Josie’s lips twitched, but she didn’t argue.
Just then, Josie’s dad, Roman Lawson, came home. He greeted me warmly before sitting down at the table.
Simon eyed Roman’s formal attire.
“Aren’t you going to change? Don’t you usually throw on an old T–shirt the second you step inside? You always go on about how uncomfortable suits are.”
Roman glanced at me, then at Simon in his full formal wear looking quite pleased. “It’s rare for you two to bring a guest home. I figured I should at least look presentable.”
Simon’s lips twitched too.
ZAL
Chapter 5
+25 BONUS
With that, dinner officially began. Simon held his bowl with an air of superiority as he instructed, “Take the pork ribs away. They’re too greasy.”
Maria obediently moved the dish.
Then, Simon nibbled at his greens in small, refined bites.
Roman frowned and said, “Don’t you normally refuse to eat vegetables? Didn’t you say you can’t survive without meat?”
Simon paused mid–bite. He looked toward Roman, who was neatly slicing his steak.
“Don’t you usually eat your steak whole?”
Roman choked.
I hurriedly interfered, saying, “Honestly, I think that’s a convenient way to eat it. I do that sometimes.”
The tension in the air eased slightly.
Simon added, “Dad’s favorite dish is grilled fish. He always spits the bones all over the table.”
“Hey, are you out of your mind?” Roman gritted his teeth, threw down his cutlery, and stormed off. “You guys eat. I’m already full on anger!”
Josie kept her head down and focused on her food. She didn’t dare speak or ask.
Maria was the one who finally broke the silence. “There’s been a car parked outside the house for a while now. Not sure who they’re waiting for. It looks like a… SUV?”
Simon immediately stood up. “I’ll go check.”
A moment later, we heard his voice from downstairs.
“Howard, get that car out of here. Tell them no one in this house ordered a ride and that they must’ve gotten the wrong address.”
Chapter 6
