Chapter 178

Zeno sat quietly ok the dining table; Sebastian easily made his way and sat beside him.

His eyes locked on Nicholas across the table; they were silently communicating on how to leave the table. 

Sebastian was quiet beside Zeno, simply observing him. He knew he should be very cautious with his actions.

Nana's comment about wanting to pair him up with her non-existent granddaughter was enough to let him know that Zeno hadn't told her about them, and considering her generation, she might not really be welcoming to the idea of her grandson dating a fellow man.

"Please, enjoy your meal, everyone," Nana said, sitting beside Ken.

"Thank you, Nana; Paella is my favorite," Sebastian politely spoke, tasting the food.

"Mmm, it's so yummy, right, son?" Sebastian asked Ken.

Ken nodded, "Yes, Dad, Nana's cooking is delicious, better than Sa-"

"Do you want some juice, Ken?" Zeno quickly asked, already standing from the table.

"Yes, orange juice," Ken replied, smiling.

He'd forgotten he was about to ruin the comfortable atmosphere by mentioning a name that wasn't welcomed at the table.

"We have just that," Zeno said and went to get it from the fridge.

"I'd like some too," Sebastian called after Zeno.

Zeno paused and looked at Sebastian; he saw Nana staring at him and slowly nodded, "Of course," He smiled and returned to the fridge. 

"Ezra, you're just eating, how about giving me a compliment?" Nana asked the hungry doctor.

Ezra pinched his thumbs and his index fingers together, "Perfect, Nana, I'm in heaven," He praised.

Nana chuckled, "I'm glad you all like it. I live cooking for large families. Unfortunately, I lost half of mine, but I got you all, so I'm okay," She said, her voice turning emotional. 

"We're lucky to be your family, Nana, you're the best anyone could ever ask for," Nicholas smiled sweetly at her.

"Here's your orange juice, buddy," Zeno placed a glass of juice beside Ken's plate.

"Thank you," Ken said.

Zeno patted his head before walking over to Sebastian, he gently placed the juice in front of Sebastian and lowered himself on the chair.

"Thank you," Sebastian said, his voice gentle as he turned to look at Zeno.

Zeno ignored him and started eating his food; he didn't have time to fake communication. 

Only the sound of cutleries and plates was heard in the quiet dining room, but soon, Zeno's shocked gasp was heard, his fork falling out of his hand and clinging to the floor.

"Oh my, Zeno, are you alright?" Nana asked, worried.

"Yes, Nana, I- I'm fine, I'll pick that up," Zeno stammered.

Keeping a calm face, he bent down to retrieve his fork, using the moment to yank Sebastian's hand off his thigh—far too close to forbidden territory.

"Bastard," He muttered as he picked up the fork and rose to a sitting position.

He glared at the culprit, who was innocently eating his food like he'd done nothing, but the look Nicholas and Ezra were giving them showed that they understood what had happened between them.

Zeno picked another fork from the small rack at the center of the table and resumed eating his food, but before the food could enter his mouth, he felt Sebastian's hand on his thigh again.

This time he held his fork tightly and resisted the urge to loudly curse him out. 

"Nana, this food is really delicious. Can we get a take-home as we leave?" Sebastian asked, looking unbothered by the fact that his hand was currently grazing close to Zeno's cock.

"Sure, there's enough left," She replied happily.

Zeno was biting the insides of his cheeks to keep calm; he subtly lowered one of his hands under the table and stopped Sebastian's wondering hand, idly playing with the food on his plate.

"Thank you," Sebastian mentioned, his hand easily maneuvering Zeno's own, clasping his around Zeno's. 

He slowly started to rub his thumb inside Zeno's palm, sending him a shirt but powerful look.

Zeno felt like he had been undressed and fucked with the way Sebastian had looked at him, the way Sebastian's thumb was circling his palm made him slowly run out of breath.

The idiot still had a huge effect on him.

"Zeno, did you hear me?" Nana questioned, looking at Zeno in concern.

Zeno snapped out of his daze and turned to look at Nana, "Yes, Nana, did you speak to me?" Je slowly removed Sebastian's hand once again and brought his hand up to the table, his hand felt light and cold from the lack of contact with Sebastian's. 

Fuck him.

"Are you sure you're alright, Zeno? You seem a little carried away," She stated.

"No, you must be mistaken; maybe the food is too sweet, and I need to focus on it as I eat to savor the flavors," He smiled at her.

"You, you know how to flatter me," Nana blushed.

Zeno sighed in relief, focusing on his food and glad that Sebastian no longer touched him again.

They soon finished eating, and Nana took Zeno to the living room; Ezra was about to follow them, but Nicholas held his hand, "We need to talk," He said seriously. 

"Oh?" Ezra raised a brow at him.

"Oh? What do you mean by Oh?" Nicholas was trying hard to keep his voice down.

