Little Riley Have Mercy On Us!

Dylan was feeling proud of his accomplishment and about to call Alex to inform him of his success when the sly fox himself called.

Smug, Dylan was about to voice his greetings, but Alex interrupted without giving him a chance. 

"Dylan! You have to help us! Why is Little Riley not returning my calls? I need to speak to him!" The secretary exclaimed in one breath.

"Ugh. He is beside me. What happened? I've already talked to him. He'll speak with Draco- "

Again, Alex interrupted, "Then it would be too late! Draco is already in berserker mode! Give the phone to Little Riley. Hurry!"

"Okay, wait…" Offering the phone to Little Riley, Dylan explained. "It's Alex, he wants to talk to you."

"Huh? Mr. Alex? Draco's secretary? Why?"

"Here, you ask him yourself."

Riley reluctantly accepted the phone from Dylan. He was confused why Draco's secretary wanted to talk to him. Putting the phone beside his ear, he heard the other man inquire, "Little Riley?"

"Yes? It's me, Mr. Alex. You wanted to talk to me?" he asked.

However, he was taken aback when the secretary suddenly cried out. "Little Riley, have mercy on us! Please talk to Boss Draco!"

The other person must have talked too close to the microphone. It was so loud Riley had to put the phone away from his ears for a brief moment. But he still heard the secretary's plea. 

Puzzled, Riley clarified, "Me? Mr. Alex, I don't understand."

"Little Riley, I know how you have been avoiding Boss Draco. Please don't ask me how I knew. But since yesterday, the boss has been in a bad mood. Please, for the sake of every employee in Sy Business Empire, make up with the boss now! Wuhuhu. I have seen enough bodies getting carried out of the boss' office. And I know that this will get worst. Just now, the boss declared mandatory overtime. He was dissatisfied with every proposal and report presented to him. Even demanding everyone to work this weekend! Please, save us!"

Riley did not know what to say. How could his avoidance of Draco be related to the other man having a bad temper? It couldn't be right. Right? Mr. Alex must be mistaken.

"Mr. Alex, I… I don't think I would be any help."

"Just give it a try Little Riley. Boss Draco is on his way home now. Please talk to him. He listens to you. I don't know. Maybe ask him to go somewhere this weekend. Just please, help us."

"I don't know, Mr. Alex… I'm visiting the university tomorrow- "

"That's perfect! You should ask the boss to join you! That's it! Yeah. That would work."

The secretary was so excited with the idea Riley couldn't get a word in. All he could do was bite his lips, looking helpless as he listened to Alex go on and on about how great it would be if Riley could invite Draco to visit the school with him.

He attempted several times to reason with the secretary. But the other man was so hell-bent on not giving Riley a chance to refuse. Until the last minute and the call ended, Riley only got to say a word or two. And one of them seemed to be okay. It appeared he somewhat agreed with Alex's plan.

And that's how Riley ended up outside Draco's study an hour later. The man arrived a while ago and went directly to the study.

Riley was a bundle of nerves, gathering his courage before going in.

Well, he doesn't have a choice. Even if he chickened out at the last minute, he can't. Because standing just a few meters away is Dylan, there to make sure Riley keeps his promise.

Realizing he's just prolonging his agony. And that he cannot hide from Draco forever. It would be impossible, given they were living in the same house. Sooner or later, he had to face him.

After taking a few deep breaths, Riley knocked on the wooden door before he announced, "Draco, it's me, Riley. Can I talk to you?"

A moment later, Riley heard a come in. He turned the brass knob and pushed the door inward. Stepping into the room, Riley saw Draco sitting behind an ornate mahogany desk. He was looking at Riley, expressionless.

It made Riley the more nervous. He had to clutch the fabric of his shirt to calm his nerves. He did not know how to start.

Moistening his lips, Riley started to speak, "Uhm. Draco, are you busy? I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Hmmm? What about?" Draco asked, his steel grey eyes not straying for a second from Riley. His face is still unreadable.

However, Riley was still thankful the man did not mention anything related to his recent odd behavior.

Using the trick of looking just above the shoulder to avoid staring back at those piercing eyes, he explained his purpose to Draco.

"Uhm, well… S University has an open house tomorrow. I was wondering if maybe you could come with me? I wanted to check out the dorms and get familiar with the buildings before the semester starts."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes," Riley confirmed. Then with a shy smile, he added, "I was thinking... since it's the weekend, so maybe you could go with me…? Please?"

The silence that followed while waiting for Draco's decision was nerve-racking for Riley. And as the clock ticks away slowly and still no response. The boy's head started to droop, and his eyes dimmed. He sighed. It would seem he's about to suffer rejection.

Though it was never his plan to ask Draco, deep down inside, Riley wanted the man to come. Not just for the sake of helping Alex but also because he does enjoy the man's company.

Draco Sy is a very interesting man. He's like an enigma.

Feeling dejected, Riley was about to downplay his invitation to ease the rejection when he heard Draco say, "Okay."

Riley beamed upon hearing Draco's response. He was grinning from ear to ear. "Then it's a date!" he remarked before he could stop himself. Then immediately clarified in embarrassment after it dawned on him how misleading it was, "I… I m-mean date… like..."

"I know, Little Riley," Draco interjected, saving the boy from his pitiful attempt to clear up any misunderstanding, humor dancing in his eyes.

"Then I'll not bother you anymore." Turning around, Riley stepped towards the door but stopped to look back and tell Draco, "Oh, I forgot. Uncle Oliver said to remind you dinner will be served as scheduled."

"Alright. Go ahead. I need to finish a few things, then I'll follow."

Riley nodded. He came out of the study with a silly smile, happy to have finally jumped over the hurdle.

Dylan, who was on the lookout, understood at once that everything went well.

Inside the study, Draco was on the phone the moment Riley was out of the door. 

"Alex, dismiss everyone. I expect the reports to be on my desk Monday first thing in the morning."

"Then boss, tomorrow…?"

"It's the weekend, Alex. What do you expect? Work? How inconsiderate. Let everyone enjoy their rest day." Draco said in reprimand.

Dumbfounded, Alex felt unfairly chastised! Who was it, just hours ago, that declared mandatory overtime this weekend?! Now, he was the inconsiderate one?

But as always, Alex did not have the guts to say it and instead replied, "I understand, Boss Draco. I'll inform everyone at once. Have a great weekend."