AN UNEXPECTED GROOM

– Uh…

She didn’t know what to answer. It was true that she couldn’t call him Mr. Flores in front of his family, but what should she call him?

Sebastian stood quietly, looking very patient as he waited for her response.

Patrice, who was standing next to Roxane, said in a low voice:

– You can call President Flores by his name.

He was even more anxious than the parties involved.

The night breeze blew against Roxane. When she met Sebastian’s gaze, she became inexplicably nervous. Then she licked her lips before saying:

– Sebastian.

In the darkness, Sebastien’s lips curled into a slight smile before responding:

– Yes.

‘Sebastien, Sebastien, Sebastien.’ Roxane repeated his name three times in her mind. These three words seemed to hold magical powers; they imbued his heart with warmth immediately.

When the duo, followed by Patrice in the back, entered the house, members of the Alvarez family warmly welcomed Sebastien. When they saw the gifts Patrice brought him, they told him he was too polite to bring so many things.

Sebastien was used to praise and flattery. When he was in a bad mood, he wouldn’t even look at anyone. However, today, no matter what the Alvarez family said or asked, he answered them patiently. His performance was flawless.

Enzo sat at the dining table and listened to his parents continually praise Sebastian. He looked at Sebastien and chuckled inwardly. ‘Old dog Flores! Capitalist! He eats people without spitting out bones! You all don’t even know you’ve been cheated!

The drinks were brought because it was the holidays, not just because of Sebastian. The family chatted happily among themselves.

When Enzo wanted to toast Sebastian again after toasting Sebastian several times, he was scolded by his father. In the end, he could only drink alone.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

At this moment, Roxane placed food on Sebastien’s plate using the shared chopsticks and said:

– Aunt Celine’s fish is even better than mine. Taste.

When he looked down, he saw that she was removing the bones from the fish for him before he could even say anything. She gave him no leeway to refuse at all. He felt slightly warm when he saw this.

When Roxane finished, she looked up at him and smiled innocently.

He picked up the piece of fish and ate it. The scent of fish seemed to soften his heart little by little.

-Is it delicious?

She asked impatiently.

Sebastian nodded.

As if encouraged by this, Roxane began to place more fish meat on her plate, saying:

-If it’s delicious, then you should have more. You must have worked very hard today…

He didn’t say anything as he looked at her. His eyes burned when he looked at her.

Old Madam Alvarez didn’t eat much so Madam Alvarez took a bowl of lotus seed soup for her. As she drank the soup, she observed Roxane and Sebastien’s interaction.

Old Mrs. Alvarez planned to return to the hospital after the meal. She had stopped everyone from sending her away and had resolutely insisted on being driven back by the driver.

Before leaving, she wanted to speak to Sebastien. She sent everyone away; not even Roxane was allowed to stay.

Mr. Alvarez, Mrs. Alvarez and Enzo waited in the house while Roxane waited in the yard because she was too worried.

Osmanthus flowers were in full bloom during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their scent permeated the windy night.

Sebastien, who was sitting in the car with the window half down, turned around and saw Roxane standing near the osmanthus flowers in the yard. At that moment, it looked like she was picking a flower.

When Roxane saw that the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, she couldn’t help but pick a few to bring back into the room. It would keep the room scented for a long time. She could also dry them to use them for artistic purposes or to make wine.

At this time, the moon was hanging high in the sky. It illuminated a small figure crouching in the yard, carefully trying to pick the osmanthus flowers.

As she stood up, one of the flowers fell. When she bent down to pick it up, a sudden gust of wind blew it away. She straightened her back and watched the yellow flower float in the air while the rustling of the leaves rang in her ears. She laughed when she saw the flower dancing in the air like a yellow snowflake.

Sebastian didn’t know when he got out of the car after talking to old Madame Alvarez. He stood by the car and silently watched this scene with his dark eyes.

The moonlight shone on her pretty face. His smile was like the sun that could melt away all the cold and chase away the darkness.

The surroundings were so quiet that he could hear his heart beating in his chest. He felt like he could hear the ice around his heart cracking.

At that moment, Roxane seemed to have felt his gaze. She turned and saw Sebastian standing nearby. She walked towards him with the osmanthus flowers in her hands and said:

– Sebastien, looked at these osmanthus flowers. They are really fragrant.

Sebastian’s gaze fell from her smiling face to the delicate yellow flowers in her hand. However, his gaze quickly returned to the smiling face. His voice unconsciously softened as he said:

– Yes, they smell good.

At this moment, when the corners of his lips curled into a smile, his eyes also twinkled.

She looked at him in a daze.

– You… You smiled.

Sebastian had naturally smiled before, but it seemed superficial. She felt like it was the first time she saw his smile.

He didn’t deny it.

– Don’t you like to see me smile?

Roxane immediately shook her head.

– It’s good to smile. It’s good for mood and health. She pursed her cherry lips before adding: You are really beautiful when you smile.

Sebastien’s smile deepens.

– Do you plan to stay here tonight or come back with me?

After thinking about it for a moment, she said:

– Let’s go back. I have class tomorrow and I didn’t bring my drawing supplies here.

Sebastian nodded.

-Then let’s go home.

She nodded. She didn’t notice that he said “let’s go home” instead of saying “let’s go back to the Moon Pavilion” like he usually did. She raised her hands and asked:

-So what about these flowers? I want to make dried flowers.

He thought about it for a moment before opening his jacket pocket and saying:

-Put them here.

– Your suit is very expensive. I think I’ll ask Aunt Celine to…

Before she could finish speaking, he grabbed her wrist and guided her hands to the top of his pocket. He said patiently:

– It doesn’t matter, put it in.

Roxane raised her head and met his dark eyes. Her heart stirred uncomfortably as she slowly put the osmanthus flowers she was holding into her pocket as if she were putting into a treasure.

The duo looked at each other with a spring smile on their faces.

In an unlit room on the second floor of the house, a tall figure stood by the window. The figure emptied the contents into a crystal glass as a meaningful smile appeared on the figure’s face.