Puron Psych

35

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"Hyde! Harpy!" Giada wrapped them both in a warm embrace. "Am so happy eyu made it! Aiy, Harpy, eyu feel good?"

Giada pulled away and grabbed onto Harper's arms. She gently squeezed and used her fingers to massage them as she checked that Harper had no fever. "Arno told mi about eyu."

"I'm fine, Giada." Harper smiled, reassuring her.

"Must come! Come!" Giada grabbed onto their wrists and dragged them through the courtyard.

It was decorated again. There were candles and strings of lighting overhanging the doors. Harper wondered if there was going to be a lot of the village showing up.

However, when she got closer to a large wooden dining table, she only noticed Andreis, 5 out of 8 of his and Anna Bella's children, Arnest on the far end who was setting the plates down, and Yanpu who was also placing various dishes on the table.

Anna Bella wasn't there, and it confused her.

"She's watching the baby and putting the other younger ones to sleep," Andreis answered her as if he knew she was wondering that. He quickly turned around to scold 2 of the kids who were arguing with each other in Itarian.

He looked drained. Harper felt a bit bad for him.

Hyde sat down. There was only one vacant seat next to him, so she took it.

She noticed how quiet the children got. It was a quick change in the mood. When she glanced up, she saw that the kids were peering at Hyde. Their arguing stopped as two of the closest ones sitting next to him moved their seat a few inches away.

They were scared of him. And Harper couldn't blame them.

"Aiy aiy!" Giada clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Meal start soon!" She sat next to Arnest.

"What's the occasion?" Harper asked.

"Non. Isseh familia dinner." Giada answered. "Have non seen eyu both in long time. Pass potatoes per favor Arno,"

"Si," Arnest passed a large bowl of steamed potatoes down before helping Andreis fill the children's plates with food from the various dishes.

"This isseh nice." Giada hummed. "Too many years passed...Si, Arno?"

"Mhmm..." Arnest peeled off a piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth, wanting to avoid as much conversation with his mother as possible. He knew she would start asking some questions soon.

"Andeh Hyde," She slid a small plate of chopped celery toward them, in between Hyde and Harper. "Eyu... stressed?"

"No." Hyde's lip twitched. He grabbed the largest steak that was stacked on another plate and bit into it.

"Don'teh lie to mi."

"Mama... you know how Hyde is..." Arnest began, "He's not one to complain."

"Si, but... Harpy, eyu must take care of eyu Amore."

Harper narrowed her eyes. She felt she didn't have anything to do with whatever stress he had. If anything, she faced all the pain and suffering by way of the man next to her.

And pleasure too apparently, Harper briefly thought, but she quickly disregarded it.

Harper decided to quietly partake of the rest of the meal. It was better that she didn't say anything at all than try to defend herself. They wouldn't listen to her anyway.