"You're talking as if I had died. Those who leave the country can come back, you know,

" Bastion chuckled as he pressed the doorbell of the house.

"Is Ryder home?

" he asked Alice.

"He should be inside,

" She replied to him.

The door still wasn't opened, though. Bastion pressed the rang bell again.

"He might have fallen asleep,

" Alice said as she pressed the bell this time.

"Alright. It looks like we'll have to use the spare key,

" she muttered.

"Can you all move back?

"

The others stepped back. Alice raised the welcome mat and picked up an old and dusted key.

She inserted the key into the keyhole, but the door was opened before she could open it.

Ryder had opened the door. He was in his casual clothes, entirely calm.

"Are we having a party? Why are all of you here?

" Ryder asked in surprise as he saw all of them.

"I forgot something.

"

"I need to get your signature on something.

"

"We are here to talk to you.

"

Alice, Shu, and Bastion replied at the same time.

Alice moved Ryder to the side and entered the house.

She walked to her room.

"Uhmm... Aren't you going to invite us in? Don't tell me you hate us,

" Dan told Ryder as he laughed.

"Uh, not at all. It's so good to meet you after so long. Come on inside,

" Ryder said as he moved to the side and let them enter.

He brought them to the dining table and made them sit there.

"Found it,

" Alice came out of her room with a file in her hand.

"I'm going,

" She told Ryder before she left.

"Alright. You guys can talk now,

" Ryder told them as he sat on a chair after Alice left.

"I need to get your signature on the lawsuit papers. The one we are sending to the Police Department,

" Shu said first.

The Lawyer brought the papers out and placed them before Ryder.

"Oh, right. You reminded me at the right time. I was wondering about that. Let me get my pen,

" Ryder let out. He was about to leave, but two voices stopped him.

"I have a pen.

"

The Lawyer and Dan said at the same time.

"Oh, thanks,

" Ryder took the pen from the Lawyer as he was sitting closer.

He signed the papers and gave them back.

"Alright. I'm done here. I will take my leave first,

" the Lawyer told Shu before he left.

He didn't ask Shu to leave with him as their destinations were separate. The Courthouse was on the opposite side of Shu's house.

Shu didn't stop him either and let him leave.

"Do you have something different to do?

" Ryder asked Shu with a wry smile on his face.

"Are you so eager to get me to leave?

" Shu said jokingly.

"Nah, you can live here for all I care. I was just curious. Anyway, let me introduce everyone. Shu, this is Bastion. My college friend and nothing less than a brother.

"

"This is Dan. He was the President of our book club in college and another close friend.

"

He introduced Bastion and Dan to Shu.

"And guys, this is Shu. My friend, and also like a brother. He helped me a lot,

" Ryder introduced Shu to others.

"Nice to meet you, bro,

" Bastion extended his hand towards Shu.

They shook hands.

"So you are Bastion. I heard a lot about you from Ryder. I must say you look great. Now I understand why one of the guys that I met when I was with Ryder claimed that I look nothing like his best friend Bastion and that he went for the cheaper option,

" Shu laughed out loud as he remembered the person that came to annoy them during his outing with Ryder.

"Which idiot said it? You look, great man. My grandmother used to say that the people that have fat on their bodies are the most beautiful people. You would've been her favorite,

" Bastion smilingly said to Shu before he looked at Ryder.

"Tell me the name of that guy. I'd love to beat the sh*t out of whoever said that to him.

"

"No need. I already dealt with him. I don't think he would appear near him or me,

" Ryder responded before he stood up and walked to the fridge.

He came back and served some cold drinks to everyone.

"Anyway, why are you guys here?

" he asked them.

"Oh, Right. The Book Club is having a reunion. I came here to invite you. I met Bastion along the way, and he tagged along,

" Dan told Ryder as he picked up his glass.

"You make me sound like I'm a puppy who tagged along,

" Bastion let out with an annoyed look on his face.

"Also, why are we being served cold drinks? Get some beer out, man. Let us boys have some fun!

"

"You remember I live here with Alice, right? Do you think that I would have alcohol lying around the house? Drink what I have,

" Ryder let out as he picked up his glass and took a sip of his drink.

"Whatever, man. Anyway, you didn't reply to us. Are you coming or not? Also, Shu, how about you come as well?

" Bastion inquired.

"Me? I am not in your book club. I don't think it would be appropriate for me to go there.

"

Shu shook his head as he rejected the offer kindly.

"I can't come either. You guys know that I have no interest in reunions and stuff. I can already talk to the ones I want to. And there is no need to meet the ones I don't want to,

" Ryder shook his head.

Dan looked at Ryder as he sighed.

"Is this because of her? Are you worried that she would be there? Don't be. She's not even in the city. You can come without any worries. I can promise you that she won't come,

" he said.

"If you still say no, then I promise that I would come here to drag you there myself! Also, I would tell Alice all your secrets,

" Bastion said to Ryder as he saw him not budging from his position.

"You should go. What's the worst that could happen,

" Shu told Ryder as he chimed in.

"Not just him, you also have to come. I need both of you there. It doesn't matter if you were in the book club or not. Each member can bring a partner or friend. You can come with Ryder. It will be fun. Don't cast a bad impression on our first meeting; come with us!

" Bastion replied to Shu.

That's when the sound of something falling came.

"Is someone here?

" Bastion asked as he stood up.