A week had passed since Theresa and Altair's first heart-to-heart conversation. It was a bright Monday morning on July 3rd, and the house was slowly coming to life. Theresa, an early riser, was already up and about, while Cassy had just emerged from her room, laptop in hand.
"Big Sis, don't you have work today?" Cassy asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"I took the day off. I'm planning to go shopping later," Theresa replied, bending down to tie her shoelaces.
"Before you go for your run, have some coffee. I'll prepare it quickly," Cassy offered, already heading towards the kitchen to start the coffee maker.
Theresa, now seated at the table, was preoccupied with tying her hair into a neat ponytail. She was dressed in a form-fitting crop top that accentuated her toned midriff and leggings that hugged her curves, ready for her morning run.
Once the coffee was brewing, Cassy opened the fridge to decide on the day's menu. "Hmm. What should I cook? I have ground beef, scallions, and rice," she mused aloud.
"Fried rice. Fry the ground beef first, add garlic, then increase the heat and add the rice. Stir in some eggs, soy sauce, and MSG," Theresa suggested, her eyes still focused on the compact mirror in her hand.
"Don't you have school today? It looks like you're about to do something," Theresa asked, glancing at Cassy's laptop.
Cassy, engrossed in her cooking, looked radiant in the morning light. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. "I have classes this afternoon. But first, I need to straighten up my finances," she replied, her tone hinting at the busy day ahead.
Theresa filled her favorite cup with the freshly brewed coffee. "Sounds like a busy day for you, Cassy," she remarked, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Yes, I need to finish these finances quickly," Cassy replied, her eyes scanning the spreadsheet on her laptop.
The sound of footsteps descending the stairs cut off their conversation. Altair appeared in the lounge, dressed in a hoodie, a black t-shirt, and cargo shorts. His presence in the shared space was becoming a common sight, a sign of his gradual adjustment to the house's routine.
"Good morning, Cassy. Therese," Altair greeted, his voice still thick with sleep. He had taken to calling Theresa by her full name, finding the two-syllable version easier to pronounce in his groggy state.
"Hey, sleepyhead. What's on your agenda today?" Theresa asked, her tone light and teasing.
"A pretty casual day, filled with gaming, self-pity, and a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms," Altair replied, his tone laced with a hint of self-deprecating humor. It was a half-meant joke, but Theresa couldn't help but chuckle. Altair seemed to be in better spirits compared to the previous week.
Altair's presence outside his room was becoming more frequent, a sign of his gradual adjustment to the shared living space. However, he had yet to cross paths with Mikayla, Priscilla, and Allaine.
As Cassy finished cooking and began setting the table, Theresa turned to Altair with a proposition. "Why don't you join me for a jog, Altair?"
"As much as I'd love to touch some grass, I'd rather stay alive," Altair quipped, implying that being seen with Theresa might incite jealousy and pose a threat to his well-being.
Altair moved to the kitchen bar, pouring himself a cup of coffee. His gaze landed on Cassy, who was bustling around the kitchen. "You're looking gorgeous today, Cassy. Got an event?" he asked, his tone casual.
Cassy blushed, a mix of panic, delight, and happiness washing over her. She wasn't used to receiving compliments, especially not from Altair. "Stop it; I haven't even combed my hair yet!" she protested, her voice betraying her excitement.
"Hey! You praised her and didn't notice me? You clearly have a bias for people who cook!" Theresa protested, feigning hurt. 
"You always look pretty, Theresa," Altair replied, trying to smooth things over.
After a few more exchanges, Theresa stood up, ready to start her day. "I'm off for my run now. Thanks for the coffee, Cassy," she said, planting a kiss on Cassy's cheek before heading out.
Cassy returned to her laptop, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Altair finished his meal, reading the news on his phone. Not wanting to disturb Cassy, he started to clear the table, but Cassy stopped him.
"Just leave it there, Mr. Altair. I'll pick it up once I'm done here," she said, her focus unbroken.
