Adalson furrowed his brows. "Don't you know Joslyn is spending time with her family? She asked your brother to pick her up tomorrow."
Hearing his father's words, Wacian was stunned. He didn't know that at all.
Cecelia instinctively took a glance at Wesley. Her oldest son held the pitcher, filling everyone's glass with water. He wore a poker face.
Compared to Wesley, Niles was friendly and excited, a huge smile on his face. "We should get her over here. I want to hear about England. Can you help me out, Uncle?" Of course, that was just an excuse.
He had an ulterior motive—to help his elder brother be happy.
Cecelia glared at her younger son. "You brat! I gave you lots of opportunities to study abroad, and you turned me down. Now you want to hear about it from someone else?"
"What are you up to, Niles?" Keith saw right through the young man.
Niles looked at his discerning grandfather. Scratching the back of his head, he looked down in embarrassment. "Um..." Yet, he didn't explain anything, but looked hopefully at Adalson, expecting an answer.
Adalson smiled joyfully and instructed Wacian to make the call. "Call Blair. Ask her to come here ASAP. Tell her not to keep her elders waiting."
"Sure, Dad," Wacian nodded and left the VIP room.
When Blair got Wacian's call, she stood in a line, waiting for her turn to order. She wanted some oden. The thought of a steaming bowl of crab cakes, tofu fritters, potatoes and radish floating in a dashi soup was making her mouth water. There were only three customers ahead of her now. She picked up the phone. "Blair, are you friends with Niles?" Wacian asked as soon as the call was connected.
"We met twice. Why?" she answered, craning her neck to look at the front of the line. She wasn't that focused on the conversation. She was set on scoring some oden.
"Nothing. We're all here at the restaurant. Everyone's waiting on you."
'Waiting on me?' she wondered, confused. "Didn't you tell Uncle Adalson that I'm not coming tonight?"
Wacian walked over to the window and lit a cigarette. "I told him. Dad said Joslyn wasn't due back until tomorrow. He specifically invited you. What's more, Niles wanted to hear about your time in England."
While he was talking on the phone, he noticed Wesley come out of the room and walk to the window too. Wesley stood next to Wacian and pulled out a cigarette from the pack in his pocket.
"Forget it. I'll call Niles if he wants to know that bad."
Wacian felt confused by her unusual behavior. "What's wrong, Blair? You're acting weird."
"Nothing..." Blair stammered, not knowing how to make up an excuse. She wondered if she had been so bad at hiding her emotions.
"Then just come to dinner. Six elders are waiting for you here. Kind of impolite, isn't it? So where are you now? I'll swing by and pick you up."
Blair sighed inwardly. She was almost to the counter. The one ahead of her was paying. Yet, she had no choice but to walk away. "I'll get a cab. What's the address?"
"Okay, I'll text you. Be quick."
After sending the address to Blair, Wacian happened to see Wesley light a cigarette with a high-class lighter. "Nice lighter. A high-end brand of ZL Group, unless I miss my guess. A gift from your mom?"
Wesley took a glance at his lighter. He put it back to his pocket and replied, "No."
"So you bought it? You don't buy things just because they're cool. A lot like Dad." Wesley and Adalson held the same concept that buying luxurious goods was a waste of money.
Wesley didn't answer his question but changed the subject. "Your cousin coming?"
"Yeah. She's kinda strange after returning from England. She might just be shy." That was the only reason Wacian could figure out. After all, Blair didn't know many at the dinner.
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