Bruno scoffed, shaking his head.
"I don't like him. And I'm not gay."
Beauty blinked.
"Is he gay?"
"Who knows?"
Bruno shrugged.
Beauty rolled her eyes.
"What does being gay have to do with this? You don't have to like him like that. I mean, get along with him as a normal person. Maybe even be friends."
Bruno frowned.
"I don't want friends, Beauty. You know that. I'm not the type to... hang out with random people. I'm an introvert, remember?"
"I know, my love. But you need a friend. And Eric... you can't just glare at him the whole time. My parents are watching. Please, just try. Not as close friends, but... try to be friendly and get along with him."
Bruno exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck.
He met her gaze and saw the pleading in her eyes. Finally, he relented with a grumble.
"Fine. I'll try. But if he flirts with you, joke or not... then I will..."
"He won't dare."
Beauty assured him with a smile.
Bruno rolled his tongue and nodded, then pulled her for a kiss.
"Come on, let's go in."
Beauty looped her arm through his, and they walked back inside together.
As they entered the living room, Bruno froze at the spot.
Eric was sitting on the couch, a cold beer in hand, laughing with Mr. Hills. The two of them were completely engrossed in a Barcelona match playing on the TV and commented on the game like old friends.
Bruno's jaw dropped.
"I don't understand what's in football, how can they relate so much like they have known each other for years," Beauty whispered.
To make matters worse, Bruno wasn't even a soccer fan. He didn't care for the sport and barely knew anything about it.
Yet here was Eric, effortlessly bonding with Mr. Hills instead of him.
Bruno drew a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"Remember Bruno you have to give a good impression, just suck it in."
"Bruno, son!" Mr. Hills called out, interrupting his thoughts.
Bruno blinked and forced a smile.
Mr. Hills patted the couch cushion next to him.
"Come join us! The game's heating up."
Without saying a word, Bruno sat right between Eric and Mr. Hills, with a cold look on his face, effectively separating them.
"So, Bruno, what's your favorite football club?"
Eric suddenly started a conversation.
Bruno's cold expression didn't change.
"I don't have one. I don't watch football."
"Wow. A young man who isn't a football fan, don't you have any friends? This is rare... so what sports are you into?"
"I am going to punch you so hard."
Bruno said so fast that none of them gets it.
"Pardon?"
Eric asked.
"I'm sitting here because I care about my future father-in-law, I am not a sports person. I am always busy with the company's businesses, you should know... you work for me."
Bruno smirked at Eric.
Beauty, who had been watching from the dining, slapped her forehead with her palm and sighed.
"Oh, for the love of-"
Suddenly, Mr. Hills erupted in a joyful shout as Barcelona scored a goal.
"That's a nice shot! Lewandowski!"
Eric shouted and he slapped the armrest of the couch and leaned forward.
Bruno rolled his eyes.
Mr. Hills laughed.
"Now that's what I'm talking about, Eric! I told you, he is going to score a brace," he said, grinning broadly, "this beer is great, but it would be even better if I had something to pair it with. Something savory, like some hot wings or sliders. That would really make it make sense."
Bruno perked up at that comment, his instincts kicked in.
He saw his chance to impress Mr. Hills and get his attention.
Cooking.
He wasn't exactly a chef or even tried cooking before, but how hard could it be? Bruno thought.
"I can make the hot wings for you," he offered.
Eric tried not to burst into laughter, his face squeezed with irritation.
"What the... hell... dude?"
Mr. Hills turned to Bruno, clearly surprised and impressed.
"You cook?"
Bruno nodded confidently, sitting up straighter.
"It's more like a hobby."
Eric raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, trying to hide his amusement.
Mr. Hills chuckled in disbelief.
"A billionaire like you, cooking? Now that's impressive. But you are only a visitor, you shouldn't... Don't worry about it, son."
"Please allow me, like I said it's a hobby. I enjoy this..."
Bruno smiled at him.
After a few minutes of consideration, Mr. Hills shrugged.
"Alright son, go for it. Feel at home..."
Bruno stood up and left for the kitchen.
Eric was stunned.
"No way he is going to cook, what man cook?"
Mr. Hills looked at him in disappointment.
"What do you mean, there are male chefs."
"I know but it's such a silly profession for a man and Bruno is no cook. He is a Hathaway... he is just trying to fool around."
Eric replied with a smirk.
"I am a Chef."
Mr. Hills replied this time strictly.
Eric swallowed tightly, his smirk vanished, replaced by a fearful glint in his eyes.
"My apologies Mr. Hills... I ...didn't know."
He stuttered.
--
Inside the kitchen, Bruno drew a deep breath.
He glanced around at the various utensils and ingredients like he'd stepped into a foreign land.
He wasn't sure where to start.
"This is not good."
He muttered, and ran his fingers through his hair.
A few minutes later, Beauty entered the kitchen, leaning casually against the counter.
She crossed her arms with a teasing smile playing on her lips as she watched Bruno inspecting a carton of eggs like it might explode.
"Need some help, sexy Chef?"