Sly Fox

When Alex got out of Draco's office, his feet were like jelly, soft and wobbly. His hair, sticking to his temple, was drenched in sweat.

Alex certainly paid a high price for mentioning Little Riley's name. He couldn't believe he was able to endure the torture he just went through. Draco had mercilessly questioned him about the task entrusted to him the last few days. Furthermore, demanding an on-the-spot accounting of his expenses during the trip, down to the last centavo!

Though Alex was confident of how he worked, he could not stand Draco's ceaseless interrogation. Evidently, the boss was in a volatile state, just waiting to explode once triggered. The boss was nitpicking on little things, trying to find faults.

This situation cannot go on. If the boss keeps this mood until next week, everyone will get wiped out.

Taking matters into his own hand, Alex dialed Dylan's number. Not many know of the actual relationship between Dylan and the boss. It was actually Dylan's choice to hide the fact that his also a wealthy young heir moonlighting as a bodyguard. But fortunately, Alex was one of the few who knew the truth.

It did not take long for the call to connect. And a lively Dylan answered the phone.

"What's up, Alex? Why did you call?"

Alex is already used to Dylan's casual greeting. He skipped greeting. He did not care for chitchats and immediately went straight to the point.

"I'll cut to the chase. What happened to Boss Draco and Riley?"

"Oh." There was a short pause, and instead of giving him an answer, he heard Dylan clarify," Why are you asking?"

Impatient, Alex snapped at Dylan. "Don't make me work for the information. Many lives are at stake right now. Until I know what really happened and how to fix it, every employee of Sy Business Empire might be in danger of freezing to death!"

Laughing at his choice of words, Dylan was intentionally antagonizing Alex. And the other was clearly not in the mood for it. Which made it more fun for Dylan.

"Just tell me, okay? Do you have any idea what happened? If not, don't waste my time. I'd rather hang up now and find out from others." 

Alex was not joking. If Dylan is as clueless as he is, he is useless to him. He would not spare him another moment.

"Why so grumpy?" Dylan asked in a drawl.

"Dylan!" Shouted Alex over the phone. He did not appreciate Dylan's humor. He'd live better without it.

Realizing Alex was on the verge of bursting into anger, Dylan gave in and turned serious. 

"Okay. Okay, I'll tell you. But first, tell me. How did you know something happened?"

Alex sighed. He sat straight, looked left and right, and checked if no one was around to hear their conversation. 

"Boss Draco is in a bad temper. You know him as well as I do. Not many things can affect him to this extent. The only reason I could think of is probably related to Little Riley."

"Fine. You're right. This past few days, Riley had been hiding from Draco."

Dumbfounded, Alex immediately asked, "Hiding? Why?! Quick, spill the beans."

Dylan needs no urging. He went on to tell Alex what happened to Riley and Draco a few nights ago. And how it led to the current situation of Riley avoiding Draco at all costs.

"So, that is what happened."

Finally, understanding what caused the whole hullabaloo, Alex was impressed by Little Riley's courage. At the same time, he marveled at his boss's willingness to give in to the boy's demands.

THE Draco Sy carrying someone on his back? Alex was a bit disappointed he did not witness such a momentous event.

"Yeah," Dylan replied, munching on the chips he began to eat halfway through the call.

"We seriously need to do something. If not, Boss Draco would probably cause a lot of death and destruction!"

"You're exaggerating."

"Maybe. But don't come asking for help if you end up as the next target of the boss' annoyance. Tomorrow is the weekend. You're staying at the mansion, right? It would be unfortunate if Boss Draco decides to release his pent-up frustrations to someone. Someone closer... Who're just a few rooms away. Maybe…" Alex said in warning, deliberately implying something to Dylan.

Of course, Dylan was not a dim-wit not to understand what Alex was trying to tell him would happen if Riley and Boss Draco's issue persisted.

Instantly, scenes of Boss Draco dragging him to the ring for rounds after rounds of sparring exercises. Of him receiving blow after blow, so strong, his mouthpiece flew out of his mouth, and his headgear rendered useless to soften the impact. His almost lifeless body sprawled on the ground with Draco looming above him, his face stony and expressionless.

Dylan winced. And his body jerked in response to his dreadful thoughts. The bag of chips he was holding dropped to his thighs, tumbling down to the floor. Its contents fell out of the bag, littering his bedroom floor.

"I will help you!" Dylan screamed his promise. The things he just imagined still haunt him.

A moment later, in a much calmer tone, Dylan repeated, "I will help you. I'll talk to Riley. Yes, I'll do that. He'll listen to me."

Satisfied with his quick work, Alex snickered. As Draco Sy's secretary for years, Alex had learned a few underhanded methods from his boss. And Dylan unknowingly fell prey.

"Then, I'll leave you to do that. Hopefully, Riley can influence Boss Draco and make our lives better." Alex declared.

After the call ended, Dylan quickly felt he fell right into Alex's trap. In the end, he had to do all the talking and convince Riley.

"Sly fox… He got me to do all the work." He muttered to himself. No use confronting that crafty secretary now.

Picking up the bag of chips and cleaning the floor, Dylan immediately went about looking for Riley for a good talk. It is time for the boy to stop getting embarrassed and face Boss Draco.