Chapter 30
The restaurant was buzzing with quiet music and murmurs from people. Katherine sipped from her glass of water, half-listening as Jasmine rambled about sothing she saw on TV, while Hanith gently pushed a green pea across his plate.
Katherine shook her head. She didn’t know who Jasmine got her endless talking from, or Hanith’s pickiness.
She sighed. Kids nowadays.
Aaron sat across from Katherine, casually using his fork to help Hanith pick the peas too, shooting him a gentle smile whenever Hanith looked up at him.
Jasmine suddenly stopped chewing, her eyes squinted in question as she stared hard from Katherine to Aaron. Then her eyes darted around the restaurant, looking at other couples a few tables away, and her eyes narrowed.
Katherine raised a brow but said nothing because she could feel a random question she wasn’t prepared for coming at her.
Then, out of nowhere, Jasmine slapped her tiny palm against the table, making all three jump in shock.
"You should hold hands in public," she declared loudly.
Katherine nearly choked on her water—she really choked—quickly grabbing a napkin from the table and coughing into it. "Wha—what?" she spluttered, eyes wide as she looked at her daughter like she’d grown an extra head.
anwhile, Aaron leaned back into his seat with a smug, slow grin spreading across his face, clearly amused by Jasmine’s words. He didn’t mind though—but what about Katherine?
Jasmine shrugged like it was the most common thing in the world. "Because all the people here are doing it," she said matter-of-factly and pointed—to two couples on opposite ends of the room, both holding hands across the table like it was a romantic movie set.
Katherine’s eyes widened even more when she noticed a few people now glancing their way, so smiling while others didn’t find it funny. She quickly bowed her head a little in apology.
"Jasmine," she hissed through her teeth, "stop pointing at people. It’s disrespectful!" she cautioned. "And eat your food or I’m taking it away."
"But—" Jasmine tried.
"No buts," Katherine cut in, stabbing her fork into her chicken a little harder than necessary. Her face was flushed red in embarrassnt.
Aaron watched amusedly at Katherine’s flustered face, his eyes dancing with mischief. He’d reward Jasmine later.
With Katherine’s little threat, the conversation was dropped as Jasmine huffed and continued eating her food.
After dinner, the night was cold, the breeze gently brushing against their skin as they stepped out into the parking lot. Streetlamps blinked ahead, and the scent of grilled at and spices still lingered faintly in the air.
Katherine walked hurriedly ahead with Jasmine beside her, while Aaron trailed just slightly behind with Hanith. She couldn’t believe Jasmine would ntion sothing like that. She needed to start cautioning her little girl.
Without warning, Jasmine suddenly grabbed both Aaron’s and Katherine’s hands, stretching out her little arms and pulling their hands together, locking them like puzzle pieces.
"There," she announced proudly. "It’s perfect!" she grinned happily.
Katherine blinked, montarily stunned at the sudden contact as her fingers got caught in Aaron’s grip.
Hanith quietly looked up and nodded with a soft, approving smile, while Jasmine bead happily, proud of herself.
Katherine tried to pull her hand back, flustered. "Jasmine—baby, that’s not—"
Aaron held her tighter, and didn’t let her go. "For the kids," he said smoothly, voice low and a little smug. His thumb brushed against the back of her hand like it belonged there. He glanced at Jasmine and sent her a subtle wink of appreciation. "Good job, buddy," he mouthed and raised a thumb.
Katherine narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing. She could feel his hand—warm and steady in hers—and it did things to her chest she didn’t want to think too hard about.
They walked a few feet to the car, the twins happily skipping ahead—Jasmine looking satisfied while Hanith humd quietly—as Katherine’s eyes kept darting glances at their joined hands.
Eventually, she gently tugged free when she noticed the twins weren’t watching anymore and pretended it was nothing. Aaron let go without protest, although he clearly enjoyed the mont.
.
Back at the apartnt, Katherine unlocked the door while the twins barged in, tossing off their shoes and heading straight for the living room. The TV flicked on to one of their favorite cartoons, volu kept low.
Katherine started picking up discarded jackets while Aaron dropped the takeaway bag they brought earlier on the counter.
Jasmine, being Jasmine, suddenly spoke from the couch, turning to look at her parents. "In all the movies, mommies and daddies always kiss."
Katherine froze—God, not this again—holding Hanith’s hoodie halfway into the closet.
"What?" she asked, slowly turning around, confused about where Jasmine was going or hinting.
Jasmine was curled up beside her brother, remote in her lap. "I said, in movies, mommies and daddies kiss when they love each other." she repeated slowly.
Aaron glanced up from where he was, looking at Katherine, whose brows were furrowed.
"And when people love each other, they kiss too," Jasmine continued. Then she turned—right to Aaron. Her bright and wide eyes, filled with questions, t Aaron’s own.
"Uncle Piano, you love our mommy, right?"
The room went dead silent—well, except for the noise from the television in the background.
Aaron stood there, staring at her, his eyes wide as the air sucked out of him. He opened his mouth, wanted to answer, wanted to say it—but no words ca.
Katherine—maybe from disappointnt or not—quickly clapped her hands once, sharply, pulling the twins’ attention to her. Her expression was unreadable.
"Okay! Ti for bed."
Jasmine groaned. "But I just—"
"Nope. No more questions tonight. Go brush your teeth." giving no room for discussion.
Hanith was already getting up without protest, and Jasmine reluctantly followed. But not before throwing one last curious glance over her shoulder at Aaron, who gave them a little smile.
.
After tucking the twins in, Katherine stepped into the hallway to see Aaron standing near the front door, not reaching for the knob yet. He looked like he wanted to say sothing—but didn’t.
Katherine walked forward, then stopped, her arms crossed on her chest. "Sorry about that," she muttered, eyes on the floor.
Aaron shot her a small yet sincere smile, the corners of his eyes squinting a little. "Don’t be. They’re just saying what they think." His voice was quiet, laced with sothing unreadable.
Aaron clearly loved Katherine—but when Jasmine asked, why was he tongue-tied? Was he even worthy to say he loved her?
Katherine didn’t know how to respond to his words. Instead, she turned and walked away to her door, shot him a look, then entered her apartnt.
As the door clicked behind her, she slumped against it, her heart racing.
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