What the hell is his problem?
“Obviously,” he repeats sarcastically after him, gritting his teeth and slowly shaking his head in disappointment. “And you need me for what exactly?”
A waiter interrupts the conversation and takes our orders. Jason, with his charismatic aura orders the chops whereas Aoi opts for the salmon. I can’t decipher the strange words on the menu, they just don’t sound like food names to me. The Keytonsfed me canned food and often leftovers. Ordering in a restaurant is an entirely new experience for me.
Aoi notices my confusion and clear struggle and thus points out the spaghetti alle vongole on the menu, explaining that it tastes amazing. He then assures me that if I don’t like clams, I can just leave them aside and he’ll eat them instead.
I offer him a grateful smile. “If you say so, then I’ll trust your word.”
Aoi returns my smile and gives the waiter my order who soon after skedaddles back to the kitchen. “Don’t worry about any of this. I’m not used to these kinds of restaurants either. We’re in the same boat.”
“Good to know. The place we ate at earlier fits me more.”
“Why do you say that?”
I stare at him as if the answer is obvious. “I mean-”
“So, why do you need my help exactly? You know I don’t like wasting my time with troublesome business,” Jason impatiently interrupts me, and I have to force my fist to unclench under the table before I decide to throw a plate in his stupid face.
He crosses his arms over his muscular chest and observes Aoi as the latter starts, “Uhm, so basically, he lives in a foster home but not the kind you’d let a child stay in. They’re horrible. I really need your help and advice as a lawyer, to get him out of that hell hole.”
He twirls the red liquid in his glass in a circular motion, completely unfazed by Aoi’s words.
“You want to become his legal guardian?” he asks dumbfounded and grimaces as if the words leave a bitter aftertaste.
Jason looks like he couldn’t care less, or he reallyjustdoesn’tcare.
“Well, no.”
“No?”
My heart sinks. No? What does he mean by that? He doesn’t want to become my guardian, but he said he’d let me stay with him! Contrary to me, Jason revels in his nephew’s categorical refusal.
A strange, surprised gasp escapes my lips, and I slap my hand over my mouth. “I- sorry.”
Aoi picks up on that slipup and turns to face me. “Visha, I can’t become your legal guardian. If I were older and in a different position, I would’ve said yes without hesitation but…I’m in my twenties. I have stillso muchto do and I’m not delusional enough to adopt a child.”
I slump in my seat but force myself to nod in acknowledgment. Aoi’s eyes flutter shut for a moment, sighing heavily. “Jason.”
“Yes, dear?”
“You’ve always been there for me, whenever I needed you, you were there,” he breathes, gazing deeply into his eyes.
“You’re teasing my curiosity. Go on, say it,” he taunts, flicking an arrogant smirk in my direction.
I want to disappear into thin air.
“Help me find him a good family and I’ll repay you with anything you want. I promise.”
“Anything?” Jason smirks, enjoying seeing him so desperate for help.
He clicks his tongue and leans forward, gesturing at Aoi to come closer. Aoi lifts himself off his seat and leans over the table as instructed. Jason then whispers something in his ear that makes Aoi’s ocean eyes widen in clear shock. He plops back in his seat and glances at me with a conflicted expression.
“It’s not an unreasonable request now, is it?”
“No but-”
“Don’t forget who is asking whom a favor, Aoi.”
