Open To Love

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎

∴Zach∴

"We do this every year dad. And every year we do it something bad always happens."

He keeps his eyes on his laptop. "That's just what you think Zach, when in reality nothing bad actually happens."

It's that time of the year again. When my family hosts a 'gathering' at our family estate. The reason why I don't add family to it is because the Kingston family is actually really small.

My mom was an only child, my dad is an only child, my grandparents on both sides are dead and it's only me, my sister Beatriz and Patrick.

So because of that, the people that come to the gathering include business associates and family friends.

"Nothing bad happens to you but something always happens to me." I throw my head back and groan. I know I'm acting childish but you don't understand how much I hate these type of things.

"Maybe this year you should bring a plus one. Perhaps that friend you mentioned to me." I think about what he says. Having Aria there with me would be the best distraction for me.

I'd just spend the whole night with her and ignore everyone else. Yeah that would be perfect. I hope she'll say yes.

"I think you're right. Also I'm almost done with my proposal."

"Were you able to talk to Patrick and work together?" He finally looks up from his laptop and looks at me.

I press my lips together and look away from him. ". . . No. But I can do it myself. That meeting with Mister Emerson is coming up faster than you think and I don't have time to work with an airhead like Patrick."

"How would you feel if someone were to talk about you the same way you talk about Patrick?"

"I wouldn't care because that's their own opinion. I know who I am."

"Oh God Zach, I don't have time for your attitude. Leave my office." I stand up with a smile on my face.

"I love you too dad."

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"How do you always find these places? And how come I've never heard of them?" Aria sits in front of me with a smile on her face.

She looks a bit tired today and she's dressed in casual clothing. I'm just glad she agreed to come out today. So now I can initiate my plan.

Butter her up with good food, then ask her to accompany me to the gathering this weekend. And this isn't just any food. It's some good Ethiopian food.

The type of food that will make her marry me on the spot. . . that's not what I want but you get my point.

"I have an antennae in my head that just immediately locates these restaurants."

"Oh, no wonder why your head is so lumpy." We both laugh but I can't tell if she's being serious or not. Have I been walking around my whole life with a lumpy head?

"Are you serious?" I ask while still laughing just so that I don't seem concerned to her.

"I'm just joking Zach."

I knew it. I just wanted to make sure.

The waiter comes with the food and two bowls of water and places it on the table in between us.
"What did you say this is again?"