street-side eatery near the town square. She appeared the

These vegetables were then topped with sweet and savory peanut sauce. Elena also added some skewered fish, chicken intestines satay, and quail e

allowed her the freedom typical of teenagers. Elena wanted to hang out with friends her age, whether hunting for culinary delights, shopping, or just strolling around on weekends. She often felt envious when her friends talked about the romance of their Saturday night dates with their respective lovers. Elena

ght upset your stomach," Devan said, obse

used to eating spicy food

y felt disgusted. He left his half-eaten food and lost his a

uch of it," Devan added, c

r left food on his plate, regardless of whether he liked it or not, as it went

Devan asked, studying Erick'

lied shortly, grabbing the warm te

o teenagers before him-Elena, seemingly calm an

, puzzled by Erick's unusually cold behavior towards his adopted siblings. Siblings

reluctant to leave. Perhaps next time, Devan would fulfill Elena's wishes, but not tonight.

all, Mr. Devan!" Elena complained

ing since earlier!" Erick rebuked, no

ve? It's like you're a girl on her PMS,

Erick, not wanting to lose. He was no

acting like crazy!" scolded Devan, shaking h

outside the window to calm himself. He didn't wan

home. Devan instructed Elena and Erick to

rick refused indifferently

er, Dona, the housemaid who had been working with him for ten years, came ove

" Devan replied,

. Metro TV was Devan's favorite channel, as it always provided updated news from both the country and abroad. Soon, Elena arrived, c

uzzled by her request. Typically, students preferred a quiet environment for studying, jus

here, especially with news about politics," Elena

ous studying!" Devan replied, refoc

ing back down while putting the earphones in both ears. The soothing music entered

Dona offered after placing a cup of

ined, deliberately leaving one earphone off

usemaid at Devan's house for ten years, Dona had always received kind treatment fro

get some cold mineral water. He glanced at Elena, who was engrossed in her

inquired when he saw Eri

plied briefly, then lef

ituations. This sometimes made Devan feel guilty because of the circumstances that led him to become a s

d of being single?" Elen

?" Devan asked, n

though he's old," Elena said innocently. Devan was taken ab

rying about me?" Devan deflected, not i

asking to be introduced to you. They say mature guys like

ed by Elena's words and her

to be Uncle Devan's sugar baby," El

completely different meaning compared to wh

Devan's lips as he stared at Elena with a bewildered expressi

, they won't be noisy asking about you all the time," Elena explained, then returned to focusing on he