Es stared at Ray, utterly baffled, trying to comprehend the logic in his words. Wait, what? She replayed the whole conversation in her head, hoping it would start making sense. With a sigh, she looked up at Ray, who was wiping away a stray tear, still looking as though his world had crumbled over this... cheese nut debacle.
"So, what exactly were you trying to say?" Es asked again, hoping for so clarity.
Ray took a deep, shaky breath, his voice quivering with a mix of frustration and despair. "I said cheese nuts... I wanted them sweet but not just sweet!" He emphasized the last word, his voice a little louder this ti.
Es blinked, stunned. "So, let get this straight. You’re upset—like, actually crying—because your cheese nuts turned out sweet?" She tilted her head, trying to gauge if there was so hidden tragedy she was missing.
With a pout and teary eyes, Ray nodded solemnly. "I told them to make it sweet, but with sourness... and a hint of spice," he added, throwing in a dramatic flair with his hand as if this were the recipe for a masterpiece. "But they made it just sweet," he mumbled, voice barely above a whisper as if the betrayal was too much to bear.
Es rubbed her temples, struggling to process this rollercoaster of emotions over a snack. "So... you asked them to make it sweet, and they did just that. And now, you’re upset because they didn’t read your mind and add all the extra flavors you wanted?"
Ray threw his hands up in frustration, exclaiming, "Yes! That’s exactly it! They should have known!"
Es stifled a laugh, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she glanced at him. "So, you’re throwing a tantrum because they followed your instructions... just a bit too well?"
Ray’s voice burst out, sharp and stinging with wounded pride. "Es, are you saying it’s my fault they ssed up my order? They’re supposed to be professionals! At least they should know what I an, even if I don’t say it word for word!"
Es winced, taking a steadying breath as she felt her patience slipping. She pressed her fingers to her temples, rubbing in slow circles as if she could sohow massage away the exasperation. For a mont, she simply stared at him, wide-eyed in disbelief, trying to wrap her mind around the idea that Ray expected culinary telepathy.
Without another word, she slipped her phone from her pocket, her movents deliberate. Holding it close to her ear, she spoke softly, her tone gentle enough not to reach Ray’s ears. "Hello, Ryan? It’s Es... yeah, um, I think Ray’s been... poisoned. Again." Her voice, calm and soft, belied the storm of frustration beneath.
Twenty minutes later, Ryan’s footsteps echoed down the hall, his face a blend of worry and suspicion as he approached them. Es exhaled with relief when she saw him. Ray, still seated with a scowl fixed on his face, looked up with mild annoyance at his brother’s sudden appearance.
"What are you doing here so fast? I thought you had a flight to catch. Didn’t you say you had so important surgery scheduled?" Ray’s voice carried an edge, though his irritation wavered slightly in the face of Ryan’s steady gaze.
Ryan nodded, his eyes flickering over Ray, scrutinizing him carefully for any sign of sickness. "Yes, brother, I did." He let out a asured breath, his gaze searching Ray’s face for answers. "But Es said you were crying... I had to co see for myself." His voice dropped to a soft, wary murmur, as though he could hardly believe the words.
Ray’s cheeks colored faintly as he looked away, attempting to preserve a sliver of dignity. "I wasn’t crying," he muttered defensively, though his red-rimd eyes betrayed him.
Ryan’s brow softened, and with a quiet sigh, he reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small paper bag. He held it up to Ray, his lips curling in a gentle smile. "I was passing by a little stall on my way here and saw these. Thought you might like them." The bag was filled with brightly wrapped candies, the kind Ray used to beg for as a child, and the familiar sight brought a flicker of warmth to his brother’s face.
Ray’s initial scowl faded as he took the bag from Ryan, his fingers brushing the wrappers as if reacquainting himself with an old mory. His face softened, his eyes brightening in childlike excitent as he tore one of the wrappers open and popped a candy into his mouth. For a few blissful seconds, his gaze lifted as he savored the taste, and his lips curved in a rare, genuine smile. "This... this is perfect," he murmured, his voice a low whisper filled with gratitude.
Ryan exchanged a quick glance with Es, the faintest of smirks tugging at the corner of his mouth. She gave him a knowing nod, her eyes filled with equal parts relief and amusent. They both watched Ray, the frustration and tension in the room dissolving as he contentedly munched on his candy, his earlier turmoil over the cheese nuts now forgotten.
As Ray sat, enjoying the sweet burst of candy on his tongue, a subtle change washed over him. His head began to feel unexpectedly heavy, a strange, warm sensation spreading over him like a thick fog. He frowned, lifting a hand to his forehead as if to shake off the sudden drowsiness, but before he could process the feeling, his knees buckled, and he slumped back onto the sofa.
Es’s eyes widened, and she rushed forward, hovering anxiously over him. "Ryan, what did you just feed him?" Her voice was sharp, the words laced with an edge of accusation.
Ryan just grinned, the hint of a mischievous spark in his eye. "Oh, relax, Es. You think I’d give him poison?" He folded his arms casually. "It’s just dicine. You know as well as I do that he’d never agree to a check-up if I asked, so I had to improvise. This way, he can rest while I make sure he’s alright."
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