Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Ryan’s POV

I arranged to meet my parents at a nearby coffee shop since they had travelled far to see me. We ordered coffee and settled down to chat as soon as they arrived.

My mom reminded me that I would soon be moving to another boarding house, which they were both excited about. Even my boyfriend, Slyvester, seemed pleased.

I confirmed that I was moving only when a slot became available.

My dad then asked if my cousin Segi would be coming to see me. I replied, "Yes, always!" but added in a quieter tone, "But could you ask him not to visit our boarding house anymore? The last time he came, he ate all the food in the fridge, including what wasn't mine. It was really embarrassing."

My parents seemed skeptical, perhaps because I live with men in the same house. But I couldn't blame them.

"Anyway, what's the important thing you wanted to discuss?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

They exchanged glances before my mom began to explain.

"Yesterday, your dad played golf with one of his important clients," she said.

"And?" I prompted.

"When I mentioned you, our client said he knew you," my dad said.

‘Me? I don't know any businessmen!’ I said inwardly

"Is this client of yours handsome?" I joked.

Dad laughed. "Yes, but he's the same age as me, dear."

I sighed in mock disappointment.

"He said that you know his son and that his child owes you a lot," Dad continued. "Apparently, you two used to play together when you were kids, but you lost touch when they moved to another country. Can you remember anything?"

Finally, the pieces started to come together.

"What's your client's name?" I asked, wanting to confirm my suspicions.

"Larry Myers."

'Myers.' I recognized that surname.

"Hmmm, I remember," I admitted to my parents.

"Mr Myers asked if you want to meet him and his son again. Is that okay with you, Ryan?"

I already knew Mr Myers's son. We live together under the same roof. But if this was my chance to talk to him again, I wouldn't let it slip away.

"Yes, I'll meet them."

** *

Third Person's POV

Sylvester followed the sweet scent to the kitchen where his mother was baking. He knew exactly what she was making from a distance. "Cookies!" he exclaimed, eyeing a warm, freshly baked treat on the table. However, before he could even touch it, his mother scolded him and gave him a decisive blow. "Ouch!" he cried out in pain.

"First, wash your hands," his mother reminded him while baking.

Sylvester giggled and saluted his mother before heading to the sink. He washed his hands and used the automatic hand dryer. He briefly considered taking the dryer to his boarding house to show his friend Kyle but quickly dismissed the idea as he knew it was impossible to take things from his home without his mother's permission.

Despite being born into a wealthy family, Sylvester didn't act like it, making friends wherever he went, regardless of their social status. He also had a strong appreciation for simple food, which was surprising given his wealth.

"Madam, I'm done washing," Sylvester proudly showed his hands to his mother.

"Very good!" his mother squeezed his cheek, making him frown.

"Mom, I'm not young anymore. Stop pinching my cheek," Sylvester pouted as he took a bite of the cookie.

"No matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby," his mother pointed out with a loving smile.

Slyvester complimented his mother's cookies, “Is this a new recipe?”

“No,” his mother admitted. “I stole your recipe from your book. I found it in the kitchen.”

Slyvester felt melancholy.

His original dream was to be a chef and run his own restaurant. However, he and his mother knew they had to follow his father's wishes, leaving them helpless.

“Why did you return home so suddenly? Is this because your father scolded you for rejecting Giselle?”

“I attended the blind date,” Slyvester answered, “But wasn't interested in her. Then, Dad called me saying he wanted me to go to Italy.”

Sensing the impending conversation, Slyvester’s mouthed to his mother that "he" was coming. His mother patted his shoulder as a sign of encouragement.

"You dare to reject going to Italy after you messed up the blind date with Giselle? Because of you, her parents are having second thoughts about investing in my project," said Slyvester’s dad.

Slyvester looked at his father with a smile. "Good evening, my lovely dad! Woah! You're looking so good today! What's your secret?"

"Stop it, Slyvester. You can't get me with your sweet tongue."

Slyvester blinked his eyes, still faking a smile.

"But I'm taking collagen pills, so maybe that’s why I am handsome now," his dad murmured, rubbing his chin.

Slyvester and Mother gave each other a thumbs up.

"Anyway, I won't change my mind. Go to Italy."

“I don’t want to, Dad. Italy’s pasta and pizza are awesome, but I want to stay here.”

"Our branch there is looking for a temporary CEO. And I want you to take over temporarily for two months. You will finally be able to use what you are studying. Think of it as practice."

"How about my studies?!" Slyvester said, looking for a loophole to change his father’s mind.

"We can find a way to do that. I'll talk to your professors and your University’s dean."

"I still don't want to!" Slyvester declined. "I'm not leaving here!"

"Honey, it will be difficult for Slyvester to adjust to another country," even his mother objected. "His friends are here."

"His friends?" repeated the father. "You can still meet after two months."

Slyvester sighed. His friends are indeed the problem. Because the moment he left, his demonic friends would be the first to be happy because they had the chance to steal Ryan from him!

"I won't leave my girlfriend. I'll stay here with her."

“G-Girlfriend?!”

“You have a girlfriend, Slyvester?” his mother gasped.

His parents were surprised when Slyvester revealed he was dating someone.

His mother previously believed he could not leave the country due to his grief over his former partner's passing.

Despite this, Slyvester was now in a relationship, and his mother was overjoyed to see her son moving on. However…

“Who? What is her name? From which family? Who?!”

When his father started bombarding him with questions about his new girlfriend, Slyvester began to feel uneasy.

He didn't want to reveal too much about his relationship with Ryan, as he knew his father's expectations were based on their family's wealth.

Slyvester's previous partner, Nikki, had also come from a wealthy family, and Ryan's parents were similarly well-off.

However, Slyvester was hesitant to tell his father that Ryan was adopted, fearing his father would object to their relationship.