Please Remember Me

Chapter 21

Saturday morning I woke around 8AM to an invitation from Victor to meet for breakfast at a restaurant called The Broken Yolk. 

As I searched the tables littering the bustling room, which was aptly decorated with various sculptures of common breakfast meals, I felt giddy. I hadn't been able to spend much time with Victor and was eager for this opportunity to get to know him on a more personal level.

A waving had catches my eye on my left, and I turn to see Victor watching me from a two person table. I smile, making my way over to him, while ensuring I don't knock into any of the various waiters or other patrons. Taking the seat across from him, I note that he is dressed far more fancy than I was. Victor wore a silver button down shirt that was perfectly ironed with a black tie and slacks. Even his dress shoes were shiny, and black. The man was breathtaking. 

I on the other hand had simply gone with my cleanest pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweatshirt that didn't smell off-putting. I really needed to get my laundry done soon. My bedroom was slowly turning into a depression cave once more. 

"Good morning, Tulip. Thank you for joining me for breakfast. I know it was a last minute plan..." Victor trailed off as I shook my head, 

"Oh don't even worry about that. I am more than happy to get to spend some time with you." I blushed as the words left my lips, but didn't regret saying them one bit. 

Victor gave a charming smile that made the room all the brighter. He was consistently becoming a comforting presence in my life; the man radiated light. Before we continued speaking, the waiter took our drink orders. Water and a coffee for myself, and orange juice for Victor. When the waiter stepped away, Victor spoke again. 

"This is my favorite breakfast spot, when I don't eat at home. I will say, if you have a sweet tooth, that the French toast is excellent. Especially, when you ask for a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream with it." 

I immediately thought of Luke. It sounded like a dish he would drool over. This made my mind turn to North and how he would surely scold his brother for such an unhealthy meal. The pit in my stomach grew just a little more still unsettled since the boat trip. Just when I had smoothed things over with Nathan, I created a new mess with one of his brothers. What would Nathan have thought if I had told him about the situation? It would have only validated his argument I feel and we wouldn't have started over the way we were attempting too. 

The thought made me frown deeply as the waiter set our drinks down before asking for our orders. Victor had notice the change in my expression, his eyes becoming analyzing. As the server left, I decided to speak first knowing would ask what was wrong and wanting to avoid that topic. 

"Tell me about yourself. I feel like I know basically nothing about you." I state with curiosity. 

"There isn't very much to tell. I grew up most of my childhood with my brothers. Graduated high school and college at relatively young ages. Professionally played piano for a good length of time, before retiring , and opening the company with Owen and Kota." 

Victor's words were lightly detached and overtly simplified which only drove my curiosity further. 

"What about your family outside of your brothers?" I asked before taking a sip of my coffee. 

I immediately caught the darkness that entered Victors eyes before he tried to shield it away. He was an open book though. I could see right through his barriers almost as easily as I could with Gabe. 

"I was an only child. My father was relatively absent consistently traveling for business and cheating on my mother. I think I saw him a handful of times before I left the house. My mother was a bitter woman who's sole goal in life was to profit off of my musical talents. We no longer speak, but occasionally she will reach out to Owen or one of my other brothers in an attempt to reach me." His tone was cold, gaze distant as he recounted the information. 

"I'm really sorry, Victor. No child deserves to grow up with parents like that." My voice is empathetic; sincere. 

I reach a hand over to place on top of his that's resting on the table. When his eyes make contact with mine, they lighten slightly. Victor turns the hand over and squeezes mine. We stay like that, a bond of understanding an empathy forming between us, until the waiter walks over with our meals. The French toast with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for myself and a vegetable omllette with toast for him. 

"Tell me some about yourself, Tulip." Victors voice returned to a light tone as he cuts into his food awaiting my response. 

I hum as I dig into my toast, and decide to keep my answer positive. I didn't want to bring down his mood any more than I unintentionally already had. 

"Well, I grew up with two siblings. An older brother who is now overseas somewhere living his best life, I assume. And a younger sister. She is studying back home in Virginia to become a big fashion designer. A brilliant woman, really. My parents are very supportive of them and I am too. I don't see my family as often anymore though, work is too busy, and they are too far. Occasionally, I speak with my sister on the phone to catch up." 

As I speak, I avoid looking at Victor, worried he would be able to read me as easily as I could him. 

 Nothing I said was a lie. 

It was just minimal details and sugarcoated. 

"I feel like there is more to that part of your story, but I won't push. Just know that you can confide in me, or any of our family, about anything. I promise, there is likely nothing you can say that one, or all of us, wouldn't be able to understand or relate too." 

I smile tensely at Victors words. Clearly, I underestimated his emotional intelligence and aptitude. 

"Noted. How did you meet all of your brothers? What's the story there?" 

The pause after my question was long enough to make me look up from my plate and study Victor.  He seemed to be having a great debate in his mind, eyes unfocused. After a moment, he seemed to come to some kind of decision. 

"That entire story isn't exactly mine alone to tell. It would be best if we all addressed that together as a family. I promise I will mention it to Owen when I get a moment alone with him next."

My interest in his answer only grew with this information. Victor seemed to note this with ease despite my not saying a word. 

"To ebb that flame of interest I see brewing in your eyes, dear Flower, I can tell you that we all met at school throughout our teenage years. When I first joined our family, it only consisted of Owen, Sean, Kota, and myself. Then Luke and Nathan joined use followed shortly by North and Silas. Last to join our bunch was Gabriel." 

I accepted I wouldn't be receiving more information at the moment. Trusting that Victor would keep his promise the rest of our breakfast continued on with light chatter, jokes, and laughter on both ends. 

Victor was a breath of fresh air. 

"Will you play a song for me one day?" I questioned as the waiter brought out the check for our meal. 

Victor placed a black credit card within the check holder without even glancing at the price. Flushing with embarrassment, I tried to ignore the slight shame at him paying for my meal. 

"For you, of course. I'll look through my music and pick a piece to play just for you soon enough." 

A warm feeling bubbled up inside of my heart at his words. It was so vastly different from the constant battering of negative emotions and stress I usually felt. I nearly didn't know how to handle it. Clearing his throat, the first time Victor has seemed unsure of himself in front of me, he continued to speak. 

"I know Owen and Kota are at home, as well as some of the others, most likely. Would you want to join us for a little bit? I am sure they would love to see you." 

I pondered his question for a moment. On one hand, there was a chance North would be at their home which gave me a sick feeling. On the other hand, I might get to have more interactions with the others. I also needed to speak with Owen. 

My decision was almost too easy. 

"I would love too."