Chapter 85
“Dad, Uncle Daniel is handsome, rich, and besides being a soldier...” He just wanted to warn his father not to be so trusting.
Ethan couldn't help but laugh when he saw how adorable his son looked talking to him now, and he could see how worried Theo was about him. Once again, Ethan hugged Theo to feel his warmth.
“Don't worry about it, I know it means you're on my side now. You'll stand by me to win your mother's heart, right?” Ethan smiled warmly as he tightened his embrace.
Theo, in Ethan's arms, felt confused, as he had never said that, but before Theo could correct his father, a knock on the door was heard.
“Yes?” Ethan asked as he loosened his embrace on Theo, and they both looked at the door.
“Mr. Ethan, it's me, Antonio!” Antonio's voice could be heard behind the door. “I just came to bring Théo his cake and milk.”
“Do you want to eat your cake now? Or after lunch?” Ethan looked fondly at Théo.
“Now, please?” Theo replied hastily, as talking to his father was draining his energy, and he needed to eat sweets and drink milk.
“All right!” Ethan smiled, noticing that Theo's eyes were no longer as calm and cold as he used to see them.
Now, he noticed Theo's eyes shining as if there were stars in them, just like Lilian's when she saw food and was eating.
“Come in!” Ethan looked at the door again.
Antonio entered the room with a round tray in his hand, but after only a few steps, he stopped abruptly, shocked by what he saw. Theo was now sitting on Ethan's lap, and he was touched by what he witnessed.
Since yesterday, he had sensed his boss's concern about meeting his son, as he feared that his son would hate him. But seeing how close they were now, he felt relieved.
“Why are you standing there?” Ethan asked, and an almost imperceptible smile appeared on Antonio's face.
“Sir, I'm sorry. I felt something burning in my eyes and they were watering...” He walked toward the living room.
“If you want to cry again, cry outside.” Ethan looked at Antonio and sneered.
“Yes, sir...” Antonio smiled awkwardly at Ethan before looking at his adorable son, and he still found it hard to believe that this cute and intelligent little boy was Ethan's son. “Theo, this is your chocolate cake with warm milk!” Antonio said as he placed them on the coffee table.
“Thank you, Uncle Antonio!”
“Sir, please call me Antonio!” He corrected him immediately, worried that his boss wouldn't be happy.
“Uncle, my mom taught me that it's rude to call older people by their first name, so I'll call you Uncle Antonio!” Theo said calmly, and climbed down from his father's lap to get his cake.
After taking his plate, Theo sat back down next to Ethan and began to eat his chocolate cake, ignoring Antonio's worried look.
Antonio, still stunned by Theo's words, smiled worriedly as he looked at Ethan, who saw him nod, confirming that everything was fine. Theo then addressed him.
“Did you give the cake to Liliam?” However, before leaving, Ethan asked, as he remembered that it was Lilian who had asked him for it.
“Yes, sir. I served her the cake before coming here, and since she was on the phone, I put the cake in her room and didn't talk to her!” Antonio explained.
“I see!” Ethan said, curious to know who she was talking to.
Daniel? He shook his head slightly, trying to dispel his jealousy.
“What about lunch, Antonio?” he asked again.
“It'll be ready in thirty minutes, sir.”
“Great!” Ethan replied, waving his hand gently to let Antonio know he could leave the room.
Ethan held his chin with one hand as he watched his son eat the cake, and didn't ask Théo anything, just letting him finish the cake.
Théo devoured the four delicious slices of chocolate cake in a few minutes, and just before he wanted to eat the last slice, he noticed his father staring at him, and turned to face him.
“Dad, do you want some too?” Theo asked, looking at the last piece of cake on the coffee table as if he wanted to offer it to his father, but his gaze betrayed him.
“No, you can finish it.” Ethan tried to suppress a laugh, looking at his expression.
“Thanks.” Theo picked up the last piece of cake and continued eating again.
“Do you want some more?”
“No, otherwise Mom will scold me if I eat too much cake before lunch or right after.” Theo shook his head, and Ethan couldn't help but laugh inside when he realized his son had just eaten five slices of chocolate cake.
And now, he was worried that if Lilian found out, she would definitely complain to him for letting their son eat too much.
Ethan put his worries aside and took out his handkerchief to wipe some chocolate residue from Théo's mouth, and they continued talking about various topics.
Ethan asked Theo about his hobbies and was surprised to find out that he liked computers, games, and food. Regarding music, Theo mentioned that he learned just to pass the time, and confessed that he didn't like sports or any physical activity.
This amused Ethan, as it mirrored his own interests, except for the food part. It seemed that his son had inherited his mother's genes, and Ethan remembered how Lilian liked to eat many different kinds of food; that's all he remembers about her, besides her birthday.
Shortly after, Ethan began to worry about leaving Lilian waiting for them for so long, and a few minutes later, he suggested they go check on Lilian, fearing she might be bored from being alone for so long.
“Yes, Dad. Let's go...” Theo agreed, getting up from his seat and immediately going to Lilian's room, and they were both surprised to find Lilian asleep when they opened the door. “Mom was sleeping?” Theo frowned slightly.
“She looks tired!” Ethan said, worried. "Didn't she sleep well last night?
Theo didn't answer right away, but took a step toward the bed, and Ethan followed behind and was surprised to see Lilian sleeping peacefully, beautiful and innocent.
Ethan couldn't take his eyes off Lilian. It was the first time he had seen her sleeping so peacefully at that hour.