King Frost and The Good Boy

When Riley woke up, it was already dark outside. Disoriented after sleeping for so long, he remained unmoving and kept staring at the ceiling.

After a while, he began to feel thirsty. Reaching for the water on the bedside table, he pushed himself off the bed. Arms stretched in the process of getting the glass, Riley froze. Sitting on the couch was a man with his long legs crossed, one arm propped up on the armrest supporting his head. He must have dozed off, for his eyes were closed. Even at that resting state, the man radiates strong masculinity.

Intrigue as to the identity of the man, Riley's gaze moved to the man's chiseled face. The man was extremely handsome. Comparable to the faces of models found in magazines. Maybe even better.

Suddenly, the man's lids opened, startling Riley. Under the dim light, penetrating grey eyes stared at him exuding unchallenged dominance. Anyone on the receiving end of that stare would have quivered from the pressure. But strangely, for Riley, it made him feel secure and find them somewhat familiar. 

"Sir, you are...?"

"Draco Sy." The man replied with his rich baritone voice. 

Riley's face lit up in recognition. "You're Mr. Sy! Sir, thank you for saving me last night. I'm very grateful to you and your men for helping me."

"Hmmm…" hummed Draco in response. Straightening up from the couch, he walked towards the youth. "Are you thirsty?"

"Ah? Yes…" replied Riley scratching his head, forgetting his original intention of getting up.

Then he saw the man in the suit, poured water into the glass, and handed it to him.

"Thank you."

Riley took the glass, feeling a little shy. He heard from Dylan that his boss is the CEO of the Sy Business Empire. Though Riley does not usually listen to business news, he had heard of the company and seen its corporate logo quite a few times. Even the plane he flew in recently bears their logo. So, to have THE Draco Sy wait on him was a thrilling experience.

Giddy over the thought, Riley was pulled out of his daydream when Draco sat on the bed.

In a mild voice, Draco asked the boy. "Riley, I was told you ran away from home because you were forced to get married. What do you plan to do now?"

"I-I don't know yet," Riley replied, looking like a lost puppy. His earlier bright countenance slowly deflated. His head drooped low as he continued to say, "I can't go back to my friend's place. My brother already knew I was staying there. M-maybe, I'll look for a job somewhere in the countryside."

Draco sighed. "How old are you? Sixteen? Seventeen? How long do you think it will take for your brother to find you again? And what decent job can you get when you're still a kid?"

"I'll be an adult next year. It's just... I don't want to go back home." Lips pursed as if aggrieved, Riley insisted. "And my brother is possibly so angry right now. He might do something to me. If-if I go back. I will be pledged as a bride. I don't want that."

Draco looked at Riley sitting on the hospital bed as he picked on his nails. His complexion was still sickly pale with bandages around his head and legs. There were also bruises and tiny cuts on his arms and face. Wearing the ill-fitted hospital gown, he looked… so young and vulnerable. 

Coming to a decision, Draco raised his hands and ruffled the teen's hair.

"Fine then. If that's your decision, I will help you."

"R-really?" Riley was stunned. Although Draco was kind enough to save him, he never expected him to do this much for someone he had only met yesterday. "You're really gonna help me hide from my brother?"

"Hmmm. I can send you somewhere away from here, far away from your brother's reach. You can also go back to school. Is that what you want?"

"Yes! Yes, I want to continue my studies." The youth responded immediately, his head bobbing. Then Riley hesitated. His gaze questioning, he asked Draco, "But… why would you do all that?" Yet, right after saying the words, his eyes rounded as if regretting his question. He quickly added, "I-I mean, you don't really know me… W-why are you helping me?"

The boy avoided Draco's stare and feared that he may have offended his benefactor.

Draco's face softens, "Because you're a good boy, and you needed help. I have the means, then why would I not help you." Then with narrowed eyes, he peered at Riley and said, "You hesitating… Does it mean that you think you don't deserve my help?"

"Of course not! I'm a good boy." The boy was quick to refute his words.

"Then, it's settled."

"Mr. Sy, thank you so much!" Grateful, Riley exclaimed with mist in his eyes.

Given his short life, this must be the first time someone treated him so well. Since young, though the old servants had cared for him, they mostly did it because of their obligation. But Draco was different. Riley is not his brother or his obligation whatsoever. Yet he is willing to take responsibility for Riley and his problems. The gesture moved Riley.

At the same time, inside the room near the door, Alex and Chief Chan, who had been there since the beginning of Riley and Draco's interaction, were beyond shocked. As if watching a jaw-dropping scene. Boss Draco is talking amicably with the boy?!

The biggest question is: Who is Draco Sy? He is the Sy Empire's, King Frost.

Attributes: Cold and aloof

Weapon/Attack power: Icy stare and chilling words that can cause hypothermia (trembling, confusion, exhaustion, fumbling of hands, incoherent speech, and blackout)

They've seen and experienced its effect first-hand. So, in both Chief Chan's and Alex's minds: Who is this man smiling warmly and currently rubbing Riley's head?! They felt slighted.

Another extraordinary thing is Riley's natural response to their boss. The boy held himself well and was not in the least frightened of their boss. Even Alex himself had admitted getting flustered when faced with those frosty eyes when the boss was not in a good mood. 

Furthermore, if they had not seen it with their own eyesight, the two trusted aid would never have believed this happened. They felt their eyes hurt like it was in danger of being gouged out for having seen it. 

It was scary.

"Should we go outside?" Chief Chan tactfully asked Draco's personal secretary.

"I think we should before Boss Draco notices our presence," Alex replied in a whisper.

However, before they could slip out, Draco called for them; his frigid face plastered back on as he rapidly gave out instructions one after the other to Alex and Chief Chan.

Where is that gentle voice? Or a warm smile? The two trusted aid: Boss, we have been with you much longer. How could you not treat us better than the boy?

That night, they made a decision. It would be in Riley's best interest for him to go and study abroad. After some discussion, they choose L. Country. Draco has several properties there where Riley can stay.

Dylan would also accompany him as a protection. Since Riley was already acquainted with him, he had no qualms about it.

After everything was settled, Draco handed all matters to Alex to be carried out immediately. Riley did not see him again after that.

Everything was swiftly handled and executed. A man like Draco Sy indeed only has efficient people working under him. In just a week, Riley found himself at the airport leaving for L. Country.

"Riley, come on! Our flight is getting paged. We have to board now." Dylan called out to him from behind, a carry-on bag in his hand.

Dylan was happy to accept the assignment of protecting Riley. He was hopping in excitement all the way to the day of their departure. His happiness rubbed off on Riley, and the boy found himself looking forward to living abroad and away from his brother's clutches.