Memories Of The Night

From the bed, Marcellus watches their departing figures with a sense of foreboding. He feels so anxious that he wants to go out with them.

But both women walk away and leave him alone.

Marcellus is a little worried about Katrina.

When Claire found out that he is dating a girl of ordinary family background, not to mention an orphan, she strongly disagreed with him and demanded that he break up with her at once.

If Katrina is left alone with Claire, Marcellus is afraid that his mother will embarra.s.s her with hurtful words. But seeing his mother behave so treat Katrina warmly these past few days, Marcellus wonders if she is trying to be open-minded and attempting to accept Katrina.

After all, Katrina is such an ideal woman. Anyone who spends enough time with her is bound to like her.

Marcellus still feels a little uneasy, but he convinces himself that his mother is just excited about getting to know Katrina.

Half propped up on his pillow, and he resumes enjoying the chicken soup that Katrina cooked for him to distract himself from his worries.

Outside, Katrina is ready to say goodbye to Claire when the older woman smiles and says, "Katrina, I haven"t had breakfast yet. Would you like to have brunch with me?"

Since Claire is Marcellus"s mother, Katrina doesn"t think it"s proper to decline her warm invitation. Without much thought, she agrees, "Okay!"

The smile on Claire"s face widens. "You"re such a nice girl! I knew you wouldn"t turn me down."

Katrina smiles sheepishly in the face of Claire"s praise.

When she first met Claire, she felt a little nervous. She thought that all rich family ladies would be like her arrogant and unapproachable aunt. In addition to her responsibility for Marcellus"s accident, Katrina was worried that Claire would blame her for her son"s injury.

Unexpectedly, Claire doesn"t put on airs and treats her very kindly. Instead of blaming her, she praises her virtue and thoughtfulness.

Because Marcellus is her boyfriend, it is her duty to take care of him while he"s in the hospital. Making soup for him is not a big deal.

After twenty minutes, Claire takes Katrina to a luxurious brunch restaurant nearby. Enthusiastically handing the menu to Katrina, she asks, "Katrina, what do you want? Help yourself."

Katrina quickly declines, "I"ve already had breakfast, Aunt Brook. I"ll just accompany you. No need to bother me."

Claire jokes, "How could I eat alone? If Marcellus finds out, he"ll blame me for mistreating you."

Her words make Katrina turn a little red in the face. "Don"t worry about that; he won"t!"

"Katrina, don"t be so polite. Help yourself!" Claire insists, shoving the menu into Katrina"s hands.

Katrina has no choice but to accept the offer. After glancing at the prices on the menu, she is taken aback by how expensive everything is. A simple sandwich costs five times than it does at a regular restaurant!

At first glance, Katrina can tell that an ordinary employee like her can"t afford to eat at such an expensive restaurant.

"What"s the matter?" asks Claire with concern when she notices Katrina falter.

Katrina quickly relaxes and shakes her head. "It"s nothing," she rea.s.sures with a smile.

Then she looks up, tells the waiter, "Vegetable soup, please." Even a bowl of vegetable soup costs $15, which is the most expensive soup Katrina has ever ordered in her life.

Claire grew up in a n.o.ble family. She must be used to eating in upscale restaurants.

Though the food is expensive, the environment is more elegant, and the dishes are more delicate.

While Katrina"s priority is to fill her stomach, rich people like Claire"s must be to enjoy life. Different cla.s.ses have different att.i.tudes. Katrina also understands Claire"s lifestyle and proceeds to order an expensive bowl of soup.

After Katrina orders, Claire scans the menu and fires away her orders without hesitation. "Croissant bagel, pulled pork egg benny, this sandwich… and that one, yes," she confirms to the waiter, pointing at the menu. "And a blueberry cheesecake and a latte, please."

"Yes, just a moment, please." The waiter writes down everything and repeats them to confirm the orders.

Claire smiles gracefully at Katrina. "Sorry for ordering so much, I usually have a big breakfast in the morning."

Katrina grins back. "That"s all right. Young people must envy you."

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But the youth nowadays are so busy with work that they just grab a quick breakfast to get by or skip it entirely. Katrina appreciates the way Claire enjoys life. Having a heavy breakfast isn"t a bad thing.

After brunch is served, Claire urges Katrina to share her meal. Because Katrina has already had breakfast, she isn"t hungry at all, only taking small bites when Claire offers food.

The large table full of delicate dishes is first-cla.s.s from appearance to taste.

Although Claire orders a lot, she doesn"t have much. She only tastes each dish before wiping her mouth with the napkin. More than half of the dishes are left on the table by the time they are done with the meal.

Suddenly, Claire stands up. "Katrina, I"ll just go to the restroom."

Katrina nods. "Okay."

After Claire leaves, Katrina takes the liberty to gulp a few mouthfuls of her soup. She can"t be too extravagant and waste such an expensive dish. After all, fifteen isn"t just a dollar or two to her. She can"t afford to splurge.

While Katrina attempts to finish the soup in the bowl, the waiter comes over with the bill. "Excuse me, miss. Here is your bill," he says, placing the bill that amounts to a hundred twenty dollars on the table.

Katrina feels as if her heart is bleeding as she looks at the list of expensive dishes. Despite her dismay, she remains composed. "Can I pay by credit card?" she asks.

The simple brunch costs more than a hundred dollars. That"s a lot of money for Katrina. She doesn"t carry that much cash with her when she goes out.

The waiter nods. "Yes."

Katrina opens her bag and takes out her card. Just as she is about to hand it to the waiter, Claire comes back. She immediately says, "Oh, I asked you to accompany me to brunch, how could I let you pay? It"s my treat."

Katrina hurries to decline, "Aunt Brook, it"s all right!"

"Put your card away! I"ll pay," Claire insists. She pushes Katrina"s card back to her. Then she opens her purse, pulls out a stack of bills, and hands them to the waiter. "Keep the change."

The waiter takes the money gratefully. "Thank you, madam!"

Katrina watches the scene in stunned silence.