Tina didn’t expect that Charles would ask about her, so she politely smiled and said, “I…”
“Is the food not up your alley?” Charles interrupted her speech.
Tina shook her head in denial. “That’s not it.”
“Then, why aren’t you eating them?” Charles led the conversation back to where it started. In the meantime, Sonia and the others knew he was trying to mess around and drive a wedge between Tina and Toby. Therefore, they all put down their silverware and waited to enjoy the show.
“That’s right, Miss Gray. Since you’re okay with Toby’s cooking, you should probably start eating.” Zane propped his face with his hand, echoing Charles’ words in a deadpan manner.
Jumping on the bandwagon, Rebecca nodded. “President Fuller prepared these dishes himself, and it wouldn’t look nice if you don’t try any of them, Miss Gray. Furthermore, you love him, don’t you? So shouldn’t you show him your support?”
Tyler puckered his lips and was about to say something, only to be stopped by Toby with a cold glare. Meanwhile, Sonia was seen enjoying her soup calmly without saying a single word, her eyes filled with mischief as if she had nothing to do with Tina’s humiliation.
Fixing her angry eyes on each of them, Tina could feel her rage burning inside her.
These people are obviously trying to make a fool out of me by forcing me to eat these terrible dishes. They want to embarrass me. They even used Toby to pressure me just so that they can be sure to reach their goal; if I refuse to eat those dishes, my love for Toby will be doubted and called into question. By then, Toby will lose his faith in me, even though he may not talk about it. How wicked these people are!
“Fine, I’m going to start eating now!” Tina took a deep breath and forced a smile.
Charles and the others were stunned for a while before they all gloated with a gleeful laugh. Then, Rebecca gave Tina a thumbs up and said, “That’s a good one, Miss Gray. Your love for President Fuller is true and indisputable.”
Tina smiled in silence while angrily refuting them on the inside. True and indisputable? What does this have to do with my love for him? I wouldn’t be forced to eat these terrible dishes if it weren’t for the few of you. At the thought of that, she bit her lip and reluctantly picked up her fork and knife.
Toby held her hand to stop her from eating. “Don’t do it. You don’t actually have to give two hoots about what they said.”
“It’s okay. They’re right. This is the first time cooking, and I should try it,” Tina replied and gently put the man’s hand away.
Despite his disagreement with Tina’s decision to eat those dishes, Toby didn’t do anything else to stop her from pressing on. Deep down, a part of him knew how she would react after she put those dishes into her mouth.
While everyone fixed their eyes on Tina without blinking, she picked up the fork and knife before placing some potatoes and beans on her plate. When she held the food in front of her mouth, she hesitated for a few moments, to which Charles urged her to eat it in frustration. “Come on! What’re you waiting for?”
Despite her strong grudge toward them, Tina knew she had no choice but to swallow the food. Thus, she closed her eyes and braced herself as she put the potatoes into her mouth.
In that instant, a weird taste swept through her taste buds just when her face changed. In the end, she gave in to the terrible taste and covered her mouth before running into the restroom. Even when she was inside the restroom, she could hear the others laughing out loud at her outside.
“Toby, it looks like Miss Gray doesn’t really like your cooking so much that she can’t take it and has to throw up.” Zane drank his fruit juice and pulled Toby’s leg.
“Well, who knows Miss Gray doesn’t love President Fuller that much, either? Otherwise, how does she explain why she’d puke? If I was in her place, I would finish my darling’s dishes instead of spitting them out, no matter how terrible they tasted,” Charles chuckled and said.
Nevertheless, Toby’s face darkened as he pursed his lips in silence. Deep down, he understood why Tina would react that way because his dishes tasted terrible. However, it didn’t sit well with him when he saw her heading to the restroom to puke. After all, like Charles said, Tina might not have been considerate enough to think about protecting Toby’s pride.
“Alright. Let’s dig in and talk later.” Sonia broke her silence when she noticed the unhappy look on Toby’s face. While she didn’t do that to save Toby from embarrassment, she was trying to prevent Charles and the others from running their mouths off before they took it too far.
