Avery's room seemed dissociated from the opulence of the Ford mansion; it was large and empty with an interior of black and dull grey. There were minimal furnishings— a medium sized bed with black bedsheets, a grey coloured wardrobe that matched the vanity and large black curtains that shielded the room from light; a black couch rested close to the wall and gaming consoles occupied the table, a large TV was mounted on the wall and magazines were strewn carelessly on the black rug.
He switched on the lights— the dull purple glow barely making any efforts to ease the darkness.
Avery had not seen Callan or Isabella — though he had been informed they were at home by the maid who brought him to his room.
He pushed open the door that led to the bathroom and took a minute to stare at himself in the mirror— funnily enough he had never looked at his actual appearance.
Avery was beautiful Omega, while he didn't posses Ian's stunning looks and angelic features, he was gorgeous— An oval shaped face, pink lips, emerald green eyes that shone beautifully, golden brown hair that cascades down his shoulders in waves and a splatter of freckles— scattered like consolations around his nose and cheeks.
Watching a strange face stare back at him was uncomfortable— it was odd to not see the face he had been used to— it made the whole situation more grounding, real; a part of him had still thought of this as a dream.
Tamara would have laughed if he told her about the strange turn his life had taken— being reborn in a novel. Thoughts of his sister saddened him; he was alive, but unfortunately they could never meet again. He and Tamara had shared a close bond as twins— she was his best friend, partner in crime and his only family.
She would probably be crying her eyes out now, cursing him for leaving her alone; not even the fact that he left her Premier Retail.Co and all his properties would satisfy her, she probably wouldn't read the letter.
"Young Master Avery." A muffled voice broke him out of his daze.
Wiping off the tears— he hadn't know when they started— from his cheeks, Avery hurried out of the bathroom.
A timid maid stood on the other side of the door. "Mr Ford said you should come down for lunch." She informed.
Oh! It seemed Callan finally remembered that he had another son. "I will be down in a minute."
*******
Like the rest of the house, the dining room was luxurious— the chandelier dangling above seemed ridiculous, a long table which was waste of space seeing as the Ford family didn't have enough members to fill the table occupied the middle of the room and matched with chairs of the same colour— gold.
Callan was seated at the head of the table all cold looks and judging eyes, Isabella was seated beside smiling deceptively sweet, Ian was not present— no surprise
Having already been informed by Avery, the maids had prepared a meal that matched his current diet.
Isabella's smile twitched briefly and Callan made a great show of glaring and huffing when Avery snatched his plate from beside Isabella and moved to the far end of the table.
It was a tense lunch and the dining room was quiet except for the clink of cutleries against plates. The chef had made a fine meal; but unfortunately Avery couldn't enjoy the food owing to the stifling atmosphere.
"Avery darling how are you?" Isabella broke the ice with her sweet voice as she smiled gently.
"I am fine, thanks for the concern." Avery's tone bled with sarcasm.
"That's good." Callane interjected. "I will be taking you out tonight." He added casually.
"To where?" Avery frowned.
"To meet someone important." Callan answered dismissively. "I want you to be of best behavior tonight." He shot Avery a glare.
Avery wanted to protest, but he held his tongue; years of struggle from a poor orphan to a renowned business man had thought him patience and learning to control your emotions.
Going with Callan to an unknown place was not a smart idea, but opposing him when he clearly lacked power and understanding of this world didn't seem smarter either.
Taking Avery's silence as acceptance, Callan continued in a smug tone, "I bought you something to wear, none of that rubbish dressing you call fashion." He snorted.
*********
While Callan didn't like Avery, wherever there were going tonight seemed important enough for him to take his time a pick out a good suit.
The beige coloured suit was simple yet stylish; the neutral colour complementing Avery's green eyes and golden brown hair. Avery tied his hair in a messy bun, a few strands framing his face, giving him an air of fragility and elegance.
When Avery stepped out of his room, Callan gave him a look of appreciation— he was satisfied with what he saw.
"Let's go." Callan said sharply, turning to leave with Avery following behind him.
The car ride was silent and tense, not even the soothing music could break the ice that lingered between father and son.
Thankfully they arrived at the restaurant quickly.
The moment they stepped out of the car; a young man dressed in a red long-sleeved shirt neatly tucked in an ankle length black trouser approached them, his hair sat in stylish curls at the top of his head and a polite smile adorned his lips, he clutched a black tablet to his chest; now that he was close, Avery could make out the words Al Fresco Bitro written on his chest pocket in an exquisite gold and curved font.
"Good day Sir's, welcome to Al Fresco Bitro, attendant Dan at your service." Dan bowed.
"A reservation under the name Louis Anderson." Avery frowned at Callan's words, he had expected the reservation to be under their name.
"One moment Sir." Dan scrolled through the tablet in his hand, "alright then, right this way."
