Unexpectedly

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

There was a knock at Bran's door after he got ready for dinner with his family. "Bran?" Sebastian's muffled voice from outside made the eighteen year old smile as he arranged the boxes of gifts he got from his brother and brother-in-law on the bed.

"I'll be right there, P!" Bran replied then hurriedly ran back to his closet and took one last look on his outfit in the mirror. He chose a simple white short sleeved shirt, and tucked it under his black slim fit chinos. He completed his attire with a navy blue boat shoes that matches the color of his wristwatch.

After getting out, he picked up his phone and wallet from his study desk then walked towards the door. He was met by his already dressed brother once he opened it.

"Ready?" Sebastian smiled and hooked an arm around his brother's. Bran nodded with a hum.

The two could be mistaken for twins only that the other looks a little mature and his hair is black as a raven. So were his eyes. Seb inherited their late father's jet black hair and irises. While Seb stands five ten, his brother stands a little shorter.

The brothers giggled and chuckled as they talked and made their way downstairs.

Another set of look alike, set apart only by the obvious age difference, are waiting for the two, in the living room. Seb walked towards his husband while Bran stood by, not having any intention to approach further, his eyes purposely looking somewhere else but ended up gazing on the empty sitting area on the other side of the hallway across the living room.

"Bran, you'll be coming with Finn." Seb told his brother. "Crow is driving us and Arjun is coming, too."

"Okay." Bran answered, left with no option. He couldn't exactly refuse and say he'll drive his bike. That would be rude. And so two cars left the property with Finn's coupe following his father's vehicle.

Since the moment Bran got into the passenger side of Finn's car, he hasn't said a word to the older guy. Neither did the other. Finn remained quiet as he drove. He's cleared his throat from time to time, as if suffocated by the cool air inside the car. And Bran tried not to take notice. But how could he not...

Brandon would think his brother's stepson is having throat problem and he hated the fact that he got worried. Even if it was for a very brief moment. Unconsciously, he cleared his throat as well. Maybe it was contagious, he thought. Like yawn, perhaps.

"Do you need water?" Finnegan's soft, silvery voice startled Brandon.

The passenger looked to his right and stared at the man driving with questioning eyes. He silently scoffed and turned his eyes back to the window on his side, back to watching lights after another disappear. "No, thanks." Bran answered but then felt a prick on his chest when his words were instantaneously responded by a small sigh.

The rest of the drive was quiet, tension filled, and awkward to say the least. Once the car pulled up in front of a small four star restaurant, Bran hurriedly opened the door on his side of the car. His brother-in-law's car had already parked and four figures had alighted.

Bran gave Finn a curtly nod signaling him they go in together after Teddy and Seb looked their way. The nod is like a habit the two had mastered in front of their loved ones. 'Act the part'.

Somehow, Finn and Bran had played their roles well, getting along when they really don't. They act polite to each other when others are around but they're cold as ice once they're alone.

Inside the restaurant, the family was greeted by Kyle Monty, Theodore's best friend. He owns the newly built Italian restaurant. It's the first one that's not part of his father's chain of restaurants, a sort of his baby, a gift to his husband of five years, Christian, on their fifth wedding anniversary. That's why it's named Il Regalo which translates, "The Gift".

Bran was congratulated by both Kyle and Christian. He was being handed a blue colored gift bag by Christian when a female voice protested not far from them.

"Noo!" Isabella Kasen's voice made everyone looked her way as she entered the place with her husband. She didn't pay them mind and instead snatched the bag Bran was holding, away. "I'm supposed to give him a gift first, Tian." She frowned at Kyle's husband. "You always do this to this old lady."

"Mommy Belle!" Christian and Kyle hugged the only lady present in the small circle. The two adores her and loves to annoy her when it comes to giving gifts to her the grandsons.

"Brandy, sweetie..." Bella turned to the celebrant. "Your gift is waiting for you at home. We sent it there before coming here. And no, I don't wanna hear anything except, 'I love you grandma Belle'."

Bran smiled and hugged his brother's mother-in-law. Bella had totally 'brainwashed' him to thinking he's her second grandson. Bran just played along and received the title as her grandbaby.

