Ruby Sullivan rembered the last ti she went to the movies was with Seth in ridia. Since becoming a mom, she had been so busy every day that she never imagined she’d one day walk into a cinema with Ethan Sterling. After buying the tickets, she excitedly pulled him along to get popcorn.
When it cos to watching a movie, popcorn is an absolutely essential heavyweight companion. Back when Ruby would go with Sasha Shaw and Faye Truman, she’d end up eating two and a half buckets herself since Faye never ate any—he just held them, while Sasha would at most finish half a bucket.
The movie was a dostic comrcial film about a woman who didn’t want to get married and insisted on finding a man to borrow sperm from. Although the popcorn was delicious and the man beside her slled good, Ruby was still so bored by this poorly made film that she soon fell asleep, her head drooping onto Ethan’s shoulder.
The air conditioning in the cinema was strong, and Ethan was worried she might catch a cold. He wanted to wake her, but seeing her sleeping so sweetly, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Although her body seed fine now, the vitality she lost might never be fully restored. She was supposed to have a good rest at ho today.
Ethan’s heart softened even more at the thought, and he even considered scooping up his wife and leaving right then to go ho and sleep!
*
Ruby Sullivan woke up as the end credits were rolling. Leaning on Ethan’s shoulder, she found herself wrapped in a jacket. She picked it up and saw it was actually a staff uniform from the cinema.
"I was worried you’d get cold," Ethan explained, taking the jacket. He had rented it from the staff for a hundred bucks and would have to return it later.
Ruby chuckled, "The movie wasn’t bad. Her Majesty here slept soundly and is fully recharged."
Ethan ruffled her hair, "Do you want to have dinner before going out again?" He had overheard the young couple sitting in front of them planning the sa.
He usually doesn’t like eating out, especially lately, since Ruby often cooks when she has the ti, spoiling his palate. Even at lunch at The Red Hall, he’d only eaten a few bites of chow in—mostly because Ruby made it look so appetizing.
But seeing her sweet smile on their date, he thought maybe tagging along wouldn’t be so bad.
Ruby strolled outside slowly, yawning as she checked the ti on her phone. It was indeed dinnerti. She wondered how the kids were doing at ho, "Do you think Gwen Yates has left?"
"What difference does it make if she’s left or not?" Ethan dismissed the na, finding it irrelevant to their plans.
Ruby thought he had a point. Although she was a mom now, she realized it was still important to love herself at the right tis. She linked her arm in his, "Let’s go eat then, there’s this great soup dumpling place."
She shot him a playful wink, her expression saying, ’Stick with , and there’s plenty to eat.’
Suddenly, Ethan wanted to know her from the old days. He tried to imagine her a bit chubby, suddenly finding the idea appealing. Back then, she must have looked like a little sun filled with warmth every day. If it weren’t for him, she could’ve kept shining brightly.
He cut off his thoughts, worried he might just lose control and kiss her right here, which wouldn’t be good—he didn’t want to frighten her.
At ho, Mama Bennett, having finished the phone call, told Seth Sterling and Honey, "Your dad and mom will be back after dinner. You can start eating."
Honey pouted, "It’s already dark out. Mom and Dad must really be having too much fun to want to co back."
Seth chose not to correct his sister’s misuse of phrases, guiding her towards the dinner table, "Let’s eat."
Gwen Yates got up from the couch too, trying to comfort Honey, "Maybe by the ti we finish eating, mom and dad will be back."
"Yeah, I think so too. They must miss ," Honey comforted herself.
Mama Bennett hadn’t expected Gwen would stay for dinner, but she considered the politeness required of her position and decided not to say much, though she’d already resolved that once dinner was done, she’d make sure Gwen left.
This little girl was just lingering around hoping to get so face ti with the gentleman of the house, but Mama Bennett wouldn’t let her sches succeed.
As a result, Gwen took her ti eating dinner and kept chatting with Honey, forcing Seth to remind everyone that talking during als isn’t good for digestion.
Gwen looked at Seth, the little stickler for rules, deliberately putting down her chopsticks to pinch his cheek, "When your parents aren’t ho, it’s okay to relax every now and then."
Seth frowned seriously, "Mr. Yates, I don’t like people pinching my face." Of course, his mom was an exception. He paused, giving Gwen a mont to recover from the awkwardness, and continued, "Honey’s stomach isn’t great. It’s not about mom and dad’s rules; it’s for her own good."
Gwen’s face turned even more awkward, her smile twitching as she tried to patch things up, "Oh, I see." She patted Honey’s head apologetically, "I’m sorry, Seth. I didn’t know Honey’s stomach was sensitive."
Honey didn’t exactly understand why her brother was upset again, but she surely noticed Gwen’s awkwardness and thus smiled at her, "Mr. Yates, it’s okay to chat every once in a while."
"Honey!" Seth couldn’t help but reprimand her. How could his silly sister always side with outsiders? It’s all dad’s fault for attracting so many troubleso admirers that kept coming ho to bother them!
Honey was startled for a mont, but seeing Gwen stick her tongue out at her, she couldn’t help but laugh it off and make a funny face back, not taking it to heart.
Seth had long finished his own al, but was reluctant to leave the dining table, worried his sister would be led astray without his supervision. So, he stayed put, waiting for Honey to finish her al.
Normally, Honey eats slowly, often finishing last. Usually, when only she’s left, Mama Bennett would sit with her. But with Gwen there, she didn’t want to waste her brother’s ti, so she kindly said, "Brother, you don’t have to stay with . Mr. Yates is still here and hasn’t finished eating. He can keep company." Once done saying, she gave Gwen a sweet smile, "Mr. Yates, you eat slowly too, just like . That’s nice."
Seth looked at her silly smiling face and couldn’t help but feel irritated, his mood tanking just like how Ethan often is, "And you’re still talking. Finish your al quickly."
Noticing the situation, Gwen brought herself to agree as well, "Seth, I can keep Honey company. I promise not to talk to her and will make sure she eats well."
If it hadn’t been for dad’s warning, Seth might have believed her. But his dad made it clear there were issues with this woman, and Seth wasn’t Honey. So he promptly refused, "Mr. Yates, I have nothing else to do. Mom and Dad aren’t ho, so it’s my duty to look after my sister."
In short, he was determined to minimize any ti this woman spent with Honey!
Seeing she couldn’t sway him, Gwen stopped trying, smiling gently at Honey as she silently prayed for her to eat even slower.
Reviews
All reviews (0)