Chapter 71: Chapter 71

“You are free to stay. I’ll provide a room for you. And Arson-“

I shook my head. “No. then no. This is too much.”

I did not imagine how the sky would be siding him too because I would have never expected it to be raining when I checked the weather earlier.

It was freaking hot earlier!

“Are you planning to stay here long?”

“Hmm…a bit. Aside from making you say yes, I have to tend to our branch here.”

I nodded, not expecting him to have one here.

“I thought you are only based in Italy.”

“Well yes, that’s where our main branch is. But we also have one in Korea as my mom is Korean. And here because my mom likes to visit this country with her friends. It’s her favorite place to have a vacation.”

I nodded.

“What about you?” I blinked, not expecting him to be curious to me like that.

“Well, I thought you already know. Ran an investigation about me?”

“No. I didn’t did you have that impression of me? I wouldn’t violate your privacy. I only know your mom is Filipino because you look like one.”

I sighed, oh, I didn’t know it would be that obvious. “My mom is hereafter she abandoned me when my youngest sister Lizzy died when your brother Rameo failed to save him.”

He went silent. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.”

“We need to keep our distance. Our family won’t like this.” I said even though I don’t care what will father think.

“I apologize for that.” He said.

I cleared my throat, “You said not to bring it up.”

“I won’t bring it up next time.”

I raised my eyebrows, wanting to ask what’s been my question all these years.

“Is Arson your son?”

That made him pause, “No.”

“But last time at our date-“

“What? I couldn’t remember telling you he's my son. You just assumed.”

Oh. I thought. To think that Arson got his eyes and hair. He’s like a mini version of Theon but a more innocent version.

“I was judging you that time for bringing your son at the date but when I learned why, I felt a bit amazed at how you have to manage your business and him.”

“He’s not close to my other twins that he sticks to me.” He said.

My stomach suddenly rumbled and I stood up. “If you’re going to make me stay here, won’t you at least offer some food for me?”

Theon stood up too, “Oh, right. Come.”

***

“Are you feeding this to me or a whole dinosaur?” That was the first thing that I asked when I saw the whole foods carefully placed on the table.

There were at least ten dishes on the table.

And it shocked me as someone who had been saving money and only had one dish per meal.

It is such a waste if we couldn’t finish this.

“I trust you are hungry. I made sure to prepare a variety of food for you.”

I nodded, “Well, I am.” I forgot I didn’t have any breakfast and dinner and only drank a coffee for some mood boost and now I am palpitating. I need to have a proper meal!

I instantly sat on the chair beside the head of the table and started to dig in, not even sure if this is my assigned chair. I munched on some spicy marinated chicken called adobo, soup that I know is a Filipino favorite, Sinigang, and desserts like halo-halo.

I licked my lips, salivating at the food.

Damn, I didn’t have a proper meal like this for a while now.

I could feel Theon’s gaze on me as he sat on the chair which is the head of the table.

I slowed down, gulped down some water, “Oh forgive me. Was this rude for you?” I said in between bites. At least I have to show this side to him. This might make him disgusted with my table manners and give up. It’s a win-win.

“No. It's alright. I’d love to watch you eat. You're full of energy.” He chuckled, motioning for me to eat more. “Did someone starve you?”

“Oh, that is rude!”

He shook his head, “No because I will make sure to send you meals starting now. I don’t want to see you starving.”

Just then, in between his taunting and teasing, we heard little feet from behind and Arson appeared, yawning and with ruffled hair as his adorable hands were holding a teddy bear.

I blinked, “Arson. You woke up.”

I paused eating and wiped my hand with a tissue, “I’m sorry, did I wake you up?”

Arson’s eyes were sparkling he looked at me pointedly. He seemed to want to say something.

Theon chuckled, “Yes. She didn't go home. She decided to stay as it's raining.”

He gasped and smiled at me.

I smiled back, “Are you hungry, sweetie? You went to sleep without eating.”

He quietly sat beside me as he just watched me.

I grabbed a plate and fork for him and some food. “Oh, the food here is delicious, Arson. The cook had made some delicious food!” I grabbed some banana cake, “This was my favorite when I was a kid, try it!”

I gently put it in his mouth and he softly opened it. I smiled, remembering he never eats that much…I have to take this opportunity to make him eat since he’s too malnourished.

I glanced at Theon to whisper, “This is alright?”

He nodded, “Yes, feed him please.”

Arson was munching on the cake and I gulped nervously, hoping he would swallow it.

His eyes narrowed as if tasting the weird taste, and when he swallowed, my heart did a little dance. Yes, this is an achievement!

“Is it yummy?”

He nodded and pointed at it, “More.”

I giggled, “Great! We need to eat everything here cause my mother told me if we leave anything on our plate, the food will haunt us to sleep.”

I tried letting him eat some rice and the chicken too and apparently, he seemed to take a liking to the sinigang soup.

“Arson, you have great taste! This is my favorite too!” I encouraged him as he munched on it.

“You’re good with kids,” Theon said, now eating too.

I shrugged, “Well, it was part of my internship here. Kids were scared of needles and syringes. I have to gain their trust.” I said and paused. Looking at the scene, this strangely feels heartwarming.

“We look like a family,” I stated and that seemed to catch Theon off guard.

“Yeah, we do.” He mumbled, his eyes never leaving mine.

His gaze was too heavy to bear so I avoided his gaze and offered, “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“I have to wake up tomorrow.” He said, and I thought of another.

“Oh, we can do some skincare masks.”

He then grabbed his skincare and thank goodness he have three. We all put it on as I read a book about Arson.

“I’ll retire for tonight. Aren’t you tired?” Asked Theon.

“Nope. I’ll accompany Arson then. Have a good night’s sleep.”

“Your room is just on the right on the second floor. Toiletries and necessities are already prepared inside. If you need anything, call the maids.”

He said and ascended the stairs.

I looked at Arson. “So…now that we are left alone, want to play?”

I asked the maids for some board games, little scrabble, chess, and I lost all.

Well, that’s not important.

Arson won and he seemed to be giggling a lot tonight.

We also turned on the television to make ourselves sleepy.

Arson held my hand the whole time as he snuggled into me.

He is filled with men here, he must have craved for his mother’s touch.

I feel sad for him.

“S-Sa.”

“Yes?” He seems to want to say something to me.

“S-Saphira.”

I gasped. “You know my name!”

“S-stay.”

That caught me off guard. I knew Theon was always repeating it but it's different hearing it from him.

“What?”

“Please?” He asked.

I sighed, kissing him on the forehead. Damn, I can’t resist those puppy eyes.

“How about weekends? I’ll visit here?”

His eyes twinkled, nodding. I smiled, “Then I’ll agree to visit if you eat on time, and listen to your uncle Theon.”

“Y-yes!” He exclaimed. I laid out my pinky.

“Pinky promise?” I asked and he got curious. I grabbed his pinky, “Promise.”