Chapter 359 Do You Really Have to Get Involved?
The three of them wandered over and noticed Seb's sour face. Sharon raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Smith, have you been waiting long?"
Seb forced a smile, hiding his annoyance. "Nah, let's head inside."
Right then, Demetrius looked up at Sharon. "Mom, I gotta pee. Can you come with me?"
Sharon nodded. "Sure thing."
"I'll take Demetrius to the restroom. You guys go ahead," Sharon said.
Once Sharon and Demetrius were out of sight, Seb's face turned icy. "Mr. Cook, my family and I are just trying to enjoy the zoo. Did you really have to butt in? Is this fun for you?"
Zachary's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Mr. Smith, the recent mess at Cook Group—was that your doing?"
Seb didn't bother denying it. "Just a little reminder to keep you from messing with my family time."
Zachary's eyes flashed with mockery. "Do you really think Sharon will forgive you? What kind of family are you, anyway? Besides, I asked Demetrius, and he wanted me here. Honestly, Mr. Smith, you seem more like the outsider."
"Don't forget, Demetrius is my son!" Seb's face darkened, anger simmering in his eyes.
"There is no need to remind me, Mr. Smith. If you want to compete for Sharon, go ahead. I won't back down."
Seb sneered. "Mr. Cook, I admire your confidence, but sometimes confidence turns into arrogance."
"Let's see about that," Zachary shot back.
Just then, Sharon returned with Demetrius.
Sharon looked at Seb and Zachary, surprised they were still standing there. "Why haven't you gone in yet?"
Zachary smiled and walked over. "We were waiting for you and Demetrius."
Sharon glanced between Seb and Zachary, sensing some weird tension but not sure what it was. "Alright, let's go."
They all walked into the zoo together. After about 300 feet, they spotted a Bald Eagle.
Demetrius got excited and let go of Sharon's hand, running ahead. "Mom, it's a Bald Eagle! I love Bald Eagles!"
Sharon quickly followed. "Demetrius, slow down. Don't trip."
When they reached the Bald Eagle exhibit, Demetrius was too short to see over the railing.
Sharon was about to lift him when two voices chimed in from behind. "Let me."
She turned to see both Seb and Zachary offering to help, feeling the pressure.
Seb and Zachary, both tall and good-looking, drew some stares from the crowd.
Sharon frowned at the attention. "No need. I can lift him myself."
She picked up Demetrius.
Seb and Zachary exchanged a look, each feeling the other's competitive vibe.
Seb moved to Sharon's left and spoke softly. "Let me hold him. You may get tired."
Zachary moved to her right and said gently. "Sharon, let me hold Demetrius. It's crowded; I don't want you two getting squished."
Sharon just kept quiet. After a few seconds, she decided silence was the best move. Talking to one would just tick off the other, so staying mum seemed smart.
The rest of the day was a circus. Whether it was buying water or snapping pics with Demetrius, Seb and Zachary were all over it. Zachary was used to looking after Sharon and Demetrius, but Seb? Not so much. However, today, Seb kept asking if she was tired, needed a break, or wanted something to eat...
By noon, Sharon was more worn out from dealing with those two than from a full day of work.
As they left the zoo, Sharon was visibly drained and made a mental note: I never let Zachary and Seb take Demetrius out together again.
But Demetrius was clueless about the tension, his face lit up with excitement. "Dad, Mr. Cook, you gotta take me out again next time!"
"Sure!" Seb and Zachary said at the same time, then shot each other dirty looks.
When it was time to eat, Sharon just wanted to get it over with and send Seb and Zachary packing. But as soon as they sat down at the restaurant, they ran into Sophie.
Sophie looked shocked, ran over, and whispered in Sharon's ear. "Sharon, I had no idea you were so amazing, getting Seb and Zachary to get along."
Sharon felt a headache coming on but didn't bother explaining. "What are you doing here? This place is over thirty miles from your house."
For distances generally over ten miles, Sophie would usually order takeout and have it delivered.
Sophie grinned sheepishly. "I'm here with friends. Just wanted to say hi."
"Okay," Sharon replied.
After Sophie left, Sharon turned to Seb and Zachary. "Have you decided what to order?"
"Yeah, I've picked these two dishes," Zachary said, handing the menu to Sharon.
But Seb covered it with his own menu. "I've made my choices too."
"Mr. Smith, do you know what first come, first served means?" Zachary said, clearly annoyed.
"Mr. Cook, if you really understood that, you'd let me go first. Demetrius invited me to the zoo first; you just tagged along," Seb mocked, staring coldly at Zachary.
"Mr. Smith, I..." Zachary began, but Sharon finally had enough and cut in. "Stop it!"
She tossed the menu back at them. "Just tell the waiter what you want. What's the point of giving me the menu?"
Seb and Zachary had been at each other's throats all morning, and now they couldn't even eat in peace.
After they realized that Sharon was pissed, Seb and Zachary shut up after ordering.
Demetrius ate his dessert, watching the three of them, thinking today's plan had flopped. He'd have to come up with another idea next time.
After the meal, Zachary wanted to take Sharon and Demetrius home, but Sharon refused. "You're already tired, and you spent the whole morning with Demetrius. Go home and rest."
Seb was about to offer to take them home when Sharon turned to him. "And you, too. I don't want to see either of you right now. Demetrius and I will take a cab."
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