The Life of Renn Alrose: The Complete Petals

Chapter 17 - The Meeting

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We went to a nearby restaurant to eat first. Angelica seemed noble as she ordered a steak and some carbonara. Funny enough, that was the same thing I ordered, except mine was cooked medium, while hers is cooked medium rare.

Ari, also called Cassandra, ordered some chicken wings.

"You're a noble man, I didn't know you liked steaks. Although, I was hoping you enjoyed it medium rare." She commented.

"I just like it extra cooked on the inside, is it bad?" I asked while continuing to eat my steak.

"Not really, you're just missing out on medium rare steaks, though... It's just so good! It has been my preference for years." She was proud of herself enjoying medium-rare steaks... So it's her preference... Same preference as Jessie's when it comes to steaks...

"I see... Why doesn't Ari eat steaks?" I looked at Ari eating chicken and she looked at Angelica to explain to me why.

"You see... Beef isn't what I'd exactly call her favorite..." She spoke in behalf of Ari. Not her taste in the food she'd like to eat, I see.

"Then what's her favorite?" Angelica looked at Ari and she pointed at the exact food she was eating. Chicken.

"So she likes to eat chicken more than other meats..." I said and Ari nods.

"Anyway, I'm curious about something... For months I've known Ari is mute. But I never knew why she is mute." She hasn't spoken a word ever since she got to Emerald Houston at all.

"She couldn't speak and was diagnosed... It was horrible... She needed to learn how to communicate with sign language because she can't speak. Luckily, she can hear. We're all good with communicating to her by talking." Ari nodded to Angelica. If ever her defect became hearing, we'd have a problem here.

"But I just want to say thank you for putting her under your care while she stayed with you." Angelica once again spoke on behalf of Ari and she bowed to me.

Wait, I did what?

"Me? Oh no, I don't think I did much when it came to Ari... She did just fine on her own." I smiled and shook my hands. If anything, Angelica SHOULDN'T be thanking me.

"But she has learned along with you, and you're one of the smartest students over there! Credit where credit is due, I can't just disregard that..." She has a point.

"I-I really did nothing, but I appreciate your gratitude towards me. I hope that I won't disappoint you both." I bowed as I continued eating my steak.

"With pleasure! Now enjoy yourself, Renn!" I finished my steak as they both finished their respective foods. Being treated like this hasn't happened in a long time.

Actually no, it never happened. No one has treated me to anything in life until today.

What did you expect? I'm a loner.

"Thanks for the treat, you two. I think we spent our time here quite enough right now. And I don't have much time. I'll need to head home before my brother gets worried about me." It's now 6 pm. I have 3 hours, so I have no time to waste.

"Don't worry, there is still so much time. We're heading to our hotel right now. Let's go." They're staying at a hotel?

I quickly followed behind them.

"Is school that far?" I asked Angelica.

"Yes, unfortunately... One time, I had to get stuck in traffic for TWO HOURS! I already got 4 late records! Don't you hate it when you get a late record?!" Angelica really must be sick of being late.