Fein took the plated dishes and put them on the table. His mother stared at the patties that exude juicy aroma. It looked finely browned and the texture wasn't overcooked.
Fey helped her brother prepare the dish, she stood up and took out three pairs of tables and a spoon on top of the Tupperware beside the sink. Then she walked back to their place and smiled. "Mother seems excited to eat when it's your cooking," She placed the spoon and fork beside the respective plates.
"Of course, it was the food prepared by his handsome son." Fein chuckled as he sat down opposite his mother. "And don't deny it, I know that you're the same as him." He said and pointed at the slight moist at the corner of her lips.
Melissa watched the warm interaction between them. A smile unconsciously formed on her lips.
"You two stop bickering, the food should be eaten while it's hot."
Fein and his sister looked at their mother who started lecturing. Fey pursed her lips, on the other hand, Fein who was more carefree burst out laughing. Fey couldn't help it any longer, her brother's contagious laugh made it hard for her.
"HAHAHAHA"
Just like that, their laughter echoed throughout the dining room. Melissa could only shake her head. But her bright eyes reflect the joy within.
'It's been a while since our Family bond like this.' Melissa wished that it would be always like this.
"Okay, let's dig in." Fein gradually calmed down, but the smile on his face didn't disappear. "You know, my cooking was tastier than the fancy restaurants in this city" He bragged as he took the pork in his left hand.
Melissa glanced at the knife on his left in his plate and his missing right hand. "Son, don't you really want to consider a prosthetic hand?" She hesitated before asking. "You know, you don't have to worry about the expenses. I still have some extra money for that."Fey pursed his lips but she decided to just listen.
"Mom." Fein stared at their mother. "I can handle this matter myself. Don't worry about it."
'So this is the feeling of motherly love?' He felt touched by the care she was giving him. Because he knew that their family didn't have much money. And the savings of her mother came from her hard work in running the bakery every day.
Although he wants to give them a lot of money, he can't explain where he gets it. He could only give them his expected salary every month. Even then, her mother wasn't willing to take it.
'This family is really too good for me.' Fein felt the hand that was holding the fork tremble as he started to feel emotional.
Seeing her son's trembling hand, Melissa nodded and smiled at him. "Okay, you have really grown up. But you can come to me for help when you needed."
"Hehe, I would."
After things started to settle, the three of them ate merrily. Fey lost her ladylike manner after she took the first bite on his plate. The juice of the patties poured out with the slice of her knife.
"I can't still believe that you have a hidden talent in cooking," Melissa said as she ate with bliss etched on her face. "When you were a child, you won't even glance at the kitchen, but look at you now." She smiled.
Fein scratched his head, he didn't know how to react when her mother is the one who compliments him. And he's also embarrassed as he wasn't the one with them when his body was a child. It was his predecessor who committed suicide. After all this time, he still wonders why his predecessor took his own life. He only saw how he stabbed himself in his memory but not the cause of it and why. But he already has a lead, and that is the black book that his group of friends had picked up. After all, the predecessor's family or his family now are people that are worth to cherished.
'What's certain for now is Jackson was surely connected to that book.' Fein thought.He looked at her mother and smiled. "That's why practice makes a man perfect."
Just like that, the three of them ate while talking about various stuff with smiles on their faces. Even Fey had started to become herself again after he experienced the traumatic assault of a group of hunters.
Of course, Fein was glad about it. He wasn't used to his sister being serious. Now, her sister had probably experienced her very own character development.
...
Fein looked left and right inside the cave. The sound of water droplets that came from the tip of sword shape rocks above him sounded. He threaded slowly as he jumped occasionally as boulders blocked his pathway every now and then.
He was here in the cave to look for his buddy. After another twenty minutes, he finally saw a big white furry figure that lay on the ground and sleeping like a certified salted fish
Fein whistled as he can be sure that Voli didn't move in his position for at least three days. "Lazy as always." He sighed.
Voli who was lying on the ground peacefully turned his head on his way. His eyes lit up as he saw his master...
'Whooo!'
'Master, how could you leave me to this damned cave alone!' Voli pounced at his master with wronged expression.
Of course, Fein can't read thoughts, but he can certainly read the expressions and their emotions based on them. He patted Voli his head awkwardly.
"Don't you worry buddy, I will bring you to my family now."
Voli understood his words, and he began to wiggle on the ground cheerfully.
He could finally leave this damned cave!
"But...' Fein trailed his words deliberately causing Voli to look at him nervously. "You need to behave yourself, or else I would bring you back here." He squinted his eyes at Voli to convey that he was serious.