IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 10 Episode 98

Arm linked into Greg’s, Violet looked peaceful as they walked into the house. “Mom, Lawrence, we are back!” she merrily shouted.

Greg nodded at Lawrence to show his greetings and then turned to Cherry. “Hi Mom,” he greeted.

“Hi. Welcome home!” replied Cherry with a warm smile.

Uncertain, Violet squinted at the dandy who had suddenly appeared to plant himself beside Lawrence. His flashy clothes gave him a queer look, by which one could almost confuse him for a woman. It didn’t help that he was looking aside and Violet could not see his face.

“Who’s this?” Confused, Violet asked Lawrence, trying to figure out the who it was.

“I am a little kitten. A little cute kitten,” Austin joked as he turned to face her.

“Good gravy! Is this you Austin? Violet, not believing her eyes exclaimed.

“When did you come back?” she inquired pleased to see her mischievous younger brother.

“Jeez! You gave me the creeps with your flashy clothes, Austin!” she added jokingly as she reaching her hand to grab hold of him, but he quickly dodged.

“You brat, why didn’t tell me that you were coming back?” Violet asked, now putting on a serious face.

“I asked the customer service to call you. Don’t tell me they didn’t pass my message,” Austin explained.

“No, they didn’t. But you should have called me personally. Is that something too hard?” Violet demanded.

“It was an oversight, but in any case, I knew they’d get in touch with you. But I guess I was wrong. Why would they fail to pass my message?” Austin rued.

Everyone else sat in silence while Violet grilled Austin. When Jackson and Derek came back to the living room, they also waited for Violet and her brother to finish their tiff.

Meanwhile, Greg sat there as a helpless bystander. ‘This little woman stayed up late last night but she has the energy for a battle of words with Austin, ‘ he wondered. Just then, Austin turned to him for an alibi.

“Well, Greg can vouch for me that you’re the last person I’d want to lie to! Would you doubt his word for it?” Austin asked with a mischievous smile, knowing he had won the battle.

“True. Austin is a brother and BFF, Violet. Why would he lie to you?” Greg played along, prompting hearty laughter from everyone around.

For a moment, Lawrence, aware of his young cousin’s penchant for wisecracks wanted to reprimand Austin to keep quiet and let other people talk. But then he realized, the young man could as well add life to the party, so he simply sat in.

But at Greg’s witty intervention, Austin and Violet agreed to a truce.

Although Austin knew that his sister was generally an uptight person, he always tried to run rings of mischief around her mind.

Rising from his seat, he walked up to violet, shook her hand firmly and whispered, “God made us a brother and sister. But it’s our hearts that make us friends. You’re the best sister anyone could ever have.” To that the two laughed and hugged before Austin returned to his seat.

At that point, Cherry spoke, “Austin, since you have no one at your home, why don’t you come and live with us?” she said. “We’d enjoy your funny gags and I’d cook you sumptuous meals in return, at least, for as long as you keep the house entertained. We can make it into a sort of professional contract, because comedians can be underwhelming, if left to work without pressure,” she said with a light touch.

“Well, will Violet also be at home?’ Austin asked.

“You can convince her to stay with us as part my terms and conditions for the contract. Fair enough,” he added. In the extended family, among siblings and many cousins, Violet was Austin’s favorite of all time. He’d readily accept staying with her, anywhere, anytime.

“Occasionally, I’ll be visiting. Is that fair still?” Violet replied, squinting at Austin. “In that case, I cannot promise to live with Aunt Cherry. I’d rather follow Violet and Greg, with the promise that we’ll be regular visitors here. And when we come, I’ll make sure you’re all served the best of rib-crackers. But then, the decision rests with the Xiao family, I think,” Austin replied, pretending to deeply mull over the possibility.

“No problem at all! Anyway, there are many rooms in my house and I will reserve one for you,” replied Greg, showing his enthusiasm.

But Austin turned around and declined the offer. “Forget about it!” He knew that the couple, needed time to bond and heal after Violet’s hostage ordeal at the hotel and subsequent stay out of the country as she recovered. Wise kid that he was, Austin didn’t want to be a third in the young couple’s house when they badly needed to be alone on their path to full recovery from the trauma. But again, he didn’t want to be home alone. So he turned to look at Lawrence and requested instead for hotel accommodation. “A hotel would do just fine,” he said, now looking genuinely serious.

“Hmm. …,” Lawrence brooded. “That would be a good idea. Unfortunately, I am not in charge of the hotels in the city anymore,” he replied tapping on the table with his middle finger.

“But you are still the big boss and Tim will do whatever you instruct, Sir! In fact you can make him run all over the place until he finds you the best suite. That’s one of the beautiful things about power, right?” Austin added, now looking and sounding formal. He was subtly emphasizing Lawrence’s power and influence. Though he was abroad all these years, he knew clearly the situation in the city. ‘Don’t ever try to fool me! I am as smart as a whip, ‘ he thought.

“Stay at home tonight! We will discuss about it tomorrow,” Lawrence answered calmly.

“Yes, sir!” Austin nodded, a happy smile forming on his face. He had a card up his sleeve that Lawrence would satisfy his requirement. Since Aria was now with his mother, Selina and Lawrence still needed Austin’s help. That small requirement would certainly be satisfied. With that thought, a cute smile played on his lips.

Suddenly, Violet asked, “Well, Austin, have you had something to eat?”

“Not yet dear, unless you mean what I ate on the plane. I am so starving,”

Austin jokingly replied, throwing the whole house into another round of laughter with his exaggerated tone and facial expression.

“Alright then. Come, let’s go to have lunch!” Violet stood up and pulled his arm, leading the way to the dining room.
“Okay, my pretty sister,” Austin said and gladly followed along.

On that prompt, Cherry spread out her hands with a slight bow and invited everyone to join her at the table, to which everyone obliged.

As the big family sat around the table to a sumptuous meal, they chatted happily. Austin and Greg sat on either side of Violet, but all her excitement was on her younger brother. So Greg was left with no other option but to helplessly watch how the siblings got along. He wished to have his own kids grow up with the drama of sibling rivalry.