Chapter 8: Back Home
After a week
Riley stepped out of P. Country International Airport with his luggage in tow.
"Wohoooo! I can feel the sun licking my skin!"
Laughing, Riley looked at Dylan wearing Ray-Ban, happily basking under P. Country's bright sun. Draco had gone back two days ago with Alex and Chief Chan. So, it's just the two of them.
"You are that happy, Dy?"
"Of course, yeah! It has been two years since I last saw my friends and family! I am excited! I miss my mom's cooking and even my dad's scolding!"
Riley bowed his head, a little guilty that he was the reason Dylan had to be away from his family.
"Hey! I am not guilt-tripping you! 2 years ago, even if the boss had not offered it to me first, I would have volunteered to go to L. Country with you… The truth is, I got fed up with my parents at that time, and I wanted to escape for a while. So… no need for this… this long, sad, guilty face. Okay?"
"Okay… But I need to get my hands on those dishes later. I bet they are delicious. You mentioned your mom taught you to cook."
"You bet! Alright, I'll bring you home sometime to meet my folks. They would love you. Anyway, where is our ride? Didn't Alex say they're on their way to --. Ah!"
Riley jumped from Dylan's shout. "What? What happened? Why did you shout?"
Gulping, Dylan looked at Riley in awe. And then back to the black Maybach pulling over in front of them.
"What? D, why are you looking at me like that?"
From behind, Riley heard a baritone voice call his name. He turned just in time to see Draco Sy getting out of a black car. His ever-serious face with a hint of tenderness.
Dumbfounded, Riley walked to meet him. "Mr. Sy? Why is it you?"
"Why? Are you not happy it was me?"
"O-of course, I am."
"Then, let's go. Get in the car. It's hot."
Draco took Riley's things to put them on the trunk.
Riley still perplexed to have the honor of having Draco Sy personally fetch him from the airport, walked towards the waiting car.
Dylan wisely hurried to sit shotgun, leaving Riley in the backseat with Draco.
Chief Chan was the one driving the car. He welcomed Riley and asked him about the flight.
"It was fine. I slept all throughout the flight."
Beside him, Draco handed him bottled water. "You must be thirsty. It took us a while. You must have been waiting too long under the heat. Drink some water. Don't get dehydrated."
Self-conscious, Riley accepted the water and took a sip.
"Thank you, Mr. Sy. You must have gone your way to get us…"
"No, it's fine. We had a meeting. And the airport was just on the way."
Chief Chan, in the driver's seat, had a complex look shown on his face. On the way??? What do you mean, boss?! There is something wrong with your sense of direction. Boss, for Little Riley, you are making me drive for hours! And the airport was on the other side of A. City!
After lying through his teeth, Draco ignored Chief Chan sulking after driving from one end of the city to another. He continued to pamper Riley, offering him a paper towel, asking if his hungry, and so on.
Dylan, who had been quiet, observed Draco through the rearview mirror. He knows Riley must be someone special to Draco. Given Draco's history of distrust and indifference towards others, even his kin, helping the kid right after meeting him is very… unexpected.
However, Draco's current actions seem to prove what Dylan had been thinking all along. That Riley is much more than just a charity case.
He might be wrong, but he had never seen Draco Sy treat anyone even half as good as he is treating Riley. Heck! He would even dare say not even a fraction.
Because of the heavy traffic, it took an hour for them to reach Draco's mansion in A. City.
Riley had never been to Draco's house. He was amazed to find it was in a middle of a woodland. They broke out of a cluster of trees. Then entered past a guarded gate beyond that was when it came into view. It was surreal. And to think that a moment ago, the car was still stuck on a congested road was incredible.
Stepping out, Riley saw a tall slim man standing in front of the main entrance of the house.
"Welcome back, Mr. Sy," the man said in greeting. He was holding the door open for them.
"Thank you, Oliver."
As soon as they got inside, Draco motioned for the man, saying, "Riley, this is Butler Oliver. He manages the entire estate, so if you need anything, you can ask him."
In agreement, Butler Oliver nodded, giving Riley a smile before extending his hand.
"Hello, Mr. Riley. I am Mr. Sy's butler. You can call me Uncle Oliver."
Riley accepted the handshake, returning the smile. "Hi! Nice to meet you, Uncle Oliver!"
A hand ruffling his hair brought Riley's attention to Draco. "Go ahead. Go with Oliver. He will show you to your room. Don't worry about your luggage. I'll have someone bring them up."
"Thank you, Mr. Sy."
On the side, Uncle Oliver pensively scrutinized Riley. He was extremely curious to meet the young man. When his reserved employer informed him that a guest would stay at the mansion, it would be an understatement to say Uncle Oliver was shocked. He even doubted if he heard him right and had to clarify his words again.
But now, looking at the sunny lad, his clear-hazel eyes big and bright, he was glad to see that Draco Sy had finally let someone penetrate that hard wall of ice he erected around himself.
How wonderful it would be if Riley could eventually melt all that ice! Feeling optimistic, he eagerly led Riley away. "This way, Mr. Riley."
