Ch. 16
The atmosphere inside the restaurant shifted the moment the two guests arrived at their table. Selene's grandfather rose with a booming laugh that echoed through the marble and crystal hall.
"Sebastian! Still alive and kicking, I see!"
The entire table turned.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with silver hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes walked toward them. Despite his age, Alexander Montclair carried himself like a man who'd never lost an argument— or a fight.
Sebastian stood immediately, his booming laugh filling the hall.
"Alexander Montclair, you old bastard! Still making waitresses blush at your age?"
Alexander laughed loudly and shook his hand.
"And you're still the same reckless troublemaker from our academy days! I'm surprised you didn't get expelled before graduation."
"They tried. I just kept coming back." Sebastian grinned.
The two old men erupted in laughter, slapping each other's backs like brothers reunited after decades apart; one, the former Student Council President, the other, the notorious gang leader of their youth.
Even the waiters couldn't help but smile. Yuna watched in quiet amusement, her lips twitching.
So, this is the legendary friendship that survived years of chaos.
But then she noticed someone standing quietly behind old Alexander.
A young man.
He was tall, easily over six feet dressed in a sleek black suit that fit him too perfectly to be anything but custom. His sharp jawline, straight nose, and the faintest smirk that tugged at his lips all screamed effortless confidence.
When he met her eyes, his deep gray gaze caught the light steady, unreadable, and entirely too captivating.
Oh no.
He looked like the kind of man who was born in slow motion— all sharp elegance and quiet command.
He's dangerously perfect.
If testosterone had a face, it would look like that.
And when their eyes met just for a heartbeat something flickered.
A subtle curiosity.
A quiet pull.
Yuna blinked.
Nope.
Sebastian grinned when he noticed her eyes flick up.
"And who's this, Alexander? Don't tell me you've been hiding another heir."
Alexander smirked, pride gleaming in his voice.
"This is Jaxen Montclair, my grandson. Handles half our manufacturing division now."
"It's an honor, Mr. Valen." Jaxen inclined his head politely, his deep voice smooth and steady.
"None of that formality," Sebastian laughed, waving a hand.
"You don't have to call me Mr. Valen, kid. Just Grandpa Sebastian if you want~ I'm old enough for it anyway."
Everyone chuckled. Even Jaxen cracked a small, amused smile.
"Then I'll keep that in mind, sir."
As everyone took their seats, the energy in the room shifted relaxed yet charged with the kind of warmth only old friendships could bring. Their conversation drifted from business to stories of their wild teenage years.
"I still remember you breaking the academy's gate with your motorcycle," Alexander teased, half laughing.
"That gate was weak, I was testing its durability." Sebastian scoffed.
"You were racing!"
"I was experimenting," Sebastian said, sipping his wine with mock seriousness.
So that's where Selene got her temper from.
Their laughter echoed across the restaurant, drawing curious glances from nearby tables.
Yuna hid a small smile.
These two could run a whole comedy show if they wanted to.
But her amusement wavered when she caught Jaxen watching her again— not in a rude way, but with genuine interest, like he was trying to read what kind of person she was. She pretended to adjust her fork, willing her pulse to calm down.
Great.
My first real encounter with a man in this world, and he looks like a walking CEO.
"And this must be your granddaughter, Selene, right?" Alexander finally turned toward her.
"Yes, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." Yuna straightened politely.
Alexander chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.
"Oh, none of that sir talk too, Selene. Just call me Grandpa, all right? You're not a stranger here."
Yuna blinked, a bit taken aback, then managed a small smile.
"Uhm... alright, Grandpa."
Alexander's smile softened.
"Brilliant and beautiful, your grandfather wasn't exaggerating. And just like your grandfather," Alexander chuckled.
"Smart and calm- though I suspect you're less likely to throw a chair in a meeting."
Jaxen lips twitched at that, and Yuna had to fight not to laugh.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Alexander, are you trying to flatter my granddaughter or recruit her?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"Both," Alexander said cheerfully.
"But if I can't recruit her, maybe I can marry her into the company."
That earned a chorus of laughter from the table even Yuna's grandmother smiled in amusement.
"Ah, just like the old days! You were the fighter, I was the thinker maybe our grandkids can balance that out, too, eh?" Alexander laughed.
He winked teasingly at Sebastian.
"Who knows, maybe we'll get to be family someday."
Yuna nearly choked on her water while her father coughed into his napkin, trying to keep a straight face.
"Don't start, Alex. You're worse than my wife."
But Alexander only chuckled, leaning back.
"Can you blame me? Look at these two both have sharp minds, good looks and good breeding. I say destiny's doing its job."
The laughter that followed eased the awkwardness, but Yuna could still feel Jaxen's quiet gaze from across the table.
Not mocking. Not pushy. Just steady.
Observing her the way she often observed everyone else.
And for the first time since she'd fallen into this story, Yuna felt her composure tremble just a little. Because something about that look that faint, knowing smirk felt like the start of something unscripted. Because for some reason, she couldn't shake the thought:
This man isn't part of the story.
So why does it feel like he's about to become one?