Chapter 68

"Why are you being so pissy about this?"

"I don't like him."

"He's clearly your sister's friend, and she does like him," 'one way or another', Henry could not help but add on in his head as he dealt with Joshua's unreasonable stance. The young man was still amazed he managed to send Penelope off to begin with.

"Well, she shouldn't, because I don't."

"And I thought my family were overbearing. You and Archer should be more like your parents."

Joshua was tempted to point out that his parents were only that way because him and Archer did the job. It had never occurred to him that even if his parents had taken the overprotective stance, they would have had a less immature way of handling it, children are always blind to how their parents handled them, especially if it was done just right.

"Just leave Penelope alone. She came for the seminar, not the social. Who was she going to talk to when everyone present is either in the academic or business sector. She's better off being able to chat with people her age." Henry saw the disapproving expression only deepening. "For god's sake, they're not even on their own."

"I don't know the guy."

"But I do."

Something about Henry's tone made Joshua let go of the topic on Penelope, besides, he could always bring it back up when he has his family around to agree with him. But that was for later. Joshua had spent enough time now around the other man to know when his nerves started to show. "You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Henry sighed, wondering how he was immediately exposed. "It's nothing bad. He's a friend from university who is currently a PhD candidate at our brothers' uni. I've also been decidedly avoiding him since the whole engagement thing."

"So, he probably knows?"

"See, that would make it easier but the text I received says otherwise. Again, we were very open group of people, so no one cared or even questioned about each other's preferences. I also never mentioned my own, not even once. On the other hand… I was pretty clear on my stance on polyamory and open relationships and how there was nothing wrong with either, as long as all parties consent. So… yeah, you can fill in the gaps."

Joshua found himself choking back laughter, amazed by the progression of it all. Henry's life seemed to become more and more like a webnovel with each detail he found. "I didn't know such convoluted plots happened in real life."

"You should look in a mirror, my dear fiancé."

He made a fair point.

"But anyway, you know that awkwardness when you avoided someone for no good reason and now it's weird if you stop but it's also weird if you keep avoiding them? That's all it is."

Joshua could not sympathise, he had never been in such a position, however he had read more than enough books to know what Henry had meant. It was also relieving to find out it was not another situation like the one with Caleb. He never wanted to witness something like that ever again.

"Well, you really can't avoid him, it's a little too suspicious if you do."

"I know, but…" Henry did a quick sweep of the people present, "but if I talk to one person that's a signal to everyone else that I am open for conversation and… it's just a bit embarrassing. It's like my circles from university and home have combined. I can see people I went to school with but also people I discussed my thesis with and it's all a bit… yuck."

Joshua wanted to make fun of him, but he could completely understand this feeling. Whenever people from university were here on business trips, it always felt a bit strange meeting here. This feeling he could and wholeheartedly did sympathise with.

"I know what you mean but it will only get more awkward if you don't approach him today. Everything else can be put down to shyness but actively avoiding him in person is really too much."

While the words of wisdom rang true, Henry could not help but feel a little resentful. Why was Joshua suddenly acting like an adult?

"Fine, but we are not doing that together. Bugger off elsewhere."

"But I don't know anyone here except the people in the Q group's faction." It really was not the kind of crowd Joshua would find himself around when at such events, he was used to executives and directors, not so much with his generation's pioneers and leeches. At most he recognised one lecturer from his university years who he never studied under and a handful of PhD candidates who he only recognised due to his memory.

"Cute, enjoy."

Henry would not be able to put in words how much better he felt seeing Joshua look around the hall, hiding his discomfort. Clearly the other had never been to any networking events while studying. With a smile and newfound eagerness, Henry left Joshua where he was, walking towards the friend he had ignored for too long. He did glance back one time, seeing the defeated, half-betrayed look on Joshua's face.

Perhaps it was a little mean to leave him like that after he helped him unload his own issues, but Henry decided it was well worth it. According to Archer, the key to riling Joshua up enough for a worthy reaction, you hit him while he is already down.

The university friend, Adam Dawud, noticed the slightly evil smile on Henry's face and immediately asked, "Are you guys fighting?" All thoughts of making fun of his shyness after the public engagement were gone.

"Nope," Henry replied, popping the p. He turned around, this time seeing that he was sent a dirty look by the usually unfazed second son of the Lore family. In return, Henry just smiled wider, as if he did nothing wrong.

"So… apparently, it's just a sadistic streak."

"Shut up, he's the sadistic one, this is just a taste of his own medicine."

Penelope giggled, her friend concealing a smile.

"To think we all thought you were the nice one too."

It took ever fibre in Henry's body to stop himself from flipping off his friend while under press scrutiny.

To keep himself slightly together, he turned to the two teenagers. Penelope instantly realised what the other was doing and changed the subject. "This is Reed. We were neighbours while I was staying in the hospital. He's in the year above me on an academic scholarship. He is super clever, and your fan apparently."

The other teenager lowered his head a little. "Nice to meet you."

"Why are you acting shy? You know, he pretty much begged his tutor for the chance to come to the seminar because he is obsessed with all the work you did when abroad."

Both Reed and Henry started going red, one at the exposition, the other at the sudden admiration towards him.

"Thin faced as ever," Adam commented, shuffling Reed's hair. "Remember just after I came, I asked if I could get all your written papers that weren't published for my student? That was for Reed. The kid was so excited when he found out we went to the same uni and started asking if I knew about you and went on and on about your shit."

Henry did remember, but he had not thought much of it. He had assumed the student was an undergrad enrolled in the class he tutored, not a boy barely out of primary school. It seemed 'super clever' was an exaggeration. Adam would not have shared the papers if he was not certain the boy could digest the contents appropriately; that would make Reed a genius.

"Not that I ever told him we were friends, that he only found out today. Same with the professor, I never told him you were the one who recommended him over the other professor."

Henry suddenly realised he must have lost his manners somewhere because he had yet to greet the middle aged gentleman who was stood besides Adam. Of course, Henry recognised the man, it would have been strange for him to have given the recommendation otherwise.

"Sorry for the late greeting. It is nice to meet you, Dr van Huelling, I'm a big fan of your current research."

"No, the pleasure is mine, Mr Reyes. While I can't say much for the domestic guests, you are most definitely the most esteemed attendee as far as the academics are concerned. This series of seminars and conferences would not have had nearly as much support if it had not been for your work."

"No need for the formalities, I am far younger, just call me Henry."

"In that case, call me Ren, the title makes me feel a little awkward and Warren just makes me feel old."

Henry nodded, the two coming to an agreement to just call each other casually. In his opinion, the kinds of researchers and academics who insist on being called by their title are some of the most insufferable people. They were not just assholes, they were clever assholes, which made everything worse.