NOBLE SERIES#3: RULING THAT VISCOUNT

CHAPTER 44

Silence.

The whole table was silent it was three seconds before the other mens in our table burst in laughter, upon hearing what I've said, thinking something is funny with what I muttered.

"Come on, guys, this is supposed to be a meet and greet dinner, why are you both in thunder level?" The man who's sitting beside him said.

He then turned to look at me flashing his dimples as he smiled playfully.

"Don't get me wrong we're not trying to seduce you."

"Smiling at your friend's woman squinting your eyes in a playful manner, equally with your gaze is a body language of seduction, did you perhaps hit your head on the wall to not be able to differentiate the two." I said as our food finally arrived.

"Oh man, you gotta be kidding me I was just joking, just trying my luck." He said and wink in my direction.

"If you say so." Magkasabay na sabi namin ni Atreus.

Nagkatitigan kami sa direksyon ng bawat isa, kita ko ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa labi ng lalaki, napailing ako saglit, he adapted some ways of my sentences in everyday life.

Someone cleared his throat. "Shall we eat now?" Verne Adair started, hesitantly.

Tumango ako, sa ganoong paraan nag umpisa kaming kumain, hindi tahimik ang mesa nagpalitan ng kung ano anong topic ang mga lalaki sa gilid ko, tahimik naman akong nakikinig sa kanila dahil paminsan minsan ay ako ang pinag uusapan nila kahit tahimik lang ako.

"What do you think of investing on that land, Ludvik?" He started, again.

Napataas ako ng tingin papunta sa direksyon ni Atreus na nasa gilid ko, natahimik ito na parang malalim ang iniisip, halatang nag dadalawang isip ang lalaki kung mag i-invest s'ya o hindi.

"Why do you need investors?"

"To tell you honestly, it's one of our colleagues company, it's close to be bankrupt, we're planning to buy the land because it's a good spot but we need to wait for our turn first."

"You're planning to betray him by earning his trust... What a dirty trick." I muttered while slicing the chicken in my plate.

Adair shake his head. "We're helping him to also gain something, not everyone is a righteous man." He said before raising his glass for a toast in my direction.

"Indeed, you have a point." I said and swirled the knife in his direction."But, helping him in exchange of coveting what's his is no better than just killing him."

I sighed. "Atreus, are you aware of what Sun Tzu once said?"

"What..." He replied as a whisper.

"If you don't know their intentions you cannot be friends with them." I stood up from my chair, there is no point of arguing here.

I tapped his shoulder. "I won't be surprised if you bite each others neck sooner or later."

"Do you want to go home now?" Atreus asked, looking at me.

I nodded. "Yes, let's go home now, go prepare the car. Susunod ako."

Tumayo si Atreus mula sa kanyang kinauupuan at naglakad palabas, papunta sa parking lot, nang mawala na s'ya sa paningin ko ay saka ako bumalik sa pagkakaupo.

Kinuha ko ang water goblet. "I hope we're all feeling the mutual."

"Are you stopping Ludvik to take care of his part? This is the plan we've been preparing for a month already, it's for the future." Sambit ng isa na tumayo.