Chapter 202 071
THE twins had barely finished toweling their faces and dragging combs through their hair before they were out of the bedroom like a pair of unleashed rockets.
“Last one downstairs is a sleepy turtle!” Gaddiel shouted as he flung the door open.
“You are the turtle!” Gabriel shot back, sprinting into the hallway.
They were just about to take off toward the staircase when they collided with a solid figure turning the corner.
“Oof!”
Strong hands instinctively steadied them before either could topple over.
“Hey Daddy, you are back!” Gabriel screamed, instantly recognizing him.
“You are back so early!” Gaddiel joined, already clinging to Adrian’s waist.
Adrian staggered back a step under the force of two energetic boys launching themselves at him.
“Woah! Woah! Woah!” he laughed, trying to gather them both into his arms without losing balance. “Careful! I just walked in.”
“You didn’t even call!” Gabriel accused playfully.
“You surprised us!” Gaddiel added, craning his neck up at his father.
Adrian finally managed to secure them, one arm around each boy. He looked from one identical, glowing face to the other and smiled.
“I came home early because of you two,” he said. “I wanted to make sure your first day staying here this week is comfortable.”
The twins exchanged a look.
“First day?” Gabriel repeated.
“It is not our first day here,” Gaddiel said matter-of-factly.
Adrian raised a brow. “Oh?”
“We have been here before,” Gabriel reminded him.
“Yes,” Adrian conceded with a small laugh. “But this is the first day of you staying the entire week. That requires preparation.”
Gaddiel folded his arms dramatically.
“We don’t need preparation.”
Gabriel nodded.
“We are very experienced.”
Adrian chuckled.
“Experienced in what exactly?”
“In staying places,” Gabriel replied confidently.
“In eating lunch,” Gaddiel added.
“That especially.”
Adrian shook his head in amusement.
“Well, speaking of lunch, where are you two off to at full speed?”
“We are going downstairs,” Gabriel said quickly.
“For lunch,” Gaddiel completed.
“And dessert,” Gabriel added under his breath.
Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Dessert is not guaranteed.”
The boys groaned in unison.
“George said it depends on our behavior,” Gaddiel said.
“Ah,” Adrian nodded knowingly. “Then you should be very concerned.”
They both straightened.
“He is nice,” Gabriel offered.
“Yes,” Gaddiel agreed. “But he looks like he notices everything.”
Adrian’s lips twitched.
“That would be because he does.”
“Is he going to tell you if we do something?” Gabriel asked cautiously.
Adrian tilted his head thoughtfully.
“That depends.”
“On what?” both boys asked at once.
“On what you do,” he replied calmly.
They stared at him.
Gaddiel leaned closer to his brother and whispered, not nearly as quietly as he thought, “We have to be strategic.”
“I heard that,” Adrian said dryly.
The twins burst into laughter.
“He introduced himself,” Gabriel continued. “He said he is looking forward to taking care of us.”
“And he told us to take off our uniforms and put them on the bed,” Gaddiel added. “He is coming back for them.”
Adrian nodded approvingly.
“Good. That means he is already keeping things organized.”
“Dad?” Gabriel asked suddenly.
“Yes?”
“Is he strict?”
Adrian considered the question.
“George is disciplined. There is a difference.”
“That sounds like strict,” Gaddiel muttered.
Adrian crouched slightly so he was eye-level with them.
“He has been with this family for many years. He helped build me, in many ways. If he corrects you, it will be because he wants you to grow properly.”
The twins absorbed that quietly.
“Does he like games?” Gabriel asked.
“That,” Adrian said thoughtfully, “you will have to find out.”
They grinned.
“Come on!” Gaddiel suddenly exclaimed, grabbing Gabriel’s hand. “Lunch!”
They started to bolt toward the staircase again.
“Walk,” Adrian warned immediately.
They slowed… slightly.
“Walk,” he repeated, firmer now.
The twins exaggeratedly slowed to a very stiff, robotic march.
“We are walking,” Gabriel said innocently.
“See?” Gaddiel added. “Walking.”
Adrian sighed but couldn’t hide his smile.
“Properly.”
They dissolved into giggles but adjusted their pace to a reasonable walk toward the stairs.
Halfway there, Gabriel turned.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“We are glad we are here.”
The simple statement caught Adrian off guard for a fraction of a second.
“I’m glad you are here too,” he replied softly.
Satisfied, the twins continued downstairs, their chatter echoing faintly through the hallway.
Adrian remained standing there for a moment, watching them disappear down the staircase, their laughter filling the house with a liveliness that had been absent for a while.
He exhaled slowly, a small smile settling on his face.
Then, turning in the opposite direction, he headed toward his bedroom to freshen up before joining them for lunch.
The twins reached the dining room and slid into their chairs almost in perfect synchronization, their sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished floor. The long oak table was already set, a neat arrangement of covered dishes releasing faint trails of steam that curled into the air.
Silver cutlery lay aligned beside neatly folded napkins. Tall glasses of chilled lemonade and water stood waiting, beads of condensation clinging to the sides.
Gaddiel leaned forward, sniffing dramatically.
“I smell grilled cheese.”
Gabriel lifted one of the lids slightly before quickly putting it back.
“And tomato soup!”
“And something green,” Gaddiel added suspiciously.
“Salad,” Gabriel confirmed after peeking again. “Definitely salad.”
There was also a platter of sliced turkey and cheddar sandwiches, a bowl of fresh fruits, strawberries, blueberries, and apple slices, and a small dish of baked potato wedges dusted lightly with herbs. It was simple, light, and inviting.
“George said light lunch,” Gabriel said knowingly, reaching for his napkin.
“He also said behave,” Gaddiel reminded him.
Right on cue, George emerged from the kitchen doors carrying a wooden tray with a small bowl of extra soup and a basket of warm dinner rolls.
“Well, well,” he said warmly as he approached. “I see two gentlemen ready for inspection.”
“We are always ready,” Gabriel replied with exaggerated dignity.
George set the tray down carefully.
“Is that so? Because inspection includes table manners.”
Gaddiel immediately adjusted his posture, sitting straighter.
“Like this?”
“Better,” George nodded approvingly. “And no racing your spoons.”
Gabriel blinked.
“How do you know about that?”
George’s eyes twinkled.
“Experience.”
The boys exchanged a glance.
“Did Dad tell you?” Gaddiel asked.
George smiled faintly.
“Let’s just say I am rarely surprised.”
They laughed.
“So what is for dessert?” Gabriel ventured cautiously.
George clasped his hands behind his back.
“Dessert is a privilege.”
Gaddiel groaned softly.
“We knew it.”
Before George could respond, the kitchen doors swung open again.
A young girl stepped out, probably around their age, perhaps a year older. She had warm brown skin, soft curls pulled back into a neat ponytail, and bright curious eyes. She carried two ceramic plates balanced carefully in her hands.
She walked with quiet confidence, a gentle smile resting on her face as she approached the table.
The twins froze.
Completely.
Their chatter died mid-breath.
Gabriel’s mouth parted slightly.
Gaddiel blinked.
The girl placed one plate in front of Gabriel, then the other in front of Gaddiel with practiced ease, her movements smooth and unhurried.
“Hi, boys,” she said softly, her smile widening just a little.
Neither boy responded.
They simply stared.
George cleared his throat lightly, hiding what was clearly amusement.
The girl adjusted the placement of the forks, still smiling politely, unaware, or perhaps very aware of the stunned silence she had caused.
The twins remained motionless, mouths slightly agape, eyes locked on her as if someone had pressed pause on them.
And the hush lingered.