Chapter 16 — The Invitation He Remembered Annie discovered that the Starks family had a dangerous habit. They remembered everything. Especially things she had said casually. She realized this the following morning when Margaret Lewis placed a large lunchbox on the dining table. Annie stopped halfway to her chair. “What is that?” Margaret smiled. “Your lunch.” Annie narrowed her eyes. “Why is it so large?” “Because you have classes until late afternoon.” “I’m one person.” “You eat like three people when you’re hungry.” Nicholas, already seated at the table, nodded solemnly. “That’s true. I once watched her finish an entire plate of fried rice while insulting my driving.” “Your driving deserved the insults.” Eleanor placed a cup of tea beside Annie. “Margaret said Brian asked her to prepare extra food.” Annie paused. “Brian asked?” “He called earlier this morning.” Annie slowly turned toward the empty chair across from her, as though Brian might somehow be hiding beneath it. “He called about my lunch?” Nicholas grinned. “That’s what you heard?” “What else was I supposed to hear?” “That he missed you.” Annie picked up a grape and threw it at him. Nicholas caught it in his mouth. “Excellent aim,” he said. “I’m considering a second attempt.” Before she could reach for another grape, William entered the dining room, followed by Linda. His expression was unusually serious. “Annie, I wanted to remind you about the business lunch on Wednesday.” Annie groaned. “Must you remind me while I’m eating?” “If I wait until you finish, you’ll claim you’ve forgotten.” “I would never.” Linda glanced at her. “You forgot your appointment with the family tailor.” “That was deliberate.” “You slept through it.” “Also deliberate.” William sat down. “You don’t have to attend the lunch if you’re uncomfortable. But several people will be there, and I would like you to meet them when you’re ready.” Annie looked at the lunchbox Margaret had prepared. Then she looked at her father. “Will Brian be there?” The question escaped before she could stop it. Silence settled over the table. Nicholas slowly leaned back in his chair, his smile becoming unbearable. Annie pointed at him. “Don’t.” “I haven’t said anything.” “You’re thinking loudly.” William’s expression softened. “Yes. Brian will be there.” Annie picked up her tea. “Then I’ll attend.” Linda’s gaze shifted toward her. “That quickly?” Annie shrugged. “I need to eat, and business lunches usually have food.” Nicholas leaned closer. “You could just admit—” “Finish that sentence and I’ll make you regret having vocal cords.” He closed his mouth. Eleanor hid a smile behind her cup. Annie tried to ignore the warmth creeping into her cheeks. She told herself that Brian’s presence had nothing to do with her decision. Absolutely nothing. Her phone vibrated. She glanced down. Brian: Did you eat breakfast? Annie stared at the screen. Then she typed: Annie: Yes. Did you take your medication? The response came quickly. Brian: Good morning to you too. Annie: Answer the question. Brian: Yes. Annie: Proof. A few seconds passed. Then he sent a photograph of a glass of water beside an opened medication packet. Annie blinked. Annie: You’re annoyingly obedient when you want to be. Brian: You’re welcome. Annie: That wasn’t a compliment. Brian: I accepted it as one. She was still smiling at her phone when Nicholas leaned across the table. “Who are you texting?” “Someone who has better manners than you.” “Brian?” Annie placed her phone facedown. “You ask too many questions.” “Because you give interesting answers.” “I can give you a boring one.” “Try.” “I’m texting the president.” Nicholas stared at her. “You know the president?” “No.” “Then why would you say that?” “To demonstrate how easy it is to lie.” Linda unexpectedly laughed. It was brief, almost silent, but everyone heard it. Annie turned toward her. Linda immediately returned to her breakfast. Annie smiled to herself. Perhaps the family was becoming less impossible. Perhaps. At the university, Jane Park noticed the lunchbox before Annie had even reached their usual table. She stared at it with open suspicion. “What is that?” “Food.” “I can see that. Why does it look like it could feed a football team?” “Because