Secrets We Keep

Secrets We Keep: Chapter Four

        I smiled back at Sarah, and for some reason, tried to keep my eyes off of Patrick. “Hey! What are you guys doing here?”

        “I wanted to check out your place!” She replied. “It’s very chic, I love it! Patrick’s meeting ran a little late so we’re just getting our lunch. We wanted to try out your food.”

        Oh God, the pressure…

        “Yeah, of course.” I said, pointing them to a table. “Just relax and I’ll whip something up for you.” 

        I went back into the kitchen with my knees wobbling. Sarah was really nice to match with her angelic face but there was something about this meet that felt like I was auditioning to her. With her being an organizer and all, it seemed like she was here to check if I was up to par with her standards for a caterer. And Patrick… well, he seemed observant as always. 

        As calm as I tried to make myself to be, I made mushroom risotto with the portobello I got at the market this morning with Jonah which I paired up with lengua in white sauce and a side of lemoned French beans for added crispiness. I also made Salmon and Cabbage salad with toasted sesame dressing just in case Sarah didn’t want rice for lunch—but I’ve seen her at dinner, boy can she eat a lot. 

        I snuck a peek at the couple through the opening dispatch counter as they were waiting and immediately met Patrick’s eyes while Sarah was indulged in her phone at the moment. 

        Instantaneously, memories from camp came flooding back to me. One that stood out was when I almost drowned at the lake and he was the lifeguard on duty. He fished me out of the water and I gave him a bead bracelet as a token of appreciation. Dad was right… I used to have a massive crush on him back in the days—along with everybody else, but that has gone away now… I think. 

        Panicked, I smiled at him and went back to work. I rang the bell for Howell to claim the food I dispatched. Niell was usually the expediter and I did most of the cooking while he helped but since he was gone, it was just me and Howell. 

        Howell was nice. He just recently graduated high school and has since known he wanted to work in a kitchen and be a chef someday. I admired him for his adamant persistence. Very few people have that kind of passion and act on it without second doubts and fear. He could be really clumsy at times but I didn’t mind. Passion was what I was looking for.

        The two had finished eating and I thought it would be rude of me not to go out and maybe ask them how it went. But at the same time I was terrified too. So I decided to be the one to give them their desserts—which was apple crumble with vanilla sorbet drizzled with my special custard sauce. 

        “Hey guys.” I said as I placed the plates of dessert in front of them. “How am I doing so far?”

        “Everything was amazing, Cay.” Sarah answered, emphasizing on each word. “I’m so full, I don’t think I even need to eat dinner tonight. Don’t you agree, babe?” 

        I looked at Patrick for an answer and he stared back at me with full acuity.

        Patrick wiped the corner of his lips with a napkin and replied, “It was. I thought my brother was exaggerating but indeed it was phenomenal.” 

        I felt my cheeks get warm, I had to break eye contact. 

        “Well, here’s dessert. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did the rest of the meal.” I said to Sarah, forcing a smile on my face. “I need to go back to the kitchen because those proofed dough are not gonna wait for me.”

        Without waiting for their response, I stood up and made my way into the kitchen and sadly replayed the entire thing in my mind. 

        Those proofed dough? What was I thinking?

        As soon as I got into the kitchen, I let a huge shudder run across my entire body. It didn’t matter. As long as I got out of there, out of Patrick’s gaze, I was good. Crush or no crush, I couldn’t stand being around him. 

        Jonah didn’t pick me up from work. When I got home, he still hadn't called me. Only when I was already half asleep did his name pop up on my phone. 

        Crashing here at Jack’s. Had quite a lot to drink. I’ll call you tomorrow. Have the sweetest dreams, babe. - Jonah

        My mind was already entering the threshold of dreamland so I went to sleep immediately after that, knowing that my boyfriend was safe. 

        “Mom, stop fiddling on my dress!” 

        “Your creases are uneven.” She replied, straightening out the skirt of my dress. We stood in front of the Matthews’ house, waiting for someone to open the door. It was their family house where they spent most of the time they were here, which was on the other side of the town from my parent’s house. 

        I rolled my eyes. “They’re creases, no one cares about them.”

        “Just let them be, Sylv.” My dad told her. I clutched the basket of wine, scotch, and cheese in my hands anxiously as I waited for someone to answer the door. 

        Soon after, the door opened and we were welcomed by Patrick. 

        “Hi.” I greeted him. I felt my eyes slowly widening as I took the first step in. 

        He smiled reluctantly at me, surely mimicking the one I didn't realize I had on. Seconds after, he held out his hand, probably to fetch whatever I had in my hand.

        Oh… the basket, of course. 

