8 Big News

"I'm glad you two are getting along again, but please don't forget about me and dinner," Angela teased as she appeared from the direction of the living room.

Kurtis made his way over to his girlfriend and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I wouldn't dare," he joked back before taking her hand and guiding them to the dining room that was already set with all of Angela's favorite dishes.

As per usual, Kurtis sat on the host seat of the long rectangular table with Angela on his right and her sister next to her. Though it was only for a split second, Lyra felt a little displaced considering that she had always taken the seat directly next to him.

But she easily shrugged it off, it was only natural that things were this way. It should've been like this from the start.

"Safe to assume you've introduced yourselves properly?" Angela asked, slightly apologetic for the roundabout question.

Kurtis and Lyra exchanged awkward stares before he took the initiative.

"We've been on the correct first name basis for some time now."

Lyra let out a an unladylike snort which was echoed by Kurtis's own chortle.

"Well, from the looks of it, you're new besties. All my worrying for nothing." Angela folded her arms across her chest.

"Not for nothing," Kurtis said, reaching for her hand and holding it in his larger one.

The other sister smiled, but unconsciously took a few more glimpses at their intimacy. She could only watch as they were in their own little world.

"Anyway, Lyra~" Angela waited for her sister to snap back into the conversation. "A bit late to say this, but Kurtis wanted to meet you for the longest time."

"You did?"

Lyra took a glance at him who returned it with his charismatic smile.

"I did, but Angie's been very secretive. She only shared your name for the first time six months after we started dating. She said when it was the right time, she'd definitely introduce us and I'd been waiting since."

"Well, a girl needs a few secrets to maintain her charm," Angela winked at her twin. "If it makes you feel any better, Lyra's been kept in the dark too. Right, Lyra?"

"I've never met any of her boyfriends besides the very first one. Angela said it wasn't worth introducing someone who wouldn't be sticking around," Lyra added the second sentence only when her twin nudged her.

Kurtis listened intently. It was kind of cute how different she was when her sister was by her side. When Lyra was pretending to be Angela, he picked up instances when she was outlandishly outgoing. But as herself, she really didn't talk unless she was talked to.

"It's true though!" Angela exclaimed. "Consider yourself lucky Kurt. You're the only other guy who has met my family," she said, patting his hand.

"Yeah…after around two years of dating," Kurtis gave a 'can you believe this girl' expression to Lyra who was a veteran at receiving that same expression whenever her sister did something outrageous, which was abnormally often. "She's the first girl to take so long to crack I tell ya," Kurtis said to Lyra while pointing at the older sister.

Angela laughed. "Playboys always like a challenge."

"Playboy?" Kurtis looked offended.

"Oh come on! The whole school knew you had a new girl with you every week," Angela pointed out.

"What?!?" he asked, apparently shocked by the rumors.

"Oh come on. Everyone at school knew right, Lyra?" Angela turned to her sister who shrugged.

Kurtis looked at Lyra. "You went to W.U. too?"

Lyra nodded and continued to chew, seemingly the only one actually eating dinner.

"How come I never saw you?" Kurtis asked, putting down his utensil. "Whereas I saw Angie practically everywhere—at parties, clubs, hangouts, events, you name it, she was there. How did I miss you?" He leaned forward in genuine wonder.

Blushing, Lyra put down her own fork and swallowed. "I…um…dropped out after the first semester."

The room went silent for a little before Angela leaned in to give her sister a hug.

"Lyra did it so that she could run the family flower shop and support my tuition. For that I'm forever grateful," Angela said before snuggling on Lyra's shoulder.

Like his intuition, Lyra was kind. But he was mindful of this particular instance. He didn't have a right to judge her decision for leaving school when money had never been a problem for him.

Kurtis looked upon Lyra sincerely. 'If not for you dropping out, would I have met Angela?'

"Stop making it sound like I gave up my happiness for you," Lyra said, bumping her head against her sister softly. "I knew what I was doing."

Yes. It was very tough at times—managing shop and going to school. Eventually she just couldn't handle both and quit school. People talked behind her back, neighbors who watched her grow up pitied her, and even some of her friends looked down on her, but despite all that, Lyra didn't regret anything because her beloved sister was happy. At least one of the twins graduated and was allowed to pursue her dreams. So at the end, Lyra felt accomplished.

The smile Kurtis saw on her face reflected the tremendous pride she had in following through with that brave decision. If anything, he couldn't help but see the differences between them even clearer now. Lyra was more than anything he expected from Angela's sister.

"Still, sometimes I worry that you've become a workaholic. You haven't spent a day outside of the shop. You don't even go clubbing or attend any parties or do anything different," Angela said with the concern of not just an older sister, but an avid go-getter."But since it's partially my fault, I already hired someone to work at the flower shop full-time!"

Angela's sudden news took Lyra by surprise. "All you have to do from now on is drop by ever so often to admire our flowers."

"Angela! We…" Lyra pulled her sister closer and finished her sentence with a whisper, "…can't afford to hire a full time employee!"

"Please don't worry about that. Angie actually mentioned finding someone a few times. And so happens I have a friend of a friend who loves floristry and wanted a job."

Lyra looked at Kurtis and then back at Angela.

"No. WE can't possibly impose on you," Lyra emphasized that she was speaking for the both of them when it was clear who's side Angela was on.

"It's a MUTUAL gain. You can have more time to do what you like, and I don't have to hear Angie complain," Kurtis corrected slyly.

She knew Kurtis was only being kind and paying salary would be a drop of a drop of a drop in a bucket for him, but she didn't want to take advantage of his goodwill. After all, he may be Angela's boyfriend, but he's technically still a stranger to Lyra.

"I know you mean well, but this is family business," Lyra said firmly, standing her ground.

Angela jumped at the opportunity her twin just opened up. "That only makes it more relevant because we have one more news," Angela said as she clasped her hands together, something she did whenever it was something exciting for her.

"Kurtis and I are engaged! We'll all be family soon!"

As she processed the big news, Lyra could feel her heart drop to her stomach.

But with the mentality of a loving sister she was, her sincerest hopes for her sister's happiness temporarily numbed the confusion and pain enough for her to continue with a strong facade.

For the remainder of dinner, Lyra accepted their intentions and congratulated them with a smile plastered on her face, so big and wide that it successfully hid the mixed feelings in her eyes.