Ineffable

50 | THE ART OF BITING

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Iris

Not much has changed.

Eight years is a long period, but I still remember the house like the back of my palm. I love Aunt Gaby and Aunt Tam's place because of how it screams family.

Even though both are well off, financially, they wanted to settle in a family house in a good neighborhood, especially after they adopted Alexa. One closer to them can find elements of both of them in it.

Aunt Tam's daring and fun nature in the artistic and warm neutral colors across the house walls with paintings in each room. The simple, clean, minimalistic, and space-saving furniture and sleek counters come from Aunt Gaby. But now, the place is filled with toys and blankets—which I think is after they adopted the twins.

Grandpa always loved their chemistry from the start. He wanted to see them grow as a family but... he couldn't.

"The cupcakes will be done soon," Aunt Gaby says, springing me back to the place.

Instead of talking to me, Alex has been blabbering to Noah as they, along with the twins, are in the living room. I know Noah is good with kids but I never thought Alex will be so welcoming to him.

I am with my aunts in the kitchen, and I am waiting for the cupcakes Aunt Gaby promised me.

I am a hungry and greedy person, sue me.

"Iris?" Aunt Tam leans on my shoulder as she looks at me with a smug expression. "You got yourself a man."

I look away as Aunt Gaby leans forward on the dinner table, interested. "I want to hear this too."

"We are taking it slow," I say to them.

"And what is slow?" Aunt Gaby asks me, raising her eyebrow. "Almost kissing near the porch?"

"You saw that?" I ask her, wide-eyed.

"Who do you think sent Alex at the crucial moment?" I gape at Aunt Tam. "He was really frustrated." She laughs, before telling me, "You know, I was rooting for that boy Tom and you. He has so cute curly red hair."

"Uh, no. He is like a brother to me," I tell her, making a face. "Last time you were in States was three years ago and I think you should have seen how active Tom was." I cringe, remembering all the time Tom stayed at Colt's place, after all, parties.

"Ah, well, I have changed my ship to Noah and you." Aunt Tam, now, wiggles her eyebrows. "So, Noah—"

"—and you are not sleeping together, am I right?" Aunt Gaby leans back, asking me.

"No," I answer, honestly. "We haven't even like slept beside each other."

Aunt Gaby nods. "Nevertheless, Noah and you are sleeping in different rooms." Just then, the oven timer ends and Aunt Gaby gets up. "I am still watching him."

"Aw, Aunt, don't be so hard on him. He's a softie," I say, ironically.

Taking out the hot cupcakes, she looks at me, confused. "Really? He didn't seem—"

"It was sarcastic, Gabriella," Aunt Tam tells her, dryly. I nod, smiling. Frustrated, she looks away and mumbles about how sarcasm should be a crime while Aunt Tam can't stop laughing.

Damn, I missed this so much.

"Ah, Iris." Aunt Tam holds me in her arm's length. "You've grown so beautifully."