Chapter 71 - Celebratory Dinner

Jade was shocked when she saw her mother and Kevin impatiently waiting for her by the door. They had rushed out when the heard a cab stop just outside their house. Grace had been so anxious to hear from Jade about her interview. She withheld herself from calling her. She didn't want to be the reason Jade would miss this opportunity by interrupting her meeting with her call.

Kevin was not left out of it, he was also anxious and he had gone as far as informing his friends that his sister will be promoted from being an intern to a full time staff. Well, he wasn't sure if she had gotten the job, but he believed in his sister. There was nothing she couldn't do.

As soon as Jade saw them, her lips curved upwards as a silly thought flashed through her mind.

Grace and Kevin hurried over to her with broad smiles on their faces, which suddenly dissappeared when they both noticed the low and gloomy-like look on Jade's face. Her shoulders were slouched and she looked defeated.

Grace felt uneasy when she noticed how downcasted her daughter was looking. She stopped a few steps from her with Kevin standing by her side looking all tensed up.

"Jade, what's wrong" Grace asked softly, her voice was filled with worry and motherly concern. Jade slowly lowered her head like she was too embarrassed to look at them, before slowly shaking her head. "I didn't get it" She said with a croaked voice.

Grace pulled her into a tight hug as she slowly pat her back. Her heart began to ache for her daughter. She sighed. Kevin also joined in the hug with his hand stroking his sister's back.

"It's okay. You'll get it next time" Grace said as she pulled away and cupped Jade's face with hands.

"Sis it's okay. Don't cry, you'll always have better opportunities" Kevin consoled her.

Jade felt guilty in her heart when she saw her families reaction. She had almost backed out, smiled at them and told them it was a joke, but she decided not to when she heard Kevin's next sentence.

"Don't worry about that silly video game set. Who needs it anyway. I have to pay attention to my school work. So don't bother about it, if that's what's troubling you" He said when he noticed she still looked downtrodden. He wanted to make her feel better, because he knew she'd feel sad that she might dissappoint him. Jade was surprised when she heard that. Who was this? Was this really her brother?

When has he ever paid attention or cared about his school work? And now he was saying it so fluidly like he loved school and he doesn't nag her and their mother every morning about why he has to go to school daily.

"Are you sure?" Jade asked.

"Of course" Kevin replied without hesitation. Sincerely, Kevin had told everyone who had cared to listen that his sister would be getting him a new game set, most probably the lastest one, and he had invited them to come give it a try once it arrives. But now...

Well all that doesn't matter. He wouldn't mind being teased by his friends as far as his sister wasn't sulking.

"So you won't be mad if I don't buy it for you?" Jade probed. It seems this brother of hers was really growing up. But this time it was Grace who answered.

"Jade don't bother yourself about that. He said you shouldn't buy it. Just cheer up and don't worry yourself"

Jade continued looking at Kevin. She wanted to see if he'll say something like 'you can always buy it when you get the job later'. This brother of hers always does something like that. Freaking game addict.

"I won't be mad. Just leave i...."

"Amy! Lair!" Grace called interrupting Kelvin. She had seen them first, because she was facing the entrance, while Jade had a back facing it. 

"Aunty!" Amy greeted as she hopped over to Grace with a wide smile. Jade was shocked when she heard that cheerful voice behind her. What was she doing here?

"Good evening Aunty" Lair greeted as she walked in with two boxes of pizza and a bottle of wine.

Kevin also greeted them. His eyes lit up when he saw the pizza in Lair's hand.

'Foodie' Lair said to himself when he saw Kevin drooling at the pizza. It was common knowledge that the little man loves pizza.

Oh no! Why did they have to come now? Jade could feel a headache coming. She knew Amy would expose her.

Grace could only force out a small smile, she wasn't happy with what had happened to her child, but she could only smile since they had visitors and most especially a cheerful one like Amy. Lair noticed the awkward expressions on their faces most especially Jade who was frantically signaling Amy with her eyes.

"Aunty you must be so proud of our Jade right" Amy said with a proud smile. Grace let out a sigh at Amy's word. It seems Amy was not aware that Jade didn't get the contract, so she wouldn't get the job.

"I still can't believe she won over Cale and his girlfriend. Girl I'm so proud of you" Amy rattled as she hopped over to Jade's side and wrapped her arms across her shoulders.

Grace and Kelvin stared at Amy in confusion. It was at the point that Amy noticed something was wrong with the way they were staring at her.

Jade sighed exasperatedly as she silently glared at the girl by her side. Amy had ruined everything. She wasn't through messing with this little fellow.

Amy noticed Grace and Kevin weren't aware that Jade had signed the contract so she hurried back to Grace's side.

"Aunty, Kevin let me share some goodnews" She said making them turn to look at her grinning face.

"Jade is getting the job!!" She said excitedly. Mother and son both turned to Jade with widened eyes asking her to confirm what Amy had just said. Jade had no choice but to nod affirmatively.

"You got the contract?" Grace asked.

"Yes"

"That means you'll be getting the job?" Kevin asked anxiously.

"Yes" Jade nodded. Grace and Kevin gaped at her with their eyes widened for a moment, before a scream ensued.

They both delved in for a hug and Jade felt like she was been squeezed to death as her punishment for lying earlier, nevertheless she was happy too. Amy quickly joined the hug too, Lair watched them amusedly, shaking his head at the squealing women and one little man.

"Wait!" Grace said breaking the hug abruptly.

"Why did you lie?" A frown appeared on Grace's forehead.

"Yes why did you lie?" Kevin asked squinting his eyes at her.

"Because I was just checking to see if my brother loved me more than a game set" Jade replied. Kevin looked at her incredulously. He couldn't believe Jade just said that.

"That's it. You're buying a PS5. And of course I love my game set more" He said glaring at her, while Jade scoffed.

"I knew you were only pretending, game freak" Jade teased, poking his head.

"Whatever" Kevin was angry that Jade had to do that. Here he was trying to make her feel better and she just had to mess with him? 

Pfft..how inconsiderate.

The others watched the exchange between the siblings in amusement.

"It's okay. Let's all go inside" Grace said putting an end to their endless bickering.

Suddenly they heard someone approaching. It was the delivery man who had come to deliver the food Jade had ordered.

"Wow sis did you order all that?" Kevin asked, with his eyes were shining brightly as the sight of all the food. His anger had dissipated completely by the sight of all the food gloriously standing before him.

"Yep"

"I guess it's a celebratory dinner" He yelped excitedly making the others laugh.