"Its Christmas Eve! I'm glad it's not snowing this time around!" Eleanor turned around with arms propped up. Looking at the falling autumn leaves, trying to catch them. Then to the towering buildings up ahead. "Come on, idiot! Take a picture clearly!"
"You and your mouth." Ethan seethed as he held her phone. "Might as well just take ugly shots—"
"You dare?!"
"I just did." He stooped so low to her childish demands, sticking out his tongue. This earned a wrath from her.
But she didn't give up, for she thought she had ace up her sleeve.
"Please, Ethan. I know you're good at it." Her eyes gleamed, blinking fast, as she clasped her hand in earnest.
"No, go do that on bro Oz, he might..." Ethan shoved his phone to her chest and caught it before it could drop to the ground with autumn leaves spread out quite a layer.
"I hate you!"
"Keep hating, that 'I know' you're good at it."
His twin sister fit to a rage, fuming. Damian could only cover his mouth, just enough to fumble the series of profanities out of her mouth. Yet she could never do anything, no matter how she force herself out from his clutches.
Oscar, who now pitied at her, reached out his hand. "Let me do it."
Eleanor cheered, and acted with a weep. Endlessly compared how he was a better brother, sibling, and perhaps a twin than his actual one.
Ethan never cared.
Not one bit.
The older siblings bickered from their skit. Eleanor was quite active when it came to social media. She also earned quite well from it.
She might've had a talent, but the one who guided her was the one they least expected it.
Damian, of course.
Around them, children nearby fountain threw a coin. Elders opening their palms with feeds and seeds for birds to peck on.
Not long after, their engrossed appreciation of the view ended up welcoming the city avenue; to which they are close to the famed restaurant they were about to eat.
Thinking about it had Ethan's stomach roared just for their ears to hear. He halted to take a notice on their faces, trying their best to hold it in and kept their composure. However, it was always his twin that would burst out laughing thus brought to his shame.
To what seemed like a revenge; he let it go and scurried ahead and away from them. He knew the location, not that it mattered. So the rest also followed.
They stood in front of the restaurant. Beyond the wide glass panels, was neatly arranged table and chairs with several staff stationed on specific yet strategic corners.
However, all Ethan's eyes wandered from the towering column with no money spent to waste. Sleek yet artistic. Gold accents, fake or not, that is bold move of them.
They entered the building, and the grand chandelier had blurred the shadow cast upon them. Moreover, the ceramic accents on the walls with LED lights on accents and white and gold fabric decors.
For there was nothing to worry as Damian, who stood tall in front of the receptionist. What seemed their gaze and upward snout as an attempt to protrude their chin at them shifted to their jaw dropped and locked as well as their eyes almost gouged out of the sockets.
His hand waved a black card; a kind of card they all acknowledged without a doubt.
'I've always wanted to know more about that card, but as secretive as brother is. I shouldn't prod him.'
Their demeanor changed and welcomed them at their best behavior.
To him, his shoulders crouched and almost hid behind Arlene, it was quite a luxurious place. Arlene stood with all her might, but his eyes never deceived him, when he took notice of her callused hands, gripping tight on the wheelchair.
His reaction now turned to a worry, every time he took notice of it.
Eleanor was quick to catch his drift, whispering, "Goodness, get a grip." Without further word, her leers enough to signal that now was not the time to be sentimental; for they agreed to give it near the end of the day as a surprise for both of them to her.
Thinking about the box, he sighed. They all followed Damian, as their eldest now escorted by the waitress and butlers to the best possible and private space they could dine in.
It has been quite sometime that they are quite in a private enclosure, within the restaurant, about enough of the space for them to enjoy and be with each other's company without the eyes of strangers.
One by one, food trolleys came in and their eyes greeted with such palatable dishes, quite exquisite to mention.
Damian, knowing all too well about his siblings to never want any unnecessary attention. Choose this specific time, place, and manner at that.
Eleanor and Oscar was busy with their phone: the former further taking more pictures while the latter kept his from playing a game. Arlene and Damian talked for quite some time.
Ethan couldn't really help but he noticed as far as Damian's concerned, his eyes buried something deep and intense.
'Between care, yearn, and love for every single one of us...' What the youngest threw himself in train of thoughts. Yet he couldn't forge a conclusion thereafter. 'A hint of despair, loss, and regret... Just why?'
He stopped his tracks when Damian glanced at him, and gave a curt smile. He shook in silence to disregard such thoughts and might as well enjoy the food served at their table.
So much he gobbled the food to his liking, particularly the braised pork and the slices of medium rare steak. Every bite had him thought it melted in his mouth. Though not choked, he reached out the diet soft drinks in his glass.
Though something caught his attention.
The ripples found on the wine glass was only he noticed, but his peripheral also caught Damian's shoulder to a tense.
Now, the ripples went to a uniform to all the glasses; and soon after, the utensils vibrate against the plate with quite a chime.
Shivers swarmed on Ethan's arm, and his mind blank went to move when Damian stood up and roared, "We have to get out! Now!"