<b>Chapter </b>117
“There’ll be quite a crowd–are you sure you’re up for it?” Alessia softened her voice, making it as gentle as possible.
Ivan didn’t answer, but he stubbornly refused to let go of her hand.
“Alright, let’s go then.” Alessia gave his chubby cheek a gentle squeeze, then led him out of the car.
The three of them walked along the sidewalk back toward the strip mall. Sure enough, outside the fast food joint, there was a familiar dog waiting by the door. Through the ss, they could see its owner hunched over his phone,pletely absorbed, with a spread of fries, burgers, and a big cup of sodaid out on the table. He looked as carefree as ever.
After calming the dog down–it perked up excitedly as soon as it saw her–Alessia took Ivan straight over to the table where the dog’s owner sat, while Eddie lingered at the counter to ce their order.
York, blissfully unaware of any impending doom, was still engrossed in his mobile game, muttering curses under his breath as his thumbs tapped furiously at the screen. Alessia couldn’t help butugh at his obliviousness. Without warning, she snatched the phone right out of his hands.
“Hey! What the–Alessia?” York looked up, and the moment he saw her, all his
bluster vanished.
“I wasn’t cursing!” he blurted out defensively, scrambling to his feet, but the moment his gazended on Ivan, he reacted like a cat with its tail stepped on–practically jumping out of his chair.
“Alessia! You actually brought the little squirt to a fast food ce? You never took me here! And you just took my phone! And you’re about to scold me!” York’s eyes were wide with outrage, his voice rising with every usation.
Alessia had heard enough. She strode over and mped a hand over his mouth. Thankfully, at this hour, the ce wasn’t crowded–just a few scattered nces from neighboring tables.
“Quiet. Or I’ll delete your ount.”
York’s eyes were full of protest, but he went silent all the same. Alessia patted the seat next to her for Ivan, who slid in and sat down. She sat beside him,
immediately picking up where York had left off in the
game.
<b>14.48 </b>
In the chat window, York’s teammates were stillining about him going AFK, but Alessia ignored them. Her fingers danced across the screen; special effects exploded in a blur, and within ten seconds, she’d racked up two kills, promptly shutting up theiners.
York sulked, cheeks puffed out, ring at Ivan with undisguised resentment. Ivan clutched his paper bag a little tighter, looking so small and vulnerable it was almost heartbreaking.
Just then, Eddie arrived with a kids‘ meal in hand and slid into the booth beside York.
“Eat up. You need something in your stomach.”
No kid could resist the lure of fast food, but Ivan just licked his lips, not making a
move.
“Go ahead,” Alessia murmured, ruffling his hair, her eyes never leaving the screen.
With her permission, Ivan finally reached for the food–slowly, daintily, as if he were at a fancy restaurant with a steak knife and fine china, not a stic tray and a burger.
York, on the other hand, shot Ivan a huffy re, then grabbed a fistful of fries and stuffed them into his mouth in protest, cheeks bulging until he looked almostical.
It didn’t take long for Alessia to carry the team to victory. The word “WINNER” shed on the screen, and she set the phone facedown on the table.
“You’ve had all this time to practice, and you still y like a rookie? But when ites to trash talk, you’re a pro. How many times have I told you–if I catch you cursing at strangers again, I’ll sell off your gear!”
“You didn’t!” York lunged for his phone, but Alessia was quicker, pinning it to the
table.
He clenched his jaw and red, but didn’t dare say a word.
“So, Max already headed home. Why are you still here?” she asked.
York scowled, looking every bit the rebellious teenager. “The old man says I’ve got no manners. Told me to stay put for a while and ‘learn some respect.” He said thest bit with a dramatic eye roll, making it clear exactly how he felt about that verdict.
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