Gold Flower Legend

Chapter 13: Unexpected Invitation

During the whole morning work hours, Muwin was beside me. We were chatting while I did work on the computer. I was amazed to discover that at such a young age, he already understands office work.

He was a young version of Murphy who was genius and decisive in business. Well, it was not surprising since the two of them came from the same genes. And according to gossip, Aderson's wealth was far beyond everyone could imagine.

As mid-noon came, when my colleagues had all gone out for lunch, Murphy went over on us. "Muwin, come with me inside."

"Why? I don't want to. Inside is boring. I want to be here. I like chatting with Sister." Muwin pouted and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned his back on the chair's backrest.

I ruffled his hair, "Muwin, be good. Go with your brother, okay? We have a lot of time to chat later." 

"Why do I need to go inside?" Muwin looked up on Murphy with an unhappy face. 

"We--" 

GRRRRRKK! GRRRRRKK! GRRRRRKK! Muwin's stomach interrupted. 

The three of us exchanged glances at each other. 

After hearing the complaining sound of his stomach, Muwin gave us a foolish grin as he said, "Brother, I'm hungry."

"Didn't I ask you to come inside?" Murphy shook his head as he grabbed Muwin's arm to lead him in his office. 

Muwin seemed a little hesitant to go. As he turned his head to look at me, his eyes were somewhat sad and the expression of his face was like wanting to invite me to come along. It's just he didn't know how to speak it out. 

Unbelievably, after three small steps with his back facing on me, Murphy stopped and added, "Come and join us."

His unexpected invitation made Muwin jump out in happiness while I was glued to my chair in surprise. 

"Sister let's go!" Muwin turned and grasped my hand as I remained still. He was small but I couldn't imagine that he was actually too strong for him to be able to pull me off from the chair with less effort. 

I was irresolute to come and eat with them. Knowing that the two of them only eat cold food, so it was more likely that the food they prepared was cold. By only thinking of it, my stomach felt a little discomfort. But if I didn't come, wouldn't it be too rude for them?

By letting nature take its course, I finally then strode on my own will.

The set up of us when we walked was like a happy big family which I was at the left side of Muwin holding his hand while Murphy at the other hand. With that in mind, I felt strangely happy.

As expected, though the food being served on the table looked palatable, I could tell it was cold. Like it was just taken out from the ref since there were still few visible cold steams emitted from it.

My reaction was like Muwin and Murphy the last time I served them hot food at my house. Staring on it and unsure to lift a spoon.

In order not to offend them, I moved my hand to pick a dish but just as the spoon touched the food, Murphy spoke, "That is not for you."

I glimpsed at him with a 'huhhhh??' expression on my face. 

'What did he just say? The food wasn't for me? Then why was I here sitting with them to have a meal? Why did he invite me to join them? Was I going to eat air?'

He seemed seen through my thoughts, so he added, "Yours is coming!"

In a minute, Dusk rushed in to come over with a savory smell of newly cooked roasted chicken in his hand. Just as Dusk laid the paper box of the food on the table, my mouth uncontrollably let out a small moan as I drew in my face and sniffed it. 

"Mr. Holli, where did you buy this roasted chicken? It smells great." I asked without taking off my sight from the food.

"Oh,in our canteen." Dusk replied. Watching me with an amused expression. 

"Enough. Let's eat!" Murphy unwrapped the box and transferred the food into a glass plate before he placed it in front of me. "Here!"

I didn't care if they would think I was shameless. I was already hungry and it's been two weeks since I had a delicious meal, so I immediately took a bite without any more ceremony.

After my several bites, the three of them finally began to eat.

With a careless way of eating, I glanced on Murphy who was silently eating next to me. "Did you often eat here?" I asked. 

But instead of him, Dusk was the one who answered. "Yes. Because we don't like to eat outside."

"Is it because you two had a strange eating habit?" 

Dusk stopped chewing the food in his mouth, narrowing his already narrow eyes. "What do you mean?"

I also stopped feeding my mouth and gave my attention to Dusk. "No offense! But actually, I was wondering why both of you didn't eat hot food? Murphy and Muwin were siblings. It was reasonable if they both have similar taste. But why are you the same with them?" 

I was astounded as I transferred my sight on them, from one to another, the three of them halted together like they only had one body. As the one stopped, everybody stopped.

Then they exchanged meaningful gazes to each other. Like I hit something. And as I suddenly laughed, their brows furrowed altogether. 

"It must be because you have been with him for so long so you adopted his habit." I said.

"Yeah! We have been together for more than a hundred years." Dusk said as he resumed eating. 

"Wow, so long? I didn't know you two were that old." I joke.

I no longer spoke because the atmosphere suddenly became off and all of them  were moving and staring strange. So while lost in thoughts, I ate and ate. Not aware that I also ate their food. 

If I hadn't choke, I wouldn't realise that the food was already all eaten up.

"You guys were done?" I innocently asked. 

Muwin chortled. "Yeah. You help us fill our stomach. Sister, I really really like you now." 

As Muwin eyed Murphy, my eyes followed only to realise that he has been staring at me. Deep and intent. 

"Brother, do you like Sister Wavina? If yes, marry her so soon. Because if you don't marry her, I will." Muwin added in a teasing tone.

I gave Muwin a warning glance to make him stop saying nonsense. But as I looked at Murphy to see his reaction, his expression seemed he didn't mind it at all because instead of refuting it, he moved in and reached out the edge of my mouth and affectionately wiped the food grease in there. 

The three of us were stunned by his sweet action. Without his awareness, this small gesture of him and his face being close to mine caused my heart to startle in excitement. 

******

A few hours later, my stomach became uncomfortable and heavy so I went to the counter, a few strodes from my table, and made ginger tea for myself. Guili was also there, making a black coffee.

I smiled at him but he rolled his eyes at me and then snubbed.

To know someone disgruntled with me, I was restless. So I talked to her in a friendly tone. "Guili, did I offend you?"

"Don't talk to me." He snorted directly.

"Relax. I just want to clear up our misunderstanding if there really is. So tell me, how did I offend you?"

He slammed his mug on the counter, causing the coffee to spill a little. "Do you really want to know?" 

"Yes." I nodded, ignoring his glare.

He stepped closer, moved in his face on me. Into my ears, he whispered, "Actually, you hadn't offended me. You were just really really hateful."

I stepped back because his voice in my ears brought a scary feeling inside my body, making my skin hairs rise. I was sure I wasn't afraid of him. But I didn't know why, I felt like there's a hidden meaning or reason under his words. 

Realising how useless to talk with him, I made my ginger tea quick and instantly left. 

After several steps, I heard Guili's loud shriek behind me along with Muwin's voice that thunder inside the quarter. "Sister, watch out!"