Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: The Dinner Talk

C L A I R E

As soon as we went inside, I could see Benedict trying to move closer to Sam. He was still a bit stuck in his spot though — considering that Sam wasn't paying attention to him.

The hallways were vast. The furniture was all contemporary, paintings were mostly hinged on the wall — all painted by Benedict himself. The dining room was much further than the living room, spacious than the room itself too.

The kitchen was near the dining room as well so I'm pretty sure we could hear the pots and pans being used.

"Make yourself at home. We'll be with you shortly." Benedict's dad quickly guided us to the dining room and the first thing that I did was to nudge Sam close to Benedict on our way towards the table.

"Come on, lovebirds." Sam gave me a bit of a playful glare but decided to laugh it off as we all sat down, patiently waiting for them as Benedict's parents walked toward the kitchen.

A few minutes passed, and they quickly came back with a puffed-up pizza casserole along with mac and cheese — which was held by Benedict's dad — and gently placed it down on the table.

Benedict's mom seems quite satisfied with what she had served us and even grinned. "Here you go. Hope you'll love it."

When we finally had settled in and eaten, Benedict's father kept on staring at me and Ethan — who was right next to me. I wanted to ask him why but I didn't really want to come off as rude.

Then, his question came. "So, are you two a couple?"

Ethan and I were both taken aback and we both disagreed as soon as possible — not wanting him to think the impossible. His dad couldn't help but frown but nodded once he saw us getting awkward with each other.

He finally chuckled at our reactions, possibly knowing from the start that we weren't a couple.

But I guess that I was wrong, again.

"You both look like me and my wife back in the days," Benedict's dad commented as he then pointed at Ethan and me.

"Timid. Nervous gazes." He even stopped eating as he pointed his finger at us. "Just like what you're both doing now."

"Well, I suggest that you make your move, lad." Benedict raised an eyebrow at his father. "Confess now or you'll regret it later."

Knowing where the conversation was going, I wanted to leave a comment. But, I guess Benedict could do the favors himself. "Dad, he has a girlfriend."

"Pity, you two look good together." His dad then continued to munch on his grub. Ethan, on the other hand, was silent. I guess he was still in shock at his girlfriend's return.

Though, after a while, he decided to speak up about it. "Um...the girlfriend thing...it's one-sided."

"My parents and hers decided to get us together. I never really...made it official." Benedict's parents were awfully silent. I couldn't really tell if they were on Ethan's side or not.

"Well, that's a huge problem, isn't it?" Benedict's dad couldn't help but point it out to him. "Never knew that parents should be the ones deciding who their child's girlfriend would be. Well, except now."

"Still thinking of a better way to break things off. She seems...too attached you know?" Ethan told him and the only answer he got was a nod.

"Well, how about you two?" Benedict's mom surprised Sam, cheekily smiling as she stared at her son and the girl beside him. "I can see you smiling, dear."

"Can you give us a minute?" Benedict excused himself, signaling for Sam to follow him. Sam quickly stood up, apologizing before going with Benedict, their hands intertwined with each other.

"Oh, dear, don't tell me that—" Her mom finally got interrupted by Benedict's dad's amused look and clap afterward.

"He's probably making it official," he exclaimed before chuckling at what happened.

So, right now, it was just the four of us.

His mom quickly turned her attention to me and decided to ask me what Benedict's dad was curious about. "Dear, how about you? I haven't heard your voice yet."

"Tell me, have you gotten yourself a boyfriend?" she added and I immediately shook my head. 

"No, ma'am. I got strict parents," I told her, "And...I'm not thinking of a relationship right now."

"I see. You're very studious, like me when I was still a teenager." She then nodded before patting the shoulder of her husband. I could see that they were both happy with each other.

"You know, back in the day, I told my husband here to wait for me and he did," his mom said as Benedict's dad gave her a hug. Looking beside me, I saw Ethan not paying attention to them — eating his piece of casserole silently.

Benedict's mom called my name and even gave me advice. "You know, you need to be with a man who is willing to wait for you."

"Not just a guy who's only good at words," his dad finished off as they both chuckled at how I nodded and told them I'd make a note of everything they said.

Suddenly, the door opened loudly — Benedict looking quite satisfied and a blushing Sam on his side.

"It's official." His mom and dad welcomed Sam with a hug, leaving Ethan and me at the table.

We, on the other hand, were really happy for them but we decided to stay in our seats and just smile — giving a thumbs up to both of them.

"Lad, I didn't think you'd actually do it at a family dinner," his dad told him before facing Sam with a weird gaze. "Did he force you into it?"

"No, sir," Sam replied but I could tell that she almost laughed at what Benedict's dad said. Their son, however, wasn't really happy.

Benedict's mom also joined in the conversation. "Well good. A pretty lady like yourself should never be forced into a relationship by my son."

"Mom."

"Just kidding, dear. This son of mine is raised well."

When Benedict saw how quiet Ethan was, he quickly walked in our direction and gave Ethan a pat on the back. "Buddy, do you have a minute?"

Ethan stays silent and followed him.

Benedict's dad immediately got curious and asked his son, "Where are you two doing?"

"A bit of private talk, Dad."

He already got the hint so he let his son be. "Oh alright, you two do your own thing. We'll be in the living room if you need us." 

After that, they both went outside and Sam and I went to the living room with Benedict's parents. But, I was curious as to why Ethan was quiet all of a sudden.