"You don't know?" Her curiosity deepened.

“I haven't opened it yet, so naturally, I don't know," Alick explained. “Let's just focus on the road for now.”

Annis pouted at him. "Fine."

They shared their home with Nelson, but after the dinner at the restaurant, Nelson had left in his own car.

Annis had chosen to let Alick live with her so that it was more convenient to take care of him, who was recovering from an injury.

Their house was spacious enough, and she also wanted to keep her father company so he wouldn't feel alone.

When they arrived, Nelson was still not home.

Annis, unable to contain her excitement, grabbed the suitcase from the back seat and grumbled, “Why didn't he get me a gift too? I'm the one getting married as well."

Alick raised his eyebrows at her.

"Isn't giving the gift to me essentially the same as giving it to you?"

Before he could finish, Annis interrupted, "How can that be the same? I'm so close to him, like his sister, and you.... what are you exactly? I'm obviously closer to him. He should have given the gift directly to me."

Alick was momentarily at a loss for words.

Then, with a smile creeping across his face, he suggested, “How about I send it back and have him give it to you directly?"

Annis shot him a fierce look. "Don't provoke me."

How could she possibly suggest such a thing? The very idea was mortifying.

Yet, she couldn't shake off a lingering irritation.

Sliding his arm around her shoulder, Alick reassured her, "What's mine is yours too, isn't it?"

"But it's not the same!" Annis protested. "If he had given it to me, it would show we're close. But he gave it to you, which just proves you're the one he's close to, and I'm just an outsider."

"Joe treats you as his aunt, doesn't he? How does that make you an outsider? You're never satisfied," Alick teased, his smile broadening.

The thought of Joe's adorable face brought a faint smile to Annis' lips.