Fated To Three, And I Broke Them All

Gigi:

”I’m doing great,” Rochelle replied to Theodore.

Then her gaze drifted to the empty chair again.

She subtly gestured for me to bring it up, silently asking where the heck Jaguar was.

I straightened in my seat and began serving food onto Ragnar’s plate. I always served him myself.

It wasn’t something he had ever asked me to do.

I had started the habit on my own.

At first, he found it unnecessary, but eventually he understood it was my way of showing affection.

After that, he stopped arguing about it.

”Theodore, where’s Jaguar? Is he running late? I mean, dinner has practically started already.”

As I spoke, a small smile appeared on my face, and the soft laugh that escaped my lips soon after was a clear sign that I was beginning to get upset.

”Um, actually...”

This time, when Theodore spoke up, his words were directed at his brother because Ragnar was now watching him expectantly.

”I told him not to go, but he said his friend was sick. He promised he’d come back, though. I don’t know why he isn’t here already.”

Theodore responded while looking between me and Ragnar. He seemed to split his attention between both of us whenever he spoke.

”Did he know there was a dinner planned? That we were supposed to be together tonight?” Ragnar asked.

I knew Ragnar saw this dinner as more than a celebration of his accomplishments.

To him, it was a chance for all of us to sit together as a family.

”Um, I told him. I personally invited him,” I spoke up before Theodore could make up an excuse for Jaguar.

I wasn’t about to let Jaguar get away with this. If he skipped my dinner and never showed up, he was going to hear about it.

”And I told him not to go,” Theodore immediately added.

Ragnar leaned back in his chair and shook his head.

”Which friend?” he asked.

Once again, Theodore didn’t seem to have an answer. He simply shrugged.

”He was in such a hurry that he didn’t tell me.”

Ragnar remained silent for a moment.

”Well, then he’ll be back,” Ragnat said.

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

What the heck did he mean by that?

It was as if they were taking my kindness for granted now, and I needed to make a point.

”Yeah, he’ll be back. And if he doesn’t, who cares?” I said, forcing tears into my eyes. ”I mean, I always make time for everyone in his life. I guess I’ve lost my importance.”

I lowered my gaze.

”It’s just that I really like bringing families together, and I’ve always considered you all family. But I can tell Jaguar is getting annoyed with me constantly arranging dinners here.”

My voice trembled as I spoke. I took a bite of food while a single tear rolled down my cheek.

I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand.

”Let me call that asshole,” Theodore grunted.

I knew it.

I fucking knew it.

Even Ragnar had stopped eating.

He turned toward Theodore, looking irritated as he waited for Jaguar to answer the call.

However, after several rings, it became clear that Jaguar’s phone was on, but he wasn’t answering anyone.

Then Ragnar picked up his own phone.

Rochelle watched the entire scene unfold.

Jaguar skipping my dinner had already been embarrassing enough, but Theodore’s and Ragnar’s reactions had made one thing very clear.

I meant a lot to them.

Just as expected, Jaguar answered Ragnar’s call.

”Where are you, Jaguar? Don’t you know Gigi planned dinner for all of us?” Ragnar demanded harshly.

That alone told me how much he cared about me because, in general, Ragnar loved his siblings and rarely spoke to them that way.

”I’m so sorry for not making it. I know. Please apologize to her on my behalf, but I don’t think I can make it tonight. Also, my phone is about to die, so I’m really sorry. You guys have dinner, okay? And tell Gigi I’m sorry.”

He spoke so quickly that it was obvious he was in a rush.

He knew that if he stayed on the line much longer, his brothers would probably pressure him to come back.

The excuse about his phone dying sounded weak, especially because he didn’t end the call.

I had a feeling he was waiting for Ragnar’s approval.

”Who is this friend of yours that’s more important than your family?” Ragnar asked.

The silence on the other end was answer enough.

He was lying.

Otherwise, why would he be so secretive about this friend?

I could tell Ragnar understood that too. His brother had lied to him.

Instead of giving Jaguar a chance to explain himself or hang up first, Ragnar ended the call.

”It’s okay, you know. I’m fine,” I said, swallowing hard.

”As we should be. It shouldn’t matter to us whether he joins us or not. Let him do whatever he wants. He’s an adult. If he has somewhere more important to be, then let’s just enjoy dinner.”

Although Ragnar was trying to make a point, I also understood the message hidden beneath his words.

In his own way, he had tried to defend Jaguar while making it clear that he was upset.

Sadly, there wasn’t much that could be done.

Jaguar had started showing the resistance I had expected from Theodore.

I should have gotten them in my claws sooner.

I just didn’t understand where I had wasted so much time.

Two years, and I still hadn’t managed to make the brothers entirely dependent on me.

Needless to say, the night didn’t end pleasantly.

After dinner, Ragnar gave a short speech.

He thanked everyone for their time, expressed his appreciation, thanked me personally, and then went off to bed.

He didn’t even ask me to join him.

So I left feeling defeated and angry, but also more determined than ever to find out where the fuck Jaguar had spent the night.