Love like Pandora's box

Chapter 23.

"You better be present for the family dinner today." His grandfather spoke on the phone.

Zhan rolled his eyes as he got up from his seat and walked around while talking to his grandfather, "Is it really necessary? I am not interested in meeting anyone."

"It doesn't matter whether you are interested or not; you are related by blood to everyone, and you can't avoid them forever. Besides consider this as  a professional meeting; nothing else, your uncle, brother, and father are still a part of the company, even if you have the most power."

Zhan sighed as he heard the old man. As he walked, he suddenly stopped when he saw Yibo on the rooftop, talking to someone on the phone. Zhan stood at his place and observed him as he stood at his place.

"I'll see to it grandpa." Zhan said as he disconnected the call.

"Mrs. Nelson thank you so much for all the help, if there is something you need then please tell me I will gladly help you." Yibo said as he talked on the phone.

"It's fine dear. You should focus on your work; I will take care of everything else."

"If he bothers you to much then just call me."

"Oh please, he is the sweetest and most obedient child ever, you have raised him well."

"Thanks." Yibo said before the call was disconnected, he looked at his phone and sighed, suddenly he heard someone's voice, "you are not eating lunch? Mr. Wang?"

Yibo turned to look at Zhan and said, "I am not hungry right now Sir."

Zhan gave a small nod. "is your work done?"

"Yeah, it's almost done."

"Good then. How about you join me lunch today." Zhan asked.

Yibo was obviously not interested but Zhan said, "you know it's not polite to say no to your boss."

"Fine sir."

~~

It was one of the most awkward dinners.

Yibo ate quietly so did Zhan.

It had been two months since Zhan had moved back and so far, he didn't create any troubles for Yibo.

However, Yibo noticed that Zhan was not the same angry and cold person that he was in college; he was not the lonely and awkward person that he was in school. He had grown and became mature; he developed social skills; he smiled often; he talked to people nicely; and he had a charm to himself.

Similarly, Zhan also noticed things about Yibo, the latter had changed as well, he was too thin, never really talked to any one unless it was necessary, he never even smiled. And Zhan was not sure how he felt after seeing him like that.

Zhan had changed, he did not forget the pain and betrayal that he had once gone through, but when he saw Yibo again, he was not mad, he didn't felt the rage that he had felt in the college.

Probably because, he thinks that Yibo had gone through enough as well, right now he had no idea how he felt towards Yibo, it was complicated.

"How's life?" Zhan asked.

Yibo slowed down before he said, "it's okay."

"You are not going to ask me? How am I doing? Of course why would you care." Zhan spoke, and he became a little bit irritated when he noticed that Yibo was not even looking at him.

Yibo didn't want to ask Zhan how he was, he didn't had the guts to hear what Zhan had been through, because of him Zhan lost something precious that belonged to his grandmother, his kidney and god knows what else.

Yibo would not be able to tolerate hearing about any more suffering that Zhan had to go through that too alone and also when he knew that he won't be able to do anything to help Zhan, and Zhan wouldn't even give him a chance to comfort him.

"I am sure you were fine all this time." Yibo said, "I mean, look at where you are; you look like you are doing great."

Zhan scoffed, as he felt really annoyed. "Of course, you would say that. Since I am from a rich background, I can't go through any suffering, right? Born with a golden spoon, I can never be miserable according to you right?"

"It's not like that."

"Oh then what's it like? Tell me, Yibo, are you jealous of me? Because I am rich." Zhan spoke.

Yibo finally looked at Zhan and said, "I am not jealous of you."

"Well, you sounded like that. It must be sad to see me 'doing so well' right?"

"Have you called me here just to taunt me? Just to remind me of the past? Can't you move on? Can't you leave it? How long are you going to mock me? I am not jealous of you, Zhan! I told you why I had to do what I did!" Yibo snapped.

Zhan smiled but it was a not genuine smile. He knew that he was being petty, and it was really pathetic of him to say these things, he thought that he had moved on and grown out of it, but since he saw Yibo again all the pain and memories just came rushing back to him.

Zhan thought of himself to be a calm person, not be affected by anyone; he didn't even care about his parents anymore, whether they lived or died, their opinions their existence didn't matter to him, he felt nothing when he was around them or anyone in the family. That was why he thought that he had grown out of the pain, but that was not true because as soon as he saw Yibo he was back to being petty.

Perhaps it was because after his grandma, the person he trusted, cared and cherished was Yibo, and Yibo not just took away the ring, he also took away one friend that Zhan had, one person that Zhan thought he could trust with his life.

The one person that Zhan thought would never betray him or abandon him, Yibo broke that fantasy; perhaps that's why he was affected after being near Yibo.

"You are still the same, aren't you?" Zhan spoke, "always underestimating my pain."

Yibo sighed as he said, "thanks for the food."