Husband With Benefits-Chapter 523: Family

"Are you going to start eating or are you just going to stare at it?" Ian murmured close to Seb’s ear, as he leaned over his shoulder, jolting him. Seb looked around to see his entire family standing there, their expressions... quite smug... How long had they been here?

Panic surged through him as he tried to remember if he had spotted any of their cars outside... But all he could do was draw a blank. He’d been so lost in thought...

"Ohhh! Look at you. Trying to guess when we came here. You were so lost in Olivia you didn’t even see us approach!" Lucy teased as he took a seat on the table.

Ian on the other hand placed his chin on Seb’s shoulder and murmured," Don’t worry. We have the perfect snaps for you and Olivia from just now. See..." Seb looked down at the picture on the phone screen that Ian showed and his face turned red," Ian Frost! I am going to kill you! Instead of taking a sweet romantic picture of us, you clicked this!"

His reaction caused Olivia to peak curiously and she giggled. Ian had caught his stumped look on camera! And the angle! It was so flattering that it could be used for blackmailing Seb.

"Give me! Send that pic to me, Ian."

Ian grinned and tried to send it but his phone was snapped up by Seb who immediately deleted the picture from the gallery and then the back up folder of the phone, before smugly pushing the phone into Ian’s hand," Here! Now, you can forward the other pictures."

"Of course. You think those are flattering? Look at you, preening, even though you were proposed to as if you’re the perfect princess."

Seb raised his chin and was about to snap back when Olivia interrupted," Ian Frost! He is the perfect prince, okay? And that is why he received the proposal."

Ian rolled his eyes at Olivia, turning to her," Uh huh! And now he is the damsel in distress.. I mean Knight in distress so you’re defending him."

"Someone is jelous. Bella baby, be careful. Ian might want you to declare your love for him from the tower top!" Olivia murmured to Isabella who rolled her eyes. Cupping her hands in front of her mouth, she said," Ian. I love you! I miss you! Come here!"

Pleased with the impromptu love declaration, Ian stopped his teasing of Seb and quickly raced around the table to Isabella, making puppy eyes as he said," I love you too, my doll."

Seb rolled his eyes as he pulled a chair for Olivia to sit and as she sat, he couldn’t help but lean down and press a small kiss to her ear as he whispered," You’re the best Livi."

As Gabe looked around the table, he felt a pang in his heart. Demetri and Nora were already eating but from the way Nora was fumbling, he knew that her other hand was probably being held by his brother, while Ian kept whispering and talking to Isabella. Olivia and Seb sat next to each other but they kept glancing at each other every few minutes. And while Lucy was alone as he dug into his own food, Gabe could see the contentment in him. He, too, had long settled his problems with Evana. His brothers had their chosen soulmates well.

They were wonderful strong women who cherished their family and relationships while not letting petty emotions come in the way.

Meanwhile, Erasmi had found his son to cherish and become a family with. Caius was a wonderful kid and Ava Mercer was a good woman. While there was nothing between her and Erasmi, he knew that Erasmi had formed a little family of his own.

Never had he thought that he would be the only one left without a significant other or a family. What was wrong with his judgement? Why couldn’t he have fallen for someone who would value him and his love.

As his thoughts started into a downward spiral, he could not help but sigh. He should get used to this feeling of loneliness. It was a good thing he was going away for the time being. At least seeing them all would not make him realise time and again, just what a fool he had been.

Suddenly , he felt a stare on him and he moved, startled. His eyes met Demetri’s and he couldn’t help but look down at his plate. Demetri was the one who held them all together. He’d noticed his melancholy mood.

"Gabe."

Hearing his name had him snap his head up as he looked at Demetri questioningly, while almost praying inside that Demetri would not question him about his mood.

Thankfully, he didn’t. "You asked Nina to set up a foundation in Town B, before going there. You planning to take on pro bono cases and set up your practice?"

Gabe nodded, relieved to be talking about work. "Not really. I am more interested in setting up a shelter for those who might need it. I am not going to be practising law though I might pay a retainer in case someone needs help. But this is more like me wanting to give something back to the society. Since I am going to be there for a year anyway, I thought I would oversee the set up as well." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

The topic of setting up a foundation for helping the needy and establishing the place, sparked a discussion around the table, effectively making sure that Gabe was not given anymore time to think about his own feelings of sadness. Meanwhile, Olivia could already feel the tiredness creep within her even as she tried to sit straight and hide it from everyone.

Before Seb could get rid of everyone thought, Olivia beckoned Lucien,"Lucy! Come on! Help me up." Seb tried to stand up, but Olivia nudged him back to the chair with a smile as she said," You sit here."

Lucien quickly approached Olivia and helped her up while casting a panicked glance at his brothers who ignored him. Dam* it! He was in for an inquisition! That was the only reason Olivia would single him out.

The only other person who was slightly worried about Olivia’s inquisition was Sebastian who tried to warn Lucy to keep his mouth shut but was quickly dictracted by Nora who poked his arm and beckoned him close as she sent a warning of her own," Seb Frost! Are you still planning to divorce her?"