When I appear downstairs. Dawson was nowhere. Earlier, I also check her room, but she wasn't there either. On the kitchen table was a plate of breakfast and another apology note. I smile a little while settling down at the table.

After finishing breakfast, I got a call from Dawson.

"I won't be home til tonight," she said.

"I know you're avoiding me. Dawson, I forgive you," I said.

"I, I, I'm not," she stutters.

"Alright then. Since you won't let me go practice today, I will be at your parent's house."

"W-Why?"

"I won't tell them anything, so work hard."

"... Okay."

Hmm... So when it comes to her parents, she sounds scared. That will definitely be useful to my advantage.

"Tell me something about Dawson," I ask as one of my mother in law's maid hand me a lemonade drink.

My mother in law laughs. "If we're going to talk about Dawson, there's a lot to talk about. You know, no one knows her better than her mother," we both sip our drinks then she continues. "Dawson is really soft even though she present a dominant personality. She's afraid of hurting people's feelings and if she does, she tries to apologize in a way," that's what she did this morning. "I remember one time when Dawson was a kid, she and one of the neighbors' kid ripped out my flowers, I was really mad. But cute Dawson took the flowers and made something useful with it. She clean and cut them with the help of one maid and apologize to me with the vase of flowers," desserts were brought over so Dawson's mom stop to get some herself. I decided not to. "Then when Dawson grew up, she didn't want to be part of the family business and started her own business. Like daughter like father. But I heard Dawson is selling her company soon. She says she wants to retire. Now, how are things between you and Dawson?"

"We're coming to the same level: Understanding each other, respecting boundaries, and looking out for each other," I answer. This is true, despite the situation that happened this morning.

"That is great to hear. Your parents and I fear that you two will rip each other apart."

I giggle. "We've been close to that."

"Well, I guess you can say that that's good too. Fights can strengthen the relationship. Speaking of the devil, Dawson is here," I turn to look out the window and see Dawson get out of the car.

"Why is she here? She said she won't be back til tonight," I said.

"She probably miss you," haha, or she doesn't trust me at all. I take a dessert and eat it before hearing Dawson's voice. Well she's fast.

"Hi Mom," she said then come to hug her mom. Dawson glance a look at me then pull a chair beside me to sit down.

"Why are you here?" I ask.

"... There wasn't much to do actually, so I came here to see you and mom," what a lie. You're scared.

"Aww, how thoughtful of you, Dawson," Dawson smiles and reach for a jello.

"So what were you two talking about?" Exactly, I was right. She's scared.

"Nothing much," I quickly answer. "We were just talking about how much a trouble maker you are."

Dawson scoffs. "I was no trouble maker."

"It's okay, you don't have to admit anything," I smirk.

"You kids have a talk. I'm going to go call your dad," after mother in law left, Dawson grab my drink and hydrate herself.

"I'm sorry, Rylee," third time she have apologize.

"And you're forgiven," I smile. Dawson did something I didn't expect. She hold my hand and bring it up to her lips. Dawson just kiss my hand.

"Where are you going after this?" She ask.

"Where else do I have to go? Home only."

....

So weeks continue with Rylee and Dawson barely seeing each other, but only at the dinner table. But sometimes Dawson skip dinner and goes straight to shower before sleeping. Rylee figures that she should do something about it, but when she tries, Dawson doesn't listen.

So tonight, the same happen. Dawson came home then went upstairs to shower. Rylee wait outside the bathroom for Dawson. Once the door open, Dawson and Rylee meet each other.

"So you're not having dinner tonight?" Rylee ask.

"Seems unlikely," Dawson answer with a smile.

"Not enough time?"

"Just tired."

"But dinner is as important as breakfast. In fact I think it's more important."

"But I think sleep is more important than all of that."

"Should I call my mother in law to tell her about your behavior?"

"What did you make for dinner?" Dawson switch her up attitude. She doesn't want her mom to know. She doesn't need her mom to worry about her either.

"Your favorite, pasta," Dawson furrow her brows. She didn't smell any pasta on her way pass the kitchen. "Your mom gave me the ingredients. I think I got it."

"Then let's do a taste test."

Rylee and Dawson went back to the kitchen. Dawson sit on a chair and wait for Rylee to give her a plate of hot pasta covered in tomato sauce. The plate of pasta was also assist by garlic bread and meatballs.

"Go at it," Rylee say as she sits across from Dawson.

Dawson picks up the fork and stab the pasta. She brings it up to her mouth and consumes it. Rylee didn't even taste the pasta herself, so she doesn't know what to expect.

Dawson immediately gets up and find the trash can. She spits out the pasta and look at Rylee.

"That was indeed, disgusting," Dawson claims.

Rylee looked unbelievable. She wonder what went wrong.

"What was wrong?" She ask as she stands up.

"The pasta was somewhat hard. Tomato sauce was just liquid, no paste."

"That can't be right," Rylee innocently defends herself.

"I'll take the garlic bread for dinner," Dawson takes the plate and went back upstairs.