Swollen Lips

The next day, Riley woke up with a splitting headache, still wearing his clothes from yesterday. Massaging his temple, he remembered his friends not letting him off and pushing him to drink the fruit punch last night. The drinks, it seems, were spiked with something. It was so strong that he got dizzy after drinking it.

It was Riley's first time touching alcohol. He never even tried the beer. Well, he did sip once out of curiosity. But it tasted bitter that he often wondered why people liked to drown themselves in it. That's just his own view, anyway.

Slowly rising, Riley saw beside his bed, on the table, a hangover medicine and a glass of water with a note from Dylan reminding him to take it.

So, it's Dy, who must have brought him to his room last night. He needs to thank him later.

After taking medicine, Riley went to the bathroom to wash his face and was surprised to find his lips swollen.

Huh? Maybe he bumped into something last night after getting drunk? Weird.

Riley shrugged, washed up, and headed downstairs feeling like himself again after taking a shower. Hungry, he went to the dining table and unexpectedly found Draco reading the newspaper and having coffee. Alex was beside him, having breakfast.

"Mr. Sy, Mr. Alex! Good morning! I thought you would be out for a meeting or something…?"

Riley was actually embarrassed after he got home dead drunk last night. He can't remember anything after Jake dropped him off. He had no idea if he made a poor scene.

But the two gentlemen did not mention anything and said their Good Mornings.

Riley breathes a sigh of relief.

Then Alex took the chance to explain their presence. "Oh, we have nothing scheduled today except for a charity dinner later this evening…"

Riley nodded and took a seat facing Alex. It must be because Riley was directly within his line of sight that Alex noticed something odd about the boy. Riley kept grimacing each time he put food in his mouth. 

"What happened to you…?" Alex asked, pointing at his own mouth for Riley to better understand what he meant.

Riley was chewing and took a few seconds before answering Alex.

Frowning, he said, "Oh, I'm not sure. It's a little tender. Maybe I bumped my lips last night? I don't know."

Draco innocently reached for his coffee, commenting, "Cough. You should put something on it to lessen the swelling."

Riley nodded, "Okay. I will."

Alex, who was very sensitive to anything unusual pertaining to his boss, noticed the flash of guilt on Draco's face. It was so subtle only someone who had been with Draco would catch it. Their boss seldom shows emotions apart from indifference that any small changes would be noticeable.

Alex looked at Draco with narrowed eyes.

Boss, why do I feel like you have something to do about Riley's lips? You, acting so innocent now, is very suspicious. What did you do to poor Riley last night?! Ugh, oh! Taking advantage of the naïve boy, how could you?! You beast!

Riley was very obedient. After breakfast, he went to find a cream to put on his lips.

When the boy finished, Draco was longer in the dining room. Searching, he found him in the pavilion near the garden. Since finding out that Draco was available the whole day, Riley had been looking for a chance to talk to him. However, he was worried Draco might be handling serious matters and hated to interrupt him. So, he kept going back and forth, fidgeting a few steps away.

From his peripheral vision, Draco had seen Riley loitering. Even at breakfast, the boy had been sneaking glances at him.

Heaving a sigh, Draco put down the contract he had been reviewing.

"Riley, you want to discuss something with me?" He queried using a gentle voice, encouraging the boy to speak out his concern.

Riley tentatively approached Draco. "Uhm… It's nothing, Mr. Sy. You seem busy…"

"For you, I always have time… Tell me."

Draco smiled to put the boy at ease.

Considering that the older man did not seem to mind his intrusion, Riley sat across Draco. Taking a deep breath, hands clenching his knees, he faced Draco Sy.

"Uhm… Mr. Sy, you understand that I am grateful to you for helping me when I was at my lowest. Because of that, I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life. But I am no longer that helpless boy. This year, I will be turning 19. I am an adult now... And I can't depend on you like this."

"So, I've thought of moving back to P. Country and continuing my studies. There are a lot of good universities I can choose from… I-I don't want to run away from my problems anymore. I can't run away forever. Sooner or later, I have to face my brother."

Draco frowned. He understands the truth. He has no right to stop Riley from returning to his family. But he is worried that the boy's brother, Anton, still hasn't given up on his crazy plan.

"You want to come home to P. Country? ... to your family?"

Riley quickly shook his head. "No… No… I mean, I do want to go back to P. City but not to my family." Licking his lips, he continued, "I plan to apply for a scholarship and stay at the dorm… Then later, I can find an apartment and look for jobs…"

Draco nodded and stared at the boy. Coincidently, Draco also wants Riley back in P. Country, but definitely for a totally different reason. 

He wanted Riley closer. After yesterday, the thing with Dylan, the hordes of admirers, and the blond guy, Draco was reluctant to leave the boy. He had decided to make Riley accept him gradually as a man. His man (Riley's).

But now the boy is planning to live on his own. Something that Draco had anticipated. He knows Riley is a very upright child and would not want to abuse his generosity. However, he did not expect it to happen this soon.

While Draco was silently brooding, Riley himself was getting lost in his thoughts. The truth is, Riley had long made up his mind to go back home. Even before graduation, he had been thinking about how to tell Draco. He started preparing his transfer documents and got in touch with a few universities in A. City. Except he never got the chance to discuss it with Draco.

Furthermore, he wanted to learn how to support Draco Sy in the future. To be someone trustworthy enough to stay by Draco Sy's side.

In the prolonged silence, Riley started to be restless.

"Don't worry, Mr. Sy. I will never forget your kindness towards me, and I promise to repay you someday…"

"Did I ever ask you to repay me?" Draco asked seriously, his eyes bearing on Riley

"Well, no…" Riley answered in a small voice, his eyes cast down.

"Then, please don't feel obligated." Without waiting for a response from Riley, he asked, "Remember what I told you two years ago? When you asked, why I was willing to help you?"

Riley looked up, his eyes glazed with the memory of that day. "You said because I need help, and you have the means to help."

Draco stretched an arm to tousle Riley's locks. "That's right. Riley, I didn't help you, expecting something in return… Like before, I will tell you again. I am helping you because you needed help and because I can…"

"But…- "

"Then in the future, if the situation gets reversed and I am the one needing help... You- "

Riley straightened his back and pumped his chest out. "I will! I will definitely help you."

"Alright." Draco raised his brows. "And why do you need a scholarship? What am I here for? You are a brilliant young man. Paying for your education is an investment for me. I attain a trusted person I can rely upon. Didn't you promise to assist me? Or were those empty promises?

Brows knitted together, Riley refuted, "Of course not! I meant what I said."

"Good. I will hold on to that promise. For now, you only need to study hard and finish school. Don't think about anything else. Little Riley, I will have to rely on you in the future."

"Eh?"

Riley's face was blank.

What just happened?! He did not know. But he ended up agreeing to everything Draco said. The whole conversation felt like he got swindled off something but did not essentially lose anything. Instead, he found himself gaining a lot of benefits. It was kinda weird. 

Nonetheless, he got what he wanted. He would be back home. That put a wide grin on Riley's face. He thanked Draco and ran to tell Dylan of the great news.

When the boy was gone, Draco let out a long sigh. He shook his head. His lips curving, he continued to look over the documents.

Alex and Chief Chan, who came to discuss with Draco the itinerary for later, saw their boss happily buried in work.

Boss??? Please don't scare us. That grin looked evil! Same as the one you always wear when you close a very coveted deal.