Chapter 7 : Little Hughston
1338 Words
The jet touched down with a soft hiss. As the stairs lowered, his little feet stepped out calmly. His small hands adjusted the front of his fitted coat, and not a strand of his neatly brushed hair was out of place. Behind him, a tall, muscular man followed closely, dragging a black suitcase.
They walked across the private tarmac. The young boy moved like he had done this a hundred times. Confident, composed, with the kind of quiet authority that felt far beyond his years.
Inside the terminal, they passed through security swiftly. Just as they approached the main exit, a familiar voice called out.
“Hughson junior ”
He paused.
Mr. Chris walked up to him with a wide smile, his arms slightly open as if expecting a hug.
“You’ve grown so much since the last time we met,” he said warmly.
Nathaniel gave him a look. “Not here, Mr. Chris.”
He said, took a step back, and stood up a bit.
Mr. Chris blinked, then chuckled as he lowered his arms. “So bossy. Just like his father.”
Nathaniel didn’t respond. He glanced at the car parked out front.
“Are we going?”
“Of course,” Mr. Chris said quickly, clearing his throat as he stepped into professional mode.
“Welcome to Canada, Young Master Hughston.”
The waiting white limousine door was pulled open. Nathaniel climbed in with ease, settling into the backseat like he belonged there. The bodyguard followed and took the seat beside the driver.
Mr. Chris slid in next to the boy as the car pulled off smoothly from the curb.
“So,” Mr. Chris tried again with a polite smile, “how are you finding Canada?”
Nathaniel glanced out the window.
“I landed twenty minutes ago,” he said flatly.
Mr. Chris chuckled and shut his mouth. No more questions.......
......
They stepped into the penthouse and Mr Chris walked him in
Mr. Chris walked ahead, guiding Nathaniel inside. Elena, who had just finished straightening a few things in the hallway, rushed over when she heard them.
“Welcome,” she said quickly as she offered a bright smile.
Mr. Chris smiled back, but Nathaniel didn’t respond. He stood still with his hands at his sides.
Elena hesitated, still holding her smile. “Welcome,” she repeated, a little more gently this time.
Nathaniel finally blinked but didn’t look her way. “I guess we’re going to have a standing ovation now,” he muttered dryly.
Mr. Chris subtly tilted his head, signalling Elena to bow.
Her eyes widened. “Oh”, she quickly adjusted herself and bowed slightly. “Welcome home.”
“There you go,” Nathaniel said, brushing past her like a royal entering his palace.
Elena rose slowly, a little stunned, watching him walk away with that same cold poise. Mr. Chris offered her a quick nod of encouragement before following behind him.
“Let me take you to your room,” Mr. Chris said, already catching up to the boy.
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Is he the boy I’m supposed to nanny? Looks like he might be the one nannying me instead,” she muttered under her breath.
As Nathaniel headed to his room, Mr. Chris paused by Elena.
“Oh, before I go,” he said, pulling out a folded paper from his inner pocket. “This is his daily schedule. Meals, classes, reading time, piano practice, short walks.... everything is structured, please make sure he follows it”
Elena took the paper carefully. “Got it. I’ll do my best.”
“He likes routine. Stick to it as best as you can,” Mr. Chris said. Then with a small smile, he added, “And don’t take things personally, he’s a smart kid, but he’s a handful.”
“I can handle handfuls,” Elena replied, though her voice wasn’t all that confident...
"Mr Chris," Nathaniel called out.
Elena gave Mr. Chris a look, who only smiled tightly and said, “He’s... particular.”
“I’m starting to notice,” she muttered as Mr. Chris walked off again.
........
.....................
About two hours later, Elena had dinner ready. She’d arranged it neatly and stood a short distance away, watching him eat with a soft smile.
Nathaniel ate quietly, every move controlled and tidy. After a while, he placed his cutlery down and wiped his mouth with the napkin. Then, without looking up, he spoke.
“Are you going to just stand there and watch me the whole time?”
Elena blinked, a little flustered. “Oh... sorry! I just wanted to be sure you liked your food,” she said with a nervous smile.
He finally looked at her. “Well, I kept eating after the first bite. That didn’t give it away?”
...
“Oh yeah, right. That should’ve clicked,” Elena said with an awkward laugh. “Enjoy your lunch while I go sort out a few things.”
He didn’t respond. Didn’t even glance her way,
She turned, made a face behind his back, and walked off muttering, “Charming…”
He continued to eat slowly, properly, like he'd been trained for royal dinners or something.
....
After lunch, Nathaniel sat quietly, flipping through a few books. Elena watched him from a distance, too nervous to interrupt. He hadn’t said much since arriving, and she didn’t want to make another mistake.
When he finally stood up, placing the books neatly on the table, she gathered her courage.
Carrying a small glass of milk, she walked over, offering a gentle smile.
“I thought you might like some milk,” she said, holding it out.
He glanced at it but didn’t take it.
Undeterred, she tried again. “Can we talk for a bit?”
He didn’t answer, just turned and began walking toward his room. Elena followed, unsure if he’d heard her or was simply ignoring her. His room was on the upper floor, and once he opened the door, the luxury inside nearly took her breath away. The decor was tasteful, elegant, the kind of place that said money without effort.
He walked straight into the ensuite bathroom without saying a word. Elena stood awkwardly by the doorway, unsure whether to wait or walk away.
When he finally came out, he had a face mask on, and she cleared her throat.
“Hey, I just wanted to”
“I had a 15-hour flight,” he said, cutting in, his voice flat. “I’m not in the mood for small talk.”
With that, he climbed into bed, already pulling the sheets over.
“Please turn off the light on your way out,” he added, without looking at her.
“Oh. Sure. Sure thing,” Elena stammered, fumbling for the switch. She quietly slipped out, gently closing the door behind her.
.......
Coming out, Elena exhaled deeply and leaned against the hallway wall. She opened her eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling in disbelief.
"This is going to be one hell of a month..."....
........
Mr. Hughston had walked in about an hour later. Elena was still wrapping up for the night, folding a few towels and tidying the hallway when she noticed him step in.
He looked at her briefly just enough to acknowledge her and she instinctively lowered her head in a polite greeting. He didn’t say a word, just moved past her and headed straight to his son’s room.
Inside, the room was dark and quiet... Nathaniel was already asleep, tucked under the sheets with a book still resting on his chest.
“Hey, kiddo...” Damien muttered softly, settling onto the edge of the bed.
He gently removed the book, placed it on the nightstand, and adjusted the blanket over Nathaniel with care.
He let out a sigh, barely audible, then stood up and quietly left the room, pulling the door halfway shut behind him.
- Writer