the person who packed it believes I’m underfed.” Jane’s eyes brightened. “Who packed it?” “Margaret.” “Which Margaret?” Annie hesitated. Jane leaned closer. “The Starks Margaret?” “Why do you sound like a detective?” “Because you’re avoiding the question.” Annie placed her bag on the bench. “Brian asked her to prepare it.” Jane’s mouth fell open. Annie immediately pointed at her. “Don’t start.” “I haven’t even started.” “You’re about to.” Jane grabbed Annie’s arm. “Brian Starks personally arranged your lunch?” “He made one phone call.” “That is practically a marriage proposal in billionaire language.” “Then billionaires need better language.” Jane opened the lunchbox before Annie could stop her. Inside were neatly arranged portions of rice, grilled chicken, vegetables, fruit, and a small container of chocolate pudding. Jane stared. “Annie.” “What?” “He packed dessert.” Annie took out her fork. “Perhaps he wants me to remain alive.” “Or perhaps he knows you.” Annie looked down at the pudding. The dessert was her favorite. She had mentioned it once during dinner. Casually. Without thinking. She had not expected him to remember. Jane watched her expression. “You’re smiling.” “I’m not.” “You are.” “I’m chewing.” “You haven’t eaten anything yet.” Annie immediately took a bite of chicken. Jane sat back with a satisfied expression. “You like him.” Annie nearly choked. “I like food.” “You like food and Brian.” “Those two things are not comparable.” “Why not?” “Food doesn’t talk back.” Jane considered that. “Brian does.” “Exactly. He’s already losing.” Her phone vibrated again. Brian: Have you opened the lunchbox? Annie glanced at Jane before replying. Annie: Yes. Brian: Are you eating? Annie: No. I’m admiring it. Brian: Eat. Annie smiled and typed: Annie: You’re very bossy. Brian: You started it. She looked at the message for a moment. Jane tried to peek. Annie immediately turned the phone away. “Privacy,” she said. Jane placed a hand over her heart. “You’ve changed.” “I’ve become wiser.” “You’ve become secretive.” “I’ve always been secretive.” “You once told me your entire childhood story while waiting for noodles.” “That was strategic. You were holding my food.” Jane shook her head, laughing. But when Annie looked back at her lunch, the smile slowly faded. Brian had remembered her favorite dessert. He had asked whether she had eaten. He had sent proof that he had taken his medication because she demanded it. These were small things. Too small to mean anything. And yet they followed her through the entire day. Brian spent the afternoon in a conference room, listening to a presentation he had already decided was inadequate. The figures were inconsistent. The projected returns were inflated. Two department heads had attempted to defend the report without noticing that he had already identified every weakness. Normally, he would have dismantled the proposal without hesitation. Today, however, his attention kept drifting toward his phone. Jason noticed. Of course he noticed. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “You’ve checked your phone six times.” Brian didn’t look up. “Have I?” “Yes.” “Then you’ve been counting instead of listening.” “I can multitask.” “Poorly.” Jason grinned. “Did Annie reply?” Brian’s pen stopped moving. Across the table, Aaron glanced up from his documents. Jason’s smile widened. “She did, didn’t she?” “Focus on the meeting.” “You’re the one who arranged her lunch.” Brian finally looked at him. “She has classes all day.” “And you know her favorite dessert.” “She mentioned it.” “Once.” Brian said nothing. Jason leaned forward. “You’re in trouble.” “I’m not.” “You remember what dessert she likes, you ask if she has eaten, and you’re voluntarily taking medication because she ordered you to.” Aaron calmly turned a page. “He’s definitely in trouble.” Brian’s gaze moved between them. “Are you both finished?” “Not remotely,” Jason said. The conference room door opened, and Brian’s assistant, Clara, entered with a folder. “Sir, the hospital appointment you requested has been scheduled for Thursday morning.” Brian looked up. Jason’s expression changed. “You actually made the appointment?” Brian nodded. “Are you going alone?” Brian’s