"What do you want, dad?" Xander asked, the moment he stepped into the study.
He looked up to see his adoptive dad sitting behind his desk, the same way he looked whenever Xander came.
He seemed about the same height as Xander or maybe a few inches taller while sitting. He more or less raised Xander ever since Xander was practically sold to his family. Xander had been sent here as a child and had no one else especially people his age around him. This man, Sebastian, couldn't have a child of his own and had more or less become a father to Xander in the stead of Xander's own birth father, even going so far as to allow him adopt his family name.
"What is this I hear of you leaving the family because of a man?" Sebastian said, looking sternly at him.
"What is the problem? Are you angry because I'm leaving or because it's for a man? Besides who told you it's for a man. I decided to leave for myself. Not him!" Xander argued.
"So there is a man... If you wanted to leave. I could have permitted it. I know you never wanted a hand in this business anyway. I've already gotten someone to take after me. I would permit you to leave in order to live a normal life. But what is this I'm hearing? For a man? Who will continue our family name?"
"I never said I was leaving for a man. And the person you keep referring to has a name. His name is Anton. You've seen him I'm sure. Your men must have dug up everything they can get their hands on about him."
"I don't care. I don't want to hear his name. Your fiance, Chiara, came to talk to me about the wedding ages ago, but I thought you might have someone else of your choice. However, I see giving you freedom wasn't a good choice at all. I'm not having this. Chiara, come here." Xander's father ordered.
A woman Xander had noticed earlier but paid no attention to when he came in, walked up to them. She stood to Xander's height but only in the black heels she wore. She wore a peach coloured dress, and did light makeup. She looked demure and quiet. Xander had only met her a few times previously, but he never liked her. He never trusted her obedient and innocent looking face, especially considering the backgrounds they grew up in. Where the family was more important than anyone and anything else. The most innocent looking people, tended to be some of the most dangerous ones.
He barely gave her a glance before turning back to his father. "I'll date and marry whoever I want. Don't try to make choices for me. I like Anton. I don't care whether you approve or not. If he'd like to have me, I'll date, maybe even marry him. I'm not a fan of children, but if he wants one, we'll adopt. My point is I like him. Whether you like it or not is not my concern. If you don't, I might as well cut off all ties with you. Do you even know why I got involved with him?"
His father only stood in silence looking off to the side.
"His home was where I could really remain sane away from all the madness all around me. When I was fed up with the business and everyone here, he was the only one that kept me sane and he gave me all that he had in order to do that. If you're going to be a pain about it, then I don't need to be in your family anymore. I'll even change my last name to avoid disgracing you."
"You'll really disown me for him?"
"Yes, many times over."
"Did you think about what you'll do if he rejects you or gets disgusted with you after you tell him. It's not like you don't know about rich snobs like that."
"He's nothing like that. But even if he doesn't like me back. I hope he and I can still be friends at least. If he's happy, I'll try my best to be happy for him." He replied in an adamant tone.
There was silence, then his father spoke up at last.
"I never thought I raised a wimp. If he won't agree the first time, keep trying till he does."
Xander looked up with a brief expression of shock before his expression went back to his usual expressionless demeanor. "It can get annoying pestering someone, you know."
"You just had to take your mother's stubbornnes when it comes to things like this. Not sticklers for love. Fuck it, do whatever you want." His father replied with an eye roll. "Chiara, I guess my failure of a son would be disappointing you this time. How about you chose anyone you like out of my unmarried men? I'll give them to you."
Xander rolled his eyes at his Sebastian, then gave the woman a brief nod. "I'm leaving now, Dad."
"Mn. Tell him I would like to meet him." Sebastian told him.
"After he gets better." Xander corrected.
"I'm pretty sure he's fine already." Xander's father raised his brows.
"I don't care. He's not getting out of bed till the day after tomorrow."
Xander's father shook his head but said nothing as Xander turned around and left.
"That boy... I don't know who he took his over protectiveness from."
*
Xander walked into the house with a takeout bag.
Sarah met him at the door, after hearing the electronic sound of someone opening the door. "Xander Sir."
"Sarah. Where's Anton?"
"Sleeping, Sir."
"Good. Did he eat anything?"
"Zeta Sir told me he cooked and made sure Anton Sir ate and took his medicine."
"Alright. I'm sorry I brought you in last minute. Caleb and Zeta needed to leave and I needed someone to take care of Anton." Xander apologised. Zeta has called him to let him know they needed to get going, so he asked Zeta to get Sarah's number from Anton and send it to him. He called Sarah to watch over Santon for him till he got back.
"It's no problem, Sir."
"You can leave now. We'll take care of the rest. Have a good evening and take the day off tomorrow."
"Thank you, Sir." Sarah replied with a smile.
"Mn."
Sarah left as soon as she was done packing up.
Xander walked down the corridors, stopping at the entrance of Anton's room. He opened the door quietly, trying not to wake the sleeping Anton.
He tiptoed towards Anton's bedside, lifting the desk chair and placing it by the bed. He sat down and watched Anton quietly for a while before stretching a hand out. His hand paused in the air, a few centimetres from Anton's forehead before he pulled it back and placed it back in his lap.
He watched in silence for a few more minutes before he stretched his hand out again inching closer and closer till his hand finally met skin. He paused, before softly caressing the warm and soft skin. He trailed it up to Anton's hair, softly petting his hair.
"I think I'm in trouble. I'm too far gone." He whispered to himself.
Anton's sleepy eyes opened slowly, and he turned to look at Xander in confusion. "In trouble? What happened? Too far gone into what?"
Xander looked up in shock, wondering when Anton woke up. He took his hand back sitting as straight as possible. He didn't say a word.
"Yes?" Anton asked, training his tired eyes on Xander.
"Um, it's nothing." Xander sighed.
"Oh, alright then." Anton smiled tiredly and looked away.
"Actually..." Xander started again.
"Yes?" Anton didn't look at Xander at all. He closed his eyes again.
"I met my Dad today." Xander confessed. "He was the one that called at the hospital."
Anton's eyes flew open attentively.
"I told him that I'm neither coming back home, nor taking over the business."
"You did what?!" Anton turned to him in shock.
"And... I also told him that I like you..." Xander confessed.