Avery had to admit that the restaurant was beautiful: Al Fresco Bitro was an outdoor restauran with a unique ambience, warm lighting and a casual atmosphere; The restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery — towering tress and vibrant flowers that swayed in the night breeze, the fairy lights added a warm ambience, the fresh air and gentle breeze created a gentle atmosphere, the ground was laid with colorful stones and the night sky was clear— twinkling with stars and a crescent moon hidden in the clouds.
The dinning chairs and table were arranged in a charming and comfortable setting; Avery could make out a few patios and awnings in the distance. Some people were sitting by the food stations; the tantalizing aromas from the grill stations and pizza ovens were enough to make one's stomach rumble in hunger.
The waitresses and waiters walked with practiced ease and gentle smiles; each balancing a tray that contained food or an array of drinks on their hands. Women and Men dressed in colorful dresses and gorgeous suits occupied various seats and chatted amongst themselves animatedly. A live band accompanied by the mellow voice of a woman's voice was playing in the background.
The restaurant is a perfect blend of sensory experience— stimulating the sight, smell and sound.
"We are here Sir, you can call on your assigned waitress once your are ready to order." After giving a bow, Dan disappeared.
The seats were arranged comfortably to match the setting of the restaurant, and a lush tree towered over it designed with sparkling fairy lights.
Avery frowned in confusion— this was a table for two and one of the seats we already occupied by a man who had stood up to shake hands with Callan.
"Mr Ford." He smiled.
"It's nice to see you Mr Anderson." So he was the man who the reservation had been made under.
"And you must be Avery," he smiled at Avery, "I have heard many things about you." Something about the way he stared at Avery have him goosebumps, as though he was observing him— weighing his worth.
"Unfortunately I haven't heard anything about you." Avery forced a cold smile, pointedly ignoring the stretched hand. Callan shot him a dirty look.
"Ah! You have got some fire in you, I like that." He smiled, smoothly withdrawing his hand and placing it in his pocket. "I am Louis."
"I would introduce myself, but it seems my father has probably done that already." Avery ignored the way Callan's glare burned into his skin.
"I will leave the two of you to get to know each other better." Callan's words had Avery frowning.
"Of course then, see you later Mr Ford." Louis smiled.
Avery scowled as he sat on the chair opposite Louis as he scrutinized the man. Louis was an alpha; average looking, with dark brown hair that was slicked with too much oil, his blue eyes— shrewd and calculating— were probably his only redeeming feature, his nose was crooked, thin lips pressed together in a smile. His skin was sickly pale, and he looked fragile— as though if the wind blew too strongly he would break.
"Should I call the waitress?" Louis asked.
"Hmm." Avery nodded, scanning through the menu— he was curious to know what games Callan was playing.
"Good evening gentlemen, may I take your order?" The waitress smiled gently.
"I will take the Garden Greens Salad for an appetizer, a veggie wrap for entree and a fresh fruit salad for dessert." She noted down Avery's order quickly.
"And what would you like to drink?" She's asked.
"Do you have something fruity?"
"Yes. Our Fresh Juice Cocktail is a perfect blend of fresh fruits and vegetables." She smiled.
"I will take that then." Avery nodded.
"I will have Grilled Shrimp Skewers for appetizers, Grilled Steak for entree, Ice Cream Sandwiches for dessert and a Craft Beer." The Waitress noted down Louis's order.
"Alright, I will be back with your appetizers in a moment."
"You're much more prettier and tame in person than I expected." Louis chuckled.
"Thank you?" Avery arched a skeptical brow.
"I will be frank with you since I don't like beating around the bush, I wasn't happy when your father brought the proposal to me—"
"What proposal?" Louis thin eyebrows furrowed— likely angry that Avery had caught him off.
"The marriage proposal." He replied coldly. "I can see why he's desperate, your reputation isn't in the positive currently." He chuckled.
There was a minute of silence when the waitress placed their appetizers and entree's on the table— the food was served in small portions and arranged artistically.
"If you look at it properly, I am doing you a favour—"
"Doing me a favour?" Avery asked coldly.
Louis probably didn't sense the coldness or he likely didn't care, because he continued to prattle on. "My mother's health has been declining is it's good if there's someone around take care of her and do the house chores, my family is a bit huge but I am sure you can manage the cooking." He paused to glup on his drink.
"Now I don't believe in that nonsense of the Omega staying at home and bearing children, you will work and we can split the bills fifty-fifty, you will give your salary to me and we will both share rents, taxes, food bills and child expenses, my mot—"
"You want me to share fifty-fifty with you? All the while doing the house chores, taking care of your mother, footing bills and bearing... children." Avery scoffed, "you're delusional."
"I knew you were just a gold digger." Louis accused.
"Gold digging? Which gold? Do you have gold?" Avery scoffed, "digging gold from where exactly? I would probably be digging my grave."
"Where are you going?" Louis gripped his hand. "Who will pay for the food you ordered?" He yelled.
"I don't know, talk to the staff maybe they will agree on fifty-fifty with you." Avery smirked.