eyes moved briefly toward his phone. “No.” Jason followed his gaze and smiled. “Oh, this is getting serious.” Brian ignored him. But beneath the table, his hand tightened around his phone. He had not yet asked Annie to come. He wasn’t certain why he was waiting. Perhaps he wanted to ask her in person. Perhaps he wanted to see her reaction. Or perhaps he simply wanted another reason to hear her say his name. That evening, Annie arrived home exhausted. She dropped her bag on the sofa and collapsed beside it. Eleanor looked up from the book in her hands. “Long day?” “Medicine should be illegal before noon.” Eleanor smiled. “Did you eat your lunch?” Annie sat up. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” “Because Brian called to ask whether you finished it.” Annie froze. “He called you?” “He wanted to know whether you liked the food.” Annie stared at her mother. Eleanor’s smile became gentler. “He didn’t ask me to tell you. I thought you should know.” Annie looked away. “He’s very considerate,” Eleanor continued. “Don’t encourage him.” “I’m not.” “You are smiling.” “I’m your mother. I’m allowed to smile.” Annie pulled a cushion against her chest. “He’s just being responsible.” “Of course.” “Because he arranged the food.” “Of course.” “And because I keep telling him to eat.” “Of course.” Annie narrowed her eyes. “You don’t believe me.” Eleanor reached over and touched her hair. “You don’t have to explain your feelings to me.” Annie went quiet. That was the problem. She wasn’t sure what her feelings were. She only knew that when Brian called, she answered. When he asked whether she had eaten, she smiled. When he said he would miss her, she carried the words around for hours. And when she imagined not seeing him for several days, something inside her felt strangely disappointed. Her phone rang. Brian. Annie stared at the screen. Eleanor stood. “I’m going to leave you alone.” “Mother—” But Eleanor was already walking away, smiling to herself. Annie took a breath and answered. “Did you call to check whether I survived lunch?” “No.” “Then this is disappointing.” “Did you enjoy it?” Annie leaned back against the sofa. “The food was good.” “Only good?” “The pudding was excellent.” “I’ll remember that.” “You’d better. I expect it again.” There was a pause. Then Brian said, “I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday morning.” Annie sat up straighter. “You do?” “Yes.” “Did you make it yourself?” “Yes.” “Without someone threatening you?” “Without someone threatening me.” She smiled. “I’m proud of you.” The line went quiet. Annie’s smile slowly disappeared. “Brian?” “I’m here.” “Why are you quiet?” “I’m considering how to respond.” “Try saying thank you.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Another pause followed. Then Brian asked, “Will you come with me?” Annie looked down at her fingers. She had expected the question. Still, hearing it made her heart beat faster. “What time?” “Eight-thirty.” “Too early.” “Annie.” “Fine. Eight-thirty.” “I’ll pick you up.” “I can drive myself.” “I know.” “Then stop offering to drive me everywhere.” “I want to.” She closed her eyes briefly. He had said those words before. And they still affected her. “Fine,” she murmured. “But afterward, you’re buying me breakfast.” “Of course.” “And if the doctor tells you to change your habits, you’ll listen.” “Yes.” “And if you lie—” “You’ll charge me ten dollars.” Annie smiled. “You remember.” “I remember everything you say.” Her breath caught. Brian seemed to realize what he had said, because the silence that followed felt different. Annie swallowed. “That sounds dangerous.” “For whom?” She looked toward the window, suddenly unable to keep her voice playful. “I haven’t decided yet.” Neither of them spoke for a moment. Then Brian said softly, “Good night, Annie.” “Good night, Brian.” She ended the call and sat motionless on the sofa. From the hallway, Eleanor called, “Was that Brian?” Annie grabbed the cushion and pressed it over her face. “Mother!” Eleanor laughed. And somewhere across the city, Brian stared at his phone, remembering the sound of Annie’s voice when she had said good night. For the first time, he realized he was already looking forward to Thursday.