Runaway Male Bride: Tell Me Your Secret

Chapter 3

At A. City Medical Center Hospital.

Sunlight seep through the blinds into a private room. Its afternoon warmth caressing the sleeping youth.

Riley's lids fluttered open. He glanced around to survey his surroundings. His eyes landed on a set of folded clothes on the couch near the window. He stared at it without really looking. Pushing himself up, he slowly swung both legs on the side of the bed, careful not to aggravate his wound.

Just then, the door was pushed open from outside and in came a man in casual jeans and a jacket. Perhaps, because he was not expecting to find him awake. The man was already halfway in when he noticed Riley sitting on the bed. They both froze, but the man quickly recovered and energetically greeted Riley.

"Hey! You're awake. That's good. How are you feeling? How's your wound? I'm Dylan by the way. We brought you here last night."

Mind still foggy, Riley had to take time to process everything Dylan said.

"I feel fine. Thank you for helping me and bringing me here." He quietly responded after a while.

"Oh! About the helping part. It's actually Boss Draco who you should really thank. Draco Sy. He's our boss and the one who decided to help you last night."

Dylan was actually feeling a little ashamed. If it was not for their boss' insistent order, they would have left the boy at that deserted road. They were suspicious of the boy. Well, they still are. Only not as intense as last night.

"Just the same, you still brought me here to the hospital. Thank you."

The boy smiled in gratitude. His eyes curved as he did and Dylan was mesmerized. Looking at that pale but pretty face brightened by a smile, Dylan can hardly associate him to that dirt-covered scrawny thing they picked up last night. Distracted, Dylan had to shake his head a few times to retain clarity.

"W-well, I guess you could say that. Anyway, I'm here to asked a few things. We did not find any ID on you. So, I need your personal information."

When Dylan saw the boy became wary, he immediately added, "Don't worry this is just hospital procedure and we need it in case we need to report to the police."

Dylan thought hearing that would soothe the boy's worries.

But he was wrong.

When Riley heard that the incident would be reported, he felt panic. His brother has a lot of connections even with the authorities. When he was brought to that abandon building yesterday, Riley heard one of his brother's men talking to the police. It seems that his brother asked someone with a high position in the bureau to help find him. He is afraid that he would be found out if this reached the police.

"N-no police, please. I'm swear. I'm not a criminal. Please don't report this." Riley pleaded.

"Ah?" Flustered Dylan, watched as the boy grip his arms and begged him, fat tears sprang and roll down on the boy's pallid cheeks. What the hell just happened? Why was he so afraid of the police? He has no idea how to pacify the youth.

"P-please promise me you will not report me."

"Uhm, don't cry. Okay, okay. I promise. I we will not report this for now. But you have to tell something. Right? Let us start with your name first?"

"I'm Riley." Riley replied still sniffling, wiping his tears with his arms. He was embarrassed for crying.

"Okay, Riley. Can you tell me what happened to you? And why were you at that area last night?"

Calmer, Riley recounted how he runaway from home after learning his brother's plan to auctioned him as a male bride. And how his brother's men found, shot and captured him. Later he escaped from them and run into Dylan's group.

After Riley finished telling him everything, Dylan can't help feeling angry and disgusted for the boy.

"Damn! Are you sure you and your brother share the same blood? Or maybe you're adopted?"

"Ah?" Riley was confused.

Dylan scratch his head. A little apologetic.

"Well, you know. I'm just assuming you are adopted or something? Coz if you are my brother, I'd never do that. That's just f****d up."

The youth's head hang low. "I don't know…" he said in a small voice. His peach blossom eyes drooping. With his head bowed, he looked so frail and younger than his age sitting at the hospital bed, legs dangling on the edge.

Even Dylan who was still skeptical about his identity cannot help but be affected. In front of that watery eyes, he was compelled to reconsider his earlier judgment. If everything Riley said is true, Dylan curse Riley's lecherous brother for treating him like that. What a vile thing to do to a young boy.

When Dylan left with a promise not to say anything to the authorities, Riley was left alone to think about his current circumstances.

He cannot go on running. Besides, the only reason he was able to survive for a few months without being caught was because of his friend Lark and his brother Keith's help. At that time, he run off, Lark offered him a place at his brother's café.

Riley thought Anton will never find him since his brother has no idea about his friend or acquaintances. Furthermore, Lark was a friend he only met once. Afterwards they continued to communicate online.

But after a few months of peace, Riley grew complacent and made a mistake. He regretted making that one call that allowed his brother's men to find him

By now, Keith must have discovered that he is missing. He must be worried. Riley forgot to borrow Dylan's phone to inform the brothers that he is fine. He'll do that next time.

