Third Person’s POV
Slyvester went home, planning to talk to his father about what Yhlei had done to Ryan in the past. But before he could start, his father asked him to play a board game.
Not chess, not Go, but a childish game named “Snake and Ladder.”
"Are you sure you're not cheating?" Yhlei asked, sulky, that he had to go down the ladder because a snake bit him. Not literally, though.
"Dad, how can I cheat the dice?" Slyvester answered. He threw the dice, and it gave him one. Just right to get one hundred.
"See?! You cheated!" Yhlei messed up the snake and ladder board. She then leaned back in the chair with a frown.
Slyvester’s father is a serious person. But there are times when his simplicity shows, just like Terban.
‘I would believe it if Father suddenly came to me and introduced Terban as my long-lost brother,’ Slyvester thought, which caused him to tremble. ‘I don’t want to have a brother like Terban!’
He caressed the goosebumps on his skin as he complained, “You are so competitive, Dad.”
"Competitiveness is a good quality. That is the most important aspect of being a businessman. It would be best if you beat your competitors in the field," the loser preached.
Slyvester adjusted his seat. He looked at his father and said severely, "I understand how much you love your work."
Yhlei frowned at his son's statement.
"And how much you love me," Slyvester added.
"..."
"But I didn't like what you did to my girlfriend."
"Did she report it to you?" Yhlei's brows rose.
"Yes. Ryan told me everything you told her. You were rude, Dad."
"I just told the truth. That's exactly what she will expect in the future."
"No. It's wrong. You said that because you wanted us to separate. Let's be honest, Dad. When you found out she was adopted, you worried about me."
Yhlei's silence answered his question.
"You know I won't break up with her no matter what happens. Dad, you know me."
"I know. No matter what I say, you'll stay together."
"Then why did you do that? To hurt her feelings?"
"Are you angry with me because I hurt your girlfriend's feelings?"
"Of course. When she gets hurt, I get hurt more. When you make her cry, I cry more. I love her that much."
"If she felt bad about my blunt words, I will apologise."
Slyvester breathed a sigh of relief when he heard what his father said.
"You and Ryan can't break up. Don't ever,” Yhlei said.
Slyvester felt relieved when his father spoke like this but also wondered what made him change his mind about his relationship with Ryan.
"I found out that Larry Myers’ son likes Ryan."
“Larry, who?”
Of course, Slyvester did not know who Larry Myers was. But the last name was familiar, so he only thought of one person. It's Terban’s father.
“I’ve been trying to win over Mr. Larry's favour for a while but failed,” Yhlei said. “I don’t want you to lose your girl over his son. Okay?”
Slyvester felt a wave of emotions, realising that his father's change of heart was not because of his plea but Yhle’s pride and business. His hands trembled, and he felt a lump in his throat and heat behind his eyes. He thought he moved on, but this revelation showed he had not.
"Mr Larry wants Ryan for his son. What will others say when the two of you separate because of me? Then, Larry will take her as his daughter-in-law? That's embarrassing. I'd rather see you date her than hear that from others…”
“WHAT OTHERS WILL SAY, OTHERS WLL THINK… IT IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION!”
Slyvester exploded. He stood up, shaking as he stared at his father.
"Why does everything depend on what people would think about me? Is it difficult to say: I will do this to make my child happy?"
Yhlei's eyes widened as he watched his child. Only now did Slyvester raise his voice.
"Have you ever asked me if I'm happy with my life?"
"..."
"You always decided for me. And now, even in my love life, you make me feel you still control my life!”
" Slyvester."
"No. You won't change. I'm tired, Dad." Then Slyvester left his father.
**
Ryan’s POV
I chatted with Slyvester that I accidentally met Terban’s father and was invited for dinner. I even told him the restaurant's address. The truth is, I felt much doubt before making this decision.
‘Slyvester will understand it, right? I told him the truth so that it would be okay. Also, it's not in the plan.’
"Did you enjoy the meal?" Terban’s dad asked.
