Ivy blushed. "I didn't play games before because my studies were so demanding. Now that I've graduated, I can learn to play."
"There's no need to learn such a thing. Playing games is a waste of time," Hayden remarked.
Ivy remained silent, and Lucas wondered if Hayden was picking on him.
Shelly gently squeezed Hayden's hand, reminding him that he was being a bit harsh.
"Well, playing games occasionally can be good," Shelly intervened. "It helps you relax. Although I don't play complex games, I enjoy simple ones, like matching and card games."
Lucas managed a polite smile. He did not know how to respond or what to say because the games he was developing were nothing like what Shelly was describing.
There seemed no way for him to continue the conversation with three people who did not play games.
"Lucas, even though we don't understand games, I believe you can do well," Ivy encouraged.
"Should we talk about something else?" Lucas suggested.
Shelly laughed, breaking the tension. "Yes, let's talk about something else! When your game is ready, just let us know. Even though we don't play games, we can still share the excitement of the launch."
Lucas agreed, "All right."
Hayden picked up his glass and asked, "I heard your mother is ill. What's her condition like now?"
Shelly's smile vanished instantly. "Why bring up such a heavy topic in a first meeting?" she thought.
"Late-stage cancer. She's in the hospital," Lucas said.
Hayden asked bluntly, "Is she just counting her last days?"
Lucas nodded. "Yes."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Eagle Eyes on Me