High School Graduation

Two years later. L. Country inside a two-story house.

Still yawning, Riley walked into the kitchen and saw Dylan wearing an apron with the 'HANDSOME CHEF' characters written on it.

"Good morning, Dy." Riley greeted as he sat on a high chair beside the counter table.

"Morning!" Dylan answered his attention on the dish he was preparing. "Wait a second. Breakfast is almost ready."

"What's for breakfast?"

"Your favorite, egg rolls, and cauliflower rice."

Riley licked his lips, beginning to anticipate the food. In the years they have spent living together, he discovered that Dylan is a great cook. And the guy always makes delicious food to feed him.

"Have you prepared everything for later?" sitting beside him, Dylan asked as they ate.

"Yeah."

Today is his high school graduation. Time flies, and soon he'll start his college days. He can't help but reminisce about the first time they arrived at L. Country. At that time, everything was new to him. He felt lonely and homesick. He had to adapt to many things. Fortunately, Dylan was there acting as his friend and older brother. It also helped that Dylan was lively and easy to get along with. They made a great team together. 

Then there was the weather. Riley came from a tropical country, hot and full of sunshine. So, experiencing his first winter was like torture every day. Thinking back to the moment while discussing where he would stay, Riley forgot to consider L. Country's four seasons. But luckily, he was able to pass the hurdle without missing any of his toes from frostbite. 

Afterward, Riley made a lot of friends, and he began to enjoy his school life. He lived a peaceful and carefree life in L. Country.

Riley got pulled out of his thoughts after hearing Dylan's news.

"Hey, I forgot to tell you. Last night, Chief Chan called me. Boss Draco is coming here to L. Country for a business trip. If he can finish in time, he might drop by your school for your graduation ceremony."

"Yeah?! That would be great. I thought they were not coming until mid of month?"

Dylan shrugged. "I'm not really sure. It seems like the deal has been moved to an earlier date than scheduled?"

Riley was glad to hear Draco Sy may possibly come to his graduation. The last time he saw his benefactor was almost two years ago. A month after he settled in L. Country. Draco had business in the nearby G. Country and had stopped to check on him. The busy man had a packed schedule and only spent half a day. After that, Draco Sy mostly gets updates on his life from Chief Chan through Dylan's report.

Personal calls to him were for special occasions such as Christmas, New Year, and birthdays. If summed up, those calls would not reach an hour. It was just a polite conversation. Which, Riley looked forward to every time. He has a lot of respect for Draco Sy. The man had been nothing but good to him since day one, and Riley was very grateful. He did not want Draco Sy to regret putting his trust in him. With that as motivation, Riley studied hard and made praiseworthy achievements. 

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At Riley's high school, after the graduation ceremony.

Riley's good looks and academic achievements made him a popular guy at school. Many girls… and even boys have confessed their admiration to him. But Riley very kindly rejected each one of them. He did not want any distractions from his studies.

So, it was not surprising that not only a few students, including juniors, came up to him asking to take a picture together. Riley, who at that moment was beaming with joy, did not have the heart to reject them. In the end, he got swarmed by them. 

A few meters away, a tall and distinguished-looking man stared at the smiling youth surrounded by admirers. His grey eyes getting dimmer by the minute. 

When the shorter man beside him noticed the frigid air emanating from the man, he immediately tried to salvage the situation.

"It seems the boy has not read your message yet. He is busy…" he trailed off when the temperature dropped by another notch. "Ah… Let me get him for you, boss."

Alex was almost running as he hurried to Riley. "Excuse. Excuse me, please. Let me through." He forced his way amid the crowd and must have stepped on a few toes, irritating a few teenagers.

"Hey, uncle! Watch where you're going. And don't cut in the line. Wait at the back for your turn."

Uncle?! Who are you calling uncle? Alex screamed in his heart, about to make a retort. However, the girl's voice must have been too loud, it caught Riley's attention, and he looked their way.

"Mr. Alex…?" When Riley realized it was him, he pushed his way toward him. "You're here? Did Mr. Sy come with you?" Riley asked, roaming his eyes and trying to find Draco.

