Morning came, and Lucas awoke to find Alan's eyes fixed intently on him. The sight of those tender, adoring eyes made him uncomfortable. The boy's gaze seemed to strip away his defenses, laying bare the affection Alan felt so deeply.
"Do you have no other purpose in the morning besides making my day worse?" Lucas asked, irritation evident in his tone. He was uncomfortable with the way Alan's presence affected him, as if the boy's closeness was seeping into his own defenses.
"… Sorry, Lucas. I just wanted to see you up close," Alan said, blushing deeply. He quickly retreated to his side of the bed, sitting as if waiting for an order. The contrast between his vulnerable demeanor and Lucas's coldness was striking.
"I don't want to argue with you in the morning," Lucas mumbled, walking away to wash up.
"Lucas looks so handsome. I want to see him up close!" Alan whispered to himself, his longing evident. He yearned to hold, kiss, and love Lucas, but fear of rejection held him back. With eyes full of longing, he watched Lucas from across the room.
As the bathroom door clicked open, Alan's breath hitched. His face turned red as he caught sight of Lucas emerging, looking undeniably attractive. The sight was overwhelming for Alan, who couldn't suppress his reaction.
Lucas, feeling Alan's intense gaze, glanced up to find Alan staring at him with an open mouth and wide eyes. He couldn't understand why the boy's unabashed admiration irritated and fascinated him simultaneously. The boy's lack of self-restraint was both endearing and infuriating.
"Will you stop staring at me?" Lucas groaned, struggling to restrain himself from pulling at Alan's red ears. The boy's innocent adoration was a source of both irritation and unexpected tenderness.
"I can't. Why are you looking so handsome, Lucas? I want to…" Alan's words trailed off as his face turned a deeper shade of red. Mortified by his own confession, he buried his face in the pillow, overcome with embarrassment.
"Ugh," Lucas groaned in disbelief, watching Alan's reaction with a mix of frustration and reluctant amusement. The boy's unfiltered emotions were both a source of irritation and unexpected charm.
"Let's go downstairs!" Lucas said, heading toward the door. Alan scrambled out of bed, trailing after him like an eager puppy.
"Lucas, you're walking too fast. Please slow down," Alan pleaded, struggling to keep up with Lucas's brisk pace.
"Then you can run!" Lucas replied with a hint of annoyance. He couldn't decide if Alan's actions were genuine or a calculated display of cuteness.
Alan attempted to follow but stumbled and nearly fell. Lucas's heart lurched as he quickly grabbed Alan, his grip too tight, leaving a mark on the boy's arm.
"Ugh. So clumsy," Lucas muttered angrily, though he was more shaken by the incident than he let on.
"Sorry, Lucas," Alan mumbled, his voice filled with a mix of apology and fear. He winced, aware of the bruise forming on his wrist.
For the rest of the way, Lucas slowed his pace, ensuring Alan didn't fall behind.
---
At the dining table, Alan greeted Anna with enthusiasm, his mood brightening as he wrapped her in a warm hug.
"Good morning, Auntie Anna!" Alan's voice was filled with genuine affection.
"Good morning, baby. Morning, Lucas," Anna replied with a smile.
"Morning, Auntie," Lucas responded curtly, taking his seat at the table. His mood remained distant, clearly irritated by the entire situation. The breakfast conversation was tense, marked by Lucas's reluctance to engage.
"When are you returning to your house?" Anna inquired.
"After breakfast," Lucas replied flatly, his eyes fixed on his plate. His frustration with Anna's insistence on the marriage was evident in his tone.
"Won't you even look at this poor auntie?" Anna asked with a hint of dramatic dismay.
"Auntie, you're very wealthy. You can have anyone's attention you want," Lucas replied, continuing to eat without looking up.
"This poor auntie doesn't know whom to ask for attention," Anna pouted.
"I need time. I hope you'll stop this act now, Auntie," Lucas said, unmoved by her pleas.
"As you wish, but please take care of my baby Alan. Take him to visit his parents sometimes," Anna said, her gaze softening as she looked at Lucas.
"He can go wherever he wants. I don't need to take him. He's not a child. Stop treating him like one," Lucas said, irritation clear in his voice.
"You won't change, will you?" Anna asked, her frustration evident as she noticed Alan's tears.
"I'm full," Alan whispered, his voice breaking as he stood up and walked away, his heart feeling like it was shattering. Anna followed him, her concern evident.
"Alan, don't cry, dear. You promised to stay calm," Anna said gently.
"But Auntie… he doesn't even care!" Alan's voice trembled with sadness, his heartache palpable.
"He does care. He's just not good at showing it. Don't lose hope. Believe in your love," Anna urged, holding Alan's delicate hands.
"But it hurts so much," Alan sobbed. The pain of being dismissed by the one he loved was overwhelming.
"You married him knowing you would face challenges. He's showing you his years of pain and sorrow. He's not entirely unlovable," Anna said, embracing Alan tightly.
"I know. It just feels like my heart is being torn apart seeing him push me away," Alan said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Stay calm. Show him your love. Let him see how much you care. He only needs someone to love him," Anna said with a comforting smile.
"I will," Alan said resolutely, wiping away his tears. He hugged Anna and then returned to the hall, where he found Lucas looking frustrated.
"I have a company to manage, Alan. Don't assume everyone can be free of responsibilities like you," Lucas said through gritted teeth. His own confusion about his feelings only added to his irritation.
"Sorry, Lucas. I won't intrude again," Alan said weakly, his voice filled with pain. The sting of Lucas's harsh words was a deep wound.
"Follow me," Lucas said, leading the way out of the villa.
"I always follow you with all my heart, mind, and body, Lucas," Alan murmured, his voice laced with loneliness.
"If you have something to say, use your voice. I think God gave you that," Lucas said coldly, irritated by Alan's quiet response.
"Nothing," Alan said, blinking away his tears. He had accepted the pain of his marriage, knowing that it came with a price.
A life with you, Lucas, is worth the pain. Please let me stay with you, keep me by your side, because without you, I will perish. Please don't leave me. I don't know how to live without you.
Lucas and Alan entered the limousine, the vehicle marking a transition to Lucas's personal villa. Alan felt a mix of nervousness and happiness. It was the first time Lucas had invited him into his private space. The joy of being included was tempered by the anxiety of facing a new chapter in their life together. Lucas, noticing Alan's red eyes, felt a confusing pang of guilt. He struggled to understand why Alan's tears affected him so deeply, why the boy's presence stirred emotions he was not prepared to confront.