Together with Ana, Alexander arrived at the family dining room.

The room was small and cosy. Its lighting brought out a warm feeling. Even the table and chairs at the centre, from first glance, Alexander could see that the materials used in their creation were expensive. Yet, their designs were bare and uncomplicated.

Cillian clearly made this room so that he could spend simple mealtime with his family.

***

Breaking her stern and professional look, Ana rushed toward the standing lady at the other side of the table. Her teary eyes whimpered. Repressed feelings about the death of someone she considered a brother flooded out.

“Hic, hic.”

The lady stood there and received the crying child. She hugged Ana as she emptied her feelings onto her chest.

Finally noticing the lady, Alexander looked over.

On the other side of the table stood a gorgeous lady dawning a dark-burgundy halter blouson midi dress. She combed her red wavy lob hair back whilst her enchanting eyes slowly observed him. After a while, her thin lips opened.

“It’s good that we can finally meet, Alexander.”

Although Alexander had met her a lot of times via phone calls with Cillian, seeing her charming look face-to-face still stunned him.

Her words are formal yet warm, like a smouldering fire on a cold night.

“Err … Hello, Emilie,” Alexander calmed himself and replied.

Finally, realising Alexander was in the room with them, Ana snapped out from her mourning. She quickly tried to escape Emilie’s arms.

Noticing the embarrassed finicky rabbit, Emilie smiled and hugged her even tighter.

“Don’t even try to run. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Let's have a meal together,” she whispered into Ana’s ear.

Knowing that she couldn't escape, the flustered Ana surrendered to the curvaceous wolf.

The three of them sat down. Alexander tried to avoid Emilie's graze whilst Ana attempted to erase any evidence of her crying.

***

As the three settled in, Brandt and some cooks entered with their meal. Ana tried to sit up to help them. Emilie’s graze quickly stopped her in her steps.

Brandt smiled, seeing the improved atmosphere between Ana and Alexander.

“Today’s menu is Mediterranean food.”

“The starter is tomato soup.”

Although, the dish itself was simple. However, presented on a dark ceramic bowl with gold lining elevated its representation.

Its taste wasn't far behind the delicate representation either.

As Alexander scooped up a spoonful, its alluring scent and smooth texture ignited his empty stomach.

A borborygmus sound echoed through the small room.

Brandt chuckled. “Please enjoy yourself, Master Alex. We still have a lot more.”

With the perfect balance between sour and sweetness, the delicious tomato soup slid into Alexander's stomach in one fell swoop.

“Delicious!”

“Could I have some more, please?” Alexander asked Brandt.

“Of course, Master Alex.” Brandt carefully topped up Alexander’s bowl.

Seeing that the old man was enjoying himself, Emilie asked, “Why don’t you sit down and join us, Brandt?”

“Hoh! I have already eaten, my lady. And it has been such a long time since I last served Master Alex.”

After finishing his second bowl, Alexander looked at Brandt. He smiled and signed for the main course.

“For the main course, we have smoked salmon spaghetti, amatriciana spaghetti and vongole rosso spaghetti.”

“I do apologise for the simple meal as everything was prepared last minute.”

Surprised by his words, Alexander questioned, “Huh, what do you mean? This is already quite fancy.”

“Cillian would have complained. He is notoriously picky regarding food and would most likely pick one amongst the three.” Emilie sadly commented.

The somewhat warm atmosphere soon turned cold.

Alexander silently selected his dish, amatriciana spaghetti.

The spaghetti was dressed in smoked ham, homemade tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese served on a flat black ceramic plate with gold lining.

Alexander consumed the sumptuous meal in silence whilst observing the unique dinnerware.

Wanted to change the atmosphere, Emilie spoke.

“To find imperfection in perfection.”

“Kintsugi or kintsukuroi is an art of mending broken pottery with silver, gold or platinum.”

“As such, the object becomes more expensive after being broken.”

“It’s an art and a philosophy.”

Alexander traced his finger on the gold mended line on his drinking glass. It was smooth as if the object was never broken in the first place.

“Rather than discarding the object for being broken, one could always mend it,” Emilie continued.

“Not to return it to its original state but to one that is higher.”

“To find perfection in imperfection.”

Although he felt there were subtleties within her words, the quiet Ana suddenly interjected.

“I helped in breaking the dinnerwares,” Ana announced her achievements with a cheeky smile.

“Do you know how expensive these things are?” Emilie rolled her eyes.

The cold atmosphere broke.

***

Brandt and the cooks served the dessert after everyone had finished their meal.

“Today’s dessert is Chocolate Fondant.”

Again, the dish was served on a small kintsugi plate. Its delicious smell wafted in the air.

As Alexander sliced its inside, bountiful hot chocolate flowed out. He surgically removed a small portion of the fondant cake and dressed the molten chocolate upon it. Ready to savour its richness, Alexander brought the content to his mouth.

“Alright, Alexander, let’s talk.”

His immersion was immediately broken by Emilie. He looked confusingly at her.

She showed him a teasing smile.

“Go on! Finish it quickly. We have a lot to talk about.”

He quickly finished his dessert. Meanwhile, Ana looked at Emilie questioningly.

“You can stay if you want. I’ll brief Alexander on today’s situation, his upcoming schedule and Cillian’s tasks for him.”

She nodded, quickly finishing her meal.

Together with Brandt and the cooks, she collected the dishes before excusing herself from the room.

Seeing her leave, Emilie glanced at Alexander before sighing.

Alexander was also confused by her decision.