His presence

Sinclairs arrive with Ethan behind. He still feels uneasy. Thinking if he did the right decision of joining.

"Ethan, Don't be shy. Come in, Mi casa es Su casa." Liana stated. Ethan smiled awkwardly as he lightly nods.

"I'm just gonna prepare our dinner. Feel free to walk around." Liana said as she wears her apron. " Lauren, dear. Go and accompany your friend." She added. Making the brunette groan.

Lauren turns to their visitor. "Do you need anything?" She asked. Ethan shakes his head. "Nah, I'm fine." he replied.

Lauren nodded abruptly. "If you need anything, just say it. I'll just head upstairs to change."

Ethan smiled. "Okay." After that, The brunette takes her leave.

Ethan scans the house, or he might say mansion. The only difference is that this mansion is cozy. It's not the typical mansions that were built to show off.

Ethan wander around the house. As if he already know it for all his life.

After a long walk, He found himself in front of the hall where all the pictures and achievements of the Sinclairs are displayed.

Ethan scans it from top to bottom, And he can't help to smile when he saw the brunette's pictures when she was young.

"She looks so happy here." he mumbled and return the frame. Ethan continued to stare at the display. Seeing the siblings grow from being babies to what they are now.

Ethan was smiling widely when a certain picture caught his attention. He picks it up and looks at it intently.

His smile faded. The expression changed into what he usually wears. "It would be nice if you were still here, Tito Caleb." He thought.

Ethan was silently staring at the picture when someone pokes his shoulder making him startled. "Yah! When will you stop doing that?!" He exclaimed?

The brunette chuckled. "It's not like I intended to do it." She replied. Ethan hissed as he returns the frame he is holding.

"What are you doing here? Wait... Let me change that. How did you get here?" Lauren asked with her hands on her hips?

Ethan gulped. "I got here because of my feet, How about you, How did you get here?"

"Tss! What did you eat to be that weird?" Lauren stated, Making the boy roll his eyes at her.

"Seems like you saw our history now." Lauren sighed. Ethan noticed the shifted mood of the brunette.

"Ah, Yeah. almost everything is displayed." Ethan scratched his nape, he has no idea what's he's saying.

Lauren gave a slight smile and move closer. Making her stand beside him. "You know, I always come here every day. Even if it's late, I just had to."

Ethan turns his gaze, finding her looking at the huge frame. "Here... It reminds me of those times that we are still happy." Lauren added.

"You see that man right there?" She pointed at the family portrait. "That's my dad." Lauren smiled bitterly. Ethan just remained silent.

"Walker, can I ask you something?" Lauren suddenly asked. Ethan turn to her and nodded. "Why does my family know you?"

Ethan froze at the question. "You seem close to them when I can't remember seeing you here." Lauren concluded.

"Ahm... That. Actually, I-i~" Ethan stuttered. Making the brunette squint her eyes. "What?" She asked

"Hey, guys!" They got interrupted with a sudden shout. That echoed to the hallway, making Lauren annoyed.

"There's no need to shout ya know." Lauren informed his brother. "Sowwy, I got a little excited. Mom said to call you, Cause dinner is ready." Chris explained.

"Whatever, I'll go ahead." Lauren stated as she walks out of the hall. Leaving the two men stock up.

Chris nudge the boy catch g his attention. "What?" Ethan asked. "Oh come on, who did a great job?" Chris hinted.

Ethan just chuckled and started to walk out of the place. "It's just fair for playing with my bike." He blurted.

"Yah! Just to be clear, It was the wench, not me." Chris corrected in a matter of factly tone. as he tried to catch up with him.

_______

They were all now seated at the dining table. Lauren is beside Chris, Making her face Ethan.

The table was filled with different dishes. But you can say that it's an Italian menu for tonight. "Alright, Bon appétit." Liana stated as a signal for them to eat.

"Yeah! Just what I'm asking for." Chris exclaimed as he put a big amount of pasta on his plate.

"Woah! Did you go from a war? You look like you didn't eat for days." Lauren mocked his brother but Chris just ignored her and focused on eating.

Liana chuckled at how her children behave. Soon it became a sigh. "It will be different if you're here, Caleb." She thought.

Liana smiled when she saw Ethan getting bullied by the two. "Hey, stop bullying the poor boy." She reprimanded.

"Hahaha, We're not doing anything, Ma." Chris defended. "Yeah, We are just asking him about his bike." Lauren stated.

"Yes, that your brother played with." Ethan added. "Yah, I told you it was the wench." Chris corrected. Ethan just rolls his eyes at him. Making both the girls laugh.

________

Lauren didn't know why she's feeling this way. Having Ethan with them tonight feels different. Maybe because it's the first time he had a boy invited to her house.

Except for Gray, Of course. But she knows Harris ever since they're young.

She must admit that she likes his presence. At how he can light the atmosphere without even doing anything.

Another thing that keeps her intrigued. Was to see how her mom and brother interact with him. As if they know him for a long time.

Lauren stares at him intently. "Who are you, Walker? What's your connection with my family? Why do I seem left out?" She keeps asking when she knew it can only be by herself.

As much as she wants to ask him, She knows that they are not that close for him to open up.

"Lauren are you okay?" Chris nudged that snap her back to reality. "Huh?"

Chris sighed. " You're spacing out for a while now, You okay?" He repeated. Lauren nodded as a response.

Ethan saw her reaction, thinking that maybe it's time for him to go so she can rest.

________

"Thanks for coming, Ethan." Liana said as she waved Ethan goodbye. While the young man bowed to show his respect.

"I'll see him outside, Ma." Chris stated, Her mother just nodded while Lauren remains silent.

"Thanks for having me here, Tita Liana." Ethan bowed. "It's nothing, I'll like it if you come back." Liana flashed him a motherly smile.

"I'll get going." He murmured, Sending his goodbye to the brunette. Lauren just smiled. and it was more than enough for him.

Chris accompanies Ethan to his bike. "Thanks, Hyung. You can go back inside now."

"It's fine, No biggie. Drive safely, Walker." Chris remarked earning him a smirk from the boy.

"Yeah, I will." Ethan prepares to wear his helmet when Chris suddenly speaks. "Don't worry, Soon she will know. Don't lose hope."

Ethan smiled bitterly. "I know, Hyung. I know." He wears his helmet and waved goodbye.

Ethan drives out with tears running through his face.

Translations:

My casa es su casa - My house is your house.

Bon appétit - Enjoy your meal.