THE DINNER

Nick adjusted his tie and glanced at his watch once more. It was a sleek, silver timepiece that his grandfather had gifted him years ago. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the irritation building inside him. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. He had orchestrated this family dinner with meticulous precision, hoping to bring everyone together after months of growing apart. Now, it seemed like everything was falling apart before it even began.

He heard footsteps echoing through the hallway and turned to see his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wills, entering the sitting room. His father's demeanour was as composed as ever, but there was a flicker of regret in his eyes. His mother, on the other hand, wore a soft, apologetic smile that did little to ease Nick's frustration.

"I don't mind the lack of punctuality, but this dinner is bad timing," Nick said, his voice a careful balance between disappointment and restraint.

"We're sorry, Nick. It's not negotiable," Mr. Wills replied, his tone firm yet understanding. He knew how much punctuality meant to his son, especially for events that held significant emotional weight. Tonight's dinner was one such occasion.

Nick sighed, running a hand through his neatly combed hair. "She must be choosing a dress. We went overboard in the store, right, sweetie?" Mrs Wills added, her voice light and affectionate as she rested her hand on her husband's arm. She tried to soften the situation, knowing Nick was already on edge.

Just then, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs drew everyone's attention. Noah, Nick's younger sister, appeared at the top of the staircase. She moved with an easy grace, her footsteps echoing through the quiet house. As she stepped into view, her mother's smile faltered. Noah was wearing one of her old dresses, a simple, faded blue sundress that contrasted sharply with the new, stylish outfits her parents had recently bought for her.

Mr. Wills quickly covered the awkward silence with a warm compliment. "You look stunning, Noah," he said, his voice full of genuine affection. He didn't want her to feel excluded or judged.

Nick stared at her as she came down the stairs, his lips curling into a forced, not-so-good smile. He couldn't hide his disdain for her outfit, thinking it too classless for the prestigious dinner they were about to attend. The dress she wore, a bold mixture of colours and patterns, clashed wildly with the formality of the evening, and Nick couldn't understand why she always chose to stand out in the worst possible way.

Angela, their mother, stood at the bottom of the staircase, her expression one of deep disappointment. She was tired, worn out by Noah's constant defiance and dramatic outbursts since they had moved into the Wills Mansion. It had been a significant change for the family, living under the roof of such affluence, and Noah's rebelliousness only made it harder. Angela decided it was best not to say a word to her daughter. Causing a scene before an important dinner would be unwise.

"Let's go," Mr. Wills said, his voice cutting through the cold, awkward silence that had settled over them. He glanced at both Nick and Angela, his eyes stern, urging them to move along. He didn't want them to be late.

Mr. and Mrs. Wills headed to the car, their steps brisk and purposeful. Noah trailed behind them, feeling the weight of Nick's stare boring into her back. Just as she reached the door, she stopped abruptly, turning to face him with a challenging glint in her eyes.

"Don't you want to take pictures?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm before she walked out, leaving Nick to follow reluctantly.

_____

They drove off to the location where they would be having the family dinner. Angela gripped the steering wheel with one hand and adjusted the rearview mirror with the other. "Next time, you're driving," she said to her husband, Mr. Wills, who was seated comfortably in the passenger seat. Normally, she would be sitting there if he had taken the wheel.

Noah sat quietly in the back, a stark contrast to her usual fiery demeanour. She followed her mom and stepdad in their car while Nick drove separately on his own. She glanced at her phone, trying to distract herself from the unease that gnawed at her. She sent a quick message to her boyfriend, Dan: "CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS." She stared at the picture they had taken together, missing him terribly.

"Should I change the music? Maybe she'd like something more... upbeat?" Mr. Wills suggested, noticing Noah's silence. He wanted to make her feel comfortable and relaxed around him. Angela shot him a smile. "You're riding shotgun, you choose," she replied.

Mr. Wills fiddled with the radio, trying to find a station that might lift Noah's spirits. "Is the temperature okay?" he asked his wife, concerned about the air conditioning.

"Yes, don't turn it up," Angela responded, her focus still on the road.

"No? You like it cool?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hands on the wheel," Angela warned playfully as they joked. "No... on the wheel, please," she added with a laugh.

Noah, still quiet, received a message from Dan. "I'LL CALL YOU LATER, GOTTA GO. LOVE YOU." She smiled faintly at his words, feeling a bit more connected despite the distance.

"It's a straight road," Angela reassured her husband, keeping the conversation going as she drove. "You smell great," he complimented her, leaning in slightly.

"Thanks," she said, her tone softening. Their easy banter filled the car, but Noah found it incredibly boring. She couldn't wait to reach the venue and escape the mundane chatter.

She looked out the window, watching the scenery pass by. The world outside was calm and peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. Just then, Nick's car pulled up alongside them. He gave her a mocking look and blew a fake kiss. Noah rolled her eyes, feeling a wave of disappointment. She hadn't expected anything better from him.

---

At the entrance of Leister's, an elite restaurant known for its exclusivity, two beautiful ladies stood outside, engrossed in their phones. Sarah, the younger of the two, glanced up and immediately recognized a familiar figure approaching. "Isn't that Nick?" she exclaimed, nudging her companion.

"Nick!" her sister Emily cried out, beaming with joy. It had been years since they'd seen their cousin. As Nick reached them, they shared a warm embrace, exchanging pleasantries and updates on each other’s lives.

Inside, the restaurant was buzzing with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses. The place was a haven for the rich and influential, each table occupied by well-dressed patrons enjoying their evening. Nick and his cousins walked through the lavish entrance, but Nick paused when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Noah, your membership card will arrive next week," Mr. Wills told Noah, who was walking beside him. Mr. Wills, the owner of the restaurant, was a distinguished man known for his business acumen and his love for his family. His restaurant operated on an exclusive membership basis, ensuring only the elite could dine there.

"Meanwhile, you can use my surname," Mr. Wills added with a smile.

"Won't that be confusing?" Noah asked a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Why would it be?" Mr. Wills replied. He had accepted Noah as his own from the day he met her mother, Angela, and wouldn't mind if she took his surname.

As they entered the restaurant, a male waiter greeted them. "Hello, Mr. Leister."

Noah, always one for theatrics, clung to Mr. Wills and said with a straight face, "Hi, I'm Mrs. Leister, Noah Leister."

Mr Wills looked momentarily confused, then smiled. The waiter, Antonio, glanced between them, puzzled but trying to remain professional. "Congratulations, sir. I did hear rumours," Antonio said, assuming Noah was Mr Wills' wife.

"No, no, Antonio, I'm not that kind of guy," Mr. Wills replied quickly. "This is Mrs. Leister," he added as Angela approached. He gently pulled away from Noah and took Angela's hand, introducing her with a sense of pride.

"I'm sorry, how silly of me," Antonio stammered, embarrassed by his mistake.

"Don't worry, it wasn't your fault," Mr. Wills reassured him. "Come on," he said to Angela, leading her to their table.

Noah rolled her eyes at the display of affection. She often found Mr. Wills' overt displays of love for her mother boring and overdone. As she stood there, she caught sight of Nick, who gestured for her to move forward. With a sigh, she complied, following him to the table where the rest of the family was seated.

The table was a lively scene of animated conversations and laughter. Emily and Sarah were already chatting away with their parents, while Nick took a seat beside his aunt, engaging her in a light-hearted conversation.

As they all settled in, a sense of warmth and belonging enveloped them. The restaurant’s opulence faded into the background, replaced by the comforting familiarity of family. The evening progressed with exquisite dishes being served, each more delectable than the last. Mr. Wills, proud of his establishment, took every opportunity to ensure his guests were enjoying themselves.

During the meal, Noah couldn’t help but observe her stepfather. Despite her initial irritation, she saw the genuine love and care he had for her mother. It was evident in every gesture and every word. She realized that, perhaps, she had been too quick to judge.

Halfway through the dinner, Mr. Wills stood up to make a toast. "To the family," he began, raising his glass. "To the bonds that hold us together and the love that never fades. Here’s to the past, the present, and the future."

Glasses clinked, and everyone cheered. Noah found herself smiling despite her earlier reservations. Maybe, she thought, this wasn't so bad after all.

As the night went on, stories were shared, and laughter echoed through the elegant halls of Leisters. Nick caught up with his cousins, reminiscing about old times and creating new memories. Angela and Mr. Wills shared a dance, their love story unfolding with each step they took.

"Summer has never been my favourite season," Mrs Wills said sweetly to her husband, Mr Wills, her eyes twinkling with affection. "But with the sea, the sunsets, you... This city amazes me."

The rest of the family blushed, touched by the evident love between the couple. Nick, always ready to add a touch of humour, chimed in, "Ranked as one of the most charming places in the world by National Geographic." He glanced at Noah, perhaps hoping to impress upon her that the city was not like the one she came from.

As Nick spoke, a young and beautiful waitress approached to clear their table. She flirtatiously brushed her hand against Nick’s as she collected the plates, leaving him visibly distracted as he watched her walk away. Noah noticed the interaction, her expression turning to one of disgust, but she chose to stay silent.

"Thanks to our lobbying," Mr. Wills said, sipping his wine.

Noah, uninterested in the charm of the city, asked, "Are there a lot of forest fires around here?"

"Yes, Noah, unfortunately, it's a blight on our city," Mr. Wills replied. "There have been two already this summer."

"I don't get people who throw cigarette butts out the window," Mr. Wills continued, frustration in his voice. "Ever have points deducted from their license?"

Noah turned to Nick, a knowing look in her eyes. She had seen him with a cigarette the first day they met in the kitchen. "Ever had points deducted from your license?" she asked, her tone challenging.

Nick was caught off guard, wiping his mouth to hide his surprise. "For doing that? Impossible."

Mr. Wills, oblivious to the subtext, confidently stated, "Nick doesn't smoke. He's an athlete, a surfing champion, right?"

"Yes," Nick replied, a forced smile on his face.

"Surfing?" Noah asked, disappointment evident in her voice. She knew Mr. Wills had no idea his son smoked, and she resented Nick’s attempt to appear flawless. "Is there a problem?" Nick asked her, trying to maintain his composure.

"No, I just prefer team and strategic sports, where you have to use your intelligence," she replied, giving him a fake smile.

Her mother, Angela, sensed the tension. She knew Noah was trying to make a point, but she also believed Nick was a good person. Angela decided to steer the conversation back to lighter topics. "So, Noah, have you ever tried surfing?"

"No," Noah replied curtly. "I prefer to keep my feet on solid ground."

"Maybe Nick can teach you," Angela suggested, trying to bridge the gap between them.

Nick, seizing the opportunity, smiled. "I'd love to teach you, Noah. It's a lot of fun, and you might be surprised at how strategic it can be."

Noah rolled her eyes but didn't respond. The conversation shifted to other topics, with the family sharing stories and laughter. Despite the underlying tension, the evening continued smoothly.

After dinner, they moved to the terrace for dessert. The city lights twinkled in the distance, and the cool evening breeze provided a refreshing contrast to the warm day. Mr. and Mrs. Wills stood close together, gazing at the view.

"This city truly is beautiful," Mrs. Wills said, leaning into her husband.

"It is," he agreed, his arm around her.