[BL] Mr. Romano Contracted Husband-Chapter 48: A Life Of Opposites

Chapter 48: A Life Of Opposites
That day was Arcane’s first day as a private tutor for his father’s child, along with another woman. In the room, he saw several photos hanging on the wall, in which Stefano was often pictured with Donald.
There were photos of him on vacation with his father and younger sister, Sofia. Arcane noticed that there were very few photos of Donald’s wife. It seemed that most of the photos displayed in the room were only of Stefano, his baby sister, and his father.
One photo caught Arcane’s attention, namely a photo of Stefano with Donald on a tennis court.
"That’s a photo of me when I won a tennis competition two weeks ago. I came in first place and my father was very happy about it!" said Stefano.
"You won first place? That’s amazing. You have great talent," Arcane praised him.
He also shared that when he was in college, he joined the tennis club. However, he never participated in any tournaments because he only focused on it as a hobby.
"Really? Maybe next time we can play together! Sometimes my dad and I play tennis twice a month on weekends!"
Stefano also shared that he wanted to make his dad proud by winning the tennis championship. He said that Donald had once wanted to focus on playing tennis, but he was busy with other things, so he chose to become a teacher instead.
Hearing his story, Arcane felt that they also had something in common, namely a love of tennis. Although it sounded so commonplace, perhaps that was what he had learned from him.
"Then let’s start the lesson now. Tell me what material you have learned. Usually, school entrance exams use the latest material you have learned, and a little review of the material from the first year."
They sat down at the study table where Arcane sat next to Stefano. He watched his student, who was also his half brother.
The math teacher taught the material mentioned by his student, explaining each formula and how to solve it. He admitted that Stefano was very quick to learn and understand what he said.
Although he had a little difficulty solving some of the problems he gave him, it was clear that the teenager was trying to solve them himself before asking Arcane.
’He understands what I say quickly. It’s just that some things might confuse him, such as formulas and how to solve them,’ Arcane thought at that moment.
After Stefano finished the problems he had given him, Arcane carefully corrected the answers he had written.
"You did well. Although there are still some parts that you may have calculated incorrectly. I will explain which parts you did wrong," he said to him then he take his pencil.
For several minutes, he explained the parts that needed to be corrected and how to fix them.
"How long have you been a math teacher? It’s so enjoyable when you explain how to solve these problems," Stefano asked him, feeling that Arcane’s teaching style put him at ease.
"Almost a year. I haven’t been teaching at that school for long," he replied.
The teenage boy nodded in understanding. He corrected his wrong answers while Arcane continued to watch and guide him so he wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
Knock knock
At the same time, there was a knock on the door, causing them both to turn their heads.
The door opened, revealing Donald standing behind it. The middle aged man smiled at them.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked.
"Not at all. Besides, Stefano is about to finish the little test I gave him. He’s a quick learner," Arcane replied, explaining a little about the teenager’s abilities.
Donald nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. He knew that Stefano actually had a talent for mathematics as well, but he just hadn’t delved into it.
"He has some difficulties with calculations and is a little slow at it. But I’m sure with your help he can improve," he said kindly.
Before he left the room, he let his son finish the test he had been given. Donald asked Arcane to stay at his house for dinner with them.
"I want you to join us for dinner. That is, if you don’t mind, and your husband doesn’t mind either."
Arcane thought for a moment. He was sure Julian had already eaten dinner at home and ordered his own food. Plus, he had already told his husband that he would be home late and asked him not to wait for him.
So he felt this was an opportunity for him to try to accept their invitation to have dinner with them.
"Sure. I’ll accept your dinner invitation, thank you for that."
Donald smiled, then he closed the door again and left Stefano’s room.
Time passed until finally it was 7:05 p.m., signaling that his teaching time was over. At the same time, there was another knock on the door, this time from the maid.
She informed them that it was time for dinner and asked them to come down because the others were waiting.
"Then close your books. Today’s lesson is over, and I’ll see you again the day after tomorrow. Study the formulas I gave you and how to solve them." Arcane put his books back in his bag, and Stefano closed his book and placed it on the study table.
"I heard from my father that you have a husband. Is he at home right now? He must be waiting, right?" asked Stefano.
That question reminded Arcane of Julian. He knew Julian must be waiting for him at home, watching TV. Or maybe he was waiting for food to be delivered so he could have dinner.
He felt a little guilty leaving him alone, but he was sure Julian would be fine. He would go home as soon as possible after dinner.
"Yes, but he will be okay."
The two of them then left the room and went downstairs to the dining room. Donald and his daughter, Sofia, were already there.
Seeing her brother arrive, Sofia got up from her seat and immediately hugged Stefano.
"Are you done studying? Can we play after this?" Sofia asked innocently.
"Yes, we can play after this." The teenager ruffled his younger sister’s hair, looking very close to her.
Sofia’s gaze then fell on Arcane, who was standing next to Stefano. Her pink eyes sparkled, as if she was looking at someone she admired.
There, Arcane realized that Sofia looked a lot more like her mother, even though he had never seen his father’s wife.
"He’s so handsome! Is he your new math tutor? Can I ask him to be my tutor too?" she asked with a cheeky smile.
Seeing Sofia’s reaction, Donald laughed because his daughter was still in fifth grade, but was attracted to the handsome looking Arcane. They then gathered at the dining table and sat together.
The lady of the house had not been seen since earlier, and it was just the four of them without Donald’s wife.
’I heard she’s still alive. Moreover, her father is the owner of the school, so she should be here, right? But where is she?’ wondered Arcane curiously.
During dinner, Arcane occasionally observed the interaction between Donald and his two children. They were so close to each other, showing that he was a good and caring father to his two children.
Without Arcane realizing it, when he started to focus on his own plate, the same green eyes, but older, immediately turned to him. They stared at him as if they had known him for a long time.
"Dad, Mr. Romano said earlier that he also often plays tennis. Maybe next time we can invite him to play together," said Stefano.
"Really? What a coincidence. But I’m worried that it will interfere with his schedule," replied Donald.
Reflexively, Arcane said that he wouldn’t mind at all if Donald wanted to invite him.
"I don’t mind if you want to invite me—" He immediately realized what he had said and furrowed his brow.
’Why did I say that? Damn, I slipped up. I shouldn’t have said that,’ he thought.
Donald’s hand paused as he was scooping his food. He seemed to realize something that resembled Arcane with something he knew. But since he wasn’t sure, he put down his fork and spoon and nodded his head with a friendly smile.
"Of course, I’ll call you when my kids and I go to play tennis."
Arcane could only respond with a nod before taking a sip of water from his glass, still cursing himself for acting foolishly. ’I look just like Julian when I’m like this.’
Not long after, the front door opened, followed by the sound of footsteps walking into the dining room. There, Arcane finally saw a woman with blonde hair and pink eyes.
She seemed unhappy that they had eaten before her. In addition, her gaze made Arcane dislike her immediately.
"You starting dinner without me? Even guests eat before the hostess. Where are your manners?"