ANIMA

26. Guilt

Mason

The sun is just beginning to set as we arrive on the beach.

Sierra and Ava take a thousand pictures of the sunset while Aiden tries to distract them, Kenzie looks on, laughing at their antics.

I notice Tomas sat a little apart from the others so I join him.

"You okay? You seemed a little quiet since the drive here."

"It's...its nothing"

"Tom..."

"It's just I feel...guilty. I am very aware that out of everyone here I am the only that can't afford to be spontaneous like this. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the weekend you planned last time and this weekend has been great so far. But I can't afford to do the same for you which kind of makes me feel like I am using you."

"You are not using me. Did you ask me to do any of this?"

"No but-"

"No buts. I don't do any of this because I expect or want anything in return. I just want to spend time with the people I care about and sometimes like today that means going away. I do this because I want to so don't ever feel guilty about that, okay?"

"Okay."

As soon as the sun sets completely, the temperature plummets so we head back to the hotel. For dinner the guys suggest we order in incase someone sees me and tells my parents.

"If my parents have spies here, which I wouldn't put past them, they would have informed them already the moment we arrived. So there is no sense in hiding now." I say.

"You are right, besides we came here to have fun and I for one am ready to get started! But first let's get some food" Aiden says leading the way to the restaurant.

"Welcome Mr. Ahn, we haven't seen you in a while." Chef Everett says a few moments after we sit. He runs the restaurant here and is one of my favorite chefs only second to Ms. Bea.

"Chef Everett it's good to see you again. Everything seems to be running smoothly compared to a few months ago." I say.

"It is, finally. I made some personnel changes and we have been a well-oiled machine since. So what will you guys be having?"

I look to our group.

"You are the expert, Mason. We will leave it up to you, right guys?" Aiden says and the rest agree.

"How about you surprise us, Chef Everett?" I say.

After taking note of preferences and dietary restrictions, the chef disappears into his kitchen.

"I know we said we trust you and everything but how much do we trust this chef?" Tomas asks.

"Exactly, is his food any good or will it look absolutely amazing while tasting like crap in which case I am going to have to fake a sudden case of explosive diarrhea which will embarrass you guys." Aiden adds with such a serious face and we burst into laughter.

After calming down I reply, "He is really good, in fact I hope to one day apprentice with him."

A few minutes later our food arrives. He starts us off with, chargrilled zucchini, marinated feta and spring pea bruschetta as well as prosciutto, fig and ricotta bruschetta.

Next they bring out corn and pancetta fritters with veggie ribbon salad and spinach and feta steak with salty-sweet wedges.

And the finale a chocolate, coconut and cherry sponge and vanilla panna cotta.

"Wow you were not kidding, that was amazing!" Tomas says.

"Right! Eating out with the Kings usually means having to sit through very expensive but very bland food. This has been an experience." Kenzie says.