Chapter 72 - Dreams

The harmonious atmosphere at the table was filled with echoing laughters and cheers as they all sat around the dinning table filled with the delicious foods which have all been ordered.

Grace was seated at the head of the table with Jade by right and Lair who sat next to Jade. Kevin was seated by Grace's left and Amy sat opposite her brother.

Jade's heart swelled with joy as she looked at the faces of the people seated around the table. It felt great seeing them smiling, laughing and congratulating her for a job well done and for making them proud. She couldn't contain the joy in her heart.

Her eyes slowly turned misty when she thought about her father. Her joy would have been complete had he been alive. If only he could be here to congratulate her and tell her how proud he was. But she knew that was impossible.

Jade glanced at her mother and as if Grace could read her mind, she said, "Your dad would be so proud of you." with a sad smile.

The atmosphere of the room changed after Grace said those words. It was as if a cold wind of silence blew through the whole room as all eyes were fixed on Jade.

They knew how Jade loved her father. The popular adage which says "Like father like son" was not applicable in Jade's situation. She had loved her father and walked in his footsteps, cultivating every of his lifestyle. Lair and Amy had heard countless stories of Jade's childhood with her dad, courtesy of Grace of course, and they thought it was a lovely father and daughter duo.

Jade's dream of being a graphics designer and programmer was solely ignited in her heart by her father. He had taught her to play games from a tender age and never will a day pass without him teaching her to draw those cute game characters that she loved, same went for Kevin. But he loved playing the games but had no interest for making one. Kevin had always loved tagging along his mother.

Now that Jade was a step closer to achieveing her dreams, her father wasn't here to see her and tell her proud he was of her.

"I know" Jade replied with a bittersweet smile. She quickly blinked back the tears trickling her eyes, because she knew that would make her mother cry too. They've all missed him. She slowly stroke her mother's back to comfort her and Grace a small smile not quite reaching her eyes. She missed her husband sorely, his death wasn't something she had come to terms with.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly felt awkward with everyone being silent. Lair and Amy couldn't help but stay silent too.

Grace looked at their plates and observed they weren't eating.

"Eat up, before the food gets cold" She ordered with a motherly tone soaring through her voice. She watched as they picked up their spoons to eat.

"You guys have to finish it all, or I'll make you eat them up till your stomachs can't hold up" She ordered slightly raising her voice like a female general ordering her subordinates, which made them laugh, livening up the table.

"So sis do you get an office of your own?" Kevin asked curiously. Of course that would be great. It would give him one new thing to brag about among his friends.

"Well I don't think so. I still have a long way to go before I can get a position with a office of my own. I promise to bring you there when that happens" Jade replied stuffing her mouth with food.

"Okay. Just know you'll have to get me a better gift by then" Kevin said gleefully. Jade's head shot up when she heard him.

"Just tell me I work just to get you gifts?" Jade replied rolling her eyes at him.

"Well don't you?"

"That's it! no more gifts for you. Maybe when you a job of your, you can gets us gifts and then get some for yourself" Where in the world was there a rule that one must get gifts for their siblings when they get a job?

"Why would I want to do that? You're my elder sister, you can't avoid your responsibilities which includes making me happy. So sist make me happy" Kevin declared daringly in a manner that implied Jade no choice but to make him happy, making Lair chuckle which earned him a glare from Jade as she turned to him.

"What's so funny Lair?" She asked not liking the amused look on his face.

"Nothing. Just stop bickering with the kid. Don't you get tired of it" In all honesty, he wasn't. Watching the exchange between this siblings was a boon to his life. He could never get tired of it.

"Uncle Lair, I'm not a kid. I'm 17! 17!" Kevin corrected with a frown formed on his face, as he laid emphasis on his age.

"My bad little guy" He apologized as he tried stiffling a smile.

"I'm also not little. I'm a man" And Kevin didn't dissappoint him at all. He was actually expecting that. Should he frank to say that he had called him little on purpose. He has always wondered what was Kevin's deal with his age.

The little guy really needs to chill and enjoy his time as a kid.

"You see he's a man already, so give the 'man' some respect and stop fighting with him" Lair said sarcastically with an amused smile splitting his face.

"I can see you're amused by all this" She said to Lair before returning her attention to the supposed man, "Since you're a man, hope you don't mind clearing out the dishes and doing them huh" Jade said with a mock frown. How would her day be with no Kevin in it? Boring!!

"Mom!" Kevin cried out.

"Don't worry I'll help you" Amy offered, making Jade look at her in surprise, while Kevin Playfully stuck out his tongue at Jade.

"Amy!" Jade called out calmly with a threatening glare.

"What? I'm only trying to help this man here. It's not everyday you see a seventeen year old man, is it? I need to to seek some wisdom" Amy said innocently. Jade looked at her mother but she just shrugged it off and slipped off the table. She didn't want to get involved in the daily episode of 'siblings world.'

Lair let out a small laugh when he saw Jade's face that seemed to be screaming 'I just lost a battle to my little brother'

"Just so you know, you are just a big baby" Lair teased her.

"Whatever"

Lair watched as Kevin followed Amy into the kitchen before glancing back at Jade.

"Let's go outside. You have to tell me what our little miss is up to this days. I need so leverage and I know you've got some" Jade wasn't surprised by this.

"Lair just to be sure is Amy really your sister?" Jade had no choice but ask.

"I think I'm better off with Kevin than to have a crazy brother like you" Jade flicked his forehead.

"That's for last week" She giggled as she jumped off her seat.. She still hasn't forgotten how Lair had flicked her forehead during his last visit.