And with that....

Julianne: (sighs) Oh I'm so glad to hear that Tiffany!

Rose: Yeah, me too!

She was simply glad to see that her friend was enjoying what was going on as well.

Julianne: Mm hmm. For a second, I was worried you kids wouldn't enjoy this food, but... I'm relieved.

Rose giggled to herself again.

And with that...

Julianne: And now... I can finally eat in peace. So, kids.. enjoy.

She then took another fork full of pasta and ate it with a smile.

It wasn't as though Julianne was aware of how uneasy the kids must have felt around her. She had too much experience not to know that. At that point, she genuinely wondered as to what she could do about it.

After all, it was in her best interests that the kids did get along with her. And so, she would have to calm them down. But the question was... how?

As an artist grows knowledgeable about what paints do what, and which colours can be mixed to get what, she also knew quite well what mistakes had to be avoided to ensure that she didn't unnerve the kids or awaken their suspicions.

But... she knew that it had to come off as natural. And so, she wouldn't force it.

She was tempted to, but....

Her eyes turned to her son.

... she would wait.

And with that, for just a moment, the room became quite silent.

Max was quietly munching on his pizza, and the other three were somewhat nervously eating what may very well have been one of if not the best meals they'd had all their lives.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

In the meanwhile....

Rose suddenly started, having noticed how naturally Julianne used her fork.

Rose: Wow, Mrs Hunter, you look so elegant while using that fork.

Of course, and she was glad about this, she didn't need to worry about Rose.

Julianne finished chewing her food.

Julianne: Oh, really?

Rose: Mmm hmmm. When you're eating, you look like a movie star.

Her eyes were filled with deep admiration.

Julianne: Oh, why thank you. I learned this all while I was acting on Earth.

Rose: Really?

Julianne: Mmm hmm. That was one of the many things I had to learn while acting.

Rose: No way, really?

Julianne: Uh huh. The old man who taught me how to act had me learn everything from fine dining to fishing. Honestly, at times I wondered about what whether or not I would eventually become an actress.

Rose: Woah. Really?

Julianne: Mmm hmm. But... well... what he taught me always ended up becoming in handy. (thinking: Unfortunately...)

In a sense, she almost resented the old coot for being right.

Rose: Wow. That must have been so hard.

Julianne: It was. Really.

The other teens simply quietly listened.

Ken: (thinking: Hmmm. Intriguing. Perhaps I should... no. I did promise Tiffany, after all.)

As for Julianne, like magic, even as she ate, she seemed completely divine.

Julianne: It took quite a while for me to finally figure out how to use all the right forks and spoons.

She took another fork full of pasta in her mouth, chewed it gently and delicately, all the while being stared at by a very bedazzled Rose, and then swallowed it the way you'd expect a true lady to.

Julianne: And, honestly, it was even harder than you would believe.

For a moment she thought nostalgically....

Julianne: But ... let's just say... I'm glad I got all that experience.

Rose: Really?

Julianne: Absolutely.

Her mind went back to all the things he'd taught her. They were, in a nutshell, oft times things only somewhat unrelated to acting.

If she was shooting a boating scene, she would have to learn about boating, fishing, servicing a boat and the like, if she had to shoot a dining scene, why not learn everything about fine dining, including but not limited to, decor, design, and even the different kinds of utencils?

Even then, she still wasnt 100% certain of his reasoning behind this, but, she could not deny that his advice always made her come out on top.

After all, thanks to him, she was stinking rich.

Julianne: Yeah... (thinking: For what its worth, I'm glad I met that old man. Even though he was out of his mind.)

Her eyes turned to her now pizza munching son.

His eyes as well were somewhat nostalgic.

Perhaps, in a sense, it was a moment for mother and son. They both knew that man. And neither one of them had seen him for quite a while.

Her lips turned to a smile.

Julianne: (thinking: Yeah... even you remember him, don't you sweetie?) Hmmm. Yes. That old man....