Altair noticed Cassy's growing frustration, her keystrokes becoming louder and more forceful. Intrigued, he peeked at her screen. She was working on a spreadsheet, manually calculating data. "Cassy, mind if I ask what you're doing?" Altair asked. 
"I'm trying to create a quarterly report from this raw data from my e-commerce site," Cassy replied, her tone strained.
Altair, who had mastered spreadsheets in his previous job, offered to help. "How about I help you with that so you can focus on other things?"
Cassy turned around, her face lighting up with relief and delight. "Really? But it's okay if you're busy!" she protested. 
"No worries; I can do that in 15 minutes," Altair assured her.
"You can do that?" Cassy asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Yeah, so go ahead and relax. Let me take care of it," Altair offered, ready to lend a helping hand.
Cassy stood up, explaining the workings of the spreadsheet to Altair. He quickly grasped the concept and began working on the file, his fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. Meanwhile, Cassy busied herself with cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes. Once done, she retreated to her room to freshen up.
When she emerged half an hour later, she was a sight to behold. Dressed in a black jumper skirt paired with a white long-sleeve blouse, she looked both cute and sophisticated. A delicate pearl hairclip adorned her hair, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble. Cassy's transformation from a casual homebody to a preppy, delicate beauty was striking.
Altair, who had been engrossed in his work, looked up at her entrance. He was momentarily stunned; his thoughts were momentarily derailed by her transformation. He had always found Cassy naturally cute, but today she was on another level. He quickly snapped himself out of his reverie, reminding himself that Cassy was only 19 and he was in no position to be having such thoughts.
Cassy's voice broke through his internal monologue. "Hey, Mr. Altair, are you alright?" She asked, her tone laced with concern.
"Yeah, I'm done with the file," he stammered, standing up to make way for her.
He quickly explained what he had done. "So, I created a new tab where you can dump your raw data. I also created a separate tab for your reports. You now have tables for week-on-week, month-to-date, and month-to-month comparisons. I also added a combo chart to visualize your performance on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis." He switched to a different tab. "Oh, and I also added a product analysis tab. This will give you a more in-depth outlook on the products you sell."
Cassy's eyes widened as she took in the changes. The spreadsheet was now neatly arranged with a color scheme that was easy on the eyes. It was everything she had wanted and more.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Cassy impulsively hugged Altair. The sudden contact startled him, leaving him momentarily paralyzed. He quickly snapped out of his surprise, gently extricating himself from her embrace.
"Ah, no worries. I'm going to my room now. Just message me if you have any questions. And thank you again for the meal," he said, his voice steady despite the surprise hug.
With that, he retreated to his room, leaving Cassy alone with her newly organized spreadsheet.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the house was bathed in the soft glow of the evening. Theresa returned home, her arms laden with bags of Chinese takeout. She made her way to Cassy's room, knocking gently on the door.
"Cassy, are you awake?" Theresa's voice was soft, not wanting to startle the younger girl if she was sleeping.
Cassy, who had just returned home an hour ago, opened the door, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She was still in her school uniform, her hair a tousled mess, a clear indication that she had fallen asleep as soon as she got home.
"Sorry to disturb you, Cassy," Theresa said, her voice filled with concern. "I brought some food. Would you like to eat?"
Cassy, now fully awake, stepped out of her room, closing the door behind her. She tried to smooth down her hair as she nodded. "Sure! I'll set the table. Do you want to freshen up first?"
Theresa nodded and said, "Let me change my clothes first. Can you call the other girls too?"
Cassy shook her head and said, "I don't think they're here. Priscilla went out with Allaine for art supplies, and Mikayla has a restaurant review."
A light bulb seemed to go off in Theresa's head. "How about Altair?" she asked, thinking that this could be a perfect opportunity to get to know him better.
Cassy's eyes widened in surprise, and she started to panic. She began to brush her hair with her fingers, her movements frantic. "Are you sure? How do I look? Heck! I'll go freshen up first and call him after!"
"But Cassy, you look..." Theresa began, but Cassy was already on the move.
