Chapter 4: Unexpected Hospitality

As the party ended, Liora realized she couldn't go back to the hostel. It was already past 11, and the hostel wouldn't open its gates this late. She decided to ask Asher if she could stay at his house for the night.

"Can I come to your place?" Liora asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

Asher was taken aback. "Really? No," he initially replied, but seeing the seriousness of her situation, he sighed and agreed. "Alright, let's go."

They traveled in a taxi, and when they arrived at his house, the lights came on, revealing Lucian at the door. "Why did you bring her here so late?" he asked, his tone stern.

Asher explained the situation, and Lucian relented. "You can sleep in Ethan's room. He's at work and won't be back until morning."

Liora mumbled a prayer under her breath, hoping Ethan wouldn't have to go to another city as a contract driver, with the graduation ceremony next week. They all went inside, and Liora settled into Ethan's room, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as she rolled into the bed where Ethan slept.

The next morning, Liora woke up early, around 5 AM. She decided to explore the house quietly. It was an old but spacious home. Everyone else was still asleep. She went outside and saw a man carrying a milk tank and newspapers.

"Who are you? What are you doing in this house?" the man asked.

Liora replied, "They are my friends' family," and went back inside as the man continued with his job. The news quickly spread to the aunt's house of the four brothers, where there were two daughters—one younger than Lucian and the other the same age as Liora and Asher.

Both girls hurried to the brothers' house to see Liora. Inside, Liora was helping Lucian with cooking. She made tea and simple breakfast, while Lucian prepared lunch. Daniel, the father, woke up and saw Liora. She introduced herself and handed him a cup of tea.

The two sisters arrived and started questioning their father about Liora. "Who is she? Why is she here?" they asked.

Liora, sweating from the heat of the kitchen, emerged with Lucian. Julian, the third son, called out, "Liora, I've boiled some water for you to take a bath."

Just then, Ethan returned home. The two sisters continued to argue, asking why they allowed Liora to stay and who she was. Liora called out to Asher, "Can you give these coffees to your second brother?"

Asher replied, "Why don't you give them to him yourself?"

Liora explained, "The tea is finished because I made it for the five of us. These are coffees, and I'm not sure if he likes them. Also, give these to those girls who are arguing."  As Asher nodded and gie it to them.

Ethan took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "This is so good, bro, anything special" he said to Lucian.

Lucian replied, "It's Liora who made it."

Liora went to the girls to explain who she was. Ethan approached her and said, "Thanks for the coffee," before heading inside. As Liora feeling that her stomach filled up with butterflies as she is jumping inside in her mind full of happiness when Ethan said.

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