Bab 20: NINETEEN( Mr. Kenato's banquet)
Soon afterwards, the maid returned with tea and sweets and served them in the most hospitable way then she explained that there would be a banquet with Mr. Kenato in the evening.
After having the tea, Ethan got up and Mia followed him,
"Stop following me, I need to relax—"
"So do I!" She retorted.
He walked into the supposed bedroom and let out an exasperated sigh,
"There are no beds here?!"
"You're right in front of it , apparently, according to this manual, it's called a Futon." She grinned as she plopped down and spread out her hands.
"Comfy!" She chuckled.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Uh.... getting some rest?" She shrugged.
"No you can't—"
"Huh?—"
"Do you really think I'd share a bed with you?!" He sounded irritated,
"Get off right now!" He snapped,
"Why are you being so mean to me? I did this on the condition that you'd be—"
"I'm not being mean Mia, I just need to be in the right state of mind when I finally meet Kenato." He smirked.
"Oh, so I don't require a right state of mind do I?" She sneered.
Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her up to her feet, "What do you think you're doing?" He said as his cold eyes pierced her scared ones.
".... Just because we're working together doesn't give you any right to talk to me like that, do you know who I am?" He corked his head as he threw her wrist.
Mia gently rubbed her wrist as her face turned pale and her heart skipped a beat.
"You're only here because my son can't stand any other person, I can't seem to stand you either. So for these seven days, you'll stay out of my way and stick to this five rules." He gritted his teeth,
"One; don't butt into my conversations. Two; Stay away from my stuff. Three; speak only when you're told to. Four; in here, we're strangers and five.... Don't forget my four rules."
His cold eyes were still staring at Mia's scared ones, when he suddenly furrowed his brows and stepped back, like a certain realization dawned on him.
He let out a small sigh and walked to the other side of the room. There was an awkward silence and tension filled the room.
He turned to her, "Look, I'm—"
"It's fine." She cautiously stepped back, ".... I'll go check on Noel now." She murmured before she hurriedly walked out of the room.
Later that evening…
"…Oh finally, the youngest couple has arrived." Mr. Kenato grinned as Ethan and Mia walked in,
"Oh my goodness, they're so young!" a young Asian woman exclaimed, she was seated next to her husband who also looked Asian. "Awn, Honey." She tapped her husband, "I suddenly feel old." She pouted, they were both dressed in kimonos,
The low table filled with elaborate Japanese delicacies of seafood, vegetables, meat and rice was surrounded by different couples including the Kenatos.
"Everyone, meet Ethan Regal and his wife Mia." Mr. Kenato further introduced,
Mia quickly bowed at the Kenatos and greeted everyone else while Ethan casually greeted them. They took a seat on the legless chairs just next to the Kenatos while Mr. Kenato introduced the others to them.
The couple sitting opposite them, on the Mr. Kenato's right side was Brian and Lena Hamilton; who had this look of high standard people. The next couple was the Asian couple, Nicholas and Suzie Lim. Opposite the Lim's and right next to them was Ale Xavier and Tamera Kareem. Tamera appeared snobbish; bur Ale Xavier gave them a warm welcome. The other end of the table was occupied by Luke and Wendy Griffin; Wendy also appeared snobbish, but Luke seemed easy going.
After all the introductions were made, they all continued their chat, while the "The Regals" ate in silence, apparently the others arrived earlier and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mr. Kenato so they were quite familiar with each other.
Ethan quietly ate his meal, making it seem like it was so easy to use a chopstick.
Mia completely zoned and the only thing she could hear above the chatter and boisterous laughter was the melodious music from the traditional band playing in one corner of the hall.
"Mia." Mrs. Kenato gently tapped her,
"No need to feel out of place, here we are all the same irrespective of age." She smiled,
Mia nodded with a smile,
"Mrs Kenato's right Mia, don't be shy." Suzie Lim grinned,
"Oh my goodness!" She suddenly exclaimed, "I just realized something, the boy who played the piano at the lodge is yours isn't he?" Mia could see the excitement in her beautiful oval eyes,
"Yeah." She smiled,
"Awn!" She cooed, "He looks a lot like his dad, but he gets his hair from you. He's so brilliant, I'm so jealous, by the way the beautiful Asian girl is mine." She said proudly, Mia chuckled lightly,
"I can just tell, she looks a lot like you." She smiled,
"Thank you." Suzie mouthed.
"I didn't know Mr. Regal had a son, I didn't think he was married either." Brian Hamilton began,
"I like to keep my personal life private, Sir." Ethan politely replied.
"That's a good one, in a world where they are easily bound to get hurt over things on the internet, protecting them is noble." Mr. Kenato said wisely,
"That's such a wise thing to have said Mr. Kenato," Ale Xavier raised his cup, "You know what they say, older and wiser!" He grinned.
"If you ask me, I'd say it's pretty strange for a six…seven year old to be playing classical music on a piano." Lena began out of the blue; she had this proud demeanor of a rich housewife.
"Lena, I must say, I totally agree with you on this one." Wendy butted in with her thick English accent.
"I mean, it's quite brilliant for his age, but it seems like he plays because he has to and not because he loves to." She sneered; it was like they were waiting for the right moment to attack Mia.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone