02 The Summer Invitation II

02

The summer invitation II

A sleek black Mercedes Benz pulled up in front of a modest bungalow nestled within a middle class neighborhood. The street was lined with similar looking houses, each mirroring the next in design except for the two homes at the far end. These stood out, more refined in upkeep, aura, design, and structure. It was in front of one of them that the luxury car came to a smooth halt.

Two children on the lawn looked up as the car parked. Their eyes widened with awe.

"Oh gracious goodness, that’s the latest Benz! The owner must be a big shot," Bruno exclaimed, straightening his posture. His dusty brown hair fluttered in the breeze as if echoing his excitement.

The girl beside him clutched his sleeve. Barely twelve, Patricia was sharp and endlessly curious.

"Do you think it’s Grams’ guest? Should I go call her?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the car.

Bruno didn’t respond. His attention was on the man now stepping out.

The driver opened the door, and a young man emerged. A frown was fixated on his face, his presence commanding and confident. Had the scowl not been there, he might have seemed approachable. Still, the kids couldn't take their eyes off him. He stood upright and fed his eyes with his surroundings. His eyes landed on them and they locked eyes for a brief moment, each wondering who the other was.

"He’s... so handsome," Patricia whispered, squealing quietly. In her twelve years on this street, she’d never seen anyone quite like him. It was as if a character from her favorite romance novel had come to life.

The driver rolled out a suitcase and moved toward the house. The young man, Ryan, followed without a word.

Bruno gasped, realization dawning. "Patricia, I think he’s the grandson Grams said was coming. Quick, go get her."

Patricia dashed off.

The driver approached Bruno with a respectful smile. "Hello, young man. Do you live here? If so, we’re relatives of the woman who owns this house. Could you please call her out or let us in?"

Ryan scoffed audibly. Bruno caught it and frowned.

"This is my grandmother’s house," Ryan said coldly. "I don’t need permission to enter."

He made to walk past, but Bruno reached out and pushed him lightly on the shoulder, stopping him.

They locked eyes.

Disrespectful, Bruno thought. Wealth doesn’t excuse arrogance. But what can we do? Society now supports arrogance and pride if it's coming from the wealthy. Bruno grinned in distaste.

"Sir Ryan," the driver called hesitantly. He knew Ryan’s mood had been sour ever since he’d learned he’d be spending the summer here. Margaret’s absence had made it worse. The poor driver had been the target of his frustration ever since.

Ryan, for his part, couldn’t help but admire Margaret’s patience. Spending hours with him in a foul mood had deepened his respect for her.

"Ryan!" a cheerful voice broke the tension. Grams stood at the doorway, her face alight with joy. Patricia peeked from behind her, beaming.

“Oh dear, you've grown so big.”

Ryan’s entire demeanor shifted. He smiled and moved quickly to embrace his grandmother.

"I’ve missed you, Grams. You stopped visiting," he said, hugging her tightly. He missed her, and he would never let his ego get in the way of professing his love for her. Grams and Margaret had been the closest thing he had to a mother.

"I know, dear. I’m so sorry," she said, cupping his cheeks. "You’re the spitting image of your father but more handsome."

Ryan grinned.

Bruno was shocked by the change of attitude and mood. He frowned. He appeared arrogant to him at first, arrogant and prideful, but now, he was the sweetest grandson.

Patricia stood beside them quietly, still in awe of the god in front of her.

"He’s not always like that," the driver muttered to Bruno. "He just has his moods."

"Doesn’t excuse rudeness," Bruno mumbled back.

"Tessy!" Patricia suddenly shouted, turning toward the street.

A girl appeared in the distance, a bag slung over her shoulder. She waved but hesitated when she saw Ryan.

Ryan’s eyes followed her. Who’s that? Could she be the girl who picked the call earlier? His eyes darted to Patricia, affirming that it couldn't have been her. He stared back at Tessy, curiosity filling him up. The evening orange glow cast an eerie yet amusing aura on her.

"Ahh, Tessy! Come join us for dinner after you freshen up," Grams called.

Ryan frowned as Tessy disappeared into the house next door. He couldn’t shake the curiosity.

"Let’s go in," Grams said. "Bruno, help with the luggage."

Bruno nodded and grabbed the bags. Ryan gave him a smirk, making sure he didn’t miss it before entering. He preferred people knowing their place. He wasn’t here to make friends just to spend time with his grandmother. But as he stepped inside, his thoughts drifted to the girl next door.

Tessy.

The way her jet-black hair had fallen partially across her face intrigued him. He didn’t know her yet, but he was sure of one thing, she wouldn’t be boring.

Maybe this vacation wouldn’t be so dreadful after all.

Setting the table with different foods and delicacies, the mood in the house felt calm and homely, something the Smith mansion lacked, except when Margaret was around.

“I prepared all this for you to welcome you. But we are inviting the kids, Patricia, Bruno, and Tessy.”

Patricia smiled at him as he stood at the end of the stairs. He had changed into something more comfortable, and his posture was more relaxed.

“I’m Patricia! Nice meeting you,” she waved and giggled excitedly, moving away from him to help Grams set the table.

Bruno sized him up and scoffed. They had started on a bad foot.

The door opened and Tessy stepped in.

“I hope I’m not too late,” she said.

Ryan’s eyes found hers and they locked. He smirked. It’s her. She looks… beautiful. His eyes widened in admiration.

Tessy frowned and averted her gaze from him. Her head was in turmoil, but she kept her expression calm, unreadable.

Now this is troublesome, she thought. He looks… good.

Ryan watched her longer than necessary. Something about her stirred a strange mix of intrigue and challenge inside him. She didn’t try to impress him. She didn’t even look impressed. That was new.

“Sit, dear,” Grams said cheerfully, unaware of the silent tension threading the air.

As Tessy took her seat, Ryan moved to the one directly across from her, his eyes never leaving her face.

Patricia giggled between them. “Tessy, this is Ryan. Ryan, this is Tessy. She’s my elder sister and we've been with grams for years. We're practically family.”

“Really?” Ryan said, voice smooth, lips curling in amusement. “Funny... she doesn’t look very happy to meet me.”

Tessy met his gaze now, sharp and level. “That’s because I’m not impressed by arrogant people. Even if they arrive in a shiny Benz.”

The table fell into a moment of silence.

Grams blinked in surprise.

Bruno tried to suppress a laugh.

Ryan’s eyes gleamed, but his smirk faded.

Interesting.

For the first time in a long while, someone had challenged him... and didn’t seem the least bit afraid.