Without waiting for Theresa's response, Cassy dashed back into her room, leaving Theresa standing in the hallway with a grin spreading across her face. Normally, Cassy wouldn't mind being seen in a state of disarray, except when Elise was around. But this time, she seemed extremely flustered.
Theresa couldn't help but feel amused. This was going to be an interesting night. As she moved to her room to change, she couldn't shake off a peculiar thought. "Something's changing in Cassy," she mused to herself, "And it's not just about her appearance. There's a certain glow about her, a certain excitement. I wonder what's causing it." She chuckled to herself, shaking her head. "Well, whatever it is, it's definitely making things more interesting around here."
A half-hour later, Theresa emerged from her room, dressed in a casual yet chic ensemble of a loose, off-shoulder top and a pair of high-waisted shorts. Cassy, on the other hand, had changed into a simple yet elegant sundress that accentuated her youthful charm.
"You're looking pretty cute, Cassy," Theresa teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Hmm?" Cassy replied, a soft blush dusting her cheeks.
"How about we eat at the gazebo for a change?" Theresa proposed, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
"That's a brilliant idea!" Cassy replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
As they moved to the gazebo, they began to set the table. Their movements synchronized in a comfortable rhythm. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of the Chinese takeout, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, adding to the serene ambiance.
"Cassy, what do you think of Altair?" Theresa suddenly asked, her gaze fixed on the younger girl.
"He is really a nice guy, I think." Cassy replied, her tone uncertain.
"If you are going to compare him against the guys in your age bracket, how does he fare? Or differ?" Theresa probed further, her curiosity piqued.
"He is different; he's aloof, reserved, but refined. He helped me with my spreadsheet earlier," Cassy replied, her words tumbling out in a rush. It was clear that she was just throwing out whatever came to her mind, not really answering Theresa's question.
Cassy was oblivious to the fact that Theresa was trying to figure out if she had feelings for Altair or was starting to develop them. "He's dependable? Is that what you are trying to say?" Theresa asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"Yes, he's a gentleman, actually. But his aura—I can't quite grasp it, but it feels really cold," Cassy replied, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Maybe because he's going through something at this moment?" Theresa suggested, her tone sympathetic.
"Do you think that if he were near your age, he would stand a chance with you?" Theresa asked, her words sharp and direct.
Cassy's eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. Theresa didn't miss the reaction, and a triumphant grin spread across her face. "Sister! Stop!" Cassy protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "And whatever traits he has now are surely forged by age and experience," she added, her tone firm.
The maturity of Cassy's response astounded Theresa. Her idea of love might be based on textbooks, theories, or hearsay, but it was definitely not rooted in fairy tales. But did that mean Altair stood a chance?
"Does that mean that Altair has a chance?" Theresa asked, her tone teasing.
"Everyone has a chance; my standards are just that high. I want my first to be my last," Cassy replied, her tone serious. She then shot a mischievous glance at Theresa. "And my tutor is great," she added, a devilish grin on her face.
As the two women shared this moment, the gazebo was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The delicate fairy lights strung around the structure added a magical touch to the scene. The gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant chirping of the birds provided a soothing background melody. The aroma of the Chinese takeout mingled with the fresh scent of the surrounding greenery, creating a unique blend that was both comforting and invigorating. It was a picture-perfect setting, a tranquil oasis that seemed to exist outside the realm of their bustling lives. 
"Look at you grow!" Theresa exclaimed, her heart swelling with pride. The sight of Cassy, standing there in the soft glow of the setting sun, her face flushed with excitement and her eyes sparkling with determination, filled Theresa with a sense of immense satisfaction. 
The conversation between Theresa and Cassy was interrupted when Cassy's phone rang. It was Altair. "Hey... Mr. Altair? Good evening! I hope I am not bothering you. We are planning a dinner by the gazebo right now, do you want to join us? We saved you a spot already," Cassy said into the phone. She paused for a few seconds, listening to Altair's response. "Only me, Theresa, and you," she added, a hint of excitement in her voice. After another pause, she said, "Yay! See you here," and ended the call. 
