Ceo's favorite idol (open Ending )

Chapter 33

Nhu pov continued

"Dad, would you like to join us for lunch? You could talk to Nhu and get to know him better" hia says. Talk to me about what? I'm silently praying his dad says no. He looks uninterested. Yes! Say no. "Come on, we could discuss business," hia adds. Why can't he drop it? Dealing with his dad is so awkward. He just sighs. Come on, old man, refuse outright or your 'open communication' son won't let it go. "Or we could raincheck ," hia suggests. Yes, let's pick a time when I'm dressed better and more prepared. "No, it's fine, let's go for lunch," he says, searching for his car keys in his pockets. No, you were doing so well! I curse at him silently. He walks out of the building and Hia leads me with a hand on my waist to his father's car. I hop in the backseat while Hia and his dad sit in the front. I'm surprised his dad is driving himself. He's not that old, but I thought he'd have a driver. The car ride is silent and awkward, so Hia tries to turn on the radio but stops, judging by how he looks at his dad. His dad must've shut him down with a look or expression. I try not to laugh, but we make eye contact through the rearview mirror, and I can't help it.

We get to a small restaurant, warm, dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, and the aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. The walls are adorned with rustic decor, giving it a charming and homey feel. The seating is comfortable, with plush cushions and cozy booths. The staff is friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home. It's the kind of place where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy a scrumptious meal in a cozy atmosphere
I'm glad it's not some stiff 5 star restaurant. We were already tense enough.

We order our food and take our seats. It's so quiet, but then Hia breaks the ice. "Dad, you know Nhu loves classic opera. He even sings some of the songs as vocal exercises," hia says. I feel a bit embarrassed because why would he mention that? "Is that so?" his dad says, seeming uninterested. I was hoping his dad would say more. I mean, sure, Hia's bragging was embarrassing, but a compliment would've been nice. Opera isn't easy, you know. "Yeah, aren't you gonna ask which ones are his favorites?" Hia asks, almost pleadingly. "Well, you're probably gonna mention one of my favorites since you know them," his dad says. I guess it makes sense. He probably thought we planned the conversation and that we were gonna say my favorite operas are his favorites too.

"Nhu? Is that really your name?" hia's dad suddenly asks me, his gaze so intense that I can't dare to be disrespectful by looking away. "No, sir, it's actually a nickname that... well, your son gave me," I respond, feeling a bit awkward referring to hia as 'your son.' Using Mr. Pruk feels too formal, and calling him Zee just doesn't feel right.

"He renamed you? And you actually agreed to it?" his dad questions, clearly surprised. I'm taken aback and find myself speechless for a moment. "No, dad, it's more like a term of endearment," hia jumps in to explain. I'm so grateful that hia clarified because I was still stunned and lost for words. It's definitely an interesting dynamic we have going on here! He stays quiet probably thinking about this conversation.

What a relief! The food finally arrives, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. We had run out of things to talk about, and the silence was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. But now, with the delicious aroma of the food filling the air, it's the perfect opportunity to shift our focus and enjoy our meal.

As we dig into our plates, I feel a gentle nudge against my foot under the table.  it's hia playing footsies with me, trying to be sneaky away from his dad's glance. We exchange mischievous glances and continue our playful game. But suddenly, hia's face changes, and I know something's up. It dawns on me that he might have accidentally kicked his dad's leg. My heart skips a beat as I wait for his dad's reaction, but to my surprise, there's no response at all. His dad seems completely oblivious to what just happened.

In that moment, hia and I exchange a silent understanding. We know it's best to stop our little footsie game before it happens again. We don't want to risk any awkwardness or drawing attention to ourselves. So, we let our feet rest, focusing instead on savoring the delicious flavors of our meal. The conversation may have temporarily paused, but the bond between hia and me remains unshaken.

We continue to enjoy our food, occasionally stealing glances and sharing subtle smiles.

After a brief argument about who would pay the bill, hia's dad just paid for it. We made our way to the car, and as we settled in, I caught a glimpse of his dad's eyes through the rearview mirror. He asked me a question that caught me off guard, "What are your favorite opera classics?" Suddenly, I felt a wave of shyness and nervousness wash over me. I wanted my answer to be perfect. After a moment of hesitation, I replied, "Well, I really like La Traviata and The Magic Flute." His dad simply nodded. Maybe he didn't like my answer.

I enjoyed the quietness of the drive, it gave me some time to think about what I said. I meant every word of it, I really loved opera. It was more than just music, it was a whole experience. La Traviata always made me cry with its sad and beautiful story I also learnt about it through a kdrama. And The Magic Flute was my all time favorite after the phantom of the opera . Opera was like a magic portal to another world for me.