His words stunned Derek.

He blinked, and after a moment of silence, he replied stubbornly. “What if I like you?”

James knew that he was being hard-mouthed and smiled silently. “If you can, I hope you can like girls. It is very tiring to like boys.”

Derek frowned and asked. “I like who I like. Why would I feel tired?”

James put his arm on the table and looked up at the boy. “Then let me ask you, can you really accept the strange gaze of the public? Do you dare to hold my hand in the street? Dare to introduce me to others as your lover? You can’t even get past your family.”

Derek shrugged and said disapprovingly, “What’s the big deal? What if I dare?”

“Well, even if you dare, we’re not suitable for each other.”

Derek’s breath sank, and he was already extremely irritable and repeatedly asked. “Why not? What makes you think so?”

James didn’t answer but asked instead. “How old are you?”

“18.”

“Do you know how old I am?”

Derek shook his head. Someone mentioned it before, but he didn’t pay attention.

James evoked a gentle smile. “I’m 28. Derek, we are ten years apart. You are still young and have a lot of time to enjoy life. You’re free to fall in love with someone when you are interested in him and break up with him when you’re not, but I am different. I can’t afford the game anymore. What I am looking for is someone with whom I can spend the rest of my life. Can you understand?”

“No.” Derek leaned close to James, cupped his face with both hands, and smiled. “I only know that though you rejected me, you didn’t say you didn’t like me. Then can I take it that you actually like me?”

“…”

James was choked.

So he said all that for nothing?

Derek stretched out his hand and pinched James’s chin, staring at him with scorching eyes, his expression firm. “Mr. Walker, I won’t give up. Let’s see. You will accept my love sooner or later.”

With that, he stood up straight.

When he walked to the door, he stopped, tilted his head, and blinked his left eye at James. “Mr. Walker, see you tomorrow.”

Then, he left the office.

At night, the Smiths’ mansion.

During dinner, someone suddenly mentioned opera. There was a troupe who was coming to the capital this week to tour. Their divo, Eugene, was well-known for his beautiful voice and wonderful performance.

Mr. Taylor liked to listen to opera and the head of the troupe was his good friend, so he was going to watch this tour.

Ada looked at Claire and reminded her. “Don’t run around on the weekend. We’re going together.”

Claire took a mouthful of water and didn’t respond.

Ada was used to her indifference now.

On the weekend, they went to the theatre by car.

The head of the troupe had arranged the front seats for them, and the waiter served them tea and snacks.

People came in one after another, and soon there were no empty seats left. They all came for Eugene.

Claire leaned on the chair and popped a few snacks into her mouth. Before the play started, she was full.

She propped her head with a hand, a little drowsy.

At this time, music started playing and some opera singers took to the stage, arousing thunderous applause.

Then, they left and Eugene showed up on the stage.

He had put on heavy make-up and was dressed in an exquisite dress. His performance was stunningly beautiful and every move of his pulled the string in the audience’s hearts.