t i g a

Slamming the van door shut Saga made sure he got everything he needed before telling the driver to park the car, Reena was no where to be found and Danny was happy about it. He heard Danny let our a low whistle looking at the view in front of them, "This is a nice house alright"

"Stop staring and start helping me, idiot." Saga said, dragging the dessert with a stroller and follow the big man named Billy that will lead their way to the back kitchen that is already swamped with delicious aromas and chefs barking orders. The door from the other side of the kitchen open and Reena enter the room, noticing that she wasn't wearing her usual white blazer outfit Danny throw Saga a curious look as if he was asking why she dresses differently.

"Thank heavens you're here," She said the moment her eyes land on him, "Listen, Gael you're in charge alright? help Brian and Jess especially Jess since she's new."

She took a glance at the dessert he's carrying making sure it was still perfect, "Samantha please start frosting the cupcake and for the love of God do not misspelled the name. Remember it's double E,"

Reena turn around and finally face Danny, ever since their morning encounter —where she found himself hiding behind curtains, he has been avoiding her all too well after. Danny hold his breath when Reena called his name,

"Danny," she paused, not even giving him a second glace which Danny was thankful for, she continue, "go help Samantha please, we both know you can spell better than her."

Without a second thought Danny turn around and help Samantha, taking the trolley full of cupcakes and start working on them.

"Alright, I won't be helping much since I will have to dine with them. So like I said, I need you to be in charge back here." She gave him her serious look and handing him the tablet, "Here you go serve Mr. Cho, his wife and the daughter and son. Remember address them formally, he'll love that. Let Brian handle the Crown tell him to be careful because Mrs. Crown bites. We do not want to get into her bad side as if for you, be careful with Mr. Cho, also let Jess handle me and the two guess who sat near me. Just look, that's the seat arrangement."

"Wait, so there's only ten people?" Saga couldn't help but asked, whats with the fuss if it's only for ten people? he thought.

"That's just for dinner, after this there's gonna be a band performance and couple of- no a handful of people will come to actually celebrate the birthday party that's why we're focusing on desserts and snacks and all that —not  the main course." Taking the tablet from Saga, she make a swipe before handing it back to him. "Here's the wine list. I gotta run."

"This one's an important client huh?" Saga asked, making her stop her step.

Reena sigh as she turn around muttering, "Try the one that actually invest their money to my business,"

"Don't worry so much Reena, we got this covered." He said, trying to assure her. Both Saga and Reena knew that their relationship was strictly professional making them far from friends or even acquaintance, as they barely talk to each other unless it was her telling him what his job was —like she just did earlier or the time when she was harassing him about Danny's whereabouts —like what happened this morning. 

Other than that they barely talk. But then again she was never nervous about a client before, it was all new to Saga. And she didn't even tease Danny before she told him what to do. Saga gave her a genuine smile and it makes Reena appreciate how Saga was kind enough to make her feel less worried and that made her return his smile.

"Thanks, Gael. Alright I gotta go."

"Wait, who's doing the table?"

"That is why I got to run, Gael. I need to fix the table so at least I know it will look perfect." hearing this, Saga roll his eyes while she turn around, "I saw that, and don't fuck it up Gael."

"I won't," He replied before Reena was out of his sight, grinning at her choice of motivational words.

"See you on the other side!" She yelled back through the bustling kitchen.

*

Staring at her reflection in a mirror, Kira

was dressed in a maroon silk dress that hug her body perfectly that reach above her knee and a matching color cardigan that looks two size too big for her, she looks decent to say the least. She decided not to wear any make up because it's just going to be a small dinner with her dad and his wife, his half-brother, Reena and both of her parents, and one of her dad favorite business partner, Mr. and Mrs. Crown and their son, Mathias.

Even remembering his name makes Kira shudder at the thought. For the longest time now she has been hating how his father keep subtly telling her how Mathias was such a good kid, and how he took interested in her. Too bad the feeling wasn't mutual. A slight knock from behind snap her out of her daze, looking up at the other reflection behind her she smile at the person who's standing at the door. Helena —her step mother was smiling at her. She turn around and embrace her into a hug, "Its good to finally see you again, Kira."

"Good to see you too, I'm sorry I've been busy"

"I know but try visit more often next time will you? at least once a week." Helena said, pulling herself away from the hug. Softly caressing her face, she continue speak "Your father missed you terribly you know"

Kira sigh, as her face fell with the fact that she was not sure how to respond to what her stepmother just said. Helena was staring at her with a sad eyes. Kira was such an open book and she hated that. Helena always been so good to read her. Kira was sure she was about about to open her mouth and comfort her but another voice interrupted them, making both of them turn around. Mr. Cho stand in front of the door looking at his daughter with an inexplicable emotions that was clearly seen in his eyes, 

"Kira" he spoke, it almost sounds like a whisper.

