Dinner with everyone
836 Words
Cooper
The moment I stepped into the house, the rich aroma of different dishes drifted through the living room, replacing the usual silence that greeted me after work. It had been a long day, and although I wouldn't admit it aloud, the scent alone was enough to remind me that I'd barely eaten anything since lunch.
My gaze instinctively searched the dining area before Holly's cheerful voice echoed through the house.
"Daddy!"
The little whirlwind ran straight into my arms, nearly knocking the briefcase from my hand. I bent down with a smile, catching her effortlessly before lifting her into my embrace.
"Someone looks much better."
"I am!" she giggled, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck. "The medicine chased all the bad germs away."
"I'm glad it did."
She pulled back just enough to cup my face with both hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Guess what!"
"What?"
"Miss Ingrid is here!"
My brows lifted slightly.
"Is she?"
Holly nodded repeatedly.
"She's Mummy's friend now, and she's the one who cooked everything."
My eyes shifted toward Aurelia, who stood a few steps away with a faint smile on her face. She simply nodded in confirmation before smoothing the front of her dress.
"I invited her over like we discussed," she explained. "Holly insisted she wouldn't enjoy dinner unless Ingrid stayed."
I looked around the living room almost instinctively.
There was no sign of Ingrid.
"Where is she?"
"Probably helping the cook plate the food," Aurelia replied. "Why don't you freshen up first? Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
I gave a small nod before setting Holly back on her feet.
"I'll be downstairs shortly."
The staircase felt unusually quiet as I made my way to my room. After closing the door behind me, I loosened my tie, peeled off my office clothes, and stepped beneath the warm spray of the shower.
The water eased some of the tension sitting heavily across my shoulders. Between the new project, Holly's health scare, and everything that had happened over the past few days, exhaustion had begun catching up with me.
A few minutes later, I stepped out, drying my hair with a towel before pulling on a black T-shirt and a pair of grey lounge trousers. I had barely finished buttoning the cuffs when the bedroom door opened without warning.
I frowned.
"I thought I said I'd be down in a..."
The words died on my lips.
Standing awkwardly by the doorway was Ingrid.
She immediately froze after realizing I had already turned around.
"Oh..."
Her fingers tightened around the tray she carried, and for the first time since I'd met her, she looked genuinely flustered.
"I'm sorry."
Her voice came out much softer than usual.
"I knocked... but you didn't answer."
My eyes drifted from the tray in her hands to her face.
She bit lightly on her lower lip, clearly debating whether to stay or leave. Her hair, usually tied neatly at work, now fell freely over her shoulders in soft waves, framing a face untouched by the usual office formality.
Instead of her tailored suits, she wore a simple knee-length cream dress with short sleeves that fitted comfortably without trying too hard. It was elegant, modest, and somehow made her look younger than she did at the office.
For a brief second...
I forgot to speak.
"I... brought you some tea."
She raised the tray slightly as though reminding both of us why she was standing in my room.
"Holly said you always drink it after coming home."
I finally found my voice.
"So you decided to bring it yourself?"
A faint smile appeared.
"She wouldn't let anyone else."
Despite myself, the corner of my lips lifted.
"That sounds like Holly."
Ingrid relaxed a little, stepping inside before carefully placing the tray on the coffee table near the window.
"I hope you don't mind."
"I do."
She immediately turned, surprise flashing across her face.
"I told you before."
I folded my arms across my chest.
"I don't like people walking into my room without permission."
The color slowly drained from her face.
"I'm... sorry."
"I didn't mean to overstep."
She lowered her eyes, already reaching for the tray again.
"I'll take it back."
She had barely lifted it when I spoke again.
"But..."
She paused.
"I'll let this one pass."
Confusion replaced the worry in her eyes.
"As an exception?"
A small smile tugged at my lips.
"As an exception."
Relief washed over her face almost instantly.
"I'll remember that next time."
"You'd better."
A comfortable silence settled between us.
For reasons I couldn't explain, the room no longer felt as empty as it usually did after work.
Just then, Holly's excited voice echoed from downstairs.
"Daddy! Miss Ingrid! Dinner is ready!"
Ingrid laughed softly before looking toward the door.
"I think our little boss is getting impatient."
For the first time in a very long while...
The thought of going downstairs to dinner didn't feel like another obligation.
It felt... almost peaceful.
- Writer