"I don't know, you tell me," Ezra smirked.

Nicholas gritted his teeth and was about to raise his voice at Ezra when Nana called him.

"Nicholas, please bring your friends to the living room and tell me how you all met, it's been so long since I heard a heartfelt story," Nana waved them over.

"That's a great idea, I and Nicholas go long back with our history, I would love e to tell you all about it," Ezra replied and walked out of the dining, Nicholas immediately followed him, he didn't trust Ezra to say anything good about him so he had to speak for himself. 

"Nieto, please clear those plates," Nana said to Zeno, who was already walking behind Nicholas.

Zeno balled his fists and turned back, 'This isn't fair,' he thought. 

He ignored Sebastian, who was standing beside the table, and started to pack the plates.

"Sebastian, come over here and tell me all about your wife, she must be so pretty to give you such a handsome son," Nana mentioned.

Zeno scoffed loudly before carrying the dishes into the kitchen.

Sebastian sighed, he was planning to sneak into the kitchen in the pretense of helping Zeno, maybe steal a kiss or two, or more; but old people had a way of meddling In businesses that weren't theirs, so, there he was, on his way to freely tell someone he just met his life's story.

Zeno washed the dishes quickly; he could hear Ezra speaking about how they had met through a sport in college and had become friends since then; Zeno realized he was leaving out all the ugly parts, telling only the rainbow sides of the story.

Zeno was glad he was done with the dishes as soon as Nana brought up the question about Ken's mother again. He walked out of the kitchen after wiping his hands on a towel, eager to hear how Sebastian responded.

"What are you guys talking about?" Zeno asked, walking around to stand behind the sofa that Nana was occupying. 

"I was just asking Sebastian how beautiful his wife is; maybe he could bring her to visit next time," Nana suggested.

Zeno chuckled, "Oh, that's true, why don't you tell us, Mr. Sebastian," Zeno taunted.

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably; he could feel Ken's eyes staring at him; the boy was also curious to hear about his mother.

He glanced at Zeno and sighed. He knew Zeno wanted to hear him talk about Sakura, and it would put more distance between them if he did.

"My dad is not married yet; he's engaged to a lady, Sakura, and she has a child for him, too, a baby boy; he's almost a year old now, his name is Cloud," Ken gave off the free unsolicited information. 

"Oh, really? That's lovely; I would like to meet your fiancée; she must be lovely," Nana clapped excitedly.

Sebastian slowly nodded, "She is," He replied. 

"Aww, what a happy family," Zeno clapped along with Nana.

Ezra and Nicholas stared at him quietly; they knew that behind that smile, there was pain, raw pain.

"It's all your fault," Nicholas whispered beside Ezra.

Ezra raised a silent brow, "It's not," He whispered back.

"Yes, a happy family, I almost died the last time; do you want me to die before you get yourself a girl you want to marry? Sebastian's parents must be really proud, he's given them two grandchildren, but what do I get? A grown man-child, I need grandchildren too, Zeno," She sighed sadly.

Zeno rolled his eyes behind her. He could feel Sebastian's eyes on him, but he didn't look in his direction. 

"Soon, Nana, I told you I'm taking my time," He replied.

"I'm not getting any younger," Nana glared at him.

"Would you look at the time? It's getting late; it's time for Nicholas' friends to get back before it gets too late," He announced and walked toward the door.

"Nana, you remember the mysterious man I said was the man who paid your hospital bills?" Ezra asked.

Nana immediately nodded, "Yes, yes, I'm never forgetting such a life soul, I wish to meet him each day I wake up and find myself alive and healthy," She smiled happily.

Zeno paused at the door, looking at Ezra and wondering what he was getting at.

"Well, you have met him today, even had lunch with him," Ezra pointed at Sebastian. 

"What?! You mean it'd Sebastian?" She asked in disbelief then turned to look at Zeno.

"Zeno, come here quickly, we've found him; Sebastian is the mysterious man who paid our bill, oh my God," She went and hugged Sebastian. 

"It's alright, Nana, I did it for love," He gently patted the woman's back.

Zeno rolled his eyes when he heard Sebastian's words, 'Love my ass,' he thought. 

He didn't believe Sebastian knew what the word meant anymore.

"Come here, Zeno, come and appreciate such a great and kind-hearted young man," She called.

Zeno reluctantly walked over, standing behind Nana.

"I appreciate your help, but you can send your account details for a refund," Zeno said.

"No way, he's family now; family only returns favors, not payback. Sebastian, dear, please, do you mind staying the night? I'll make another delicious meal for you," Nana promised.

"Nana, no, he -"

"I'd love to, thank you, Nana," Sebastian smiled, Sebastian sent Zeno a secret look that was filled with a promise, a promise that only Zeno could decipher.

"Fuck this," Zeno muttered and left the house.

Nana chuckled and sighed, "He'll be back," She promised.