Marco was lost for words when another man punched his shoulder. "Look who decided to show his face!"
They turned and saw Victor standing there with a glass in hand.
Valerie grinned when she saw her brother. "I thought you were bailing out on us, Vicky."
"Ah, work came up. Then I went to greet the host. Now I'm at your disposal." His eyes landed on the little boy in Valerie's arms before he smiled widely at Valerie.
This did not escape Marco, who quietly began piecing things together.
"How are you here, Vicky?"
"Oh, well, I'm here to bring my runaway sister back home."
Valerie rolled her eyes before swatting Victor's arm.
Marco noticed that Victor had once again conveniently ignored the child.
Victor smiled at his sister before turning back to Marco. "Which brings me to, when are you coming back home?"
"Probably, next month, but no promises." Marco smiled. "Once I come back, I'll be tied like cattle with the family business, so I wanna live a little first."
"Ah... If I had been this cunning, I wouldn't be worrying about grey hairs at my age."
"When will you be done with your work here, Vicky?" Valerie asked as she gently placed Little Roe back in his seat.
"Some days, I'm booking your flight with me."
Valerie shrugged. "Sure. I miss home-cooked meals and uncle, auntie just won't stop asking about Roe. By the way, did you see my piece on display on the first floor?"
"Of course." His smile dimmed slightly as he glanced at the boy eating. "My whole feed is filled with news about you. To be able to establish yourself as a name in the tight-knit art circle within four years, I am so proud of you."
Marco nodded. "Especially when you're a female artist. I always knew that you were good, but I never expected that you would show such bare emotions on a canvas."
A faint blush rose on Valerie's cheeks as she rolled her eyes.
"Yup, Mama draws best!" The previously quiet Little Roe finally spoke, drawing their attention.
"Not better than my Little Roe," She gave him a peck on his pouting lips. "Isn't my baby the cutest?" Valerie said proudly.
Both men watched with tight smiles.
Just then, one of Valerie's work friends called her over, wanting to introduce her to someone.
"Watch him for me, I'll be back in a bit."
Valerie turned and pinched Little Roe's cheek. "Mama will be back soon, Roe."
"Mmmh...Hmm."
After she left, Victor and Little Roe stared at each other for a long moment before Victor pulled out a chair and sat beside him.
"Roe? Do you know Roe are fish eggs?"
Little Roe furrowed his brows, offended. He wasn't fish eggs! "It's Roman Sinclair!"
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Roman?"
Little Roe nodded eagerly. "Roe's name is Roman Sinclair."
Marco blinked. "Is Roman his real name?"
He had not noticed until now, but… Roe? Really? He could not help but wonder who would name a child as a joke.
"No, his real name is Roe, my sister named him." Victor looked at the boy and smirked when he noticed how much the child disliked it.
Marco sighed. Artists really did have eccentric streaks. "Roe is a... unique choice for a name."
"Unique… you mean crazy choice for a name. All of us have normal names since our mothers loved us, and here we have poor Roe." He clicked his tongue as though in pity.
"Mama loves Roman!" Roe exclaimed, as his eyes brimming with tears.
Victor leaned back in his chair. "My sister didn't give you the name 'Roman', it's supposed to be 'Roe', I was there when she did."
Marco could see that Little Roe was close to crying. The boy was clearly sensitive.
Seeing the situation escalating, he stepped in. "Vicky, that's enough for a joke. You are crossing a line here, man."
Victor scoffed. "Crossing a line? He should be thankful he isn't rotting in an orphanage."
Little Roe burst into sobs. He did not fully understand the word "rotting," but he knew what "orphanage" meant. From what little he understood, it was a place for children without parents.
"Mama said she loves Roe! Uncle is bad! Mama loves Roe very much!"
He jumped off his chair and ran out of the hall.
"Roe!" Marco moved to follow him, but Victor grabbed his arm.
"Leave him be. He's just creating drama for attention. If we don't give him attention, he will come running back."
Marco felt the urge to punch him. "What the fu*k is wrong with you? You are being an ass to a kid half your size." He cursed under his breath and hurried after Little Roe.
Victor sneered.
That boy was a bastard who ate away his sister's youth and happiness. He still remembered her screams when she gave birth. While her girls her age were enjoying their first romance, she was raising a child alone.
It would be better if the boy became distant from her. That way, when he is sent to a boarding school in Europe, he won't cause a scene.
His sister could finally live her own life for once.
Victor narrowed his eyes... Somehow, the more he looked at him, the more familiar the boy seemed.