"Yes. Boss is waiting for you over there beside the tree." Alex replied, still exasperated over being called an uncle. Nonetheless, he immediately pointed at his boss's location.

Looking in the direction Alex was pointing, Riley found Draco Sy standing under the shade of a maple tree with an air of indifference.

Riley grinned and enthusiastically waved his hand at the man. Then he politely asked for his leave from everyone. The result leads to a chorus of disappointed grumbling from teenagers.

Together, they steadily walk toward Draco.

"Mr. Sy, you came!" The boy exclaimed, happiness evident on his face.

"Congratulations on your graduation." Draco smiled as he complimented the young man. He was obviously satisfied with Riley's keenness to see him. 

Alex, behind Riley, witnessing the abrupt change in his boss' demeanor, "..." 

Boss, can you please be consistent? That is so unfair.

Oblivious to the scenario earlier, Riley gladly accepted Draco's words, "Thank you! I could not have done this without your help, Mr. Sy. I don't know how to thank you enough for your generosity." 

Draco looked at the young man in front of him. It's been two years since he last saw him. He noticed the changes. Gone was the scrawny boy he once knew. And in his place is a more confident and brighter Riley. He grew taller and healthier. And after losing some of his youth, Riley's previous pretty face now looked too exquisite to belong to a man. 

Cannot help himself, Draco extended his hand and rubbed the boy's head, pleased.

"Ahem." Alex had to clear his throat to get their attention, suggesting, "Boss Draco let me take a picture of you together. As a memento of this event?" 

Taking out his phone, he urged the two to stand closer. After several photos, he noticed Dylan was missing.

"Where's Dylan? Why is he not with you?"

"Oh! I wanted to take pictures, but his phone ran out of battery while mine was in the car. So, he went back to get it and his power bank."

Soon they saw Dylan running toward them. Out of breath, he handed a phone to Riley and exchanged pleasantries with Draco and Alex.

"Boss Draco, I'm sorry. I forgot to charge my phone this morning. I couldn't accept your call. Good thing you found Riley right away."

"Well, it was hard to miss him. He was getting mobbed by girls." Draco remained silent. The reply came from Alex, still vexed about the earlier incident with the girls.

Dylan laughed. "Little Ry's charm is indeed irresistible. He has a lot of followers and fans everywhere. He is a little celebrity in school." Dylan looking like a proud father put an arm around Riley's shoulder.

Draco was quiet, his gaze fixated on that one arm.

"N-no, it's not! I don't know what you're saying…" Riley was embarrassed to hear him say that in front of Draco Sy.

And when Riley noticed Draco started frowning, he thought the man misunderstood. That maybe he was getting distracted. He automatically refuted, "Don't listen to him, Mr. Sy. I never entertained those girls- "

"And boys," Dylan interjected. He found Riley's attempt to downplay his charms, funny. 

Exasperated over Dylan's teasing, Riley, biting his teeth, seethes, "D! Stop it!" trying to shrug off Dylan's arms. "Don't worry, Mr. Sy. Rest assured that I am not interested in getting into a relationship. I put my studies as a priority."

Dylan continued his banter with Riley. Alex, fearing their boss' darkening gaze, elbowed Dylan and pointed his chin. It was only then that Dylan noticed his employer's black face.

Finally, aware that he may have gone too far, Dylan got frightened and tried to salvage the situation "Uhm. Y-yeah boss. Little Ry never paid attention… to those kinds of things. He just focused on studying. Yeah, that's the truth. I swear. I-I was only teasing him."

But contrary to making it better, he found those cold steel grey eyes fixed on him instead. Did he make a blunder again? Why is the boss looking like he's some thorns on his side?

Dylan was scared shitless. He backed away, his survival instinct kicking in. It was only then that the pressure let up.

"Hmmm… I know. "Draco responded after a while, making Riley sigh in relief.

Next, Alex suggested they go home. He revealed that Draco invited a famous chef to celebrate Riley's graduation. By the time they made it back to the house, it was already late afternoon. Everything was already set and the table was laden with mouthwatering food. Chief Chan was also present and had been waiting for them.