"Hi, appa" she greets her father with a small smile, 

She think about this day often. About what her appa 

would say to her when they finally see each other again. She wonder if he'll be upset and gave her his best disappointed look that she was familiar with or he'll get angry and start yelling at her and told her to leave, but to her surprise he did neither of that, and nothing —nothing, could prepare Kira for what her father said next. "You look just like your mother"

"For a second I thought it was her."

"appa" she speak softly, her voice sounds strange to her ears and as if her body react faster than her brain did, she was already making her way to where he stood. A couple months of being away from him make her missed him terribly too. It was no secret that she used to be his daddy's little girl.

After the mini reunion that was cut off short by Reena who was looking for everybody, Kira find herself at their family study room staring at the painting near the floor to ceiling bookshelf before she feel another presence next to her. Even after being away for couple months- eight to be exact. How could she forget that in this household she can never really have time to think by herself? at least some things stay the same, she thought.

"Dinner's almost ready,"

"Did appa told you to get me?"

"ani, eonni" he replied shaking his head, Kira rose her eyebrow. "Well, okay maybe."

Kira smile as she ruffled her brother hair before she wrap her arms on his shoulder. Despite being twelve years old, He was almost as tall her and before she know it, she will have to look up to talk to him. She grinned when he gave her a glare for messing up his hair as he tried to fix it with his fingers. Between the two of them Keenan was always the good kid despite their ten years gap he was always be the one that listen to their dad better than her. "Let's go kid, we don't want to upset appa now, do we?"

*

Saga was checking the last plate making sure everything was ready to serve before he grab the tray and made his way to the dining room with Brian and a nervous Jess following behind him closely, he took a deep breath as he saw the big guy Billy who was talking to an old man who looks older than his dad, he assume that was Mr. Cho. When he sees him Billy raised his finger as if signing them to wait. He stood near the entrance when Saga spotted Reena who was nervously sitting near two other guess.

The woman next to her looks like a she was a spilling image of her, if it was not for the age difference they could be mistaken as twins. Their only difference was the hair color. The man who sat next to her share the same vibrant red hair that Reena has. It was obvious to say that the woman and the man who sat next to her are her parents  —assuming that was her parents. He frowned, why do they look familiar?

"Jess, remember don't refill their glass leave them to me or Brian" Saga remind his co-worker for the last time, before he turn around to check if Billy gave them the green light yet. When his eyes met his, Billy nodded at him. He continue and walk his way into the dining table when he notice two seats were still empty, not sure if he should serve the two empty seats he look up and throw a glance at Reena hoping she understand in which she gave him a small nod, he quicken his pace.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Cho here are your first course, please enjoy." Saga said smoothly before carefully putting down the soup then he quickly turn around and grab the wine, asking Mr. and Mrs Cho what they'd prefer then do it repeatedly for the other guess while Brian and Jess getting the second course ready.

He was pouring for the Crown's Son when he heard another voice from across the room, assuming it was the late guesses.

"My apologies everyone, I lose track of time in the study room." he heard a voice said, a young voice. But the next voice that he heard made him stop abruptly and turn his head so fast that he might have a whiplash after. He knew that voice, in fact he just heard that voice yesterday and he's been craving to hear that voice again. Before his brain could even progress that it's probably not the right time, his tongue beat him to as it whisper her name like a foreign language, stopping her sentences. 

"Good evening everyone—" she stop her trail of sentences and felt her breath stuck on her throat when she sees who was standing in front of her and whisper her name loud enough for the whole table to hear, taking everyone attention. She was in the middle of taking her seat, but the person in front of her made her freeze in her spot. She was slightly slouching, and she wasn't even sure if she should continue take her seat of get back up so she just froze in that very awkward position. Until she heard a loud clang from her opposite right and she saw Reena throw everyone a sheepish look,

"My apologies," Reena mumbled bowing her head a little while blushing because of her clumsiness. Kira clear her throat finally deciding to just take her seat and continue to speak, 

"Good evening everyone, thank you for kindly waiting for my brother and I." she smile, —well tried to smile making sure she made an eye contact with everyone on the table, except Mathias who she was sure was looking at her curiously.

But he wasn't the only one. She didn't miss the curious look from her best friend —even though she was still blushing, and her step mother. Her appa was a different story, instead of looking at her like everyone else he was looking at him. She haven't decided if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Knowing her luck, it's possibly the latter.

Saga felt a tug on his sleeve as Brian gave him a weird look, he gave his co-worker a confused look then noticing the panic in Brian's eyes. Breaking his train of thoughts he gulp and nodded when he remember that he was suppose to serve the second course now. He shook his head and snap out of his daze, following Brian who quickly grab the second course tray.

He wasn't expecting how the day has turn and he sure wasn't complaining. He just had to make sure that he had the chance to talk to her before the night is over.