Starships

Chapter 17

The movie credits roll through, I look over to see that Richard is asleep. His head is relax back, and in his clench hand is the box of candy. I chuckle at him softly. I quietly get up, and make my way upstairs. I go to the kitchen and I find Alfred, making dinner.

"Good evening, Ms. Anders. Where is Mr. Grayson?" Alfred greets me when I approach the kitchen island.

I take a seat at the island, "He is in the theater room. He fell asleep."

"Oh, Mr. Grayson. Let me guess. He offered to show you one of his favorite movies, and he fell asleep halfway through." Alfred puts a glass down on the counter and fills it with water. He slides it over to me.

I take the offer and take a sip, "Bingo."

"Are you staying for dinner, Ms. Anders?" Alfred asks.

"I probably should head home," I admit, "But my ride home is asleep."

"So that would be a yes? As of right now?" Alfred heads over to the refrigerator and pulls out a variety of fruits.

"I guess so, what is on the menu?"

"I was thinking of making some type of salad. Maybe a nice garden salad?" Alfred looks over his shoulder at me.

"That sounds glorious!" I clap my hands together, "May I help?"

Alfred finish pulling out the fruits and vegetables from the fridge. I help by washing the fruits under warm water. Alfred pulls the lettuce apart and chops it.

"Alfred, may I ask you a question?" I ask him.

"Yes, Ms. Anders. What is your question?"

"It's about the secrets of this house. I learned that it's not just Bruce, Jason, Richard and you living here. I learned that there are other people living here too." I started, "I guess my question is how do you deal with a secret that big?"

Alfred is silent for a moment. He is processing with what I just brought up. I hear the chopping slow down and the knife being laid on the counter.

"Well, every family has their secrets. You just happen to find out what our secret is."

"But, does anyone else know?"

"As of now, no."

"Alfred, do you think Bruce is upset that I found out his family's secret?"

"I don't think so. If he was upset, he would have thrown you out of this house hours ago."

I sigh a deep breath of relief. I bring the damp fruits over to Alfred for him to chop. He takes the bowl of fruits, and takes them out one at a time and dries them with his apron. I take a seat across from him. I watch his hands work, and watch him chop the different fruits. This hands are steady, yet quick. I am amazed with his culinary art.

Time goes by, and all of the fruits and vegetables are cut up and ready to be put together. Alfred gets a big salad bowl and has me put the ingredients together. When the salad is complete, I hear footsteps climbing up the stairs. I fly over to see who it is. It is Jason. He is looking down at his phone reading something.

"Greetings Jason." I plant my feet back down.

Jason looks up and locks eyes with me, "Oh, hello Kori. I am surprise that you are still here," he gets up to the main level and scans the room, "Where's Richard?'

"He is downstairs in the theater room, sleeping." I answer.

"That bitch." Jason says under his breath. I don't know if he meant for me to hear his comment. Jason walks past me and takes a seat at a small breakfast table. He is back to reading the article on his phone. I hover over to him and sit next to him.