Meanwhile, in one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, Ezekiel Stone forced a smile on his face at the sad news he received.


    "It''s alright," Ezekiel said to his grandparents around the dining table. "I can always hang out with Cozie."


    "Darling, it''s alright. We will have dinner with the c tomorrow." A woman, around the same age as Gretchen, smiled at her beloved grandchild. "Actually, it''s better that we will not have to stay in their residence, so you can also meet your friends in the city."


    "You seem very upset yourself." An old man reached for the old woman''s hand.


    "Chenchen is like my sister." the old woman let out a deep sigh. "But all we can do was respect Conny''s decision. He was a man now, and must protect his daughter."


    The old man squeezed his wife''s hand mildly. "I can understand him. Our families might have a close tie and we''ve ovee many obstacles in the past, but we have to allow the children to grow."


    "Well, what else can we do?"


    "Don''t worry. We can just visit our other rtives and friends before we go to the c''s tomorrow."


    "Alright." The old woman smiled in understanding, nodding. She then turned her attention to Ezekiel. "Darling? Are you alright?"


    "Yes, of course, Nana." Ezekiel smiled sweetly. "But I will head back first."


    "Oh… alright?" the woman frowned slightly, but before she could stop her grandchild from going away, her husband shook his head.


    "Let him be," said Ezekiel''s grandfather quietly to his wife. "Stop spoiling your grandson. He is old enough and he should learn how to deal with rejections."


    "Dear…"


    "If you want to let him grow as well, let him be for now."


    The old woman pressed her lips before she reluctantly nodded. She then moved her head, watching Ezekiel''s back worriedly.


    "He seemed to be very fond of Cozie," she murmured with another sigh.


    Meanwhile, Ezekiel''s smile slowly faded as he walked from the buffet of the hotel to the lobby. He held his fist firmly on his side, stopping in front of the lift. His mood had gone down the drain, not a bit happy to know he wouldn''t be able to spend time with Cosette.


    ''Did he interfere?'' he wondered, assuming Asher might''ve done or said something because Ezekiel already assumed Asher wanted to monopolize Cosette. ''Or that other one?''


    Ezekiel''s expression sharpened as his jaw tightened, thinking about the other guy who was lingering around Cosette. Ezekiel had been in the city since a week ago to visit his father, and during his free time, he had always wanted to meet Cosette.


    There was a time Ezekiel dropped by the school to pick her up, only to see her hanging out with Luke and Maxen. He nned to interfere and show himself, but the three looked like they had their own world. Therefore, Ezekiel, even though it was not in his nature, followed them quietly via his car.


    Watching those three and how Cosette stuck with Maxen like glue left a bitter taste in his mouth. He could understand and be prepared to be Asher''s rival, but to Maxen? That Maxen who had nothing and was leeching off of the c''s wealth? What an insult.


    DING!


    Ezekiel nced up when the lift rang before it slowly opened. There were a few people who came out, but he stood still in the same spot.


    "Never mind that," he whispered, taking a step when all the people in the lift walked past him. "I''ll just put him in his ce."


    ***********


    [ Back to the c Mansion. ]<novelnext></novelnext>


    "See? I told you." Cosette giggled, idling in the pool area after having dinner with her grandparents. "There''s no need to worry. My family is very weing."


    Maxen was sitting on the lounge chair and sighed. "Can you me me?"


    "If my dad liked you and if I liked you, then they will too. Our family is small and because of the past, Grandpa preferred to keep our circle small. So, we treasure all rtionships we have," exined Cosette, eating ice cream for dessert while reclining on the lounge chair. "That''s why they were like that with the Stone."


    "Who are the Stones, by the way?" he inquired out of in curiosity. At this point, Maxen had an idea of what sort of rtionship both families had. After all, Marcel and Gretchen liked them so much that they wanted them to stay over.


    However, Maxen was still curious.


    "The Stones… well, they said back in the day, my grandpa and the old man in the Stone were really good friends. My grandpa had a problem in thepany in the past, and his friend helped him. I don''t really remember a lot of things, but then after that, my grandpa supported that friend," she exined with a shrug. "The Stone family was a lineage of politicians orwyers or anything rted to the government. They were nice people, to be honest, serving the people and the country through honest means. It''s rare to see a politician that never had a bad record."


    "Ohh…" Maxen rocked his head, not surprised that the Stone family sound like amazing people. The c family was one of the most elite families, just like the Quinns. Hence, their friends weren''t simple as well. "And that guy we met at school today?"


    "Ezekiel Stone?" Cosette arched a brow and side-eyed him.


    "Mhm. Him." He nodded. "Is he nice too?"


    This time, Cosette hummed a long tune. "He is okay, just a bit annoying."


    "Does he make you ufortable?" he asked, and this time, her brow raised higher. "You didn''t seem very pleased when he came to school today. I think he likes you."


    "Maxen, are you jealous?"


    "No."


    "No?" she frowned, making Maxen chuckle.


    "At this point, I already realized and epted that my girlfriend is hot and beautiful," he exined with a proud smile. "I can''t me guys since it''s really hard to resist not liking you. I''m just lucky that you liked me and I had to do my best to make you the happiest."


    Cosette pressed her lips into a thin line while assessing his handsome face. Her heart felt utterly warm at the thought that Maxen didn''t say anything about the rivalry. Unlike other men who would usually say may the best man win, Maxen''s only desire was to make her happy.


    "Max?" she called, and his brows rose.


    "Mhm?"


    "Let''s get married someday," she said softly, taking him off guard.


    His eyes softened as a subtle smile dominated his face. "Don''t leave me."


    "Unless you don''t put a ring on it, I might have to reassess your feelings for me," she humored yfully. "I love you, Max."


    "In a few years," he whispered, rocking his head. "Loving you more isn''t enough."


    "Don''t make me wait for too long," she teased, making himugh as they idled in the pool area.


    If only there were enough words to express how his heart loved Cosette, Maxen would''ve used them. However, aside from those three simple words, "I love you," there was no other closest thing to perfectly describe how his heart beats for her. Nor there were enough words to express the fear that with all the good — better guys lingering around her.


    The reason he stoppedpeting and just do his best to show her his sincerity through his actions.