Chapter 3 : Hopes

Dylan ran through the field, Cal making him chase as usual. The brat. He caught him and there him in the air and caught him. Caleb laughed as they got back to their house. Eliza smiled as he nodded for both of them to sit around. He was feeding Hector, their brother who was busy till then with the milk looked up and gave them toothless smiles. Dylan smiled as he took his youngest brother and carried him around. Caleb never left his side. Dylan absolutely loved his life.

He was just a bit worried that he will soon have to leave all this behind to move to his husband's house. Dylan felt a blush bloom at the thought.

He did not know the man. His mother had signed the contract. His dad knew who it was but never spoke about it. So he never pressured the man.

Dylan was happy. His business was good. His parents' business was also going great. He has a family and soon he will have one more person to love. He just hoped his husband would like him too.

He knew his dad and Papa worried about him. He took Hector from Papa and carried him around. He was playing with both his siblings when he saw a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce coming towards the house. Whoever is coming must be filthy rich and he wondered what they were doing here.

It stopped and two guards stepped out and opened the doors. Out stepped two gentlemen and ladies who seemed to be their wives.

He saw his parents come out and atleast Daniel seems to have recognised who they were.

Eliza also recognised them as they got closer as he was still behind his three sons. He walked closer to Daniel who was walking with help of his walking stick.

"Daniel and omg! Is it you Eliza?" asked the first man who was short and had greying hair.

"Yes Richard," said Eliza as he gripped Daniel's arm holding him well.

"Please come in," said Daniel nodding to all four.

Caleb stood beside Dylan and Hec curled into Dylan with him holding them both closer. The strangers then saw them three and smiled.

"So, you must be Dylan," said one of the women and smiled at him fondly.

Dylan nodded.

"And the young ones?" asked the other woman expectantly looking at Papa.

"This is Caleb and this is Hector, our two younger sons," said Eliza.

All four looked thoroughly surprised.

"Please take a seat," said Daniel gruffly as he sat down, holding to Eliza's hand as he did so.

Eliza looked at Dylan who understood and gave Hector to him and left with Caleb to make something for the guests.

When he got back he saw them all deep in conversation. Dylan kept the tea for them along with cookies and sat down next to Eliza who made space for him as Caleb walked over and sat on Daniel's other side.

"Dylan, this is Richard and Candice Allegri, our old acquaintance and this is Abernathy and Melissa Knight," said Eliza.

Dylan was surprised. He did not know that his parents had mutual acquaintances whom he did not know. And he definitely did not know that his parents were chummy with the royals who are also incidentally the parents of one of the richest man on earth who is known to be a cut throat businessman.

"Abernathy and Melissa are your in-laws," said Daniel.

Dylan froze and looked back at them. They were smiling at him.

"And they are the honorary in-laws because I am sure little Damon holds them as important as his parents even now," said Daniel.

Dylan flushed. Damon- Damon Knight. The Damon Knight. Dylan has seen the man. Not necessarily in the arms of women or men, thankfully. He has seen him on the internet. He has seen him in the front page of Magazines, tv news coverages and even in an event where Dylan was providing the flowers. He had seen the man from so far and had just stood in awe.

Dylan was sort of beginning to hyperventilate when he felt his Papa envelop him with an arm around him, grounding him.

"Damon was a bit busy with a project he is going to begin soon or he would have come too. Dylan, dear I hope you have heard of him," said Melissa, her motherly smile lulling him into a somewhat comfortable state. He nodded.

"I have, Mrs Knight," said Dylan.

"Daniel, we have already heard a bit about Dylan. We would like to take him out for a day before the engagement when Damon can also join us, maybe tomorrow?" asked Candice.

Daniel looked at Eliza. Dylan also looked at Eliza. He knew Eliza will be the deciding factor in this.

"Okay, but you will bring back our son before nightfall. He - He is not familiar with the style of life you lead or the kind of people you meet and I don't think he would enjoy the company either. So, whatever you are planning, keep that in mind," said Eliza a bit wary of them.

"Eliza, we have to leave the past in the past and move forward. I - We mean no harm. You should know that Damon would be the best choice for Dylan," said Melissa.

Eliza did not say anything but just nodded and looked at Daniel.

"We would also like to speak of the marriage. Damon is starting a new project with Mr Arcari soon. He would be very busy once it begins and we were hoping to hold the wedding before it begins," said Richard.

"What do you mean? Be very honest Richard, because I am aware how the deal between Damon and Zenon happened. I can't imagine Zenon is pleased with the recent events. I don't want him to be dragged into your business rivalries," said Daniel.

Arcari. The Zenon Arcari. Was Damon in bad terms with him! Dylan was confused. Arcari makes the deadliest of them pee. Why was Damon in a fight with him? However, he remained silent.

"Both are brought up with family values and will know to not get family or personal lives involved, hopefully," said Abernathy.

Dylan was silent.

"So how soon is soon?" asked Eliza.

Dylan did not know why, but the family seemed equally wary of his parents.