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Aubrey and the youngsters constellated around the dining table. Aubrey dished out fried rice and beef to everyone. “Pray for us, Davies,” Aubrey said after she had dished out the last plateful of rice. Davies prayed and everyone constellating around the dining table masticated his or her food. As they masticated their food, the dining room was very silent, as if they were already conversant with table ethics. With the speed they used in carrying a spoonful of rice, one could easily tell that the food was delicious.

Ethan was the first to empty his plate. “Do you need more fried rice?” Aubrey said with gestures.

“No, mum; I am satisfied,” Ethan said.

“It’s alright,” Aubrey said and carried her last spoonful of rice. “Sadie, you know we are going out very soon and you are eating majestically. You better clear off the rice now,” Aubrey said as she gazed at Sadie’s plate.

“Okay, mum,” Sadie said amid the rice inside her mouth.

“Thank you for this food, aunt; it is delicious,” Davies said as soon as he cleared his plate.

“You are welcome, son. Since everyone is through eating, carry these plates to the kitchen and wash them,” Aubrey said.

“Alright, aunt,” Davies said. He stood up from his seat, gathered the plates together and walked away with them.

“Liam and Ethan, Sadie and I will be leaving for the plaza soon. I want you to keep the house till we come,” Aubrey said.

“Alright, mum…,” Liam and Ethan said.

“Good. Sadie, I will be going to my room now to dress up. Make sure you are already dressed up before I come out,” Aubrey said, and stood up from the seat she was sitting on.

“But mum, my food has to be digested first,” Sadie said.

“You know I easily compromise. You had better do what I asked you to do now. Besides, digestion of rice starts in the mouth,” Aubrey said.

“Who told you that, Mum? Alright, I will also go to my room now to dress up,” Sadie said.

“I am off to my room,” Aubrey said and sauntered away.

With no hesitation, Sadie stood up from the seat she was sitting on. “Sister Sadie, are you off to your room too?” Liam said.

“Yes, I need to put on something better than what I am wearing,” Sadie said, and called Liam's attention to what she was wearing.

“Alright, sister Sadie,” Liam said.

“Sister Sadie, make sure you buy something for us too in the course of your shopping at the plaza,” Ethan said.

“All your life is centered on philistinism. Alright, I have heard you,” Sadie said and walked away.

The chair close to where Liam was sitting was vacant, this was where Davies was sitting before he left for the kitchen. Ethan stood up from his seat and occupied this seat.

“Do you have any gist?” Ethan said with a gaze.

“No, I don’t have any gist. Do you?” Liam said.

“I don’t have either. Who is Emilia to you?” Ethan said.

“Emilia shouldn’t be strange to you,” Liam said.

“Well, I only know she comes here sometimes, but I don’t know the relationship between you two,” Ethan said.

“Well, Emilia is a friend and nothing more,” Liam said.

“I guessed as much. Emilia is so pretty. Does she live close to our house?” Ethan said.

“Yeah, she does. Why all these questions?” Liam said.

“Nothing; I only want to know more about her,” Ethan said.

“Alright, what else do you want to know about her?” Liam said.

“She doesn’t come here often, why?” Ethan said.

“Emilia is the only child, so her parents always restrict her from roaming about. I think their motive is that their only child is not naughty,” Liam said.

“I see. It’s obvious that she lives with her parents,” Ethan said.

“Yes, she lives with her parents. Her dad is a medical practitioner while her mum is a full-time housewife,” Liam said with a gaze.

“Then Emilia's dad must be earning well to be the only breadwinner of the family,” Ethan said.

“That must be true…,” Liam said.

“And what is the discussion about?” Davies said as he sauntered to the dining room.

“Ethan wants to know more about Emilia,” Liam said.

“The same Emilia?” Davies said and sat down.

“Yeah!” Liam said.

“That’s good. Can I add some points?” Davies said and glimpsed at Ethan’s face.

“Yeah!” Ethan said.

“I am sure Liam won’t tell you that Emilia is his crush,” Davies said, and looked at Liam’s face to see his reactions.

“Oh, my God, this is serious. But Liam didn’t tell me anything like that,” Ethan said.

“I already know he won’t disclose it to you. Well, you have heard it from my mouth,” Davies said.

“Stop the jokes, Davies. Everyone knows Emilia is just a friend and nothing more,” Liam said with a smile.

“Friend indeed!” Davies said.

“Enough of this fluff. Let’s go and watch some films,” Liam said.

“I am not engaged in any frivolity. Well, let’s go and watch some films,” Davies said, and the threesome left the dining room for the sitting room.

Aubrey walked to the sitting room, she was groomed and clutching a bag in her right hand. “Sadie…, hurry up!” she said. “Alright, mum. I am coming…,” Sadie answered from her room.

“You formed a cluster around the television early this morning,” Aubrey said.

The youngsters were so engrossed in the film they were watching. “This film is interesting, mum,” Ethan said, as he managed to gaze at Aubrey. He fixed back his gaze on the television screen.

“That’s what you've always said. Make sure you keep the house till we come,” Aubrey said.

“Alright, mum,” Ethan said.

“Sadie…, meet me outside!” Aubrey said. “I am already sauntering to the sitting room,” Sadie said as she walked to the sitting room.

“You better walk fast!” Aubrey said and could see Sadie.

“I am sorry for the delay, mum,” Sadie said.

“You need to learn to keep to time. Shall we go now?” Sadie said.

“Yes, mum. The bag!” Sadie said, and collected Aubrey’s bag. Mother and child walked towards the pithead. As Sadie pulled the door, Ethan said, “Sister Sadie, don’t forget to buy something for me. “Alright…,” Sadie said and closed the door.

Sadie and Aubrey walked to where Aubrey parked her car, they opened the doors and entered the car. Aubrey was sitting in the driver’s seat. She started the car, acceded to a speed and controlled the steering wheel. The car moved away gently. Silence rented the car as Aubrey drove the car to the plaza.