Chapter 5

Sebastian looks at him, holds out his hand and introduces himself.

- Hi! My name is Sebastian Jones.

The boy looks at him with wide eyes.

-Sebastian Jones? The CEO of Salvato inc. Sebastian Jones? That Sebastian Jones?

Sebastian chuckls.

- Yeah, that Sebastian Jones. Since you know who I am, you have an advantage. May I know your name?

- Theodore Hanson, but I like Theo better – he replies, grabbing the hand that Sebastian held out, and shaking it.

- Hanson? From the Boston Hanson family? – he cannot resist doing the same as the boy.

Theo smiles when he sees the joke.

- Yes, from that family, but I'm not from that family anymore.

Sebastian doesn't understand and raises his eyebrows.

.- You know Mr. Jones… – Sebastian raised his hand.

- Just Sebastian. I'm not working, we are not business partners and you don't work for me. Sebastian is enough.

- You know… Sebastian, I thought you were older.

- A lot of people think that. It doesn't matter, I feel terribly older anyway.

Theo giggle.

Sebastian couldn't take his eyes off the boy. He giggles. Just like a little girl. And it wasn't unpleasant. It suited him.

- I chose this college because of you.

- Because of me? Now there is a story that deserves to be heard. Do you want a cigarette?

- No thanks, I don't smoke. I was undecided about which college to choose. Even the degree I wanted to take. But I read an interview you did, and you spoke so highly of Cornell and the degree you took, the support of the professors, that I decided that the college I wanted was the prestigious Cornell University, and the degree would be Applied Economics and Management.

- I'm glad I inspired you. It is an excellent college and the degree is fantastic. Considering your parents' business, it'll come in handy.

Theo is sad again and lowers his head.

This was the story Sebastian wanted to hear. He had business with the Hansons.

- Look, how about I accompanying you to your dorm, you shower and change your clothes and I'll take you to lunch. I'd like to hear your story, and if you'd like some advice for classes, I'm happy to give it.

Theo frowns and stands up.

- Sorry Mr Jones, but I'm not one of those.

Sebastian tilted his head without noticing. He was Mr. Jones again?

- Boy, I don't know what's going on in your head, but I don't have second, third or fourth intentions. I just wanted to have lunch with you and talk. If you're not interested in this old man's company, that's okay.

Sebastian gets up and starts walking back to where he came from.

- Hang on. – Theo says, shyly – Sebastian, please wait. Sorry. I'm very nervous.

Sebastian comes back and stops opposite Theo.

- No problem. I know you are not well. I could tell you that I was waiting for you in the car, but honestly I'm worried that you're going to the dorm in that state, because the truth is, I don't know why you're in that state.

- You can follow me. No problem.

Theo points to the dorm and, side by side, they both go there.

As they approach the building, Sebastian asks.

- The Jocks' dorm? What's your poison? Football? Go Reds?

- I'm not a jock. I'm in this dorm because it was the only single room there was. Maybe I can change it next semester. Dean promised to try.

Sebastian was more and more curious to hear the boy's story, but he was going to wait for lunch.

- I used to have a room in this dorm. a double. Ya, I was a damn jock in my first 2 years here. Then I had to give up playing. coach was hell mad. I was the team star. - Sebastian Louths.

When they are crossing the hall towards Theo's room, someone sticks his head out of the room and shouts “look, Tinker Bell brought Captain Hook to the room”. Laughter was heard all around, and Theo flinched. That really pissed Sabastian off. He walks up to the guy who had shouted and tells him in a very soft tone.

- Are you calling me Captain Hook? Do you happen to know who I am? – with a big smile he extends his hand – my name is Sebastian Jones, you must have heard of me. Well, if being a jock didn't leave you without brain cells. I'm the CEO of Salvato inc, a former student of this university. Actually, I finished my studies 2 years ago, but I'm a friend to former Dean William and the current dean even asked me for some help. If that comment was meant for me and my friend over there, I'm going to have to explain to the dean why I won't be able to help with what he asked me, and why I won't be a patron of this college anymore. - without losing the smile, he adds. - I'm sure the dean will ask you for justifications, personally.

The boy, who halfway through the speech had already changed color, replied, stuttering.

- No sir. It was just a joke. It had nothing to do with you and your friend.

Sebastian puts his hand on the wall above the jock's head and softly says.

- Bullshet.

Then he walks away and goes to Theo, who was at the bedroom door in a state of shock. Sebastian takes the key from his hand, which he was trying so hard to get into the lock, opens the door and pushes Theo into it.

- Go get your toiletries and go take a shower. It's almost lunchtime.

Theo, still shaking, obeys. He takes the products and towels and goes to the shower. No one dared enter the shower, which Sebastian watched from Theo's bedroom door.

When he returns, he looks for clean clothes and gets dressed, this time with light blue jeans, even though they're torn at the knees like the others, a white t-short and white D&G sneakers.

Sebastian kept his eyes on the boy, assessing his mental state.

- I apologize for the comment. - Theo says, completely red and on the verge of tears.

- Why do you apologize? Why? The brainless idiot should mind his own business.

- You don't have to take me to lunch. People will think...

Sebastian raised his hand in exasperation.

- Kid, if you're worried about my reputation, don't be. Few people have the courage to confront me, and those who do often regret it. I invited you to lunch because I want to know your story. I'm not the least bit concerned about your sexuality.

Theo cringes.

- I'm not g…

Sebastian raised his hand again.

- I do not want to know. Are you ready?

Theo nods, and Sebastian picks up his cell phone.

- Willian, are you done? No? Look, do you mind going home alone? I met a friend and I'm having lunch with him. No, not a Cornell friend of mine. It's a friend I met today and he is at Cornell. No. Don't worry Mom. Yes, I'll take the car. You can't turn it on either, the card is in my pocket. See you later.

When he hangs up the phone, he opens the bedroom door, goes out and turns around.

-Let's go?

Theo nods, and goes out, closing the room, and pockets the kee, walking beside Sebastian, head down as Sebastian held her high. Not a single comment was heard. Not a head peeked in the doorway.

When Segastian got close to the car, the Tesla was surrounded by girls and boys, probably cheerleaders and jocks who were taking pictures as if the Tesla was theirs.

When the car door unlocks with Sebastian approaching, the girls melt for him, and they don't even notice Theo, who is staring at the car with his mouth open.

- Sure, you'd be expected to drive a funking Tesla.

- Anything against? - he says with a wink. - get in.

Theo goes in, and Sebastian closes the door. When he climbs into the driver's seat, Theo still hasn't moved an inch.

- Buckle up, kid - Sebastian tells him.

But Theo was afraid to breathe and ruin something, let alone buckle up. Sebastian leans over Theo, grabs the belt and does it himself. Theo holds his breath. Sebastian was sexy as fuck. Much more interesting in practical clothing than in the suits he'd seen in the pictures. And it smelled so damn good. Theo closes his eyes. He scolds himself. 

"Just because a man gave you a little attention and sympathy didn't mean he was going to fall in love with you". - he thinks.

On top of it, Sebastian was unabashedly straight.