Chapter 203

"What do you think the mother is saying to him?" Nicholas asked Zeno. 

Zeno shook his head, his eyes not living Sebastian's figure pacing around the dining room.

"I don't know, but, I know it's something not good," Zeno frowned. 

"Chill, guys, it's not going to be that serious; his mother only wants her son to love her life before; she's probably making small talk with her distant son," Ezra tried to convince them.

Nicholas scoffed, "We'll see," 

Zeno was quietly observing Sebastian when his phone suddenly started ringing too, "What now?" He picked it up and loomed at Nicholas.

"Did you accept a booking from him on my behalf?" Zeno asked Nicholas, showing him the ID of the caller.

Nicholas sighed, "No, I didn't. He did call for a booking, but I told him you wouldn't be working with me anymore; he sounded a little heartbroken during the call and said he would call you to confirm; I asked him not to, and I never knew he would. I'm sorry," He explained.

Zeno sighed, "I'll be back in a minute," he said and stepped out of the house with his phone.

"Hello, Cassian?" Zeno stood in front of the building; he was too lazy to put the phone on his ear, so he placed it on speaker, holding it up.

"Hi, Zeno... um, I know I should call you directly for bookings, but I was wrong about if you were available to accompany me to a gala that night; it'll just be an hour, I promise, please?" Cassian asked gently. 

Zeno sighed, the job wasn't appealing anymore, he was doing it to forget about Sebastian, and maybe even to spite him, but they were back together and he loved him more than ever, agreeing to this kind of job would cause hitches in their relationship and he didn't want that, they already got enough hitches, creating more himself would be a dumb idea.

"I'm sorry, Cassian, I can't go with you. I'm sure Nicholas already informed you that I no longer work with his firm, so why not choose someone else? There are a lot of good guys on there; it must not be me," Zeno politely rejected Cassian's offer.

"Okay, I understand, I mean, I'm kinda glad you're no longer working there. Maybe now you can really give me a chance to date you? How about you join me tonight as my date?" Cassian's excited voice sounded through the phone.

Zeno sighed, "Cassian, I've really not got time this morning, I have things I'm doing, but I'll just run you a quick one. You remember Sebastian, the man you're family  is currently-"

"Yes, Zeno, I do remember him, everyone knows Mr. Orion, you did mention he's your ex, but I promise I'll do better than him, just give me a -"

"I'm back with him, Cassian, actually, I never really stopped loving him. It's part of the reason why I never wanted to let anyone in. You're a fine man, and I'm sure that finding your own person wouldn't be hard; you're only but a client turned friend to me, let's make it awkward between us, in case we meet in Sebastian's resort someday," Zeno chuckled.

Cassian was silent for a while, "Did you really have to get back with him? You can tell me if he forced-"

"Enough, Cass -"

"Trying to steak my boyfriend, Mr. Leroy?" Sebastian suddenly spoke behind Zeno, pulling him close to himself. 

"Uh, Mr. Sebastian?" Cassian sounded shocked.

He took the phone from Zeno, "That's right, Mr. Leroy; as a matter of fact, Zeno will be at the gala tonight, but not as your escort, not even as your friend. Here's some advice: don't get close to him, do you understand?" Sebastian's voice was threatening. 

Cassian cleared his throat, "I understand, Mr. Sebastian," He said.

"Good," Sebastian said and ended the call.

"You're being naughty, Zeno," He gently turned Zeno to face him.

Zeno frowned, "Forget Cassian; he's not important; tell me what your mother said," Zeno asked.

Sebastian sighed, "She'll be here tonight, but don't worry, she won't be staying in my house, she's just here for the gala, my Father asked her to come in his stead, don't worry, there will be no trouble tonight, just you and I in the boring gala, and after a while, we'll be back home, alone," He kissed Zeno's cheek. 

"Fine," Zeno nodded.

"Hungry?" Sebastian asked.

"Starving, you drained me," Zeno smiled.

"Come on, then," Sebastian led him back into the house.

"So we have a gala to attend tonight, but who's going to welcome Sakura?" Ezra asked. 

"Ida and Claudia, trust me, she doesn't even want to see me," Sebastian replied, drawing out a chair from under the dining table for Zeno.

"Ah, I get it," Nicholas grinned.

Ezra smirked, "You should, it's just like when you and I want our alone time," he winked at Nicholas  

Nicholas widened his eyes, "Shameless, Doc., shameless," He sipped his glass of water.

Zeno only smiled, happy that Nicholas finally found someone who cherished him.

***

"Come on, baby, she knows about us," Sebastian tugged Zeno's hand as they stood in front of the talk building where the gala was held.

Zeno sighed, "I know, Seb, I just don't want drama,"  He hooked his arm around Sebastian's.

"No drama, I promise," Sebastian kissed the back of his hand and led him toward the building.

They walked into the already filled-up hall, and the first thing Zeno saw was the open display of weapons in a glass case mounted on the stage; he frowned; was this allowed?

"Seb, why are they displaying weapons in a gala?" Zeno whispered.

