Aunt sighs softly. “You’re not perfectly fine, baby. But I hope you will be soon. It’s normal to feel a little strange after such an experience.”
I lean closer to Wen and whisper, “Mama, I’m in love with a criminal, and this kind of love isn’t rational.”
She purses her lips, giving me a side-eye look, trying not to smile.
Aunt looks at Zoan, smiling. “But you did the right thing for Avi. She was showing signs of depression and mood disorder in the past, and recently she has been verydistressed. It’s better to address it before it turns into a bigger issue.”
Mama nods with a worried face. “We also wanted to take her to therapy, but she refused. I’m glad she finally agreed now.”
Wen leans close to me, whispering with a faint smile, “Mama, please don’t cry. I’ll be alright. All reasons aside, I just can’t deny, I love the guy.”
Now it’s my turn to give her a look.
“Are you two singing?” Ma asks.
We glance at each other and then burst into giggles.
Ma shakes her head, smiling, as she stands up. “Let’s start lunch.”
We all head to the dining room. It’s only on occasions like this that we realize why the dining room, and the dining table, are so big.
On Christmas, all the staff goes on leave, so Ma, Mama, and Aunt cook the food themselves.
Ma serves everyone, it’s a kind of ritual in our family.
We eat lunch while exchanging small talk.
Ma looks around the table with a warm smile. “Next Christmas, we’ll have one more member joining us.”
“Who?” I ask, curious.
“Ah, you didn’t get the news yet?” Ma grins. “Leo is getting married.”
“Ohhh, I know about it. Iselyn told us.” And she also told us what Leo did regarding this whole matter. That girlis so pissed that she’s marrying him only to make his life miserable.
“What about you, Zo? When are you planning to get married?” Pa asks.
If I had taken even two seconds longer to swallow, my food would have been stuck in my throat. Now it feels like it’s stuck in my chest anyway.
“I will not marry,” Zoan says simply.
“This year, right?” Ma asks.
“Ever,” Zoan replies flatly.
Everyone freezes like they’ve just heard catastrophic news.
“And why is that?” Mama asks with a deep frown.
“He’s asexual,” Leo says seriously.
Ma, Mama, and Aunt’s jaws almost drop to their knees. Daddy, Uncle, and Pa are watching Leo and Zoan with heavy frowns, while Wen and I are struggling not to laugh.
“H—How? Why?” Mama stammers.
“Who knows.” Leo shrugs.
“Can’t we do anything about it?” Mama asks Aunt in genuine concern.
