Chapter 157 - I Won't Charge You For Looking...

LAUV Restaurant.

When Sebastian pulled over in front of the restaurant, he got down first and went to the other side to open the door for Zeya. He noticed how nervous she looked and didn't want to get out of the car.

''Hey, why are you acting like you are here to meet your mother and father in law?'' Sebastian asked.

''No, I'm not. It's just that I can't help getting nervous. I don't know what they think of me. I am afraid I will mess all the hard work you put into making me the brand ambassador''

''It's good you know I put in a lot of efforts to get you this far. So, just be your usual self and don't put me to shame. My parents are just ordinary people. There is nothing to be scared or nervous about. Besides, there is someone who will jump to your defence with an explanation''

Zeya relaxed and smiled. She got down from the car and picked the wine she took from Alice's dressing room at the company.

''Let's go'' Zeya said as she held the wine.

'Let's go'' Sebastian led her into the restaurant. as they walked inside, someone took photos of them.

"Mom, dad'' Sebastian called as they entered the private room.

''Mr. Bassey, Mrs. Bassey, good evening'' Zeya greeted with a polite bow.

''Sister Zeya, you look so beautiful'' Lex spoke. She couldn't hide her excitement upon seeing her.

Zeya smiled and looked at Mrs. Bassey nervously. She stretched her hand with the wine and said to them, ''Mr. and Mrs. Bassey, I brought something small for you''

Mrs. Bassey took the wine and looked at it. She turned and exchanged a subtle gaze with her husband before asking Zeya.

''This is Screaming Eagle Cabenet 1992, not only is it expensive, it is also rare. Where did you get it from?''

''I…''

''Mom, she brought you a gift, why do you have to ask where she got it from? This isn't fair, Zeya, sit down''

''Bridget, stop making the girl nervous. Miss Zeya, you are welcome. Have a seat and thank you for your gift'' Eric said to Zeya.

''Thank you too'' Zeya sat, sandwiched between Sebastian and Lex and right across Mr. and Mrs. Bassey.

''Which part of the city do you come from, Miss Zeya?'' Bridget asked.

''I am from the South of City X, Yuk Town to be precise. My parents are retired teachers from the Yuk Senior High School''

Sebastian looked at Zeya with a curious gaze as she talked about herself. She seemed rather confident as she spoke about herself. She didn't feel ashamed of her background.

When the food was finally served, Mr. Eric Bassey said to everyone, ''let's eat before the food gets cold''

''Sister Zeya, let me take the beans out of your fried rice, you are allergic to French beans'' Lex said as she picked the bowl from Zeya's side.

''No, Lex. It's okay. I can just avoid eating the French beans''

''Are you allergic to beans?'' Sebastian asked as his parents looked at Zeya.

''Oo, but that was when I was a kid. I haven't eaten anything made from French beans since I was 6 years''

Sebastian quickly took the bowl of fried rice from her side saying, ''why didn't you tell me this earlier on. Luckily, this was added to only the rice, what if it was added to the soup? Do you want to be taken to the ER before you tell me something so important?'' he started scolding her.

''I…''

''I will ask the kitchen to make something different for you. What do you like to eat?''

''Sebastian, it isn't that serious. There are a lot of food on the table, I can eat those''

''Shut up!'' Sebastian said as he stood up and went to get the kitchen staff.

Mr. and Mrs. Bassey looked at each other.

''Miss Zeya, you don't have to be so nervous around us. Next time, you can tell us the things you are allergic to. Sebastian is particular about his health so he gets irritated when someone acts indifferent about their health. Don't let it bother you, he will be back soon'' Eric decided to explain first.

''I won't blame him'' Zeya saw Sebastian returning to the room.

''Just wait a little while, they will bring you something else''

''Cousin, don't act like that next time or you will mislead sister Zeya. Someone would think she is your girlfriend'' Lex said with a smirk.

''Eat a lot of meat and grow tall'' Sebastian picked a piece of meat and stuffed it into Lex's mouth.

….

After they were done eating, the table was cleared and a desert was brought. Zeya kept answering every single question that Bridge threw on her way. She didn't feel angry about it. She just felt like those questions seemed rather personal and for their daughter in law.

''I watched your live press conference yesterday. It wasn't the prettiest but when you stood up against the reporter and protected Lex, I felt reassured. I admit, I hold a lot of prejudice against you but that is because of how your personal life was made public. I am a Virgo and believe that my private life should be kept private and what I show to the public is only what I allow them to see.

As a woman in show business, you need to be careful with who you get close to and share your life with. A lot of men can't stand competent and confident women. I commend you for leaving him after he cheated on you.

I am the head of PR at AGATHA and I am saying this professionally so I hope you don't offense to it. I am a blunt and straightforward person so I hope that I communicate my thoughts to you so that I don't have to keep them and make you second guess them''

''Thank you, Mrs. Bassey for being honest with me. Growing up, my parents have always taught me to be receptive but also professional in whatever I do. Dating Lucas was something even my parents didn't approve off but it still happen. Now that everything has already escalated to this extend, I don't intend to repeat it again. I will work hard so that you won't be disappointed in choosing me as the first ever brand model for AGATHA. Thank you for giving me this opportunity''

''We didn't give you this opportunity. He did…'' Mrs. Bassey pointed at Sebastian.

''Thank you Sebastian. I won't let you down''

''Sister Zeya, you can just show us how grateful you are by marrying my cousin. He is so old but has never had a real girlfriend before. Aye, I find it hard already because as soon as I finish high school he is going to be following me about, chasing all my suitors away. Why don't you keep him busy for me?''

''Eat some desert and stop spouting nonsense. Who said I didn't have a girlfriend?''

Zeya and his parents all looked at him when he said that. Sebastian looked around and said proudly.

''I am such a rich and handsome man who have a lot of women waiting for me. do you think I wouldn't have a girlfriend?'' he asked and turned to look at Zeya.

''That's enough, let's eat'' Eric Bassey said to him.

…..

Zeya looked at Sebastian subtly as he drove her back to her house. He pulled over at the traffic and turned to look at her.

''Are you done looking? Or do you need me to get you a picture so that you can put it under your pillow?'' he asked her.

''I wasn't looking at you'' Zeya said and looked away. Her face became red.

''I get that look a lot. You don't have to be shy, I won't charge you for looking''

''I wasn't looking at you. I was just looking at the car model. It just came out a few weeks ago and you are the first person to have it. I was just wondering how many years of savings I would need to get a car like that''

''This car will take you a few more years to buy. Just settle with a second hand car or go with the van you currently have''

''Tsk, what a narcissist'' Zeya muttered and Sebastian chuckled.

''But, you can get this exact car once I am able to win a project against Janice Jewellery ending of this month. I will buy this car for you''

Zeya turned to look at him.

''Why are you looking at me like that? Haven't you seen a handsome man before?''

''I'm just surprised that we've gotten to this point. I used to see you as someone I could never reach. It's like if you were the sky, then I would be the earth. They might seem close but they are actually far away''

Sebastian smiled and turned to look at her. He suddenly leaned closer to her and asked.

''How about now? Do I seem close enough?''

Zeya blushed and nodded her head. Sebastian smiled back and drove away when the traffic turned green.