Theresa watched Cassy with an amused smile on her face. She had an idea to make the evening more interesting, but she decided to wait until Altair arrived before revealing it. A few minutes later, they saw Altair approaching. He was dressed casually in an AC/DC shirt and jogging pants. "Evening, girls," he greeted as he took a seat next to Theresa and across from Cassy. 
The table was set with a variety of dishes from the Chinese takeout that Theresa had brought. There were spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, fried rice, and a couple of noodle dishes. A bottle of wine and three glasses were also on the table, along with a pitcher of iced water. 
"I have an idea. Let's tell some stories that we're comfortable sharing to make this a fun dinner," Theresa suggested. 
"That sounds fun, but what kind of stories?" Cassy asked. 
"I'll lead, okay?" Theresa offered, and Cassy agreed. 
As they started eating, Theresa began her story. "Alright! So I have this matchmaker named Mildred. She's the one who introduces me to guys she thinks are suitable for me." 
"That's interesting. So instead of online dating, you have a personal matchmaker?" Altair asked. 
"Yeah, so she introduced me to this guy named Kyle. He's handsome and has a good career, you know? The typical good guy," Theresa continued. 
"What happened next?" Cassy asked, her interest piqued. 
"Well, this guy was really a good guy, but we had an argument about jaywalking," Theresa said. 
"A healthy debate, I assume?" Altair asked. 
"It was at first. He was telling me that jaywalking is illegal and that laws must be abided by. He said that if you get hit by a car while jaywalking, the driver shouldn't be liable. While I agree with that, I also think that the city government should build more safe and convenient passages for people. The reason why people jaywalk is because of lack of infrastructure for pedestrians," Theresa explained. 
"Both are valid arguments if you ask me," Altair said. 
"Now this guy, while we were arguing, suddenly yielded! He said that I was absolutely right!" Theresa said, her tone indicating her frustration. 
"Don't you think he was just trying to compromise?" Cassy asked. 
"Compromise is different from appeasing. It appears that Theresa wanted the guy to stand up for his principles," Altair said. 
"See? Altair gets it! It won't work if you just yield, even for a petty argument! In the end, his emotions will just bottle up, and I'll be branded as controlling!" Theresa said. 
"I can see that happening. Theresa has a strong point here. So what happened next?" Altair asked. 
"So I told the guy that it wouldn't work," Theresa replied. 
"That's terrible! How did he react?" Cassy asked, her voice filled with pity. 
"He was about to make a scene in the smoking area," Theresa replied. 
"Let me take a guess. That was another test of yours?" Altair asked. 
Cassy's reaction was indeed priceless. Her eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming a small 'o' of astonishment. She looked from Theresa to Altair and back again, her mind trying to process what had just happened. It was as if she had just witnessed a magic trick and was trying to figure out how it was done. 
The usually chatty Cassy was rendered speechless. She blinked a few times, her gaze flickering between Theresa and Altair as if she was trying to decipher an intricate puzzle. The realization that Altair had effortlessly seen through Theresa's tactics left her in a state of awe. 
Her eyes, usually sparkling with youthful exuberance, now held a glint of newfound respect for Altair. She had always seen him as a quiet, reserved individual, but this interaction revealed a depth to him that she hadn't anticipated. 
She looked at Altair, her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than usual. There was a newfound curiosity in her eyes, a spark of interest that hadn't been there before. She was beginning to see Altair in a new light, and it intrigued her. 
This moment, though brief, marked a subtle shift in the dynamics of their relationship. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a side of Altair that Cassy hadn't known existed. And she found herself wanting to know more. 
"Exactly!" Theresa exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with surprise and admiration. "I mean, he just threw a tantrum instead of explaining himself calmly or promising to change his ways!" 
Cassy, still processing the depth of Altair's insight, turned to him with a curious expression. "Altair, how did you manage to figure out Theresa's intentions so accurately?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. 
Altair shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "It's part of Theresa's character. She likes to size up her potential partners," he explained. "In my line of work, I've encountered many clients who do the same. They throw curveball questions, pretend to be experts or play dumb to gauge their financial consultants. And the consultants, in turn, size up their clients." 
