Chapter 7

Theo kept open his heart to Sebastian, and told how after 3 days he agreed to date him, and that he made him feel happy and loved for the first time in his life. He said that the first time they had sex was wonderful, that he did everything to make Theo not feel discomfort or pain. That he introduced him to his parents and that they endured him. And he said that he pressured him to come out of the closet, especially in front of his parents.

Theo is silent and Sebastian asks if he wants to choose or trust his selection.

Theo asks Sebastiam to choose and he calls Lei, points out a number of plates and turns his attention to Theo again.

- Am I to understand that your parents did not accept the fact that you are gay very well?

- It was more terrifying than that. When I told them, they didn't react. My dad continued to look at me as if I were saying I was going to spend the weekend out, and my mother simply resumed reading the documents she had in her hand. They continued to talk to me as if I hadn't told them anything, and that's how we stayed until the end of high school and the end of my speech as a Valedictorian. When my boyfriend approached, I wanted to kiss him, but my father said that the time had come for us to have a talk. He apologized to my boyfriend, and we went to sit on a bench. Me, my mother and my father. In the middle of the street. So that there were no scandals or whining. He simply told me that he had opened a bank account for me, with half a million, so I could go to whatever college I wanted to go to, and that I had a month to leave home. They got up and walked away and left me there. When my boyfriend came to me, I was crying and I told him that they had thrown me out. He told me it was going to be okay, but when I asked if I could apply to Harvard, he stuttered and said we'll talk later. He said he had to go, but he gave me a ride home first. We kissed and he made me feel safe.

That same night, I received a W******p message saying that it was better for us to just be friends, that I was too young for him, and I never saw him again. I think it was the possibility of belonging to my family that he was really in love. If I had been disinherited and put out on the street, he wanted nothing to do with me anymore.

Sebastiam clenches his fists on the table.

The food arrives.

- Eat. - Sebastian orders, but he himself was having trouble swallowing.

- It was that month, with me not leaving the room, and not knowing what to do with my life, that I read your interview. It was like my eyes were opened. I chose college and a degree and, here I am.

- Being bullied instead of getting the fucking rest you deserve.

Theo opens his eyes and looks at Sebastian. That man, too important to be there having lunch with him, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, was truly outraged.

- Your parents are dicks and that piece of shit you called boyfriend is another.

Sebastian was outraged at humanity at that moment. He didn't understand how parents could abandon children like that. No arguing, no spewing words of hate, simply saying goodbye and walking away forever. He was going to seriously review every deal he had with the Hansons. If they fucks up their child's life, they fuck business partners too.

- So, in short, your parents, your ex-boyfriend and college are all screwing you?

- Said like that, it seems I don't have anything good in my life.

- Calm. You have a lot of good things in your life. You are getting an excellent degree at an excellent university, with extraordinary professors. You have money in your account, where to sleep and, above all, you are an extraordinary, educated, down-to-earth boy. Do you happen to know the ex-dean William Smith?

Theo lowers his head again but when he feels Sebastian's hand reach out, he immediately raises it.

- You do not know me. How do you know I'm all that?

- I'm a business man. The first thing I learned was how to read people. If you're doubting yourself, you're being silly. Do you know William or not?

- No. I've heard about him at meetings for newly arrived students.

- I'll introduce you to him. You'll love him.

They finish eating in silence and ask for the bill.

When Lei brings the bill, she asks Sebastian.

- Tell me, is the food as good as before?

- Better, because I already missed it - Sebastian replies, smiling.

She gestures to the bar and two coffees are placed on the table, accompanied by 2 chocolates.

- Offer of the house. Enjoy the coffee. It is the best we have and so are the chocolates. Nothing to do with what we usually serve. When are you coming back to New York?

- Tomorrow morning. - Sebastian replies, picking up the bill.

Theo asks to share and Sebastian simply winks at him. Take out $200, and give it to Lei.

- The excess is for hospitality.

- Well, the $130 tip is proof that you really have shark teeth after all – she laughs – are you staying at William's house?

- Of course. If I came to Cornwell and didn't spend the night there, he'd kill me.

- True. You need to tell that old fart to get his ass here with Nancy. She needs a break and we miss them.

- I'd especially tell him you call him "old fart" - Sebastian says, laughing.

- Bad as usual. - she says, laughing with him.

They get up and secy there goodbays.

- Bye Theo, hope to see you soon. And you big tycoon, I hope you don't take another 2 years to come back.

Sebastian kisses Lei's cheeks, grabs the hand of Theo and goes back to the Tesla.