        “Here.” I said, “Thank you for having us tonight,” 

        “The pleasure is ours.” He replied before shaking my dad’s hand and kissing my mom’s cheek. “Thank you for coming, John and Sylvia. They’re in the dining hall, please.” 

        Mom and Dad went on their way, with Patrick trailing behind me. 

        “Is Jonah here already?” I asked him. 

        I saw a muscle on his jaw tighten before answering. “Yes, he is.”

        We entered the dining hall. Angie was just getting the food out from the kitchen with Scott trailing behind him while Jonah and Sarah were having a conversation at the corner, champagne flutes in hand. Their house was Eras different from the Ashport house. While that one was all glass and contemporary, this one was classical. Every piece of furniture in here was something that fitted my mom’s preference and I bet if I looked around to search for her now, I would find her beside Angie asking where she got everything from. 

        Jonah saw me and immediately came to my aid. He planted a kiss on my cheek before greeting my parents as Sarah, looking gorgeous as always, did the same. We all took our positions at the table, both patriarchs taking either end. I took the middle chair on one side, my mom on my right and Jonah on the left, while Patrick sat directly across from me, Angie on his left and Sarah on his right. 

        “You look hot, babe.” Jonah whispered into my ear, his warm breath caressing the nape of my neck. Knowing that Patrick was directly in front of me, my eyes shot up to his direction, in which I found him staring intently at Jonah. 

        I smiled swiftly at Jonah, silently thanking him for the compliment, and then returned to carefully placing the napkin on my lap, finding excess creases on it aimlessly. Whoever said nobody cared about creases?

        After Angie said grace, we all proceeded to dinner. Our parents caught up with each other, talked about the town and its neighborhood, which then proceeded to a conversation about business in between Scott, my dad, and Patrick. Jonah, Sarah, and I engaged in a conversation of our own about their trip to the family chalet in the Alps last Christmas. I remember getting all jealous about how Sarah was able to come and I didn’t but then Jonah promised that we’d spent this Christmas together, which made me feel better. 

        We all receded to the back patio after dinner. Something about a cancelled DJ made Sarah leave right after while everyone had settled into their own high cushion chairs. Business talk had extended here as Jonah made drinks at the patio counter. I, on the other hand, stood against the railing, watching the vast sea of stars unfold above me while battling my way against the chilly September night—I especially liked this time of the year: when summer was finally, slowly transitioning into winter in the precious form of autumn. It made everything more memorable, like there was some sort of veil around me and everything was happening in slow motion. Like I could ceaselessly replay this scenario inside my head as if it was some kind of reel and I would always remember that it happened during one chilly night in the fall. 

        “Aren’t you cold?” A voice said, coming from beside me. I looked to see Patrick, his navy blue blazer in his hand. “Here. You looked like you were about to freeze on the spot.”

        He put it around me, rather slowly, which brought his face merely inches away from mine. The wind blew another breeze, carrying his scent wafting all over my senses. It was cool and masculine, something probably made especially for him. 

        When he finished putting the blazer around me, he looked down at me, directly meeting my eyes. His eyes were blue, like Jonah’s, but there was something about them… something enigmatic that hid away a secret. 

        He cleared his throat before grabbing the drink that was on the railing that I didn’t notice before. His direction turned towards their vast backyard before consuming the entire brown liquid in his tumbler. 

        “So erm…” I started, also turning my gaze to the garden. “How’s Haven Falls treating your return so far?”

        “Delightful.” He replied with a smile. 

        “Yeah, you really left a trail of broken hearts when you left.” I muttered. “I remember all of my friends had a crush on you… not to mention the line of girls following you at camp.”

        Patrick laughed, facing me. “It’s really hard for me to believe it’s been six years since my last visit.”

        I frowned. “Six? I thought you haven’t been back here since you left eleven years ago.”

        “No, I erm…” He said, looking down at his glass. “I came back with Jonah six years ago. I had some… personal business I needed to deal with.” 

        “A girl?” I asked. 

        He didn’t respond. Instead, he let out a quick laugh and looked away. 

        “Huh…” I blurted out. “The Matthews brothers both ended up coming back to Haven Falls for a girl… how quaint.”

        “You’ve no idea.” He muttered under his breath. 

        Suddenly, a hand wrapped around my waist, followed by a quick kiss on my cheek. 

        “Hey babe.” Jonah said, giving me a glass of scotch. “You alright here?” 

        I blushed as I took the drink. I could tell he’s had a bit to drink since I was beginning to smell the liquor on him. “Yes. I’m perfect.”

        “That, you are.” He replied, tightening the grasp on my waist. 

        The existing blush on my cheek was immediately replaced by a much bigger one and my face didn’t seem to have any problem with it. 

        Jonah turned to his older brother. “Thanks for keeping her company, bruv. I'll take it from here.”