Chapter 3
556 Words
The days flowed by like a stream, and Adrian Hart's vacation was coming to an end, bringing him back to his daily grind of action and danger. Sometimes he would be on duty all night, and Alexander Hayes would lie awake on the narrow little bed, worrying and unable to sleep.
Yes, a little bed. It still had the scent of a child.
Alexander rubbed his chin against the cotton pillowcase, recalling Ethan Walker's adorable sleeping face. White and tender, like a boiled egg. Long eyelashes fluttering like little fans, making Alexander wonder if they could create a breeze with their rapid blinking.
Ever since that camping night, whenever Adrian was out late, Ethan would cling to Alexander and sleep with him.
"I had a nightmare again."
"My brother's not here. I can only sleep if Alex holds me."
"Alex smells so nice, I like it."
If the kid weren't only ten, Alexander might have thought he was being deliberately flirtatious. Unlike his brother! So straightforward and uptight!
Adrian, nearly ten years older than him, was always upright and righteous, making Alexander seem like a little rogue who was always scheming against him. The thought of it made Alexander kick the blanket in frustration and roll over to get up.
Opening the door to the small study, he found Ethan sneaking around on the computer with his back to him.
"It's late. What are you looking up?"
"Ah! Alex..."
Caught red-handed, Ethan reached out his chubby little arms to close the laptop, but Alexander quickly pushed it aside.
"London Business School? Why are you looking this up? Oh, you admire me that much?"
"Yeah, yeah, I really admire you. Alex is amazing."
Ethan had just learned that Alexander was attending graduate school, despite being only eight years older than him. Alexander was amused by Ethan's honest expression of admiration.
This kid was getting more interesting by the day.
"I want to study there too someday!"
"You? You don't even know what 'surprise' means."
"I know now! I'm not as dumb as my brother who can't even solve basic math problems!"
Hearing this, Alexander flicked Ethan's forehead lightly.
"In my eyes, your brother is perfect. Don't make fun of him."
"...Okay."
The fiery ambition in Ethan's eyes was momentarily extinguished, but it reignited quickly after Alexander handed him a cup of hot milk.
Under Alexander's watchful eye, Ethan brushed his teeth, grinning at his reflection in the mirror, mouth full of foam, while plotting his little schemes.
The internet said that to get into London Business School, he needed to excel in math. So tomorrow, he would solve a few more conic section problems. Alex had just taught him, and it was a bit difficult.
His brother was all brawn and no brain, totally unfit for Alex. He, however, was the right one for Alex, hmph.
"Good night... Alex..."
Alexander patted the little boy's back, finding the soft, cuddly weight comforting. As Ethan slept, his mouth slightly open, lips red and teeth white, he looked incredibly peaceful. Ethan's nose brushed against Alexander's neck unconsciously, and his small, warm breaths left a damp, tickling sensation that made Alexander feel hot all over.
Alexander, you must be losing your mind because of Adrian, he thought to himself. How else could you be reacting like this to a ten-year-old kid?
- Writer
