The Wind Surrounding Us

Spring Days

Andrew felt his heart plummet to the ground.

'So, I'll be the villain and you'll be the hero. She will implicate me if she ever wants to make an accusation. She will never believe that a man who values her above all else would concoct a scheme to wipe her from the face of the earth.' He shook his head hopelessly.

'I really want to tell her everything right now,' he mischievously thought. As if his older brother could read his mind, he warned in a foreboding voice, "If she gets to know any extra, unnecessary information, you'll regret it." The second son of Langston gulped.

'Oops!'

"Hahahaha...what are you saying, big brother?" Andrew stumbled through his words.

"Your face says it all. Your eyes are practically screaming—I'll tell my sister-in-law everything. Just wait and see!" The expression on Arion's face was slightly amused. He hit the nail on the head.

As expected of his elder brother. He never ceased to amaze him—Andrew couldn't be prouder. "No worries. I'll tell her exactly what you want her to know," he stated as he put down the wine glass.

" I intend to visit the company tomorrow. So, I'm leaving everything in your hands," the elder brother stated. The second one assured him by saying, "Consider it done."

With the older sibling gone, the younger sibling retired to bed. 'It's been nine months since big brother returned to his office.' He smiled as he pondered. His mind drifted to the possibility that a brighter future was on the horizon as he gently fell asleep, a gentle smile lingering over his face.

The following day, before leaving his room, Arion spent thirty minutes staring at his reflection in the mirror. He intended to visit Gina before heading to work. It wasn't the only reason he had. He wanted to introduce Andrew to her so that Gina might more easily strike up a conversation with him.

He paused outside her door and observed her savoring her breakfast. He felt something unexplainable, a tightness in his chest.

Knock! Knock!

When Gina turned to look at the door, she saw the dashing stranger from the day before. With a white shirt, gray slacks, and a matching tie, he was dashing. Seeing him at the door made her heart race for some reason. She greeted him with a wide smile, "Good morning, Rion Rion!"

Pfft!

Andrew, who was right behind his elder brother, almost choked from hearing her shout the 'special nickname' to his one and only infamously well-respected elder brother, who was notoriously known as 'Demon' and feared by all.

The impact of the new nickname was still sinking into Arion's ears. He ignored his sibling and treated him as though he were nothing more than air. He entered the room and his eyes immediately fixed on her radiant smile.

His response was a gentle "Good morning to you, too." He stole a quick look at her breakfast. Two tartine toasts topped with avocado, smoked salmon, and goat cheese, two croissants, a half-boiled egg, a cup of blueberry yogurt, and a glass of mixed fruit juice made up the basic French breakfast. He inquired, "Is the food to your liking?"

Gina vigorously nodded and said, "Yes. I enjoyed it very much—especially the toast, a true art of France. Aunt Agnes is an exceptional chef. I can't thank her enough for such a delicious meal."

"French meals are her forte," her savior commented. Upon witnessing her carefree demeanor, he felt a sense of relief. His gaze softened as he stared at her. He was relieved to discover the food was to her liking.

Agnes Monet was a member of the Monet family and a cook. Upon Arion's relocation to Paris, she accompanied him. Being there with him served only one purpose for her. Her role as his nanny was the reason. After completing her training, she became a professional chef. She decided to leave everything behind and follow Arion when he gave her the highest-paying job.

When he was a little boy, the youngest Master, Taylor Langston, would starve to death unless she prepared his meals. She was well-liked by everyone. Therefore, Arion brought the elderly cook with him when he moved from the ancestors' family mansion, which was situated in Italy.

No matter how late they worked outside, he and Andrew still made it home nearly every night for the delectable home-cooked meals she prepared.

'Looks like someone else also fell for Aunt Aggies' charm,' he thought, smiling inwardly. "Aggies" was the nickname given by him and his brothers back in their younger days.

Out of nowhere, his once attractive and exquisite countenance drooped a shade or two. 'What if Gina likes Aggies' cooking more than she likes me?' A sudden thought crossed his mind.

Gina interrupted him before he could formulate any further opinion by asking, "Are you going somewhere?" "Hmm, to work," he replied, stopping himself from considering other unnecessary things. Then, the purpose of his visit to the room came to him.

"I would like to introduce you to my second brother, Andrew." The moment he uttered his brother's name, the devil sprang to life.

"Hello, sister, I'm Andrew Langston, the second Young Master of this household. At your service." He bowed like a prince.

She made a beeline for another dashing male, one who was both dashing and mischievous. 'What great deed have I committed to be bestowed for the benefit of handsome men surrounding me?' she wondered. "I'm Gina. Please take care of me." She pleasantly smiled at him.

Pleased with their interaction, Arion stated, "If you have questions, you can ask him. I'll come home early tonight." He then placed his right hand on top of her head. A sense of comfort and safety washed over her as his gentle touch reassured her. She glanced at him with her large, innocent eyes and grinned affectionately. "Have a lovely day at work," she said.

Thump!

Arion could only hear his heartbeat. The rapid pounding of his heart was palpable. He never had anyone wishing him a lovely day, let alone a good day at work or anywhere else. In the face of this novel situation, his entire body froze. How delightful it was to have a charming lady wish him a good day at work.

Immediately removing his hand from her head, he nodded stiffly in response. He curtly uttered, "I'll be going then," with some difficulty controlling his breath. His ears are turning red. Then, he turned around and left the room.

'Damn! They totally ignored me! Am I invisible or what?' As Andrew sulked, he spotted his big brother's ears turning red. 'Oi, oi, what's this?' His eyes glinted with impishness. 'Did my brother get embarrassed? But why? She just wished him a good day. Does it take so little to embarrass him? Should I text this in our group? I don't think anyone will believe me, though.'

Gina didn't have a second thought when she heard it. She was also pleased to hear the new nickname 'Ginny' from the friendly Andrew. She stepped out of her room and caught sight of Arion's back. She said aloud, "Come home early, Rion Rion!"

Her voice resounded throughout the entire house. It was clear that the butler and maids were taken aback.

Hearing her asking him to come home early, the Young Master of the household felt like a married man. The blissful sensation he felt lifted his spirits. As he went to the car, the driver started the engine. The car drove away to Langston Tech. On the way, his eyes stuck to his right hand, which touched her head. He left a burning sensation in his palm after touching her.

As he gazed dizzily at his hand, the head driver was sweating under pressure. Behind him, he could feel spring, smell flowers, and hear the chirping of lovebirds. He didn't know that in Autumn they could have spring days! He had no idea how to react.

'Someone, please, help me understand my Master! I don't recognize him anymore!' The driver cried and prayed without a sound.