Hearing the formal address again, Riley wrinkled his nose shyly. "Uncle, you can just call me Riley."
The skin around Uncle Oliver's eyes creased as he smiled with delight in his heart. He is finding Riley adorable more and more. "Then I shall call you Riley from now on."
Riley quickly got ushered to his room. On the way, Uncle Oliver was kind enough to explain the structure of the manor. He pointed to the dining area and kitchen while informing him that breakfast is served as early as 6 AM and dinner always begins at 7 PM. And when they came to his room, he took time to tell him where to find things.
After Uncle Oliver left, Riley washed up and jumped right into bed. Some time ago, someone brought up his belongings. Yawning, he took out his phone and changed the setting. Without knowing, he fell asleep.
When it was almost dinner, Draco knocked on Riley's room. He heard movement inside. A moment later, Riley sporting a tousled bed hair, his eyes half-closed, opened the door wearing home clothes, barefooted. The oversized worn-out t-shirt he was wearing had a frayed collar and was sliding on one shoulder. Then under that loose shirt, peek at a pair of printed blue cotton shorts on long straight legs.
Coupled with the boy's pale pinkish skin, he was a fetching sight. Draco's eyes darkened as his eyes roamed on Riley. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times. He clenched his fist. But cursed it! He can't help staring at the boy's exposed collarbone. Its contour and hollows, as if inviting him for a bite.
God! This boy did not have an inkling at all that he awakened a hungry beast. A very hungry beast.
Disoriented, Riley rubbed his eyes, blinking a couple of times to gain focus. His voice slightly hoarse from sleep, the boy inquired, "Mr. Sy?"
Draco distracted himself and had to clear his dry throat before speaking. "Ahem… Riley, I think you should call me Draco from now on."
Draco was really adamant about getting his relationship with Riley up a notch. He wanted the boy to start accepting him as a person other than his benefactor. Then ultimately convincing Riley to consider him a man in a romantic way. As a life partner.
"Sir?" Riley's muddled head did not register Draco's meaning.
"We've been friends for years. We are now living together in one house. Yet you still call me mister. Maybe you don't really consider me your friend? Either that or because you think I'm too old to be addressed by my first name?"
Riley was already shaking his head while Draco was still talking. "No! no… That is not it, Mr.-"
"Then calling me by my name is just fine, right?"
Scratching his head, Riley replied, "Err… Yes. I guess so." If Draco puts it that way, Riley has no choice but to comply.
"Then, let me hear you say it."
Feeling a little awkward, Riley gave in. "Uhm… D-Dra-co…"
"See, not that hard?"
Releasing a soft sigh, Riley nodded in defeat.
Draco grinned and messed with the boy's hair. He knows Riley was struggling with the idea but still accommodated him. He was pleased. Bending forward, he intended to tease the boy.
At that same time, Riley slowly looked up. And the words Draco was about to say got stuck in his throat. He did not know if his gasp was loud enough to be heard, but he did. As if mesmerized, his hand slid down on the boy's face, only stopping to rub his thumb at the corner of Riley's mouth.
Dumbfounded, Riley watched frozen as Draco's handsome face slowly came closer and closer. Every inch closer, he notices something. How long and thick the man's eyelashes were. How captivating those grey eyes, that seem to suck you in, rendering you immobile. Or how attractive that strong jawline is, the same as the men on magazine covers.
Thump. Thump. Riley's heartbeat boomed in his ears as he stood motionless, unable to react. Draco's face stopped a few centimeters away from Riley's. A mischievous smile stretched Draco's sexy lips…
Sexy?! Riley Santillan?! What in the world are you thinking? Riley could not fathom how his thoughts strayed so far.
Then he saw Draco's lips move. His jumbled thoughts could not comprehend at first.
"Huh?"
"I said, it's almost dinner time. I'll wait for you downstairs to eat."
Riley jolted. His ears and cheeks blushed in embarrassment from his wayward thoughts. "Ah! Dinner. Y-yes, yes. I'll be down in a moment. I n-need to change first."
"Alright, take your time Riley."
"Thank you, Mr.- Ah! I mean, thank you, Dra--co."
Riley stood in the doorway daze even after Draco had left. Raising his palm to his chest, Riley felt for his heart which had yet to calm down. Then as if reliving the moment, his fingertips caressed that spot Draco's thumb had touched.
Riley stopped. What just happened?! He is daft! Yeah, that is what he is. For him to put Draco into that kind of… daydreaming?! He was so ashamed of himself.
With his face more crimson in color, he grabbed his hair with both hands, gave himself a shake, and went back to the room to change.
--------
From somewhere in the house, the culprit that started it all sat in contemplation. The sensation brought about by that small encounter with the youth is still potent in his mind.
Lighting a cigarette stick and putting it in his mouth, Draco made a long drag of the smoke and puffed it out.
Several cigarettes later, the man's eyes were dark as ever as a few minutes ago. The beast inside him raging.
Irritated, Draco went to his room. A moment later, indiscernible and strange sounds slip out of the bathroom.
That night, Draco was late for dinner.
Yeah. That happened.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone