Dinner

Stephanie carried the plate of baked brie to the dining table, and Mary followed behind her with a tray filled with grapes.

"Stop licking the honey, Princess!"

Sarah yelled from the kitchen, and they all heard her. Princess gladly ran out of the kitchen, giggling.

As she ran, her little hands were stained with honey, and she licked it off her fingers.

Stephanie caught her and used a napkin to clean her hands.

"Princess, please don't get on Mom's nerves." If you're not careful, you'll get spanked."

"Mom never spanks her, and that's why she's so stubborn," Mary explained as she set the plates in place.

"Mary, don't say anything about your sister." That is extremely rude."

Sarah entered the room carrying a dish of toasted bread.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I say. But she annoys me a lot at times."

"Mary, she's still a small girl." Always keep that in mind."

Sarah finished setting the table and turned to face Stephanie, who was still cleaning up Princess.

"Go ahead and inform them that dinner has been served."

Stephanie bounced her head and hurried to the living room. She met Sebastian and Philip laughing. She furrowed her brows, puzzled as to what they were discussing.

"Dad, dinner is on the table."

They both looked at her with their heads turned. Their smiles were still visible on their faces.

“We would be there soon,” Philip informed, and she nodded.

She looked at Sebastian, and he smiled at her.

She returned to the dining room to find Mom and her siblings already seated.

Princess was almost drooling as she peered longingly at the brie.

“How often do you feed Princess Mom? She consumes more calories than I do. She consumed about three muffins today. She ate half of mine and half of Sebastian's when she finished hers. You must assist her with her diet."

"Believe me, Stephanie, I'm giving it my all. But once she's hungry, she won't let me sleep. You should hold your father responsible for this; she inherited his traits."

"Has anyone committed a crime?" Any atrocity has always been blamed on me." Philip uttered as he walked into the dining room.

Sebastian smiled at his statement as he also followed behind him.

"Isn't it true that Princess inherited your love for food?" Sarah, her eyes.

Philip muttered, "You don't have to tell the world that, Sarah," and they all laughed.

Sebastian was about to sit next to Philip when Sarah stopped him.

"Sebastian, please take a seat next to Stephanie." That's where your dinner is."

Stephanie heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes at her Mom.

"Mom, he can sit wherever he wants." His plate isn't glued to a spot.”

Stephanie carried Sebastian’s plate and gave it to him calmly.

"Sebastian, sit wherever you like."

He nodded and gave a faint smile. He took the dish from her and sat down beside Philip.

“Can we eat already? We are complete now,” Princess mumbled.

"Yes, Princess," I say. "At this point, we're free to eat."

Sarah brushed Princess’s hair as she spoke.

They all proceeded to eat quietly, and all they could hear was Princess's spoon clinking against her plate.

“So Sebastian told me his father is the great William Coleman.” Philip broke the silence, and everyone looked at him, including Sebastian. He wasn't expecting him to bring it up during dinner.

Stephanie’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. Her ears couldn't believe what they were hearing. In her dining room sat the son of California's richest businessman.

“You are a child to Coleman? Wow, that's fantastic!" Sebastian bowed his head meekly as Sarah exclaimed.

He was eating toasted bread at the time, so he quickly chewed and swallowed it before responding.

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

As she put the brie on her toast, Sarah added, "I hope you're not reliant on your father's fortune."

"Not at all, Ma'am," says the narrator. "I'm a businessman as well."

“Wow! That is absolutely stunning." Philip added as he snatched another grape from the tree and tossed it into his mouth.

Stephanie continued to eat while listening intently to their conversation.

“Thank you very much.”

Sebastian's brilliant smile didn't fade as he kept his head lowered. He admired their demeanor toward him.

"Can you tell me your age?" Sarah further asked, and Stephanie exhaled. She was confident that she knew where her mother was headed. She was beginning to pry.

“I am 27 years old.”

“27? A billionaire at 27. That's quite an accomplishment." Philip complimented.

“Thank you, sir.” Sebastian bowed as he appreciated.

"I'm finished!" Princess rose up and proceeded to the kitchen, carelessly carrying her plates in her hands.

"Take care of that; it mustn't fall!" Mary sneered.

"Don't be too harsh on her, Mary," Stephanie murmured, and Mary unwillingly nodded.

“Sorry about that, Sebastian. Please understand.” Sarah pleaded.

“It is fine Ma’am. I understand.”

"How about your mother?" Siblings? We just know about your Father's company. They never told us anything else." Philip stated.

Sebastian gave a feeble smile in response to Philip's statement and spoke up.

"I don't have any siblings, and my mother has passed away."

After hearing his response, they all fell silent awkwardly.

Stephanie raised her head and looked at him. She then understood what he meant when he said he wished he had a family like hers.

*He is the only child in the family*

"Oh my goodness... I'm very sorry." In pity, Philip apologized.

“You don't have to be sorry, sir. It's nothing.” Sebastian replied with a friendly grin.

“That would be enough, Mom and Dad,” Stephanie uttered, and they bounced their heads.

Princess emerged from the kitchen and approached Sebastian. She raised her arms and requested that he carry her.

He carried her and sat her on his thighs with delight. She gave him a big smile and put her drowsy head on his chest.

*

Stephanie helped Sarah pick up the dishes when they finished dining.

"It's time for me to get going." "It's past midnight." Sebastian said, standing up from the sofa he sat on. Princess was still clutched in his arms. She was fast asleep, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm going to carry her."

Mary delicately removed her from him and headed to the room where she would be laid down.

"Sir and Ma'am, thank you so much for hosting me."

"We should be grateful that you accepted our offer. Sebastian, it was a pleasure to spend time with you. Thank you for your time, and good night." Philip said and Sarah nodded with a large smile on her face.

“Goodnight.”

He lowered his head and held his two palms in the shape of a lotus.

“I’ll walk you to your bike,” Stephanie told him, and he bounced his head.

They exited the house and walked over to where he had parked his motorcycle.

"Please accept my apologies for my parents' never-ending questions. I apologize profusely." Stephanie stated as they approached his motorbike.

"Stephanie, you don't have to be concerned all of the time." My stay was enjoyable. Thank you very much. I haven't been this joyful in a long time."

Stephanie's face lit up with a bright smile.

"I'd like to thank you as well for dealing with Princess in particular."

He nodded his head as they both chuckled.

"I'm a huge fan of hers. I owe her a Christmas present because she is my favorite."

"I appreciate it."

He mounted his motorcycle and donned his helmet. He started the engine by lifting the side stand. He positioned his feet on the footpegs and adjusted the handlebars.

“Goodnight,” Stephanie muttered. He nodded and drew his helmet's face shield down. His bike roared as he rode out of her compound.

Stephanie looked down the street and watched him until he was out of sight. She turned to go inside as the sound of his bike vanished into thin air.

She noticed her mother and father peering out the window.

“Seriously? This isn't funny!” She stormed into the house. “Oh lighten up!” Her mom laughed.