"Thanks, grandma." With Bella's raised brow, Bran continued. "...and I love you."

"That's more like it." Bella pinched the boy's cheeks and grinned joyfully. "Now let's get this dinner started. I'm starving." Bella handed Bran Christian's gift bag back and walked towards their designated table. Bran was then greeted by Daniel.

"National merit, huh." Daniel smiled and patted the boy's shoulder. "Congratulations, Bran."

"Thanks, grandpa." Bran replied. He walked side by side Teddy's father and they both sat down beside Bella.

Daniel and Isabella are both doting grandparents to Finnegan and Brandon. They watched with pride just like Theodore and Sebastian as the two grow up and excel in their schools.

They knew of course, about Finn's rebellious times, but in the end, they commended their son and son-in-law for helping to straighten up the young Kasen. To Brandon on the other hand, they were amazed at how he had been. While Finn was hailed once as the Kasen black prince, Bran was called the white prince.

The family each ordered their drinks first as Kyle himself helped a server take the orders. Soon they had their choice of wine, except for Crow who opted for water since he's driving Teddy and Seb home. He doesn't take chances. And Finn got water, too.

After that, everyone enjoyed their choice of appetizers while both Finn and Bran were rained by questions regarding their future plans. Finn was entering the work force and Bran, college.

Main course was being served just as Bran was telling his brother-in-law that he planned on living in a dormitory. While Daniel and Isabella nodded in approval, Teddy and Seb were a little hesitant. Bran was after all like their second child even if he's Seb's younger brother. Seb had always treated Bran like his own son more than a brother.

"Come on. He needs his independence." Daniel commented.

"Yep, he can't always be your baby." Bella added. Though she herself wanted Bran under her protection before. Seeing the boy grow up into a remarkable young man, she couldn't help but dote on him more.

Teddy and Seb looked at each other knowingly. There's a big reason why they are very protective of Bran. When they turned to the eighteen year old, their eyes were met by his stable, 'made up his mind' look.

"I'll be fine, P'Teddy. P'Seb."

With a sigh, the couple smiled and gave him a nod. "Mom's right. We can't always keep the kids forever." Teddy chuckled and pulled his husband for a kiss on his cheek.

"Dang right, you can't." Bella softly laughed. "You were eighteen too when you started to live alone. And right after graduating from college, you were totally on your own."

The talk about Bran's independence gradually veered towards Finn's employment and then his relationship status. Kyle had barged in and initiated the topic himself.

Finn couldn't avoid the rain of questions about romantic relationship anymore now that he's in a family dinner. After his own graduation, he tried hard to make excuses so as to not be interrogated for whatever regarding his life. It was enough for him that his dads know he's working for their company.

"So, still nobody had conquered the black prince's heart?" Bella drawled. Her teasing was followed by chuckles among the family members, Arjun included. Only Crow and Bran remained with blank gazes towards their own meal.

Crow, being Teddy and Seb's primary bodyguard sports a professional and stoic face most of the time while Bran was just trying his best not to be involved in the current topic.

There was a resigned sigh coming from Finn followed by, "Yeah. There is someone."

"OMG!!!" Bella and Christian both squealed, the latter having welcomed himself at the table after hearing the conversation. The rest could only laugh at their reaction whilst being curious at what Finn would say next.

"I'm still working on it." Finn added.

There was a united groan coming from Bella, Kyle and his husband.

"Same old, same old Finnegan," Christian said and got off the seat where he welcomed himself. "...you cold hearted Principe."

Principe is Italian for prince.

Finn just flashed his gummy grin as Kyle playfully pinched his earlobe. Unconsciously, he glanced at the unsuspecting, uncaring person sitting across him, the only one who ordered

grilled fish with artichoke caponata. He kept his eyes on him even after he found himself staring.

Bran was lazily picking the artichoke hearts on his plate when he felt someone's eyes boring holes on him. When he lifted his face, he found Finn staring at him. He averted his eyes quickly. Flustered, Bran suddenly got up to excuse himself to the restroom. Little did he know he was followed.

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