The dining hall was transformed into a sumptuous feast for the evening—a grand room adorned with rich tapestries, gilded accents, and a long table set with polished silverware and crystal glasses. At the center of the table, a large, intricately carved vase overflowed with fresh red roses and white lilies, their delicate fragrance mingling with the aroma of roasted meats and spiced vegetables.
Joey arrived not at sunrise but just before dinner, slipping into the elegant hall with a sense of reluctant resignation. Tonight, the family had organized a banquet, and his father insisted he attend.
The invitation was not his idea—his father believed that spending time at these events, especially in the company of Noah, would have a positive influence on him. Joey, however, had no desire to be in the same room as Noah, whose constant presence stirred complicated feelings in him. And there was the possibility that Ethan might be there as well—a prospect that filled Joey with a quiet dread.
Taking a seat at one end of the table, Joey tried to settle in. Instead of his usual habit of analyzing every moment or stirring his coffee into oblivion, he focused on something simpler. He unwrapped a crunchy sandwich he'd prepared earlier—a modest, hearty meal meant to be a small comfort amid the pomp of the evening. He bit into it slowly, each crunch a reminder that he was, at least for tonight, in control of something as ordinary as a sandwich.
Across the table, conversations bubbled gently among family members, their voices a mix of laughter and polite murmurs. His father, Bai Laurent, soon joined him, his presence both commanding and warm. Bai Laurent sat beside Joey, his eyes softening as he scanned the room.
"Joey, I know you'd rather skip these gatherings," his father said quietly, as they waited for the first course to be served, "but I truly believe that Noah's company can do you some good."
Joey's stomach twisted. "I appreciate your concern, Dad, but you know my preferences." He took another bite of his sandwich, trying to focus on the satisfying crunch rather than the unfolding drama.
His father's gaze flicked briefly toward the center of the room. "It's not just Noah," he continued. "Ethan might be joining us tonight as well. I want you to see that even those who seem distant can change over time."
Joey's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Ethan—a name that still stung, a reminder of a past he'd never truly belonged to—had a way of making him feel exposed, as though his very soul were laid bare. Yet, the thought of spending an entire evening with both Noah and Ethan was almost unbearable.
As the waiters began to circulate with trays of appetizers, Joey glanced around. The atmosphere was genteel, almost theatrical. Soft classical music filled the background, and the gentle clinking of fine china seemed to punctuate every word spoken. His father's presence, steady and reassuring, was a small comfort, though it did little to erase Joey's inner reluctance.
Before he could sink further into his thoughts, the head waiter approached with a polite smile. "Dinner will be served shortly. Please, enjoy the ambiance."
Joey nodded absently. He tried to focus on the lively details—the polished wood of the table, the gleam of the silver, the delicate petals of the roses—but his mind kept drifting back to Noah.
He remembered the last time he'd seen Noah—how the seemingly cheerful mask had barely concealed a flicker of something possessive. That memory churned uncomfortably within him. Joey wasn't sure what to make of Noah's unwavering insistence that he was a good influence. All he knew was that he'd prefer to remain distant.
At that moment, the conversation around the table shifted as his father looked directly at Joey. "I want you to try something tonight, Joey. Just be open to the people around you, even if it feels... uncomfortable. Life has a way of surprising us."
Joey forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'll try, Dad."
Minutes passed, each one stretching longer as the dinner unfolded. The courses came and went—first a delicate soup, then a beautifully arranged salad, followed by a main course of roast beef and seasonal vegetables. Throughout, Joey's thoughts vacillated between the comfort of his simple sandwich and the looming prospect of interacting with Noah and possibly Ethan later in the evening.
As the main course concluded, conversation shifted to lighter topics. One of the younger cousins made a humorous remark, and the table erupted in laughter. Joey smiled politely, enjoying the sound of genuine mirth for a moment. It was a brief reprieve from the underlying tension.
Then, as dessert was served—a rich chocolate torte with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar—Noah leaned over to Joey, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I heard from several of the staff that Ethan's been making preparations to attend this banquet. I'm not saying anything yet, but you might want to be ready."
Joey frowned slightly, swallowing his unease. "Noah, you don't have to keep reminding me."
Noah's warm smile wavered for a split second before he masked it again. "I'm just looking out for you, Joey. I know how these things can get… complicated."
Joey's mind raced. "Complicated?" he repeated, though his tone was measured. "I'm just here to eat dinner, like everyone else."
But Noah's eyes held a depth of concern that belied his casual words. For a moment, the two of them exchanged a look—one filled with unspoken meaning. Joey quickly looked away, shifting his focus back to his plate and the sweet taste of dessert.
The evening wound on, and eventually, the banquet drew to a close. Joey helped clear his place at the table, his movements automatic and detached. Yet as he gathered his things, he couldn't shake the lingering weight of the night—a weight that hinted at future encounters and unresolved tensions.
Outside, the cool night air greeted him as he stepped into the corridor. The soft murmur of the departing guests echoed faintly behind him. His father's voice followed as he stepped into the foyer. "Remember, Joey, tonight is just the beginning. Sometimes the people we least expect to influence our lives do so in ways we can't imagine."
Joey nodded, forcing a smile. Inside, his thoughts were a tangled mix of defiance and reluctant curiosity. He had no desire to engage with Noah or Ethan beyond what was necessary, yet a small part of him wondered if perhaps, in time, these interactions might change something fundamental.
As he made his way to the waiting car, the streetlights flickered softly along the pavement. Joey's heart pounded with a mix of apprehension and something he couldn't quite define—a hint of anticipation, perhaps.
And then, as the car pulled away, a final thought echoed in his mind:
What if tonight was not just an obligation, but the first step towards something unexpected?
The night, rich with promise and shrouded in uncertainty, left Joey with more questions than answers. And as the car disappeared into the distance, the banquet hall—once a symbol of opulence and family duty—faded into the background, leaving him alone with his restless thoughts and a future that promised to be as unpredictable as it was inevitable.