Episode 9

...

Noah saw Hugo, dressed in his characteristic tailored gray suit, his brown hair combed in such a way that it seemed to hide his forehead, and his thick glasses almost completely concealing the upper half of his face. He knew from previous experience that the beta was actually quite handsome, although for some unknown reason he always hid his face behind huge glasses and old-fashioned hairstyles. It was for this reason that most who knew him thought his appearance was ordinary, and those who did not know his identity or who he worked for, ignored him easily. No one could imagine the good looks they were missing out on. You could say he was a diamond in the rough.

The black-haired man watched as the beta instructed the waiters on how to proceed with cleaning up the destroyed arrangement, it almost gave the impression that Hugo was the true organizer of the event. He handled himself so well that no one would think that he was the one who caused the accident in the first place.

The instructions were precise and no one dared to intervene or raise their voice. Although not so much because of the beta, but because of the people who came with him.

In total there were a group of four, including him of course.

There were two tall, burly men surrounding the one in the wheelchair. One standing to the side, with a shaved head and hard features, his muscles bulging even with his suit on. And the other behind the chair, with both hands on the push handles, his hair almost shaved, although what was most striking about him was the scar that ran from his right eyebrow to his chin. At first glance he looked terrifying.

And despite the imposing presence of these two men, the one who drew the most attention was the one sitting in the wheelchair.

Noah looked at him cautiously, almost afraid of being caught in the act. For an instant, he felt like a child cheating on an exam, glancing at the teacher every now and then so as not to be caught.

He soon came face to face with the one he had seen not long ago, albeit under less unpleasant circumstances. The man was dressed in an impeccable black suit, his long hair falling carelessly over his left shoulder, his face similar to the one in his memories but several years younger. Everything about him screamed luxury and sophistication, and oddly enough, with a couple of touches of laziness here and there.

Overall, the man looked too comfortable with himself, so much so that Noah felt irritated for some reason.

His last memory of Jerome was something totally opposite. A disheveled and dirty man, who had been forced to crawl on the floor. Even with a few touches of madness. Nothing to do with the lazy king in front of him.

The man seemed to feel his gaze and without the boy expecting it, he instantly met his black eyes.

For a moment he jumped out of his skin. The best he could do was fake a coughing fit. After a quick nod, he turned his head, focusing his attention on anything but the man.

"Damn it, why did I avoid his gaze? I have nothing to hide!" he whimpered. "I feel like I lost a battle…"

Everyone—oblivious to the fleeting exchange of glances—knew that the man in the wheelchair disliked clutter or inefficiency, so no one blocked Hugo's way as he gave instructions, nor did they approach to "help" trying to look good, for his short temper was also known. Many wanted to please him, but were afraid of losing their lives or worse, their fortunes, in the attempt.

Not even Aleida, who was known to be an excellent hostess, objected. The omega, contrary to her usual image, had been quiet for a long time. She seemed to have forgotten that she was the one who organized the banquet.

But no one noticed the abnormality, or perhaps no one cared.

Each of the guests focused on Hugo and the small group around him. The funniest thing about the situation was that at some point and without anyone noticing, an invisible barrier seemed to form around the four of them. There was at least half a meter of distance between the quartet and the rest of the guests, even the waiters avoided getting too close.

None approached to greet, intimidated by those four, but that did not stop them from looking at them. Nor were there any brave—or foolish—ones who felt free to whisper to each other. Rather, they looked like babies who did not realize the mortal danger.

"I didn't know the Barlovento beast was invited…" whispered a young man near Noah. His voice was low, so the aforementioned one couldn't hear him. It's just that he was too close to the boy, so he could be perfectly heard by him.

"You know it's almost routine to send an invitation to the Barloventos, no matter who you are or what you're celebrating," someone else stated. His words were laden with a note of presumption.

"Not sending it would be disrespectful," said another.

"And an extra invitation doesn't mean much," confirmed someone else. "On the contrary, it could make royalty deign to visit you."

"Exactly! Anyway, they never attend anything that is not organized by them, or their main business partners. Sending an invitation is nothing."

"But the beast came to this little banquet," someone recalled, causing several to cast furtive glances at the person behind Hugo, and at Noah, alternating between the two.

The boy could feel the intensity of those gossipy gazes and felt tired. Literally, he had just given the dogs an excellent feast, but they were still hungry and begging for more! He didn't have the energy to keep entertaining the guests.

"It's a Ballestero banquet. While they're not partners, at least they should show some apparent superficial respect, shouldn't they?" whispered a beta boy, barely noticeable in the group. No one paid any attention to him, and they continued gossiping.

"How can something so simple be with two such influential families?"

"Exactly! I'm sure there's something much more interesting behind it."

"Like what?"

"An alliance between families," a voice hinted, slightly cynical.

"No, no, no! Double B in a marriage?"

"Are you an idiot? Remember that the Barlovento beast has been married once before. His omega dying only means he can remarry."

"So is he here to court Noah?"

"Why not?"

"Oh! Imagine the scene when the beast finds out that the glittering jewel he covets is fake!"

"Another show?"

"I didn't know Noah and the beast had any relationship."

"If they don't, why is he here?"

"Yes! Someone like him would never come to a birthday banquet."

"Does that mean Noah cheated on the real Ballestero?"

"Oh! They both cheated on each other. How tacky."

"Yes, you cheat on all your girlfriends!" one of the boys scoffed.

"I do, but none of them have found out yet," the other defended himself.

With no one to limit them, they began to babble louder and louder. Some risque whispers even reached the ears of a certain alpha sitting in a wheelchair who was not that close to them; but contrary to his bad intolerant and cruel reputation, the man remained in his place, as if the world had nothing to do with him. He heard a lot, disregarding it. To the man, it was as if ants were communicating with each other. It was something that did not need his effort or consideration.

However, a certain young Noah was bothered by the whispers. The black-haired man remembered that some brainless people used to make fun of Jerome with all sorts of ridiculous nicknames. The worst part is that at the end of their absurd assumptions, they had come to the conclusion that he was not being honest in their relationship either.

...

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***