Sebastian chuckled, "This is strictly Mafia gala, babe, they want to bid the most dangerous weapon to the highest bidder," He placed a hand on Zeno's waist, pulling him close, "Scared?" He asked beside Zeno's ear.

Zeno scoffed, "No. I didn't just know that it was a mafia-only gala," he shrugged.

"Well, maybe you should also know -"

"Good evening, boss," A suited man approached them and bowed to Sebastian. 

Sebastian nodded at the man, "Done?" He asked the man.

"Yes, boss," The man bowed and walked away.

Zeno stared at Sebastian with a curious frown, "So?" He asked. 

Sebastian sighed, "That's what I was trying to tell you before he interrupted; the gala is hosted by my father, so I had asked one of his men to take out a few of the best weapons for me, just for collection," He winked.

Zeno furrowed his brows, "Really? So why isn't he here?" He questioned.

"I'm here; my mother is somewhere here; that's more than enough; plus, he's got stuff to handle over there with your parents before they can come over here, remember?" Sebastian raised a brow, leading Zeno toward a nicely dressed lady in a black gown, who was standing a bit far away from the displayed weapon. 

"Um, okay, I get it, but hey, where are we going? Wait, Seb, that's your -"

"Madre," Sebastian tapped the woman's shoulder.

Mrs. Orion turned her head to the side, smiling when she saw Sebastian.

"Hi, son," She hugged Sebastian, kissing his cheeks.

She stepped back and stared at Zeno, "And you must be the young nan who has my Don wrapped around his finger," She smiled at Zeno, spreading her arms for him.

"Um..." Zeno cleared his throat and glanced at Sebastian. 

"Come on, Zeno, I don't bite," Mrs. Orion gently encouraged Zeno.

"No, no, that's not what I thought," Zeno slowly walked into her open arms and let her hug him; he awkwardly hugged her back, biting his lips. 

"It's nice to officially meet you, Zeno Evander, my son almost caused the third world war when I asked him not to meet you here," She chuckled, staring at his face as she stepped away from him.

Zeno blushed, "Ah, I didn't know that; nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Orion," He said politely. 

He never believed that a day would come when he'd be casually speaking to any of Sebastian's parents; he was surprised and happy; it meant that their relationship had the right support.

"Please, call me Madre, just like Sebastian," She touched Zeno's face.

"Alright, I will," Zeno smiled back, happy.

Sebastian was quietly standing aside, watching his mother interact with his boyfriend; at that moment, he decided to forgive her for Georgia Einstein's case. It was all in the past; everyone has moved on and healed.

Zeno was his healing, it was time for a fresh start.

"You see? She wasn't that bad," Sebastian stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Zeno's waist, "Trust me, she expects another child from us; that's why she's being nice," He whispered into Zeno's ear.

Zeno's eyes widened as he snapped his head to glared at Sebastian, "Stop joking around," He whispered. 

Sebastian smiled and shook his head, "I'm not joking, she told me herself; she's always using Sakura and Claudia as an example; she hasn't told you yet because she'd just met you and doesn't want to freak you out," He said seriously. 

Zeno was speechless, he stared at Sebastian's face and wondered if he knew ew the full meaning of his words.

"Come on, boys, let's go sit at my table," Mrs. Orion took Zeno's hand and led her away from Sebastian.

Zeno looked helplessly at Sebastian, who was just smirking at him as he followed them behind.

"Here, Zeno, you can tell me what you want to eat or drink; I'll get it for you," She drew a chair for Zeno to sit on.

Zeno wanted to refuse, feeling awkward, he was the one who was supposed to draw out a chair for her.

"Thank you, Madre," He smiled and sat down.

"You're welcome, Cutie," She replied. 

"Come, Sebastian, you're helping me carry some food," She ordered and walked away.

Sebastian blew an air kiss to Zeno, "Be right back," He said and followed his mother away.

Zeno sighed, calming his anxious nerves, everything was happening fast.

Sebastian stood like a waiter with a tray in his hand as his mother dropped different dishes onto it.

"I think that's more than enough, Madre; he can't even finish one dish," Sebastian said with a frown.

Mrs. Orion scoffed, "You're not him, you wouldn't know," 

Sebastian sighed, "I'm his boyfriend; I know enough," He rolled his eyes.

"Well, it's unfortunate; if you were his husband, I would have believed you, but a boyfriend can only know to a certain limit. A husband knows all," She smiled at him, "Now, Mr. Boyfriend, walk," She ordered and walked away from him.

Something was wrong as they walked back to the table, the smiles fell from their faces, replaced with apprehension and fear.

Mrs. Orion was the first to stand beside the chair Zeno was sitting in, clearing her throat, "Don't panic, Son, he might have just stepped out for some fresh air," She tried to lessen the tension.

Sebastian dropped the food on the table and picked up a small white card in front of Zeno's table.

"He didn't go out for any fucking air, Madre," He showed her the cars.

Mrs. Orion blinked and focused on the card, "Got him."  She read out, her face paling.

"Oh no, they got him," she gasped