He paused, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. "What Theresa did is called situation assessment. She puts her potential partner in various situations, both planned and spontaneous, to see how he reacts or handles himself." 
Theresa was visibly impressed by Altair's analysis. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes wide with surprise and a newfound respect for Altair. His ability to dissect the situation and provide such a pinpoint analysis was nothing short of remarkable. It was clear that there was more to Altair than met the eye, and Theresa found herself intrigued by this newfound depth to his character. 
"Wow, Altair, I never thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right," Theresa admitted, her tone filled with admiration. "I guess I do like to test my potential partners. It's important to know how they react in different situations." 
Cassy, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, chimed in. "That's really smart, Theresa. And Altair, I'm amazed at how you were able to figure that out." 
Altair shrugged modestly, "It's just part of understanding people, Cassy. Everyone has their own methods and strategies when it comes to relationships." 
"But I'd like to understand your rationale, Theresa," Cassy asked, her eyes filled with curiosity. 
Theresa sighed, her gaze distant as she began to explain. "Little sis, I don't have the luxury of time to make mistakes. I'm not as young as you. I grew up in a very conservative environment where I wasn't allowed to have a boyfriend until I started working," she paused, her eyes meeting Cassy's. "So, I have a very narrow window to make mistakes." 
Cassy nodded in understanding. "That makes sense," she said softly. 
"Now it's your turn, Cassy!" Theresa exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. 
Cassy blushed slightly, her gaze dropping to her plate. "I don't have a love story, but there's this guy at school who's so persistent in trying to court me. He's kind of annoying," she admitted. 
Theresa leaned forward, her interest piqued. "What does this guy look like?" she asked. 
Cassy shrugged. "He's really handsome, and a lot of girls fawn over him. But I don't find him special. He's rich, and I guess that comes with a sense of entitlement?" she said, her voice laced with irritation. 
Altair, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "That's quite an observation, Cassy. What makes you say that?" 
Cassy sighed, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. "He keeps trying to monopolize my schedule by conspiring with my peers to free up my tasks. He constantly bothers me and blocks people who approach me, even my friends!" she explained, her voice rising slightly with frustration. 
Theresa let out a low whistle. "Ah, that kind of rich," she said, her tone understanding. 
Cassy nodded. "Of all the people I've rejected, he's the only one who keeps coming back and trying. And then there's Carlos too," she added, her face scrunching up in annoyance. 
Theresa chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "You're a little heartbreaker, aren't you, Cassy?" she teased. 
Altair, however, seemed more serious. "If he's generally a nice guy, what prevents you from giving him a chance?" he asked. 
Cassy looked at him, her eyes firm. "I hate people who think they own everything just because they're born lucky and have money. Money isn't important to me," she paused, her gaze steady. "The most important things to me are respect, will, and purpose. That's what makes a man, right?" 
Theresa chuckled at this, nodding in agreement. "You're absolutely right, Cassy," she said, her gaze drifting to Altair. 
Altair, however, seemed taken aback. "So, by your standards, I'm only... 33.33% man?" he asked, his voice filled with mock hurt. 
Cassy's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly tried to backtrack. "No, that's not what I meant--" 
"S-Sorry! I didn't mean that!" Cassy immediately stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. But Altair just laughed it off, his eyes twinkling with amusement. 
"No need to apologize, Cassy," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "You're absolutely right. A man isn't a man without his will and purpose. How can he lead a relationship if he doesn't have those? Back me up here, Theresa." 
Theresa nodded in agreement, her gaze serious. "Absolutely. A relationship is a two-way street. If a man can't lead and needs to rest, then the woman should be the light and pillar while he recovers. And the same goes for when the woman needs rest. You can't have a healthy relationship if both parties lack those qualities," she explained, her words echoing with wisdom. 
Cassy listened intently, her eyes wide as she absorbed their words. It was as if she was taking mental notes, storing their advice for future reference. 
"And you have those traits, Mr. Altair," she said suddenly, her voice filled with conviction. "You're just... resting." 
