unlike anything he'd ever tasted. Rich, complex, utterly divine.
Everyone watched in suspended anticipation. Stomachs growled audibly. The hunger became almost painful, a gnawing need that made sitting still torture.
Delvin chewed slowly, savoring each note of flavor, identifying herbs and spices, before finally swallowing.
"Wow! This food is absolutely delicious. I love it."
His voice came out higher than intended, almost boyish with enthusiasm.
The declaration unleashed chaos. Everyone dove into their plates like starving wolves, utensils clattering, chairs scraping. Silence fell—broken only by the sounds of knives cutting, forks scraping, chewing, and satisfied swallowing.
The feast continued in earnest until Grandma Beatrice's voice broke through the contented quiet.
"Wow! Excellent cooking, Brenda!"
Her tone was deliberately bright, a calculated move to shine the spotlight on her granddaughter.
"Yes, this food is wonderful, Miss Brenda."
Delvin chimed in immediately, his eyes warm with genuine appreciation.
George, his mouth still crammed full, managed to mumble around his food.
"Yesh, no doubt—ish lovely! Thumbs up, shis!"
He raised his right thumb enthusiastically, nearly dropping his fork in the process.
Brenda's entire body went rigid. The sudden attention felt like stage lights burning into her.
Her throat closed up, words evaporating. After several heartbeats, she managed to relax her shoulders slightly.
"Thank you, everyone. Come on, let's enjoy the meal."
Her voice was soft but pleased. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, turning them the color of ripe apples.
---
At Plagatoscal Blueview Hotel, Jasmine sat rigid at her desk when her phone buzzed. Courtney's name flashed across the screen. She snatched it up immediately.
"Hey! Lovely cousin! Have you forgotten about me already?"
Courtney's cheerful voice spilled from the speaker.
A pause stretched between them.
"What do you mean, cousin?"
Jasmine's voice came out sharper than intended, emotions fraying at the edges.
Courtney grinned on the other end, satisfaction warming her chest. Mission accomplished—Jasmine's curiosity was thoroughly hooked.
"You've been so quiet lately. Have you forsaken me because of Delvin?"
The accusation was playful, but Jasmine still recoiled as if struck.
She swallowed hard, her throat clicking.
"What are you talking about? I'm not married yet. Are you getting jealous already?"
Jasmine lobbed the teasing back, managing a hint of humor despite her rattled nerves.
Courtney erupted into laughter that lasted more than thirty seconds, tears streaming down her face.
"No, no, little cousin! I was just teasing. But seriously—have you made any progress with your Delvin? When do I get to meet him?"
The barrage of questions hung in the air between them, each one loaded with implication.