PLAYHOUSE

TWENTY TWO

IRIS' POV

We finally made it to my flat and Dad was right, seems like it's going to rain any time soon. My parents at the back seat unbuckled their seatbelt and went off the car, I did the same and instantly went out of Cale's car as I carried Iver in my arms.

I can't believe my mom just invited Cale over for dinner, or should I say early dinner, as what my Mom said. But even more so, I can't believe that Cale actually took my mom's invitation. Like, doesn't he have a pile of paper works to do? Doesn't he have meetings to attend to? I was actually expecting for a free-off Cale kinda day but unfortunately, here he is, about to have lunch in my apartment, with my parents. How lovely.

"Iver, you sit right here, okay? You can watch your favorite cartoons while mommy cooks in the kitchen." I said to my nephew as I turned on the television.

"Okay mommy, I be here."

He's such a good listener. I removed his little shoes and socks, and he wiggled his tiny toes.

"Is he going to stay?" He pointed to Cale and Iver's eyes glimmered as I nodded.

"Make yourself at home, dear. Iris and I would be in the kitchen to prepare our dinner." I heard my mom as she entered the room.

Good thing I cleaned my apartment before we left. Not that I care about what Cale would think but I know for sure that my mom would lecture me about having a not so clean house when there's an unexpected guest over.

"Do you want any help?" Cale asked politely as if he hasn't gotten mad his whole entire life. His dimpled cheeks added to his almost innocent gesture.

"No, dear, it's okay. Just sit back and we'll call everyone when it's ready."

My mom just met Cale for like 2 hours ago and she already calls him Dear? I've had friends come over back in college but never did she call them Dear.

I just wanna roll my eyes at how good my mom is when it comes to entertaining guests. I didn't inherit it at all. I don't even remember the last time I had guests around. Except for Marcus and a few friends ofcourse.

After taking one last look at Iver, I went straight to the kitchen to prepare everything. The sooner I get this done, the earlier Cale leaves. Okay.

"Iris, your boss is so nice. It's like he doesn't have an angry cell in his body."

Mom, please don't be fooled. That man is the angry cell and he's just holding it in. I wanna tell my mom but decided against it and just focused on cooking.

~

The smoked salmon and veggie salad were done. And mom was preparing the Mango float, which she claimed was her specialty, and the roasted turkey. While she did it, I decided to prepare the table and also to check on Iver because I haven't heared any little footsteps of him going around the living room.

I carefully carried the plates and made my way to the dining table. I went to check on Iver but he wasn't on his seat and my father turned out to be sleeping after he told me that he'd watch over his grandchild. He must've been really tired. Cale wasn't on the couch as well, his perfectly ironed coat sat on the armrest of the couch, and it doesn't look ironed anymore. Oh no, I hope Iver didn't play with it. I hurriedly took a hanger and hung Cale's coat by the wall and tried to work with the greases. Cale must've taken a call or something and went outside.