Day Five…
~~*****~~
Nathan went upstairs and headed to the study room. Upon opening the door, a small figure ran toward him, hugging his legs.
"Dad, you are back!" Ethan's eyes shone brightly as he looked at his father.
Nathan also greeted Ethan, his hand reached for his son's head, ruffling his hair tenderly. He just replied to him with a simple "Hmm."
Ethan quickly grabbed his father's hand, dragging him toward the soft couch located at the corner of his study room. At the table, two cups of warm liquids were served– one milk and one green tea.
Nathan's gaze fell on the two cups. Then he shifted his gaze back to Little Ethan, his eyes giving the boy a questioning look.
He had a feeling that Little Ethan was up to something. Maybe, he had another favor he wanted to request from him. Nathan was used to seeing Ethan's sweet and thoughtful side whenever he would ask him something.
'Lots of troublesome people asking me ridiculous favors lately, don't tell me this son of mine will also request something from me?' Nathan thought to himself as he was reminded by his traitor friends who used him as a bet.
Still smiling, Ethan tapped the space next to him, inviting Nathan to sit down. He stared at his son suspiciously before coming over.
"Ethan, do you need something?" Nathan confronted him directly, arching his eyebrow while folding his arms over his chest.
Ethan blinked, staring at him with his innocent charming eyes. "Dad, why are you looking at me like that? Though I made you this cup of tea, it didn't mean I have something to ask you."
"Am I not allowed to make my father a relaxing tea after his stressful business trip abroad? I'm just worried about your health." Ethan added, explaining his side to Nathan. He sounded very convincing as if Ethan had no ill motive.
He even pouted his lips, pretending to be upset since his father was suspecting him that he was just acting kind and thoughtful tonight because he needed something.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to say that. It's just that your two Uncles… I mean godfathers, they asked me a ridiculous favor." Nathan massaged his temples, his lips moved in an unpleasant twist to show displeasure.
'I want to bury them alive or throw them into the ocean and feed them to sharks.' he subconsciously
Little Ethan had the urge to laugh as he was the one who pestered his grandfather to send their private jet and fetch Nathan from Country F. He even told his grandfather to mention Stephen and Aiden.
"Dad, what are you going to do with my godfather's request? They have to fulfill someone's wish as they lost a bet!" Ethan asked Nathan expectantly.
"Of course, I will do nothing. I have nothing to do with it." Nathan promptly responded, his brows were drawn together as his expression darkened in annoyance.
Ethan sighed helplessly. "But Dad! You have to do it. Miss Abi wants to date you! It's part of the bet." The little young boy insisted, trying to help his Uncles in convincing his Dad.
"No," Nathan said firmly.
"Dadddd!" Ethan called him with his prolonged dramatic voice. "Just say yes, Dad! What's wrong with helping Uncle Stephen and Uncle Aiden from fulfilling Miss Abi's wish? They are your best friends."
"They WERE my best friends, not anymore. Since they betrayed me! How dare they use me as a bet?" Nathan complained, his eyes glimmered with coldness.
Little Ethan brought his hands to his face while shaking his head helplessly.
"Dad, you are overreacting. Can't you just go out with her once. Don't make this a big deal. Uncle Stephen and Uncle Aiden just wanted to have fun with Miss Abi that's why they played and made some bets! It just so happened that Miss Abi was lucky enough to win." Ethan spoke spontaneously like a teacher trying to explain his lesson to his student thoroughly.
"Don't you know that Aunt Veronica, Uncle Stephen, and Uncle Aiden also requested Abigail to fulfill their wishes once they won?"
Nathan's frown deepened further when he heard that. "Veronica also joined them with this bet?"
Ethan bobbed his head frantically. "Yes, Dad. She was supposed to convince you as well. She lost the bet so she had to keep the end of the deal!"
"If the three of them won, then Miss Abi would be the one to suffer, fulfilling their wishes." This time, Ethan sounded like a reporter, supplying Nathan with information.
"What wishes?" Nathan fixed his eyes on his son, his eyes filled with curiosity and intrigue.
"Aunt Veronica asked Miss Abi to leave the mansion if she won while Uncle Aiden wanted Miss Abi to sing him a song!"
Nathan's lips formed a thin line as he was displeased with Veronica's demand. The mansion was not her house. How could she ask someone to leave the mansion? He was the one who let Abigail stay with them. Who was she to question his decision?
"Then how about your Uncle Stephen?"
Little Ethan crumpled his face as he recalled what Stephen demanded. He was not around when Stephen declared his bet. But fortunately, Butler Li was there. He was the one who informed Ethan about Stephen's wish.
"Dad, beware of Uncle Stephen! I'm afraid that he would try to steal my future wife. Please don't let him do that!"
Ethan's remarks made Nathan wonder further about Stephen's request. "Why do you think so? What did he ask her?"
"Uncle Steph asked Miss Abi to be his date! He wanted to date her for a day!"
Nathan was taken aback for a moment. Just like Aiden, he was shocked beyond belief that Stephen suddenly asked a woman to be his date.
It did not take long when the shock in his eyes was replaced by a cold glint. 'What's wrong with Stephen? What did he see in that woman? If he wants her, then why was he asking me to date her?'