Bull’s Eye Behind His Back

Dinner that night was a revelation for Leo. He watched the uncle he thought was a block of ice actively engage the guy Riley in a conversation: smiling while serving and picking food for him. He treated the guy with care and attention he had never seen before. It was a sight to behold. And he was not used to it.

Leo's open-mouthed expression lasted for almost the entire duration of the meal. Was the man in front of him really his Uncle Draco? It was too hard to believe if he had not been present to witness it himself.

The mighty Draco Sy was acting like a besotted man courting the love of his life!

Leo watched as Riley gave his uncle a sweet smile. Eyes narrowed, he bit a chunk of the spicy drumstick Uncle Oliver had especially requested the cook to prepare for him. He tried to look but could not find anything special about the guy.

Fine. Leo could say that Riley looked handsome, young, and sweet. Except his uncle has been around other individuals way more attractive, charming, and sophisticated. 

Over the years, there had been many who attempted to get his uncle's attention. Compared to them, Riley was just plain. Ordinary. He could not understand what his uncle saw in the guy that set him apart from the others who had tried before.

But the guy must be hiding something under that innocent face. For someone to melt all that glacier of ice his uncle had surrounded himself for years, he's definitely anything but simple. 

Leo simply could not figure it out for now.

He must have been staring at Riley for a while, which caught his uncle's notice. A moment later, he heard his uncle call out his name.

Startled, Leo turned to his uncle. "Huh?"

All throughout dinner, his uncle had been treating him like air. He knew he was there but chose to ignore him. It was nothing unusual. Anyway, Leo did not mind. In fact, not being obliged to join the conversation allowed him to observe the interaction between the two. He was absentminded. Thus, he was unprepared when his uncle called him.

With a flash of darkness in his gaze, Draco admonished his nephew. 

"Why are you spacing out?" 

It came out harsher than he intended. It's because he was still thinking about his beef with the kid a few hours ago and could not let it go. The uncle and nephew have yet to settle it.

Leo, sensing the underlying warning in his uncle's words, hurriedly swallowed the piece of chicken he was chewing. Based on his uncle's attitude, his survival in the next few weeks hung in the balance. Thus, he must not aggravate his mood. 

"Uh, nothing, uncle. The spicy chicken was so delicious. I was only thinking of thanking Uncle Oliver and the cook later. You know... They prepared this knowing it's my favorite." 

Leo easily sprouted lies. Then he smiled happily, picking up the drumstick for a big bite to attest his words.

However, due to his agitation, he must have swallowed it too quickly and ended up choking. He let out a series of pained coughs. His eyes started to water, and his face turned red. The spicy food was burning his throat. Hammering his chest, Leo lunged for the glass of water but found it empty.

Riley, upon witnessing Leo's struggle, immediately came to his rescue. He picked up his own glass and handed Leo the water, lightly tapping his back to ease the coughing.

Grateful, Leo grabbed the glass and took a swig of the water. Soon his body began to loosen in relief. He turned to Riley and said his thanks. Then he moved away from the other guy's hand, rubbing his back. It was the truth that the close proximity made him feel uncomfortable.

Riley was not offended at all. Brows knitted with concern, he remarked, "It's fine. Are you okay now? Eat slowly next time."

Leo hummed in response. His voice still hoarse, he reassured Riley. Again, Leo tried to put a wider distance. He leaned away to do so. Riley was bending too close to him, which made him nervous. 

Also, the hairs on his back were standing. Even without looking back, Leo knew his uncle was sending him daggers through his eyes. He could sense the dark intent. He feared for his life.

After the second time he moved away, Riley finally caught on to the boy's unease. "Alright." He told him. He smiled and went back to his seat.

Draco had been silent the whole time. Riley peeked at him to gauge his expression. He found him staring in the direction of Leo, his brows furrowed. Riley followed his gaze, puzzled. Draco was looking at the glass in Leo's hand. It was actually his glass. Riley was in a hurry to give Leo water and handed him his own.

Leo soon noticed the stares. Confused, he too, followed his uncle's gaze. And realizations instantly hit him.

"Oh! Sorry, Riley. Here's your glass." Leo wanted to stretch his arm across to hand the glass. Riley also started to reach for it. However, they were both stopped by Draco's firm rebuttal.

"No."

"Huh?" Both boys stared at the older man in confusion.

"No need. You already drank from it. Why are you handing it back to Riley?"

"It's fine. I don't really mind," Riley said. And he meant it. He was not sensitive about things like that.

However, Draco insisted. He could not let Riley drink from the same glass another man had already used, even if that other man was his nephew. It bothers Draco to think it was kind of an indirect kiss. The reason was childish. But Draco had to insist. So, he called Butler Oliver. 

"Oliver, bring Riley another glass of water."

Leo's eyelid twitched. His uncle was so obnoxious. For god's sake, it was just a glass! A freaking glass! They were all men and should not be over concern with sharing drinks. Right? But his uncle had to make a big deal out of it. Come on! It was like he was stealing something precious.

"He was the one who handed it to me… he might even have drunk from it already. But did I make a fuss?" Leo muttered under his breath.

"Were you saying something?" his uncle asked him. His face is stony and cold as ever.

"Nothing." 

Leo, disgruntled, looked at his uncle with resentment, then at Riley. He did not believe that the guy had only pure intentions toward his uncle. He needed to unmask him and show his uncle the guy's true face.

And Leo just knew what he had to do.

Hiding a mischievous smile, Leo resumed eating his favorite spicy chicken with gusto.

Across the table, the unknowing target- Riley, had no idea that a bull's eye was placed on his back.

Will he survive unscathed? It was something that remained to be seen.