Very

Very
Vinorca Jona POV

As if denying it had ever been an option, I was here, knowing the fact I would have to bear these types of things.

"Roger, not an issue at all. Just get me something to eat, drink is not my forte," I whispered. Now that I was here, having expensive food could surely make up for the discomfort I was going through.

For someone like me, who ate just whatever to feed my hunger, this was surely an opportunity to grab and enjoy to the fullest, and food was the way to all happiness.

"That's totally happening. I already dealt with your drunk version, fun it was, but not something easy to handle," Masen joked, and I sighed. He was really coming hard with his jokes.

"I was not that bad." Giggles escaped from my lips, because even though I knew the fact that it was quite bad, I couldn't deny the fact I had made myself a clown to be laughed at for ages.

"Have a seat." We both came out of our la la land and stopped in front of a big table. Damn, in our banter, I hadn't realized we had already reached here.

Masen pulled a chair for me, and I sat on it while he sat beside me. The table was filled with oldies and their partners, or should I say mates, not a single young person like us.

Though I surely looked like a kid here, because Masen was a teacher and so surely older too, not an oldie, but aged enough to be part of this circle when I was just eighteen.

"Don't get offended, but I wanted to know, in what category of old are you?" Oh please, if you thought I wouldn't ask this, then you should all know, after seeing all the old people here, I have every right.

Like he looked handsomely young and all that, he was so good with his words, but I couldn't enjoy an old geezer's flirt. My mind really lagged, because why the hell hadn't this crossed my mind before I agreed to be here.

Dumb enough to die.

"Thirty-five. Doesn't seem like too old an age, but if you want to age-shame me, you're welcome."

Okay, he was not too old, just in his thirties. A young teacher, quite intelligent. When my own so-called mate was twenty-eight, with no maturity, Masen seemed like a good sport in comparison.

"Have to see. For now, you're safe from age-shaming."

He shook his head, clearly finding everything too amusing. Even I was shocked at my own openness with him. "What do you want to eat? I don't think I'll be able to deal with your hangryness."

"I don't know the menu. Anything would be great if it's meaty and greasy, maybe a steak or something." My mouth watered thinking about all the buttery, filling things I was going to savor down to the bone. Nothing wrong with my survivor meals, but once in a while, a five-course meal was a good way to live.

And in my situation, it wasn't a once-in-a-while thing, more like a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Back when my parents were alive, that was the only time I ever had good meals. My mom used to make so much food she'd even invite Dante and his family over. But of course, he wouldn't remember that.

Until my fifteenth birthday, I did get decent food from Dante's servants, but the day he scared me before leaving for the war, and I defied him, everything stopped. So my survival meals and I had been going strong for the past three years.

Not that Dante was ever the best before I turned fifteen. At least back then he ignored me, and I still got all my necessities. But now, this was a different situation altogether.

"Vinorca, you heard me?" I looked at him, confused. He continued, "I asked if you have any allergies, so I can avoid them before placing the order."

"No allergies." Glancing around, I could see everyone just drinking their drinks and having appetizers while talking. "Will it be fine to have the full course meal? I don't want to embarrass you."

Masen's face turned confused. "You already saw how we are among the old ones, so someone as young as you should have something to enjoy to the fullest. I'll keep them company with drinks and appetizers."

A full smile curved on my lips, my stomach dancing at the thought of the meal I was about to have, his words of assurance doing me great. It seemed like I had a soft corner for praise and decency.

Dante spoiled all standards for me. Now they were so low that anything could comfort me and put me at ease.

Masen called for a waiter and ordered, "A juicy steak, with a side of salty fries, and a burger with a soft cold drink for the lady, and red wine with some appetizers for me."

"On it, sir. Will be with it in twenty minutes max," the waiter noted and walked away with steady steps.

"You really care for your..." A lady across from us spoke, leaving the words trailing off, not knowing what to call me. It was evident as she stared between us, swirling the drink in her hand.

Her gaze held no malice, at least that's what it looked like to me.

"My date for tonight and a very close friend." He had to add so much to it. Like even close friends would have been enough. A lie doesn't need more word seasoning. Even "friends" is such a stretch for what we have between us for now.

Amanda would say otherwise. I didn't know how she would react after learning about this party and everything. The details would surely be given to her. I couldn't hide this from her, already had so much on my guilty conscience.

"Very close friend or your girlfriend? No need to hide anything. You can tell us.”