Badboy for a Boyfriend

Chapter 7

My dad felt better the following day. I had dinner with Dayshawn. I was honestly waiting for his call to call it off since I understood what happened yesterday. There was none so we continued with it. I received a phone call from mom instead before Joe and I left. 

“Your dad has called the restaurant that you are coming to. You should enjoy it.”

“I think we should have let Dayshawn manage it,” I whispered, knowing Dad was with her and she was only tasked to call me to confirm I was going. 

“It’s fine. Take your time and enjoy.” 

It was the same restaurant where I often went with my parents. Dayswan and I’s usual spot was already reserved for us. It was one on the back—an open-space garden with beautiful LED lights around the pine trees. The restaurant’s interior and exterior were primarily shades of black and screamed elegance. We ordered the same food and ate in silence. I kept staring at the expansive grass field in front of us, where there were benches and flower beds for VIP guests. The wind was fresh and relaxing. 

We were used to this kind of silence with each other. It was fine if we barely talked the whole night. We’re still fine the next day. We just like to savour this silence together. A friendship bond does not always have to be about conversation. Dayshawn and I were after tranquillity. Mainly because we often do this. 

But I knew tonight was different. He was silent not because he wanted to enjoy the place. Something was bothering me and this time, I knew about it. 

“When did you learn about him?” I gently asked as I cut on my steak feigning my interest so it wouldn’t seem like I was prying around. He could answer me if he wanted. I would be fine if he didn’t. He sipped on his wine and looked away to turn to where I was staring earlier. 

“Recently,” he muttered, almost inaudible. He pushed his unfinished food on the table. I wasn’t in the food to eat, too, so I decided I was done, too. He called for the waiter and ordered us some dessert. After clearing our table, pouring wine on our bottles, and getting our last course, two waiters left. “We’re the same age. He’s months older. Daniella and I were informed about it recently. Everyone but us knows. Your parents also knew about it.”

“I have no idea.”

“Right? You met in school, remember?”

I pursed my lips and nodded. 

“I couldn’t tell you, then. Even my friends are asking me about the rumour but how am I supposed to tell them?... Everyone thought he’d be away from the family for good until… I don’t know. Dad suddenly wants to reconcile with him.”

“You’re not on good terms with him,” I stated and wiped my lips with my table napkin after sipping wine. I wished I could drink a bottle of it. 

“Neither with my dad.” He nodded and gulped his remaining wine. He poured on his own glass before the waiter from the corner could walk to our table. He lifted a hand to dismiss him. “Imagine, he was born before me. He had an affair with another woman and made love with my mom because―what―he’s sorry? That’s disgusting!” He chuckled but his voice came out shaky. 

“It must have been hard for you and Daniella.”

“I don’t like him,” he straightforwardly said. “I thought it would be fine because my brothers were good about it but when I saw the hurt in my mom’s eyes… She’s still not able to move forward. I saw her pain when dad announced his other child would be living with us. He decided to be blind for it. He betrayed her and now wanted us to live together with the result of his betrayal. This would bring great shame to our family.”

“I don’t know what to say to make you feel better,” I admitted. He nodded in understanding and sipped on his glass again. “You shouldn’t drink too much.” I was not brave enough to try and get drunk to a single glass of wine. I would only take a sip. Though I admit I slept better the first time I drank more than what was served to me. Still, I’d better smoke than getting drunk as it was easier to hide from my parents. 

He bit his lower lip after taking his last gulp. He wiped his red lips with the table napkin. “You don’t have to give me advice. I doubt there are words to get this… this burden out of my chest. You don’t even have a sibling of your own… Don’t you think I should just accept the offer of your father to be his son? You know, to be adopted? We’d be siblings!”

He laughed. He lifted his hand to me for a high five. I accepted it but with a lazy arm. I saw nothing funny about it. It reminded me of why my father was letting us keep up with each other. We were aware of how this would lead us to an arranged marriage though no one was talking openly about it yet. At least, no one yet.

But I chose to be understanding in his situation so we stayed for more hours. 

It wasn’t the same around school anymore. Now I knew that it wasn’t mere rumours. The transferee was indeed a Silvero and the campus, the whole country, would know about it soon. I kept looking around, expecting to see him. It didn’t take me the entire week before that happened. I saw him Monday in the cafeteria during lunch. Daniella was with him. All eyes were on them but they didn't seem to mind. My friends and I were in my usual seat. I was kind of glad Daniella hadn’t spotted me, yet. 

“What’s really his relationship with them?” Jean whispered. We had been watching the two since we sat with our food until she started the topic. “Maybe we’re wrong to think he’s a Silvero, too. I think they are dating.”

I spun around to turn to her with a grimace. She shrugged at my reaction. Sue turned her eyes back on our table. Her face distorted from staring longer at the two. “You think so? Is that why he doesn’t go around with Dayshawn? Because he doesn’t like him for his sister? But because the director spoils is children, Dayshawn cannot―”

“Stop it! They are not dating!” I hissed. I was cringing on my seat. I wouldn’t let this topic make me lose my appetite.

Their curious eyes stayed on me, including Tanner, who was busier devouring his lunch than joining the conversation. He lifted a brow at me. I cautiously glanced around to make sure no one was within reach to hear. 

“I don’t want this to come out from me. We should keep it a secret at least until they announce it.” I closed my eyes as they gaped at me. 

“I was right? He’s the son―” Jean had her palm against Sue and her big mouth. The latter’s eyes were wide and bright. I was terrified she would spill it to everyone. Plus, the subject was even here in the room with us. When Sue finally realized her mistake, Jean let go of her and moved back to her seat next to Tanner. She narrowed her eyes at Sue for a warning.