WHEN YOU'RE CLOSER

CHAPTER 14

"I don't want to go home," I said with finality. 

"Then we won't." He agreed. 

"But we have to." I sighed heavily. "But can we stay here for today? Before dinner, we'll go. Is that okay?" 

He nods. "Sure. Anyway, I'll go cook our breakfast." 

I smiled sweetly and got up from the bed. "I'll help!" 

He shakes his head. "No need to, love. But you can watch me." I pouted. "Let's go downstairs." He held my hand and walked with me. 

"I'll help still," I murmured. 

"No." 

"Are you two fighting?" asked Mom who was standing beside the dining table, holding utensils in her hands. 

We both shake our heads as answer. 

"Landon wants to cook and I said I'll help but he's insisting that I should not." I winced. 

"No need to fight for that, you two. Your dad's cooking breakfast now." She shrugs and continues what she's doing earlier. "Go have a seat. Food's ready in five." 

We both had no choice but to sit down and wait for them to finish. Minutes after, the food's ready in front of us, and feasted on it. 

"Can't you stay here for days more?" Mom asked sadly. "I'm used to having you both around." 

"We'd love to, Mom. However, we have work to do. We are both owners and we had to take our responsibilities seriously." Landon stated. 

"If only we could stay here for life, Mom." I sighed. "I'll try to be here when I'm not that busy. Don't worry." 

"I guess I can't stop both of you, then. Just don't forget to take care of yourselves, okay?" 

"Your Mom's right. Health comes first." Dad agreed and nodded his head. 

"Will do, Mom and Dad. But I think you should say that to your son. Whenever he's busy, he often forgets to eat and rest." 

"Love," Landon stopped me. "I'm trying my best to eat and take a rest on time, okay?" 

"Yeah." I rolled my eyes at him. 

"Listen to Aster, Landon," Mom said with a warning. 

"Of course, Mom. I will always listen." 

"Good," then Mom looked at me. "How's your cafe, by the way?" 

"It's closed as of the moment, Mom." 

"Why so? I thought you have someone who's helping you there?" she asked waiting for my answer with all her attention. 

"She had an emergency. I had no choice but to close it for days since I'm here." I explained. 

"Oh," she says. "Is that okay, though? You've been closed for so many days." 

"It will be fine, Mom. I also wanted to take a break even for days." 

She was about to tell me something when my phone rang. It's Loly. I excused myself before answering. 

"Hi, Loly," I greeted first. "How are you?" 

"H-hello?" she stuttered. "I... I'm fine, Aster. But I think you should go home n-now." 

"Well, I'm supposed to come home this evening." 

"But you need to be here now, Aster. Please," her voice was not stable at all. 

"Calm down first, Loly. Tell me what's happening, okay?"