Altair looked at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Thanks for the encouragement, Cassy. You're a good kid. Don't ever settle for less," he said, his words sincere and heartfelt. 
A moment of silence fell over them as they continued to eat, the sounds of their cutlery clinking against the plates the only noise in the otherwise quiet gazebo. The soft glow of the fairy lights strung around the gazebo cast a warm, inviting light on the scene. 
"I believe it's your turn, Altair," Theresa finally broke the silence, her gaze turning to him. 
Altair sighed, leaning back in his chair as he closed his eyes. "There really isn't a story worth telling, but let me jog my memory a bit..." He paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "There's this girl that Elise and I liked during our high school days. Her name was Shyrene. She had long, black hair that shone like pearls in the sunlight. She was a real beauty." 
Theresa and Cassy exchanged surprised glances. "Wait, what? Elise and you liked a girl?" Theresa asked, her voice filled with disbelief. 
Altair nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, we really liked this girl. We even competed to see who would end up being with her. Shyrene had a heart condition that meant she couldn't experience extreme emotions. She couldn't be too happy or too sad," he explained, his voice softening as he spoke of her. 
Theresa frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Are you sure this is a true story?" she asked, her tone skeptical. 
Altair nodded, his gaze serious. "Of course. We both thought Shyrene was cool and beautiful. She studied harder than any of us, or even both of us combined." 
Cassy couldn't help but laugh at this, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "But didn't you and Elise run a cheating ring in school?" she asked, her voice teasing. 
Altair chuckled, shaking his head. "In my own perspective, I studied hard. Anyway, back to the story. For us, Shyrene was the prettiest girl in school. But one day, she just disappeared. Elise and I were devastated. She was one of the main reasons we even bothered to show up at school. So, we went back to our usual business," he said, his voice trailing off. 
"We ended up making a compromise. If Shyrene ever reappeared, we would share her. Elise would be the main husband, and I would be the secondary one," Altair added, his words followed by a hearty laugh. It was the first genuine laugh they had heard from him since his breakup. 
Theresa and Cassy were still stunned by his revelation, their eyes wide with surprise. "I refuse to believe that. How can we be sure this is a true story?" Theresa challenged. 
In response, Altair picked up his phone and speed-dialed Elise. He put the call on speakerphone, and Elise answered after three rings. 
"What's up, babe?" Elise's voice echoed through the speaker. 
"Since you're a complete woman now, I'll be Shyrene's sole and primary husband, okay?" Altair asked, a playful tone in his voice. 
Elise's laughter echoed through the speaker, loud and hearty. "Oh? Not in your dreams, babe!" she retorted, her voice filled with amusement. 
"You're still in second place, babe!" Elise's voice echoed through the speaker, her laughter ringing out once more. 
As they both laughed, a sense of nostalgia washed over Altair. It was as if he was back in high school, the memories of his youth flashing before his eyes. The laughter, the camaraderie, the innocent crushes - it all seemed so vivid and real. 
"Tell me, did you just call me for a walk down memory lane?" Elise's voice brought him back to the present. 
"I'm telling our Shyrene story to Theresa and Cassy. We're having dinner by the gazebo," Altair explained, his voice filled with amusement. 
"Oh! Two at one night? You dog," Elise teased, her voice filled with mirth. 
"Stop that, Elise. It's just dinner, nothing special," Altair retorted, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. Theresa and Cassy chuckled at their banter, their eyes twinkling with amusement. 
"So... Are you going to end Theresa's decade-long streak of being single? Or are you going to be Cassy's first and last?" Elise asked, her voice flirtatious. 
Cassy's eyes widened in surprise at Elise's words, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. She quickly looked away, her heart pounding in her chest. 
"None of that is going to happen!" Altair protested, his voice sounding like a child refusing to eat his vegetables. 
"I hope you don't eat your words someday, babe. Else, Shyrene will be solely mine," Elise threatened playfully before ending the call. 
The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories. The food was delicious, the company was great, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. As the night drew to a close, they all agreed that it had been a night to remember.