The front of the restaurant was a picturesque view. Lasai was located away from the bustling city centre and it titled more to the outskirts of the city facing the Laski River.
Both sides were flanked by beautiful tall parasol trees, the ground was covered with large golden brown leaves, together it drew a beautiful painting of a golden blanket from afar giving the visitors a gentle breeze of both nature and luxury. Perhaps that was what Ren would say on another day but not today.
Today, 100% of his attention was focused on the smiling face in front of him with no spare time to appreciate his environment. Ren could feel his hand itching. Who said that it was wrong to slap a smiling face?
Ren's attitude of enduring his anger obviously did not escape Zane's eyes. His eyes were filled with mirth as he repeated, "I am sorry, something came up. I really have to go home now."
"Did anything happen at home?"He asked perfunctorily. What he wanted to ask was if something came up or was Zane up to one of his whims.
Working as a bartender, an assistant trainer at Endless Dream and his very latest, a babysitter. He felt like he had seen it all with Zane Black.
"Not really, My mother said I should accompany her for lunch. You know what they said, ``If there is no filial piety then the country will fall into chaos."
'Nobody says that', Ren whispered in his mind. "You don't have to keep speaking, hurry home, the future of the entire Alliance depends on this meal with your mom"
The words were obviously mocking but Zane took no notice. His face showed his gratefulness for Ren's understanding as he continued, "That is the situation, may I borrow your car?"
Zane's straight and serious face was unbearable to look at so Ren turned away and headed towards the restaurant.
His quiet demeanour was in contrast to his roaring mind. What an absolute joy to be around! He wished Cassandra and the rest of Zane's fan club could see his true face.
Compared to his shamelessness, he was a beginner. He heard the 'thank you' behind him and his lips slightly curved. But then the fact that Zane was honest around him was a humbling feeling.
Zane streamed some videos as the car drove him home. Being rich is truly good. Ren's car had much more features than his.
He ate some snacks and he relaxed on the soft massaging chair. He felt as limp as a noodle. His eyelids shuttered and Zane yawned, he had not had a good rest in a while.
"System." He called out lazily in his mind
[Yes.]
"Do you have any book on how to act when you find out you are the illegitimate son of a big family?"
[Calculating....]
After three more minutes and receiving no more beeps, Zane sighed about to tell the system it was all a joke when it replied.
[The number of related books your clearance level can get on the subject is 13. Would you like to hear their prices in chronological order?]
"What is the one with the lowest price?"
[The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante- 150 points.]
"The title has a nice ring to it," Zane said as he launched into an in-depth analysis of the book title.
The System ignored him as it went on to say, [Would you like to confirm the purchase?]
"No" Zane quickly added lest it takes his silence for affirmation.
He watched some more videos as he fiddled with the car control system.
[Are you nervous?]
Zane continued to fiddle with the remotes. He imagined petting a cat head as he said, "Are you worried about me, little system, that is so cute?"
[It is my responsibility to monitor the mental state of my user at all times]
Zane sent the system an imaginary smiley of an arrow piercing his heart, "You don't have to worry about me though. I am perfectly fine"
[We drove past your house five minutes ago] It threw coldly at him then stayed quiet.
There was no blush on Zane's face as he showed a picture of perfect surprise, "Ah, did we?" He fiddled with the control one last time as the car turned, headed to the familiar house before landing.
He grimaced then looked at the beautiful house he had called his home for eighteen years and opened the door.
His mother was pacing around, seeing her, he greeted "Good afternoon, Mom"
His mother held some papers, her eyes were a bit red and there was a mixture of guilt and happiness on her face. Her hands hesitated, as if afraid of frightening him before she hugged him and spoke in a quiet, "Zane, you have to forgive Mom."
Raina looked as her son's brows furrowed with worry, she pulled him to the living room, whispering, "We would talk about it later. come, I want you to meet some people"
"Is it another guild?" He asked curiously. His mother had repeatedly told him not to accept any invitations whatsoever.
In the living room, three people were sitting on the sofa, as Zane came in, they all stood up. Zane watched them with unmasked interest.
The oldest among them was a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair, he wore a waistcoat, black trousers, a white shirt with a Windsor cut, a grey tie and black jackets.
He was dressed as a conservative butler, perhaps it was the clothes but he had a refined air around him. The remaining two guests looked to be in their early thirties. The man was dressed in a blue suit and the lady also dressed formally in a pencil skirt.
"My name is Edward Tuffin. This is Miriam Baxley, we are butlers of the Valois family." The oldest among them said.
He then looked at the last man who added, "You can call me, Landon Brown, I am one of the Valois family lawyers."
"Young master, it is indeed an honour to meet you." Edward bowed slightly.
Zane raised his eyebrows, "Young master?" He looked confused but he quickly smoothened it out. "It seems like we have a lot to discuss, please sit, and do call me Zane."
All three of them sat down. Zane proceeded to sit near his mother opposite the three visitors.
He watched them carefully. The disdain of Miriam did not escape his eyes. His mind began to draw a picture of his future self's fall.
His prideful self would be insulted by the disdain of this butler and probably would resolve to prove her wrong, but it was an incomplete picture at best.
Many parts were missing from the diary he got, maybe for his own protection or his future self's shame, he did not care. He wanted to know it all. His curiosity would probably kill him one day.
The boy looked even better than he did in the pictures. That aquiline nose, those exquisite eyebrows and those so familiar grey eyes. At first sight, he would probably just look familiar to you but once you make the connection, you cannot just look away.
Zane had a striking similarity to the Family Lord much more than Xavier who took after his mother. Edward sighed, it was not a good thing.
It was not his figure, the problem was his temperament. his straight and elegant posture. Even as he sat theree, onlookers couldn't remove their line of sight away from him.
Thinking of the indifferent teenager at home, this Zane Black looked more like the heir and that is a problem.