Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX: DINNER

✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧

"Yes. Poppy is my sister, Faith." Chloe kept her gaze on me. "She’s incredibly shy. She’s not used to socializing, so we didn’t push her to join us at our engagement party," she explained.

I didn’t respond, just continued to stare at her. It was clear that Poppy was shy when I met her that night—she seemed reluctant to talk to me. I only heard her voice when she mentioned her name, but then she quickly left with her food.

"She’d rather stay cooped up in her room than mingle," Mrs. Herald added with a sigh, turning to Chloe. "Chloe, call Poppy so you can introduce her to your fiancé. She might as well join us for dinner."

Chloe nodded immediately. "Yes, Mom." Then she stood up from her chair and glanced at me to say goodbye before heading out.

I was left in silence with Chloe’s parents. Mrs. Herald continued talking about how shy Poppy had been since childhood, mentioning that she grew up with no playmates because she rarely left the mansion.

A few moments later, we heard footsteps, causing Mrs. Herald to stop her story. I automatically stood up from my seat when I saw Chloe, who was now accompanied by her sister, Poppy.

Poppy was clinging to one of Chloe's arms and almost hiding her face behind her. Even their parents stood up from their seats to face the two. Now, they were standing in the wide doorway of the dining room, with Chloe looking at me while Poppy kept her gaze on the floor.

"Poppy?" Chloe called softly, causing Poppy to look up at her. "Come here. I want to introduce you to my fiancé." Chloe guided Poppy towards me, and I could see how shy she was. When they stood in front of me, Chloe pointed me out to Poppy. "This is Faith Zeican. He’s the one I’m going to marry."

Poppy turned her gaze towards me, her face clearly showing her shyness. I knew we had already met at the party that night, but I couldn’t help but extend my hand to her.

"Hi, Poppy. Nice to meet—" I stopped short as she took my hand, but not to shake it. Instead, she took it and quickly bowed, touching her forehead to the top of my hand. It was a traditional gesture of respect.

'Am I looking that old to her?'

I saw Chloe trying to stifle a laugh as Poppy straightened up. Chloe laughed at her sister’s gesture, while Poppy remained serious, her eyes now wandering over the dishes on the table. I could see her swallowing hard, clearly tempted by the spread. She looked just as eager to dive into the food as she did at the buffet during the party.

"Would you like something to eat?" I couldn’t help but ask, making her look back at me. She studied me briefly before shifting her gaze to Chloe and then to their parents.

“Join us, Poppy,” Mrs. Herald said. Chloe guided Poppy to the empty seat next to me, so now they were flanking me on either side.

We all sat down, and a maid soon brought Poppy a plate. Despite that, Poppy remained still, staring at the food without making a move. Unable to stand it any longer, I reached for the bowl of rice and brought it closer to her. She glanced at me briefly but didn’t say anything. She moved slowly to serve herself some food. Once she had rice on her plate, she went back to observing the dishes on the table.

“What would you like?” I asked her. She didn’t respond, instead pointing to a seafood dish near Chloe. Chloe took it and handed it to me, which I then passed to Poppy. “Anything else?” I asked again. Instead of returning to my own meal, I focused on her because I sensed she wasn’t comfortable. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

When she pointed to the beef broccoli, I handed that to her as well. I asked if there was anything more she wanted, but she shook her head. I didn’t look away from her. I watched as she took her first bite, and her eyes widened in surprise and delight, as if she had never tasted anything like it before. Her eating sped up as if she were in a race to finish, her enthusiasm palpable.

“Babe, your food.” Chloe’s voice pulled my attention away from Poppy as she touched my arm. Instead of focusing on my own meal, my gaze was still fixed on Poppy.

I nodded and turned back to my plate, but I could still see Poppy out of the corner of my eye. She was eating quickly, as if starving.

“How old are you, Poppy?” My question made her stop chewing. I couldn’t help but look back at her. Her mouth was full, and she looked at me with wide eyes, blinking rapidly.

“She’s seventeen, Faith.” Chloe answered for her, since Poppy couldn’t speak with her mouth so stuffed.

Seventeen? She’s still so young.

After we finished eating, the two maids cleared the table, but we stayed seated, chatting. Chloe’s parents took the lead in the conversation, discussing the merger of our companies. As I quietly listened, one of the maids brought out chocolate chip cookies and butterscotch that Mom baked for dessert. Each of us had a plate, including Poppy.

Sitting right next to me, Poppy couldn’t hide her soft gasp when she tasted hers. I glanced at her and couldn’t help but smile. It was as if she was in her own little world. While Mrs. Herald was talking business, Poppy was completely absorbed in her cookies, as if nothing else mattered to her.

When she finished her plate, she looked at the maid who served us with a longing gaze, unsure if she should ask for more.

“Have mine.” Mrs. Herald paused mid-sentence when she saw me pass my plate of cookies and butterscotch to Poppy. Poppy was momentarily stunned, but I quickly turned my attention back to Mrs. Herald. “Yes, Mrs. Herald, continue,” I urged, encouraging her to resume discussing the merger.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

At around 8:30 PM, I said my goodbyes to Chloe and her parents. They escorted me outside to where my car was parked.

“Visit us again sometime, okay?” Mrs. Herald said with a warm smile as I stood next to my car.

“Sure,” I replied with a smile of my own, then turned to Chloe and Poppy. Poppy was once again holding onto Chloe’s arm.

“Drive safely, Faith,” Chloe said. I shifted my gaze to her and nodded.

Once I was inside the car, I rolled down the window and glanced at them, then at Poppy. “Bye, Poppy.” I waved and smiled, but her response was a shy bow, clearly still feeling a bit bashful.