Actually, I didn't. While eating, I was waiting for Slyvester, so I didn't enjoy the delicious steak. 'Didn't he read my chat?' When I was about to check my phone, Terban touched me.
‘Oh, right! I still haven't answered his dad's question!'
"Yes! Yes! It's delicious! So much!"
"Then that's great," his father chuckled. "It's really good to see you again, little kid. I remember the time you were crying when I was picking up Terban."
'Those are embarrassing times to look back on.’
"You know, mister, I didn't immediately recognise Terban when we met," I changed the topic.
"Right. My son changed a lot. He’s not the old cute and bright boy like before," Mister agreed. He put his two elbows on the table and rested his chin on the back of his clutched hands. "I think it was my fault. I'm sorry." He smiled with sadness.
I remembered what Terban told me about separating his father and mother. His mother eloped with another man, so he lost trust in anyone since then. That's when the happy boy Terban began to change.
"I'm not the only one who has changed. Ryan, too," Terban commented.
His father immediately agreed. "Yes. When you were young, you were too shy. But now you look so energetic."
What helped me to be like this was none other than the dream I had before. I promised myself I would be a strong woman when Terban and I met again.
"Because Terban was a happy child back then. I want to copy him. That's why,” I answered.
I felt the gaze of Terban from the side. And his eye made me feel more guilty.
"That's why I hoped that you would grow up together," Mister said, making my eyes go to him. "He really likes you so much, Ryan.”
Terban and I couldn’t look at each other when his Father shared Terban’s secret, which wasn’t a secret to me anymore.
‘I don’t think this is the right thing to discuss.’
We heard a voice from behind as I was about to divert the topic.
We all turned back and saw Slyvester.
I stood up and smiled. " Slyvester," I called him. But my smile faded as I observed his crumpled expression.
"Why?" repeated Slyvester before biting his lower lip as if he was keeping his anger at bay.
'Something is wrong.’
He acts as if he doesn’t know anything and that he caught me in the act doing something behind his back. Slyvester clenched his fists as he took a deep breath. He looked at me again before walking away.
"S- Slyvester!"
I quickly looked at Terban and his dad as a farewell. "I-I'm sorry." Then I followed my boyfriend.
'What's the problem?'
While chasing him, I looked at the chat box on my phone. I wanted to check if I said something wrong or what. Then I saw the mistake. I tapped the send button, but I failed to send the chat. Maybe the data signal was weak, or I accidentally turned off the wifi. Either way, I am such an idiot.
'In that case, Slyvester really doesn't know anything and just saw us by accident. Oh no.'
"Slyvester! Wait!" I called out as I caught up with him, my heart racing. I quickly reached out and clasped his wrist to prevent him from taking another step. As he turned around, my heart ached at the sight of his bloodshot eyes. "Hey," I spoke softly, trying to soothe him.
"Why?" he asked, his lips trembling with emotion. "Are you changing your mind?"
"W-What?" I replied, needing some clarification.
"Are you reconsidering being with me because of my dad?" he asked, his voice filled with worry and concern.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness over me at the thought of what could have caused him to think that way. We were fine yesterday and this morning. He even told me he loved me.
"Wavering?" I repeated, trying to grasp what he was getting at.
I didn't want to upset him further, but I couldn't help feeling a pang of hurt at his words.
"Sylvester, please, let me explain," I sighed, hoping to clear any misunderstandings.
"What misunderstanding?" he snapped, his tone laced with anger. "That I saw you talking to Terban and his father about how he wants you to end up with his son? You didn't even tell me."
"I told it to you."
"When?"
"That...I chatted you, but I just… well, the… the data was…"
"You know, please don’t talk for a second,” Slyvester said as he took a deep breath. Then he looked away from me. "Please. Later. I mean..."
He's on the verge of crying.
"S-Sorry," he apologised while the tears fell from his cheek. "I was so damn fed up today."
I'm sure something else happened earlier.
"Can you let me calm down for a while before we talk?" he begged, crying. He released my hand from my wrist and slowly walked away.