Marco was about to say something when another man approached them.
"What a surprise! I thought you finally kicked the bucket."
They turned and saw Victor standing there with a glass in hand.
Valerie grinned when she saw her brother. "I thought you were bailing out on us, Vicky."
"Ah, work came up. then I went to greet host now I'm at your disposal." His eyes landed on the little boy in Valerie's arms. They twitched slightly, but he chose to ignore him.
His aversion did not escape Marco, who quietly began piecing things together.
"How are you here, man? I hear a lot about you back at home that I couldn"
"I'm but I had to see my sister who has ran away from her poor family."
Valerie rolled her eyes and swatted Victor's arm.
Marco noticed that Victor had once again conveniently ignored the child.
Victor smiled at his sister before turning back to Marco. "Which brings me to, when are you coming back?"
"Probably, next month but no promises." Marco smiled. "Once I come back I'll be tied like cattle with work and life so better breathe when I can."
"That's clever! If I had been this cunning, I wouldn't be worrying about grey hairs at my age."
"When will you be done with your work here, Vicky?" Valerie asked as she gently placed Little Roe back in his seat.
"Some days, I'm booking your flight with me."
Valerie shrugged. "Sure. I miss homecooked meals and uncle, auntie just won't stop asking about Roe."
"Of course." His smile dimmed slightly as he glanced at the boy eating. "My whole feed is filled with news about you. To be able to establish yourself as a name in the tight-knit art circle within four years, I am so proud of you."
Marco nodded. "Especially when you're a female artist. I always knew that you were good at drawing since we were young but I never expected that you'll be to show such bare emotions on a canvas."
A faint blush rose on Valerie's cheeks as she rolled her eyes.
"Yup, Mama draws best!" The previously quiet Little Roe finally spoke, drawing their attention.
"Not better than my Litte Roe," She gave him a peck on his pouting lips. "Isn't my baby the cutest?" Valerie said proudly.
Both men watched the two with complicated expressions.
Just then, one of Valerie's work friends called her over, wanting to introduce her to someone.
"Watch him for me, I'll be back in a bit."
Valerie turned and pinched Little Roe's cheek. "Mama will be back soon."
Victor and Little Roe stared at each other for a long moment before Victor pulled out a chair and sat beside him.
"Roe? Do you know Roe are fish eggs."
Little Roe furrowed his brows, offended. "It's Roman Sinclair!"
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Roman?"
Little Roe nodded repeatedly. "Roe's name is Roman Sinclair."
Marco blinked. "Is Roman his real name?"
He had not noticed until now, but… really? He could not help wondering who would name a child as a joke.
"No, his real name is Roe, my sister named him this way." Victor looked at the boy and smirked when he noticed how much the child disliked it.
Marco sighed. Artists really did have eccentric streaks. "Roe is a.. .unique choice for a name."
"Unique… you mean crazy choice for a name. All of us have normal names since our mothers loved us and here we have poor Roe." He clicked his tongue as though in pity.
"Mama loves Roman!" Roe exclaimed as tears gathered in his eyes.
Victor leaned back in his chair. "My sister didn't give you the name 'Roman', it's supposed to be 'Roe', I was there when she did."
Marco could see that Little Roe was close to crying. The boy was clearly sensitive.
Seeing the situation escalating, Marco stepped in. "Vicky, that's enough for a joke. You are crossing a line here, man."
Victor scoffed. "Crossing a line? He should be thankful he isn't rotting in an orphanage."
Little Roe burst into tears. He did not fully understand the word "rotting," but he knew what "orphanage" meant. From what little he understood, it was a place for children without parents.
"Mama said she loves Roe! Uncle is bad! Mama loves Roe very much!"
He jumped off his chair and ran out of the hall.
"Roe!" Marco moved to follow him, but Victor grabbed his arm.
"Leave him be. He's just creating drama for attention, if we don't give him attention, he will come running back."
Marco felt the urge to punch him. "What the heck is wrong with you? Whatever your reason is you are being an ass to a kid half your size." He cursed under his breath and hurried after Little Roe.
Victor sneered.
That boy was a bastard who had ruined his sister's youth and happiness. He still remembered her screams when she gave birth, how her innocence had been stripped away in a single night. Why should he treat the child kindly?
It would be better if the boy did not grow too attached to her. That way, when Victor eventually sent him to a boarding school in Europe, he would not cause a scene.
His sister could finally live freely again and things will be as they should.
Victor narrowed his eyes as he thought about the child.
The more he looked at him, the more familiar the boy seemed.