Riley must have used up all his energy worrying soon he dozed off.

Top floor of Sy Business Empire Building.

In a floor to ceiling window, Draco stands with one hand inside his pocket and the other one holding a newly lit cigarette.

The midnight blue suit he is wearing fits perfectly on his tall frame, emphasizing his broad shoulder and long legs. Flickering lights from the traffic can be seen below. From time to time smoke comes out of his mouth and into the air.

From behind came a knock and the sound of the door opening. Chief Chan then entered the office carrying a black folder.

Draco remained where he was standing and through the vague reflection on the window, stared at his Chief Security Personnel. 

Taking queue on his silence, Chief Chan spoke.

"Sir. Here is the information you asked regarding the boy Riley. From what we have gathered, what he said was all true. He is of the Santillan's."

"Hmm. Everything?"

Draco turned to reached for the folder and move to sit on the couch, Chief Chan following behind him. Crossing his legs, Draco began to scan the contents of the folder. Using a slight movement of his head, he signaled for Chief Chan to take the seat opposite him.

"Yes, Sir. It seems that the older brother Anton Santillan, CEO of The Santillan Group of Companies made a lot of bad investments. The company is submerged in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy. The brother Anton, planned to use the boy as a means of making relations through marriage to make the business afloat."

"But I never heard the late Maurice Santillan had another son."

"The boy was raised by the maternal grandfather after the mother died of childbirth. He is an illegitimate child. When the old man died, the child was brought to an orphanage. It was only after a year that Maurice Santillan acknowledged the existence of the boy and brought him home. However, after Maurice and his wife died in an accident, the boy who was then ten, was sent to the country side under the care of servants."

Draco just listened in silence as he flips through the pages containing all information gathered about Riley. While in the process of flipping, a photo slipped out of the pages and fell on his lap. It was a picture of the teen. It must have been taken recently as he looks closer to his age now.

In the photo, the boy can be seen riding a bicycle, looking straight at the camera and laughing. A pink blush painting his healthy cheeks, probably due to the exercise. His jet-black hair blown away giving an unblocked view of his small face. Peach blossom eyes curved in happiness. It was showing a carefree innocence.

"Sir. what are you going to do about the boy?" Chief Chan inquired after giving him that brief summary.

Clipping the photo in back to the folder, Draco transferred to his swivel chair and replied, "I want to talk him first. Let's go tonight. Prepare the helicopter, we'll leave in an hour."

Chief Chan was amazed to hear it. Anyone who have worked with Darco Sy knows about his aloof and cold personality. And although he is not unkind, he is also not a compassionate person per se that would be easily swayed by emotions like pity. So, the decision to help the boy last night was somewhat out of their boss' character. Then now he is taking the time to travel and personally talk to the boy!

Moreover, though later on it was proven as a simple coincidence and indeed the boy was in need of help, it was still an unexpected move. Something that the usually indifferent Draco Sy before last night, would have done. It was astonishing.

Also, there is the fact that for years no woman had ever stood beside the boss. Which brought about many speculations, including rumors that the head of the business empire is rather into… men.

The chief's silence and absentmindedness, did not go unnoticed to Draco. However, he remained silent, his lips curving up to a smirk. Based on his trusted aid's character he will sooner or later tell him what's on his mind. Draco waited.

Afterwards, he saw Chief Chan stand up, walking towards the door. Then stopped. Looking as if he is wrestling with his inner self about something.

Without disappointing him, he heard Chief Chan ask, "Sir, about last night. If I may ask, why did you decide to help the boy?" Then as if to justify his boldness, he added, "I don't mean to question your intentions, sir. But I just want to understand what made you decide to help the boy."

Draco leaned back on his chair and replied, "Because of his eyes."

"His eyes, sir?" Not comprehending, Chief Chan asked again.

"Yes. They were pure and clean." Then there was a pause. Chief Chan thought he had to contend himself with that short response. It's a fact that his boss is a man of few words and seldom explains his self to anyone. However, he was surprise to hear him continue. "After years of looking at eyes either filled with hatred or deceit, it was refreshing to find someone with such innocence in their eyes. Interesting, but I find myself wanting to protect it."

Finally understanding what the boss means, Chief Chan nodded and turned to leave.

"I understand, sir. We'll be ready to leave on schedule."

When he was finally alone in his office, Draco took the photo out again. Looking at that curved eyes of the youth staring back, he felt a strong surge of protectiveness he never felt for anyone before.