A dinner dressed in talks

John stepped in with his usual unbothered grace, the room adjusting to his presence more than he ever did for anyone. A bouquet of deep red roses hung casually in his hand, like it belonged there. His eyes met Lily’s, then shifted to Everett. Calm. Unreadable. Almost too normal.
He walked up to them and extended the flowers toward Lily, his voice as composed as ever.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Congratulations.”
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Looks like Everett’s finally becoming a father.” (looked towards his friend)
Lily shyly glanced at Everett instinctively.
He gave her a nod—quiet, accepting. Only then did she reach out for the bouquet.
John’s gaze didn’t move.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“You already know this, Lily... but the man standing next to you only breathes because you do. So yeah… try not to exhaust yourself. Not for anyone. Not even for him.”
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
(blinked—soft, taken aback.)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“I… just wanted everything right. You were coming after so long…” (stammering a bit)
John’s voice stayed level but a shade firmer now
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“I could’ve come earlier. But I wasn’t ready to show up as someone weak who got shot and ended up in a hospital bed. Didn’t want sympathy. Didn’t want headlines either.”
Everett’s lips parted slightly, but he didn’t speak. His gaze lingered longer than usual.
Lily tried to hold herself together… her hands clutched the bouquet a little tighter.
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“John Brother!!! You’ve never been weak. Not even once.” (barely holding her voice steady)
John gave her a slight smile, but not the kind she remembered. There was something quieter about it.
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“But… you barely came here in these three years. Everett told me you were helping expand the business, but still… you could’ve come, right? Did I… do something wrong?”
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
(chuckled)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
(light tone) “We really going to stand around swapping sentiments? Or will I at least get to taste that dinner you made."
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
(Startled) “Oh—yes! I’ll just go check everything. Please… make yourself comfortable.” (She hurried off toward the dining table, hiding the quiver in her steps.)
Everett walked toward his old friend. Without a word, they embraced.
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
“There’s no way I can ever repay you— For what you’ve done for my company, for me… For everything over these years. If it wasn’t for you, John… I wouldn’t even be standing here.” (holding tight)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Repay?” (breaking the hug, raising an eyebrow)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“You really think I helped you to keep score?” (A scoff, half amused, half offended)
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
I.... I .. Didn't mean that way ... I .. was just — (got cut off)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
(interrupting) “I know what you meant.”
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“But let me tell you this— If you ever ask me for my life, I’ll give it. That’s what your friend would do.” (He placed a hand on Everett’s shoulder)
For a brief moment, silence sat between them— Heavy, but full of trust. Then John smirked.
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
(Looking at John)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Now if the melodrama is done, Can we please go eat the dinner before your wife’s lovingly-prepared dinner turns cold. Or worse—sentimental.” (grinning with mischief)
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
As you say, My lord!!! (chuckled)
.
Dinner Table — Low-lit, composed silence settles.
.
Everett sat at the head of the table — composed, shoulders squared. John took the seat to his right, his posture relaxed but eyes constantly scanning.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Lily, no need for formality. You should sit and eat... especially in your current state. From what I know, it’s not the time to push limits.” (without glancing up, voice calm, with that distant steel)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“Th-that... I-I’m fine... I—” (stammering)
Everett shot her a silent look. No words, just the weight of that sharp gaze. Lily immediately sat down, adjusting her napkin nervously.
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
(Leaning back slightly, voice low but resolute — the kind that settles a room before it even begins to argue)
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
“You're done working overseas, do you? John. If you are still thinking to leave then let me clear the situation to you now... I made sure of that. I spoke to every partner, ran through every detail, and locked the logistics before you even landed. From now on, your base is here. No loose ends, no remote ops — everything flows from this soil, under my line of sight. And the partners? They didn’t negotiate. They just nodded and signed. I didn’t leave them a door to open.”
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
(paused for a second)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
(smiles softly after hearing Everett's word)
Lily smiled faintly as she began to eat, letting Everett’s words sink in.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Hm.” (nodding once, his fork barely making a sound on the plate)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“How’s the food, brother...?” (softly)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“It’s Better.” (noncommittal hum)
He paused, took a sip of water, and set the glass down with controlled precision.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“How far along are you?” (flatly)
Everett black (Ml bff)
Everett black (Ml bff)
“Two months.” (without hesitation, a slight curve on his lips)
Lily lowered her gaze to her plate, a quiet flush rising on her cheeks.
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Huh. Strange... I figured by now, you two would have had two kids running around. Mind if I ask why the delay?” (leaning back slightly, his tone cool but with a trace of teasing curiosity)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“I... I wanted that too. But Everett said we should wait until after I graduate.” (softly, carefully)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
"As always.” (lifting an eyebrow at Everett, voice laced with irony)
Then turning to Lily with a faint tilt of his head—
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“So... graduation’s done then? How did you score?”
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“It went well...” (hesitating)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“And that friend of yours... how did she do?” (taking another bite, speaking mid-chew — casual but watching)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
(blinked, visibly trying to remember.)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“Which friend are you talking about, brother?”
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“You know... the one named Julia, if I’m remembering right?” (leans forward slightly, tone quickens just a notch, like he’s poking around for something more)
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
“Ah… Julia. She graduated… a year or two ago.” (nods, a little too fast)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
(freezes mid-chew, gaze still on her plate, then glances up — slow and deliberate. A brow lifts, and that faint, unreadable smile flickers)
John arison (Ml)
John arison (Ml)
“Hmm… A couple of years ago? Graduated before you? That’s interesting— but she was in your class, wasn’t she?”
Lily black (Everett
Lily black (Everett's wife)
Tha... That... Is because of a reason... That
.
~To be continued~
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