“Elton, I brought some snacks”
“Aiya, you don’t have to bother… but thanks. I will surely enjoy this”
Giving Elton the basket filled with food, Aiya then took a peek on the office.
“How is he?”
She mumbles soft enough for him to hear. Its been months since that incident happened. And none of them know where Lea was.
“Luckily he is doing better. Although none of us speak about Lea, I know he is still thinking about her”
Smiling bitterly, Elton’s cheeks was cupped by Aiya.
“Everything will soon be fine…”
He hold her hands and smiled.
“Yes… I know it will”
“And can I also share some of this with Aiden?”
“Sure, why not? I prepared a bit more just in case”
“You really know me well. I am so lucky to have you, Aiya…”
Kissing her forehead, Aiya blushes and giggles a little.
“In the forehead, really? Are you my grandma?”
Even Elton let out a smile.
“I am saving this-“ he caress her lips as he looks at it as if it was a sweet red apple he was ready to devour any time soon “-for that special occasion… you don’t know how I wish to-“
“Alright you silly guy, enough of it. Get back to work already. Okay?”
“Yes, okay…”
Going back to the office, he was surprised to see how Aiden bring out some papers on his hands.
“Check through this files and this would be the project this coming Gala”
‘He is finally back in what he was. It was still a shock how he was in that state… I never thought that I would see him lifeless once again.. just like how I saw him back then…’
Flashback
‘Aiden…’
Looking at the small guy curling himself in the corner of his room, he was holding the image of his late mother. Eyes shut close yet his face was covered with that liquid thing called tears.
One can tell how deeply in pain he was. Even the young Elton can barely speak any words as he saw the massive lift that happened to Aiden.
‘Aiden… let’s play..
Young as he is, there is nothing else he can think of other than that. after all, when the two of them would play, he can see him smile. He can say that Aiden is happy. But even with those words he speak of, the young child did not dare say any words. He did not even spare a glance at his friend as if he did not hear anything at all.
‘Aiden… I bought a new game play, would you like to play with me?’
Lifeless as it was, it did not took him a second as he realizes that it would be hard before his dear friend even get back to his old self. He even wonders, will there be a chance where he will see the old Aiden again?
‘Aiden…’
End of Flashback
Looking at his friend, he can’t help but be sad about what happened to his life. But nonetheless, Elton keep a promise he will never break.
‘No matter what happens… I will be here to help you. Just like how you help me back then when I need help’
Smiling as he looks at the papers, he can’t remove that smile on his face which crept a frown on Aiden’s face.
“Have you gone mad?”
Said with his bored tone as he had his pen stopped midway while looking at Elton whose face was full of smiles.
“Yeah yeah, I think so too. But Aiden, are you sure you will add these female designs? Thought you would stick on suits…”
“Yeah let’s add them”
‘but I wonder why he think of that…’
Looking at Aiden, Elton can’t understand his friend. Even so, it would be much better to see his doing things like that than those things he did the past few months.
And if some days for others are turning better, some days for some are not doing so well.
“What? Another purchase?” slamming the papers that was in front of his desk, money is not the issue. It never was, but if you are mad and furious, even small things can be a reason for you to burst out.
“Master Paul, those papers are important, please do consider”
He finally run out of patience. By just looking at the result of the monthly analysis, their performance surely dropped by half from their previous result. It would not be surprising if it would drop again. after all, his spies are gone and there is no way he can come up with suits that would be a top hit. Even though his collaborating company is doing great, it would not take them no time to drop them. His company’s performance is the main reason for that.
“Shut it. I know what I am doing! You think I am a fool??!!”
Getting the anger of Paul, even though his boss did not go to jail for what he did, even though he was able to fool the police by just presenting footage edited from other times, he even make use of his people and other friends to give a statement about him being seen in that said location. None can say that he was involved in something if he was in a different location when that said incident happened.
“Forgive my rudeness… master”
And as he run his hand on his head, he can’t help but look at the photo of his step brother.
‘But I wonder what that kid was doing. Haven’t heard of him for so long’
…
“Wow, amazing! You can even do that?”
With a big smile on his face, he watch Lea fix the flowers.
“It’s just a hobby I can’t remove on my mind…”
With a small smile, she put the ribbons as a finishing touch. They are in Brylle’s house near the forest. A cabin for his long stay in that place. Its been months since the two of them meet. And one can say how the two of them got close ever since.
“Lea, I will be attending a Gala next month. If you want to… you can come”
“A gala?”
“Yes, it is a celebration where many important figure will come. And just so you know… I am also invited to take part”
Slightly giggling, he playfully touch her hair.
“Is it alright for me to come?”
Hearing her words made Brylle stands up a bit.
“Of course! Why would you not be alright to come with me?”
“Every special person would come there… and I am not a special person. I am not invited… so I think I can’t be-“
Holding her hands, Brylle let Lea know how the Gala works.
“No, you can come with me. Every invitees have the rights to bring partner. And their partner can come even without an invitation…”
“Is that how it is?”
“Yes…”
Looking at lea with his puppy eyes, as soon as she nod her head, the bright smile can be seen on his lips. That made his face turn bright.
“You really glow when you smile..”
Lea then mumbles catching Brylle’s attention. A small tint of blush can be seen in the corner of his cheeks.
“So, does that mean you think I am handsome when I smile?”
“Hmm…”
“Am I not handsome?”
“You are”
A big grin can’t get out of his lips. He always hear those words that tells how handsome he is. How bright he was when smiling, but yet… it was the very first time he genuinely feels happy about that.
“Alright, since you are coming with me, why not let’s buy you some dress? I also need to buy a new suit”
“Brylle”
“Yes?”
“Thank you… for being here for me”
Slightly patting her head, he can’t help but admire how cute she was. Her beauty is something he wants to preserve at all cost. He do not wish to see her be sad… that is all he can ever think of it.
“Anything for you… Lea”