Chapter 379: When in Doubt, Go in the Opposite Direction
"Hey, what are you doing here alone? Everyone’s sleeping already."
Vernon’s voice and the pat on Calix’s back pulled the latter out of his stupor. Tearing his eyes away from the bottom of his teacup, he looked at his elder brother in surprise.
"Brother?"
"Uhuh, it’s me."
Calix quietly stared at Vernon. Instead of wearing pajamas like him, his elder brother was more comfortable in his loose tank top and long cargo pants.
Calix didn’t expect to see anyone else at this hour. He thought everyone was tired after their barbecue party which concluded a few hours ago.
The entire villa was shrouded in white noise, including the faint sound of the rolling waves hitting the shore. The fireworks show from the festival ground had ended long ago.
"I can’t sleep. Sit down ah," Calix gestured to the high stool beside his, welcoming Vernon’s presence. He reached for another cup on the bar counter, "Fancy a drink?"
Exhaling a sigh, Vernon stared at Calix in disbelief before his eyes drifted to the pot of tea sitting on the counter. Steam spiraled from the spout, showing the tea was still hot.
"You’re sitting here but, you drink tea? Nevermind. I’ll grab my own drink."
The clock showed a quarter past one in the morning. Still feeling full from their family barbecue, Vernon couldn’t bring himself to sleep. He quietly left Lucille alone in the bedroom.