Richest Man In P. Country

Upon seeing Draco had come, Riley had put all his focus on him. He did not notice Lark and Keith's jaw dropped or their awestricken expression.

He walked towards Draco. "Good thing you're here. I was about to call you to check if something happened that needed your attention." Then with a lower tone, the boy asked, "Is everything fine?"

"Yes. Don't worry. It was nothing important. I had it taken care of."

Riley nodded. "That's good." Next, as if he only suddenly remembered they were not the only ones present, he stepped aside and introduced the brothers. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Draco, these are my friends Lark and his brother Keith. Keith is the owner of this place."

Keith was stunned. He had his suspicions. True, Draco Sy came into his mind when Riley was telling them about the mysterious friend. But the fact that it was really THE Draco Sy was the most surprising part.

He had to be honest. Kind and generous are not the usual words you would hear before or after Draco Sy's name. God. The man is known as King Frost to his employees and subordinate. A cold, aloof, shrewd businessman, and indifferent were more fitting words.

The silence that followed bordered awkward before Lark's tactless remark broke it. "Holy cow! I'll be damn if this isn't the richest man in P. Country…!" Realizing he voiced out his unfiltered thoughts, Lark gasped. His eyes became round, mouth open, then his face wrinkled in a bare-teeth grimace. "Did I say it out loud? I-I d-did, didn't I…?"

He never, for the love of god, anticipated this outcome. In Lark's mind, it's like: Nothing really huge. It is just that Draco freaking Sy entered the room!

The rapid change of expressions on Lark's face was comical, but no one laughed.

Riley watched as his friend looked at him sheepishly as if he was asking for help out of the embarrassing blunder.

Riley took pity on Lark. Clearing his throat to divert everyone's attention, he quipped, "Well, isn't it great? You guys already know him. Saved me the need for introductions."

At that moment, Keith was seriously thankful for Riley's attempt to lighten the tension. It felt akin to pulling them out of drowning water. He was able to breathe again.

Taking the cue, Keith came forward and was introduced formally to Draco.

"Not personally, but Mr. Sy is a renowned figure in the business. That's how I recognized him in an instant." When close enough, Keith extended his hand, which Draco readily accepted. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sy. I'm Keith Lopez."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Lopez."

Lark also stepped closer and firmly grabbed Draco's hand after Keith. "And I'm Larkin Lopez, Mr. Sy. I heard so much about you from Riley. It's nice to finally meet you."

Draco graciously returned Lark's handshake and considerately did not mention the slipup earlier.

"I hope it's all good things?" he asked Lark in a teasing tone. However, his stare fixated on Riley.

Not giving Lark a chance, Riley gave an answer himself. "Of course! You are so good to me. What bad things could I possibly tell them?"

Amused, Draco reached out to lightly pat Riley on the head. The boy was so easy to tease.

"Then that's good. Thank you for your praise."

The interaction between the two was very natural. Anyone could tell how huge the amount of respect and devotion Riley shows towards Draco Sy is. And to Keith's utter surprise, Draco Sy himself is very affectionate towards the boy.

Although Keith's family comes from old money, he never had a chance to be in direct contact with Draco Sy, either on a business or a personal level. However, he had heard many stories from friends and families who once had come into contact with the young CEO of Sy Business Empire.

Many admire the man for his tenacity and genius in business. Yet when it comes to his personality, everyone agreed he was one cold devil.

Keith recalled seeing Draco Sy from a distance at a charity event last year. Surrounded by a lot of people, the man stood proud. Around him, businessmen, each probably trying to kiss ass or pitch projects, to parents who wanted to build relations with the Sys through marriage, introducing their daughters. But in all that, Draco Sy, with his stony face, remained emotionless and uninterested.

Comparing that scene to the one playing in front of him now, Draco Sy unabashedly staring at Riley with indulgence in his eyes was a far contrast. It was worlds apart.

And witnessing it made Keith experience fear of possibly having his eyes gouged out. Literally.

Lark himself had the same thought. Like he was on in a big secret and putting his life on the line if it ever gets out. He chose to avert his eyes.

As expected of the host and owner of the place, Keith invited them to start dining after they had gotten away with the introductions.

The dinner went quite well, fortunately. And contrary to Keith's initial impression of Draco Sy, the man, though solemn and didn't talk much the whole dinner, was surprisingly easy to get along with. 

Okay, maybe it was stretching too much. Draco Sy was not unpleasant to them. But Keith can't also say he was 'nice' either.

One thing, however, which Keith can't deny is the fact that the man treats Riley very well. So well that Keith can't help but question the man's true intentions.

After eating, Keith offered Draco a drink at the mini bar leaving Riley and Lark on the couch.

Riley told Lark everything that happened from when he was found, captured, and held by Anton's men until the time Draco found and helped him. Then his dash escape to L. Country, where he had stayed for the last two years.

Later, Lark brought beers to the table as they chatted.

"Come on, Riley. Why are you not drinking?" Lark inquired as he poured beer into Riley's glass.

"I'm a lightweight… I don't think I should."

Lark laughed, then remarked, "What the heck are you worried about now? It's just us." Then he moved closer to Riley and whispered, "If you get drunk, your friend Draco Sy is here... He'll definitely bring you back home safe… What a lucky dude, living in a mansion!" Lark was shaking his head, still in disbelief. Then as if complaining, he continued, "Of all people, you just have to meet P. Country's richest man, huh? You must have saved the world in your previous life to be this lucky. Damn!"

Riley moved his head to peer at Draco, who was leaning at the bar with Keith, talking. At that exact moment, Draco looked his way and caught him looking and raised his eyebrows in question. Riley smiled in response, shaking his head to say it was nothing.

Others may think he was extremely fortunate to meet a billionaire. The emphasis was more on the billionaire part. But to Riley, what really counted that night was meeting a man like Draco Sy, someone willing to help a stranger. Because he believed that if it were any other man rich or not, they would have left him to die on that side of the road.

Furthermore, the fact that the man turned out to be a multimillionaire was just a bonus.

Laughing, Riley nudged Lark's elbow. "Let's stop talking about me. Tell me what you have been doing yourself these past few years."

Lark took his suggestion, and soon he was talking animatedly about how he got into modeling and stints in acting. He proudly told Riley that it was how he afforded to buy his car. Then he regaled Riley with gossip and stories from his time working with certain celebrities in different parts of P. Country.

After laughing so hard, Lark's face suddenly became serious. He picked up his glass, raised it, and announced, "I'm honestly glad you're back and safe, Ry."

Taking his own glass, Riley raised it too. He gazed at his friend, his eyes curving. "Me too. I'm so happy I'm finally home. To be here with you and Keith after everything that happened felt unreal. I feel blessed."

"Man, I thought this day would not come. You, me, having drinks. Right?" Then Lark pushed his glass closer to Riley's, making a clinking sound, before emptying the whole glass.

Riley, affected by the mood, took a swig of his own drink. Even before Riley could put down his glass, Lark was already pouring more beer, starting off another toast.

"And here's to us going to the same university! What a happy coincidence?! We're really fated to be best friends. Cheers!"

Yes, you got it right. While chatting, the two boys found out they both got admitted to S University. Knowing Lark would be there, Riley is looking forward to his university life.