25 Awkward Reunion

Antoine knew he was sitting next to Lyra, but still found it slightly unnerving seeing a Lyra-lookalike sitting directly across from him in the rectangular dining table. She had the same big brown eyes, dainty nose, full lips and even the same-styled long hair. For goodness sake, they possibly possessed some form of twin telepathy considering their outfit choice for the night.

Angela was wearing a deep indigo cocktail dress and Lyra was wearing a dark navy one. Both looked absolutely stunning but too freakishly similar that the waiter did a double take on the sisters before realizing that they were two separate people when he was going around taking the orders.

"As your older sister, I should be mad about not hearing a single world from you for a year and a half," Angela said, folding her hands on the table. "But…I see you there was no cause for concern as you are well and in good company."

Lyra's dead ringer shoots a brilliant smile to Antoine who could feel his heart beat rise. Even their smiles had the same effect! If he wasn't the one escorting Lyra from her house to the restaurant, he might've mistaken them.

"I've always been the more mature sister, no need for worry," Lyra said as she took a sip of water.

"Either way, it's great seeing you again sis. Antoine, Lyra behaving herself around you?" Angela's curious eyes fall on the boyfriend who didn't seem to hear the first question. "Something the matter?"

The visitor shook his head side to side and surrendered his hands up in defeat.

"Sorry, I can still barely grasp the idea that there are two of you. Lyra didn't say a word about having a twin not even when we arrived here. I only found out after we sat down!" He turned towards his real girlfriend before giving her a bright smile, "There's really a lot I still don't know about you. Guess I'll have to keep on finding it out the hard way."

Angela let out a hearty laugh, taking a liking to the French already. He seemed like a sociable person who genuinely cared about her sister who could come off as slightly cold sometimes especially with her less talkative personality.

Seeing as he was mainly the one talking and controlling the conversation for quite some time already, Antoine directed his attention at Kurtis who was cool and calm as ever, sitting their silently but still far from unnoticed.

The famous brother-in-law could easily come off as intimidating, but since they were already acquainted this morning, he could tell that they just needed to break the ice.

"Honest confession, I don't know how to feel about all this. It's a pleasant shock?" Antoine commented, earning giggles from both twins. "Kurtis, tell me you experienced something similar when you found out they are twins!"

An eerie silence befalls the table following the unexpected turn the conversation had taken as the ball was now thrown onto Kurtis's court.

The twin sisters waited impatiently for his answer. After all, they never did had the guts to ask him about that time. Of course he already forgave them, so he said. But still, he barely brings up that dark time.

Though Antoine was treading on dangerous waters, he was doing so in good faith. Kurtis wouldn't say anything out of line, but maybe he would also reveal something about how he truly felt. That made the moment all the more intense.

Kurtis wore an unreadable smile on his face as he considered the best way to answer such a sensitive topic. If the sisters weren't currently present, he'd simply agree and laugh it off. It was easy to channel in PR side when in front of strangers, but definitely not as comfortable when in the presence of those who really knew him.

When he built the hype for his long-awaited response after shifting his seat a few times and leaning forward, the waiter came with the hot dishes.

What timing! Both sisters could agree they were slightly disappointed, but for different reasons.

Angela wanted to find out how Kurtis truly felt. She wouldn't even mind if he yelled at her, but instead, he just keeps quiet with a friendly but icy smile. He was like this back on the island and still like this now. Lyra, on the other hand, was eager to get the confirmation that he had moved on from the incident.

The younger twin hoped her brother-in-law would light-heartedly laugh it off and agree. If he did so, then she'd be more at ease as well. But he didn't even answer!

Lyra darted a glare at Kurtis who seemed ignorant of anyone's feelings but his own at the moment. He was heartily cutting his steak and offering a piece to Angela who outright refused, crossing her arms and mumbling to herself about how insensitive he was to tempt her with meat when she was on a diet.

Antoine enjoyed the dynamic couple in front of him and couldn't help watching in awe. No matter from which angle he tried to see them, it still looked like Lyra was the one with Kurtis. He could tell he wasn't the only one.

When another waiter came bringing dessert, she failed to hide her surprise upon noticing the identical twins. Her candid expression earned a good laugh all around the table.

Not trusting her self-discipline with the sweets in front of her, Angela decided to go powder up on the restroom. Not even half way into dessert, Antoine had to take an emergency call and excused himself before walking out the restaurant spouting complete French language; thus, unintentionally leaving the two in-laws alone at the table.

"Lyra," Kurtis called gently to get her attention. "You made us really worried."

The girl continued to eat her chocolate ganache cake while helping herself to some of Antoine's untouched soufflé.

"How could you just leave like that?"

She continued to eat with an appetite as big as the sea, deliberately ignoring him as she saw no fun in answering such dull questions.

"Was it because you were scared of…that man?" the brother-in-law tried to be as delicate as he could, not wanting to refer to him as anything more dangerous than the intruder demonstrated he was.

To his surprise, that actually triggered some sort of response. Lyra paused for a split second before bringing her fork back to her mouth and continuing to chew.

"Rose told me…" Kurtis said. "I know it must've been terrifying, but you shouldn't have hid it from us."

Lyra was trying so hard to just finish dinner, but he just had to pry. Slamming her fork down the table, she produced a big smile just for her concerned brother-in-law to finally get the hint.

"If my sister knows and she hasn't even confronted me about it, then I see no reason why it should be your business to approach me about it first."

It felt good, being able to convey her feelings while looking him in the eye and not shy away from his sincere expression.

Kurtis was taken aback by the unexpected frosty bite in her usual pleasant warm voice. She looked upon him with this hidden intensity that he couldn't see, but most definitely felt. It wasn't something he hadn't ever experienced before considering his abundant experience in dealing with so many different people, but coming from Lyra, it felt slightly more threatening.

Seeing that he probably crossed the line that Rose always suggested he did way too often, Kurtis backed down.

"I didn't mean to pry," he said softly, beckoning the waiter to rush the check. "I'm sorry," he apologized out of courtesy, much to Lyra's irritation since she wasn't accustomed to hearing that word from him.

In fact, that was the word she wanted least from him. It wasn't his fault. She could want it to be his fault, but in the end, her feelings were hers to control. If anything, she should be the one apologizing for being such a spoilt sport.

"It's okay."

"I'm glad you're okay," Kurtis dropped his heartfelt words before putting on his coat and offering to leave first to pull up the car.

He chose a good time to leave because his sister-in law wasn't sure she was prepared to handle any more of him.