"I'm just tired." I crouched to his level. "But seeing you makes me feel better."
Olei's face flushed, but his mouth curved into a smile. "Really?"
"Really."
"Then, whenever you're upset, you can come find me." He looked down, voice barely audible.
My eyes stung. This was my child. In my dreams, I'd imagined him countless times—what he liked, what scared him. And now he stood in front of me, promising to make me happy with eyes that looked just like mine.
"Okay. Thank you, sweetheart." I hugged him gently. "It's a deal."
I walked Olei to the gate and watched from a distance as he got in the car. No sign of Silas. I breathed out in relief.
After that, I caught a cab home, changed into something nicer, and then headed to the restaurant Julian had picked.
It was a nice place. Warm lighting, guests relaxing to soft jazz. For Valentine's Day, they'd decorated with red roses everywhere.
Julian was already waiting by the window. When I approached, he stood and pulled out my chair.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"You didn't. I just got here. You look beautiful tonight." He adjusted his wire-rim glasses, eyes warm. "Long day? You seem tired."
"Just some minor stuff." I kept it vague. I didn't want to talk about what happened.
Julian didn't press. He shifted to lighter topics. His voice was pleasant, his manner easy. I tried to relax, to enjoy the meal. Ten minutes in, my plan shattered.
A commotion at the entrance. A man in a suit was bowing and scraping to a powerful-looking guest in a charcoal suit, tie loose, exposing a strong chest—Silas.
He held Olei's hand. His gaze swept past the other diners turning to stare and locked onto me. He waved the suit away and walked toward us. Damn it. Did he follow me?
Silas stopped at our table while Julian and I stared in shock.
"What a coincidence, Ms. Carter." He smiled—polite, gentlemanly. "Since we ran into each other, you don't mind if Olei and I join you?"
Olei looked at me with those bright eyes. "Anthea, can we have dinner with you?"
I hesitated. I didn't want to see Silas. But God, I really wanted to share a meal with Olei.
"I... I should ask Julian first, Olei." I turned to him.
Julian paused, glanced between Silas and Olei, then smiled graciously. "I don't mind at all."
I relaxed and introduced them. "This is my student, Olei. And his father, Silas."
"Hello. I'm Julian Voss." Julian stood and extended his hand.
Silas shook it briefly, then let go. His gaze lingered on Julian. "What do you do, Mr. Voss?"
"I'm a lawyer."
"A lawyer?" Silas raised an eyebrow, mouth quirking. "I hear that's tough. When cases dry up, income gets shaky. Hard to support a family."
Julian's expression flickered, but he recovered quickly. "I manage. I can afford dinner. What line of work are you in, Mr. Thorne?"
"Import-export. Some real estate projects." Silas answered casually.
I bit back frustration, swallowing the urge to leave, and gestured for Olei to sit beside me. Silas slid in next to Olei like he'd planned it all along.
