“Oh Claudia… dear… you brought her back…”
Kneeling soon as he heard the news, Menandro can’t help but be emotional. He also didn’t get much sleep. Even those people around him can’t help but be worried by his condition. He is not getting younger after all.
“Master…”
A knock was then heard. Judging by that voice, Menandro was certain it was Gino. The adoptive son of Augustus.
“Gino, please prepare the car”
“Yes sir, right away”
Holding the necklace that holds the ring of his beloved, he kissed it and smile.
“I will also do my work… you did well, honey. You did well… I will not waste this opportunity… I promise…”
With his belief that this thing is a stepping stone for things to be done right, Menandro can’t help but be filled with courage, after seeing how his son was devastated by that incident, he did check through things much deeper than he thought.
“But really… why is your niece in that investigation? Carl… isn’t he the son of your younger sister??”
Talking to his wife as if he can hear a response, the door soon received yet another knock.
“Master? The car is ready”
“Alright”
And with the last close on his eyes, he headed to the very place where he first saw that person that give changes in his son’s life,
“Let’s go and meet Lea”
…
Sleeping, the moment lea opened her eyes, a familiar place welcomed her sight. But strange enough, she doesn’t remember what that place was. The moment she run her eyes on the surroundings of the room, that is when she notice how pair of hands was holding her own.
“Who-“
Remembering what happened, she indeed fall asleep in the car
“What-“
With a frown on her face, covering it with her free hand, she can’t help but be embarrassed with the action that she did.
Slightly pulling her hand, even if he was sleeping, his grip won’t loose.
‘Why is his grip so strong??’
She wondered and soon gave up to release her hand. The man being question isn’t waking up either.
‘To think that I would fall asleep like that… but… hah, lea you idiot…’
Blaming herself for doing something like sleeping in someone else’s car, it made her think that it is probably because of fatigue. After that much running and hiding, maybe that leads her to quickly fall asleep.
“Maybe that was really it…”
But something makes her be worried.
‘But now that I remember… did I ever fall asleep in Brylle’s car?’
Staring in the air, she was lost in her own thought
‘I did wake up with him beside me driving… but that is the only time I…’
Shaking her head, she knew that she is just thinking strange. But the moment she realizes it, she mumbled loud enough for the man beside her to wake up.
“Oh no, I must tell Brylle-“
She notices how Aiden waked up. That is when something suddenly pops in her mind.
‘He looks like an angel when he doesn’t frown’
“You are awake already? Do you need anything?”
Without her knowing why she did that, as if some strange magic was cast to her making her hand reach Aiden’s head.
“Just as I thought, frowning doesn’t suits you”
A small chuckle from her lips made her realize what she just did.
Covered with embarrassment, she can’t help but pull both of her hand. Leaving Aiden question what he just saw.
“S- sorry… pardon me. I didn’t mean… my… my hand move on its own”
Not knowing what to do, the moment she realizes it, she just want to get out of his sight. The embarrassment that she felt is something she doesn’t want to feel. It is making her uncomfortable.
Even with Brylle, she didn’t act like that.
Slamming the door of the bathroom, she just realize how her feet leads her to this place.
“What is wrong with me?”
Mumbling as she clenches her hand while pointing it on her heart.
“I am being weird… what is… going on?”
But what she not knew is someone outside the bathroom was left stunned by what happened. Holding his head that Lea pat with her own hands, he doesn’t know why but for some reason, he can’t resist the smile forming on his lips.
Burying his face on the mattress, he let out a deep sigh.
“How can I give you back to him? I really don’t want to…”
…
A loud crashing sound was then heard. Numbers of things keeps falling on the ground. Shattered in to pieces. No one dare stops him from what he was doing. After all, the one that can stop Brylle without hurting himself isn’t around. Or so they thought there is just one.
“Brylle? Have you completely run out of your wits?”
Hearing that word coming from someone that just came in, Brylle saw how Paul walk towards his direction.
“Or should I wake you up in your despair?”
A loud slap that can almost be count as a punch hit Brylle’s face. Enough to make it turn red even though it is just seconds that pass by after he was hit by Paul’s palm.
“Or should I do it again for my dear younger brother to wake up compleately?”
Glaring at the man that slap him, Paul didn’t even felt any fear from that glare. He knew Brylle too well.
“Get a hold of yourself Brylle. How can you be useful if you act like that?”
Not replying to him, he can see how his younger brother is suppressing his tears.
“You idiot…”
He mumbled and pull him to his side. Gently patting his head, no one was around. The reason why Paul had the courage to do that.
“You really get all of what mother have, do you?”
Mumbling in a quite joking manner, he soon hear the sobbing of Brylle. It was the very first time he cried after so long.
‘When was it again? The last time I saw Brylle cry? Ah, right… it was when mom was declared…’
Shaking the thoughts he had, even if they are not brothers by both parents, Paul won’t deny to himself how he see Brylle as his real brother. That even him almost can’t believe why he let him stay by his side.
‘Is it because he looks like mother? Or maybe because they share the same interest?’
No matter how he think of it, he can’t help but admit how he hate to see Brylle like this. That it is even more surprising how he wasn’t sure if he would be able to throw him away if he ever became useless
“You are really an idiot…”
Is it for his brother? Or did he say it for himself? Even Paul doesn’t know at all.
“A big fucking idiot… really…”