Chapter 7 - Embers
1215 Words
"Switch on the lights, Is! It's getting dark."
His father's voice drifted across the backyard.
Iskandar looked up briefly before returning his attention to the barbecue grill. Rows of marinated lamb, chicken wings and sausages were neatly arranged over the glowing charcoal, the aroma of herbs and smoky spices slowly filling the evening air.
The sun had almost disappeared beyond the horizon.
Warm amber lights wrapped around the pergola flickered to life one by one, casting a soft golden glow across the garden.
"I'll do it."
He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and was about to step away when someone gently stopped him.
"Let me help."
Lya reached for the stainless-steel container in his hands.
At the same time...
Their fingers brushed.
Barely.
Just the lightest touch.
Yet Iskandar froze.
Not because of the contact.
Because of how aware he'd become of it.
"Lya..."
She had already taken the tongs from him.
"What?"
She looked up innocently.
Seeing him standing there without moving, she frowned.
"Go."
She nudged his arm with her shoulder.
"I can handle the grill."
Iskandar blinked once, as if waking from a thought he shouldn't have entertained.
"...Right."
Lya laughed softly.
"What?"
"You've been working too much."
"I'm fine."
"Mhm."
She gave him a teasing smile before expertly turning the chicken wings over.
"Go switch on the lights before Daddy starts complaining again."
A faint smile escaped him.
"Yes, ma'am."
As he walked towards the garden switches, he couldn't stop himself from glancing back.
Lya was humming to herself while carefully brushing another layer of marinade over the lamb.
Completely unaware...
That a single accidental touch had managed to unsettle a man who could negotiate billion-dollar deals without blinking.
Across the grill area, Aidan had just arrived with Hanna.
The moment Lya spotted them, she waved enthusiastically.
"Aww... you didn't bring Jayden?"
A slight pout appeared on her face.
Jayden was Hanna's little nephew. A cheerful five-year-old who had somehow become everyone's favourite guest whenever this family hosted a barbecue.
"Nope." Hanna laughed. "He was already asleep when I left. Didn't have the heart to wake him."
She glanced at the grill.
"Need help?"
"Not here." Lya shook her head. "I think Mama needs help preparing the drinks."
Lya had always addressed Iskandar's parents as Mama and Papa.
Not because anyone asked her to.
They had insisted years ago, when the children were still too young to understand that they belonged to different families.
By now...
It simply felt natural.
"Sure." Hanna smiled before remembering something.
"Oh! I brought dessert."
She lifted the cake box she had been carrying.
"The cheesecake you love."
Lya gasped dramatically.
"Eeeekk! Thank you, honey!"
Her eyes sparkled with genuine excitement.
"I've been craving your cheesecake for weeks."
Hanna laughed.
"I knew it."
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
"What are we celebrating?"
Iskandar appeared carrying a tray filled with fresh corn ready for the grill.
"Hanna brought her famous cheesecake," Lya announced proudly.
"I've been dying for it."
"You like it that much?"
Lya nodded without hesitation.
"Of course."
Iskandar looked at the cake.
Then at Lya.
"I still think your marble cake is better."
He lowered his voice, almost whispering near Lya's ear.
"Much better."
Lya looked at him in surprise.
"You still remember?"
"I remember everything you bake."
Baking had always been Lya's favourite hobby.
From buttery pastries and delicate tarts to layered cakes, cookies and festive biscuits, the kitchen was her happy place whenever she had free time. Years ago, she had even insisted on enrolling in baking classes simply because she wanted to perfect every recipe she loved.
Whenever semester break arrived, the sweet aroma of vanilla, melted butter and freshly baked bread would almost always fill the house.
She rarely baked for herself.
She baked because she loved watching the people around her enjoy whatever came out of the oven.
And among everyone...
The first person to taste every new recipe was almost always Iskandar.
Lya smiled softly.
"I thought you preferred chocolate."
"I do."
"Then why my marble cake?"
Iskandar carefully placed another piece of corn onto the grill before answering without even looking at her.
"Because it's yours."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them realised how naturally that answer had slipped from him.
Across the backyard, beneath the pergola where the adults were arranging drinks and desserts, Mama quietly exchanged a glance with Mommy.
Neither woman said a word.
They simply watched the effortless way Iskandar always found his way back to Lya.
As though, even in a crowded garden filled with family...
She was still the first person he looked for.
"Food's ready!"
Iskandar and Aidan emerged from the grill carrying trays piled high with perfectly grilled lamb, chicken wings, sausages, sweet corn and vegetables.
The irresistible aroma instantly drew everyone to the garden tables.
"Finally," Lya sighed dramatically. "I was beginning to think I'd starve."
"You've been stealing food from the grill for the last twenty minutes," Aidan reminded her.
"Those were quality control."
The adults laughed.
Once everyone had settled down, the evening quickly came alive.
The family occupied two tables placed side by side beneath the pergola, where warm fairy lights swayed gently with the evening breeze. Laughter mixed with the clinking of cutlery as conversations drifted from business updates to travel plans, childhood stories and harmless teasing.
It was noisy.
Comfortably noisy.
The kind of noise that only existed when family gathered under one roof.
"So, Lya..." Mama asked while placing another piece of grilled lamb onto Lya's plate.
"Next semester will be your last before your internship, right?"
Lya nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Mama."
"Finally."
She smiled with obvious satisfaction.
"One more semester and I'll officially finish my degree."
"Time flies," Mommy said warmly.
"It feels like yesterday you were crying because you didn't want to leave for university."
"I wasn't crying."
"You were."
"I was... emotionally overwhelmed."
Daddy chuckled.
"That's just a longer way of saying you cried."
Lya laughed sheepishly before taking another bite of grilled corn.
Papa leaned forward.
"So... where are you planning to do your internship?"
Lya shrugged.
"I'm not sure yet."
"I'll probably start looking around next month."
"Maybe send applications to a few companies and see who accepts interns."
"What?"
Everyone turned towards Iskandar.
He looked genuinely confused.
"I mean..."
He cleared his throat.
"Why would you apply somewhere else?"
Lya blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"You already have choices."
He casually gestured around the table.
"Our group companies."
He nodded towards Hanna.
"Or Edrus Security."
"Pick whichever department interests you."
"I'll even let you interview me," Aidan joked.
"No," Hanna said immediately.
"We'll make her interview him instead."
The entire table burst into laughter.
"I like that idea," Papa added.
"Let her see how difficult CEOs can be."
Iskandar shook his head with an amused smile.
"I suddenly regret making that suggestion."
Lya giggled.
"So..."
"I don't have to send my résumé?"
"You still have to."
Iskandar answered without missing a beat.
"But only because I don't believe in favouritism."
He looked at her for a brief moment.
"You'll earn your place the same way everyone else does."
Lya smiled.
"I wouldn't want it any other way."
Across the table, Papa quietly nodded in approval.
"Good."
"That's exactly how it should be."
- Writer
