"Dominque, dad says, come and eat."

Kaede profited from the interruption to dodge him. She picked up the tray she prepared and followed Juan, who looked back on Dominque and gave him a suspicious stare.

Juan was at that age where women were fascinating, and everyone saw the little boy wasn't indifferent to Kaede's charms.

Dominque went to sit at the table where family members sat on either side of Kaede.

Sophia leaned over to Kaede, "I told you he'd sulk."

Instead, Dominque sat across from her.

During the meal, Kaede discovered what everyone's job was. Most had their small businesses; some quit super jobs to open bakeries, barbers, bars, and online apparel stores.

They all appeared carefree when they spoke about bills, taxes, and debts.

Kaede found herself at ease in a family environment that usually left her frustrated and uncomfortable. Most reunions in her family were masked fundings. One contributed to help someone who was I'll or to pay a funeral. On other occasions, it was to give for a marriage, christening, graduation, or birthday. Of course, everyone awaited Kaede's contribution to be consequent as she was single and without a child.

If ever the woman protested, they reminded her of all the good and sacrifices they all made to raise her.

Almost everyone from her aunt's to her cousins owed her something. When Kaede felt ashamed to ask for her money back, her family had no scruples asking for returns, even if it concerned an umbrella, a hammer, or a screwdriver. One of her cousins asked her for the return of a hairband once.

Here the Miguens shared a real family moment.

Lucy, Roberto's girlfriend, who was a bank advisor, gave some tips on placements.

No one seemed to be giving someone the eye for past grievances. The scene was what Kaede imagined when she thought about the family.

Hers resembled a rendezvous with loansharks.

Dyan began to explain to Kaede the names and taste of the traditional dishes, "you have Léchon roasted pig, Pernil, which is pork shoulder. The chicken Pinchos is the equivalent of shish kebab. Tostones say it's fried plantain nachos style. You can eat that with guacamole."

"There you have Arroz con habichuelas it's rice and beans in bacon fat," Sophia Clement's mother added, "Maduros fried green plantain, Alcapurrias. I love those we use taro root and green plantain to make the batter, and they can be stuffed with whatever you want, here you have different stuffings."

The ensemble of the endless list of dishes formed a five continent assortment with its exotic flavors.

For dessert, Questitos cream puffs, Parcha, which Kaede learned was passion fruit, Tembleque coconut type of flan, and Tres leches waited in the fridge.

Kaede's stare remained on Dominque, who she knew would not eat half of the spicy and sweet dishes—noticing her stare shift from the food to him. Dominque understood her interrogation; he winked to reassure her even if he knew it would not.

Aunt Ana passed a glass of rum to Kaede.

"What's this?"

"It's Aunt Ana's homemade rum," Dyan said.

"Don't drink that unless you want to find yourself in the same condition as Dyan, it makes one do crazy things," Sophia warned.

Kaede turned her stare to Dominque. The man shook his head, but Kaede thought it would be rude to refuse; she drank. Delighted, the older woman pulled on both her cheeks.

"What's the mix?" Kaede asked.

This time Lucy explained, "it's rum, vanilla, mangoes, and other fruits. Let's say you might feel a little overwhelmed by the heat."

After the meal, those who felt up to it played water volley, while some sat to play cards followed by a monopoly where uncle Luis made everyone laugh as he reconstructed French spelling.

"It's a hussier uncle, not ouisier."

Dominque confronted Juan, "oye el nino, ella no es para ti."

"Says who? She'll leave you as soon as you're old and bald."

Dominque chuckled and crossed his arms, "says who?"

"Dad says all women leave bald men."

"What else does your dad say?"

"A woman only belongs to a man who claims her with a wedding ring."

Dominque smiled, "your dad's wrong. Women belong to no one, but we can choose to be theirs alone."

Juan's eyes widened, "then it's settled. I'll ask her if I can be hers."

"Qué pesado eres, John, your son is a handful," Dominque yelled to his older cousin John who scratched his bald patch from back to front. The man did his best to raise his son alone after his wife left him for a younger man.

Juan ran off to Kaede. Dominque watched the woman bend down and kiss the boy on the cheek. Once her back turned, Juan pulled his tongue out at Dominque.

At 7 pm, they sat to eat once more. The conversations went on for hours before dancing as Roberto became the DJ of the night.

Summer hits played Childish Gambino's summertime, Rosalia Travis Scout TKN, Doja Cat to Lauren Jaurequi Lento, where Dominque danced with Kaede. Those who watched saw things that the couple attempted to ignore or postpone.

"He's in love," Lucy whispered in Dyan's ear.

"I know, Kaede, too, by the looks of it."

From 10 pm, everyone began to clear things up. Uncle Luis stacked the bottles he had to take back for recycling. Kaede folded the chairs while Dyan and Lucy wrapped the leftovers.

Around eleven, everyone got ready to leave.

Before leaving, Ana approached Dominque and whispered, "ela é uma criatura linda, doce e super sociável com todos. Be good to her," the older woman kissed him on the forehead and went climbing in Roberto's car.

"See you next time, Dominque. I am glad you're back," Roberto said with enthusiasm.

"Bye, Kaede," Dyan waved and turned to Dominque, "see, it wasn't that hard. Everyone appreciates her; perhaps you can tell her how you feel."

"How do you know I haven't done it already?"

"Tell her."

Dominque closed the door; they were alone.

"Ahh, I'm exhausted."

"Tell me about it," Dominque said as he came to hug her, "I hope it wasn't much of an ordeal. I mean, I wasn't expecting so many of them to come."

Dominque was conscious that the get-together could be overwhelming. He remembered how it was for Hye Ju, who had a hard time with the loud laughing and speaking. Hye Ju constantly rumbled, saying: "is it an obligation to yell when asking for salt?"

Uneasy, Dominque talked to his parents. Carla sent him away, saying if the woman can't tolerate your family, it's you she won't accept in the long run.

"I had fun; they seem to be good people. I'm glad to have met them."

Dominque gave her an inquisitive stare," really?"

Kaede nodded, "gosh, I need a shower."

"Go ahead; I'll finish off here."

Kaede went away, brushed her teeth, took her shower, and washed her hair, which shrunk. She stretched her hair with the Aussie detangler and twisted quickly before her hair dried.

Seeing her products in Dominque's bathroom left her a weird sensation, but the whole evening had the same effect. His family's kindness touched her. Young or old, everyone treated her well. They made Kaede feel she was in the right place and part of something.

When she arrived back in the room, Dominque was already showered and in bed.

"Sorry, it was long."

"You washed your hair?"

"Yeah, the smell of barbecue was too strong. I know I don't look very sexy like this."

Dominque looked at the twists she gathered and wrapped under a black scarf. The wrap gave her cat-like eyes, "oh, my standards of what is sexy might surprise you."

Kaede cocked an eyebrow, "really?"

"Yeah, Iㅡ."

Kaede dropped her towel, revealing a white lace ensemble, "you were saying?"

"I'mㅡ."