At the same time, Charles and the other two seemingly sensed Toby’s anger as they shrugged their shoulders and continued to enjoy their meal. Soon, Tina returned from the restroom and pulled out her seat before she sat down and carefully peaked at Toby beside her. Knowing that her reaction might have embarrassed Toby, she guiltily apologized to him and said, “I’m sorry, Toby. I didn’t want to puke on purpose. I just…”
“It’s alright. I know the dishes taste really bad, so it’s normal that you threw up,” Toby cut her short and said.
Sensing the coldness in his voice, Tina knew he was not happy with her reaction. Thus, her heart sank as she felt mad at the thought of that. This is all Sonia’s fault. If they hadn’t forced me to eat those dishes, I wouldn’t have thrown up, and neither would Toby have been unhappy with me.
In that instant, the atmosphere around Toby, Tina, and Tyler was shrouded in awkward silence. At the same time, neither of them said anything or picked up their silverware once again amidst the oppressive vibe. Meanwhile, Sonia and the others were happily enjoying their food at the next table as the aroma of the dishes wafted toward Toby, Tyler, and Tina, making them feel even more uneasy.
“Ah! I can’t take this anymore. I’m starving!” Tyler impatiently patted the table. “Toby, can you arrange for someone to deliver us some decent food in a helicopter?”
Tina’s eyes lit up and fell upon Toby when she heard those words. However, the man placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head. “No way. There is a thunderstorm outside, and it’s dangerous for a helicopter to fly here.”
“So, are we going to starve ourselves like that?” Tyler’s eyes widened.
“If you don’t want to starve yourself, you’d better start eating.” Toby looked up and met his gaze.
“I’d rather starve myself than eat these,” Tyler pouted and said.
Radiating a cold and intimidating aura, Toby didn’t force his brother. “Fine then. Get out of my face!”
“I will.” Tyler stood up and left his seat, but instead of heading upstairs, he made his way to Sonia and the rest, who were sitting at the table beside Toby.
Charles noticed that and raised his eyebrows. “That dude is coming over here, darling.”
While Sonia tilted her head, Tyler revealed an innocent smile and greeted her. “Sonia.”
Tsk! His smile makes him look dumb. Sonia brushed it off in an unconcerned manner and pretended as if she didn’t hear him as she took his eyes off him. On the other hand, Tyler’s face darkened for a split second when he noticed Sonia’s indifferent attitude. Nonetheless, he continued to stand beside the table while sucking his own finger. At the same time, his eyes were glued to the delicious dishes on the table with his hungry desire written all over his face. As he continued to stare at the few of them, Sonia and the others felt too uncomfortable to carry on with their meal.
Charles put down his glass of fruit juice. “What’re you doing, dude?”
Tyler didn’t bother to respond to him but instead gazed at Sonia with a sympathetic look. “Your dishes smell delicious, Sonia.”
Sonia curled her lips and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you want to try them?”
Thinking Sonia understood what he meant, Tyler nodded while his eyes lit up with excitement. “Can I?”
“Come back here, Tyler.” Before Sonia could answer, Tina called out to Tyler. “You don’t have to beg someone for food.”
“That’s none of your goddamn business!” Tyler replied in frustration.
Tina bit her lip and tearfully answered, “I was just concerned about you.”
“I don’t need your concern. You can save that for my brother,” Tyler pursed his lips and said.
“Toby…” Tina fell into Toby’s arms, hoping to find some comfort as she thought he would console her like he usually would and even make Tyler apologize to her. However, Toby only hugged her without saying a single word while squinting in a preoccupied manner.
While Tina was bitterly upset, Charles appeared to be gleeful about that and complimented Tyler. “Good job, kid!”
Nevertheless, Tyler ignored him once more as he looked at Sonia with his eyes lighting up. Then, he asked once again, “Can I, Sonia?”
