84: Am I now having ear problems?

Am I now having ear problems?

Meanwhile…0

Dominic pulled up his sleeve to check the time. It was already past seven, yet this last meeting for the day hadn't finished. If this was someone else, Dominic would've called it a day whether or not the other party was finished. After all, the allotted time he would give to others was the only time he could give to avoid conflict in his schedule.

However, the men he was having a meeting with were men in politics. There was the senator, a mayor, and the other two, who were also in the government. Not that Dominic wasn't aware this would happen, as this wasn't the first time he had dinner with them. That was why it was put in the last of his schedule so he could stay longer if necessary.

"Mr. Zhu, I heard about what happened yesterday." The senator took Dominic's attention as he brought up the news he heard the day before. "Is your son alright, Mr. Zhu?"

"Yes, he's fine. Thank you for asking." Dominic maintained his temperament, hiding his impatience. 

"That's good!" the governor chimed in. "But what happened?"

The four middle-aged men set their attention to Dominic, waiting for the latter to tell them a more detailed story.

"What happened is a little embarrassing on my part." Dominic sighed. "I'd rather not talk about it."

The men rocked their heads, knowing that they shouldn't press on the matter anymore. After all, they knew this man very well. Once Dominic said he didn't want to talk about it, he meant it with all his heart. Forcing him to talk wouldn't do any of them good.

"Well, as long as the little master is alright. That's what's more important," said the Senator, chuckling. "Anyway, Mayor Chen, about the land in Sorosoro County…"

The men quickly changed the topic, talking more about lands, problems, and solutions like they always had. All of these people were at the same party, and the reason they were in this private room in a country club with Dominic was about the next election. 

Dominic was one of their biggest sponsors.

Although the election would happen next year, they were already preparing. Moreover, Dominic Zhu was a busy man. They had to tell him earlier since there was no guarantee he could make time next time. That would be a problem for them. 

Dominic didn't mind as he already had an idea. He sponsored their last campaign, after all. Even so, Dominic didn't take advantage of that debt as he had always done business fairly — whatever fair even meant. 

Dominic stayed quiet for the next half hour, listening to the men discuss their lives, careers, and future. During that long and painful thirty minutes, he kept glancing at his watch. 

'I told her I'll be home at eight,'he thought.

"Mr. Zhu, do you have another important meeting you need to catch on to?" the senator asked, noticing how Dominic seemed to be a little impatient today. 

Normally, Dominic would usually express his opinion on economic and financial topics. But today, it was just pure silence. Even if they asked his thoughts about it, he would give out a short, disinterested answer.

"No, but I'm sticking to a schedule of being home at eight," Dominic didn't lie, straightening his back as he glanced at the men's faces around the table. "I'm sorry, but I cannot stay throughout the night. I'll take my leave first."

"Oh…" the senator rocked his head in understanding. "You should've told us! Sure, go ahead. Your son probably needs more time. He was at that age when he was most curious about things. A father's guidance during this time is very crucial."

"That is right, Mr. Zhu." The mayor backed up, followed by the other two people. "Please, do not mind us. We are already honored that you came to see these old men."

They showed respect for Dominic and assumed his reason for leaving early, but they never mentioned Sebastian's mother. It was like an unspoken taboo for them. After all, no matter how long they had known this man, no details about his wife or the mother of his son were ever brought up anywhere. 

Therefore, many assumed Sebastian's mother was a painful memory to bring up. There were rumors that Sebastian's mother had died during childbirth. Other rumors said Sebastian was an accident baby, and the Zhu family simply paid the woman to keep her silence. Rumors about surrogacy even surfaced. 

Yet, none of them were confirmed because Dominic never talked about the mother of his son. Not just him, but all the people closest to Dominic were tight-lipped about the topic. 

If only they knew…

"My son understands what sort of job his father has, so he never requests such a silly thing. That's what he calls it. Silly. He also doesn't care much." Dominic kept seated as he felt the need to clear things up. "But my wife is not feeling well this morning, and I didn't hear from her throughout the day. So, I'm worried."

"Oh…"

"Now, if you excuse me." Dominic pushed himself up and bowed slightly. "I'll be on my way. May you have a great time."

With that being said, Dominic didn't idle as he walked away. His steps were huge, displaying how he was in a rush to go home.

Meanwhile, the moment Dominic left the private room, the men inside kept their eyes on the door. 

"Did Mr. Zhu say, his wife?" mumbled the Mayor, eyes shining in confusion. "Or am I now having ear problems?"

"I believed I also heard the same time." The senator set his eyes on the people who were left with him. "Wife…"

As realization sank in, their eyes slowly dilated at the thought.

"!!!"

*****

Dominic didn't waste time to reach home as soon as possible. He knew he wouldn't make it in time, but at least he wanted to come home as fast as he could. 

"Huh?" as the vehicle entered the driveway of the Zhu Mansion, he caught another car ahead of them. "Dane, whose car is that?"

"Oh, that? It was another family car," answered Dane, eyes on the car ahead of them. The vehicle reached the mansion's entrance first, and it took them several seconds before their car stopped. "Huh? Why is no one going out?"

Dominic and Dane were baffled as the car was just parked outside, and no one was coming out. The family owned several cars, so it was no surprise that some of their people use them to run important errands. 

"That's right. Why is no one coming out?" Dominic slowly hitched outside, a little curious. He marched toward the other car, knocking on the window.

No one answered.

"Who…" he trailed off as the window wound down. 

His curiosity instantly cleared up as soon as he saw the people in the back seat. It was his wife and son, sleeping in the back seat.

'No wonder I didn't hear from her the whole day.'His eyes softened with affection as a subtle smile appeared on his face. He bent over, resting his arms on the window to look his them a bit more. 

Sebastian fell asleep while leaning on her while Heaven had her head cocked back. They both looked very exhausted, and he understood why the driver didn't have the gall to wake them up. 

'How cute.'

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