Events at the Park

'Do I want to be a celebrity?'

Antonio mulled over that question.

In his past life, there is one thing that he really regretted the most.

It was his career choice.

Before he started writing a book, a lot of agencies actually tried to recruit him, but he turned them down because his girlfriend doesn't want him to become a star.

However, years later when he was already a well-known author, his girlfriend told him that she got scouted as an actress and that she has already signed a contract with the agency.

He can't help but feel bitter during that time because who wouldn't?

He asked for her opinion when agencies were scouting him but when it's her turn, all he got from her was news about her making a decision without even asking his opinion.

As the two of them became busy with each of their works, their relationship became dull with his girlfriend always trying to start an argument with him whenever they met.

And sooner, on a night when he was planning to surprise her at her apartment, he found out that his girlfriend, whom he treated as his world, was having fun with a middle aged actor on her bed.

During that time, he felt like his whole world is falling apart … and without realizing it, he made an irrational decision which was committing a suicide.

Thinking about it right now, he can't help but sigh at his past self.

'I could have just broken up with her back then and made a rise as an actor too, why didn't I think of that before?'

He pondered and then sighed.

Christopher, who has been waiting for Antonio's answer the whole time can't wait anymore.

"Yoyo? Do you actually want to be a celebrity?"

Christopher asked, making Antonio snap out of his deep thought.

"Hm, will you let me if that's what I want, Dad?"

Antonio asked back.

He really wasn't sure if he really wanted to set foot in the entertainment world, he just wanted to know if his family would allow him if he were to pursue that career.

"If that's what will make you happy, why not?"

Christopher answered in a very affirmative manner.

"Oh, really?!"

Antonio can't help but be surprised at his father's reply.

Even Lawrence and Mikhall were shocked, after all, they knew how much Christopher cherished his son very much.

"Of course, you should pursue whatever your heart wants."

Christopher said as he raised his hands to softly pat Antonio's head.

"That's right, that's right! Do that so that there will be no regrets later on."

Lawrence added to Christopher's statement while nodding his head.

For some reason, Antonio felt like the two adults were saying these statements not just to his present self, but to his past self as well.

He smiled at them before continuing to gobble his food.

After they ate, Antonio suddenly felt a serious atmosphere surrounding Christopher and Lawrence.

'Ah, they must be ready to start talking about business matters right now.'

Antonio concluded as he stood up from his seat.

"Dad, can I go and take a stroll around the park across from here?"

He asked.

Christopher stared at him with a worrying gaze as he didn't want Antonio to go walking around outside while alone.

'What if someone kidnaps him?'

He grimly thought and tried to come up with words on how to reply to Antonio without disappointing him.

Just then, Mikhall spoke as well.

"I'll also go and take a stroll outside with Yoyo, Dad."

Mikhall said to Lawrence, who just nodded his head and smiled at his son in a meaningful way.

Upon hearing that, Christopher immediately nodded to Antonio and said in a very gentle tone.

"Sure, just don't go too far."

Antonio smiled brightly as he spoke.

"Then, we'll be leaving, Dad and Uncle Rence!"

Then, the two young men quickly left the room, only leaving the two adults who instantly wore serious expressions on their faces.

"There is a slight problem, Chris."

Lawrence spoke as he passed a flash drive to his friend's hand.

. . .

"Don't you have any class today, Brother Mikey?"

Antonio asked Mikhall as they walked toward the park.

"Uhm, I skipped them as I decided to accompany my father for the day."

Mikhall lied.

Well, he's not really lying as he really accompanied his father, but that's not the reason why he skipped his class.

Still, he doesn't want Antonio to think that he was absent in his school just because of his mood.

He doesn't want to leave a bad impression on him.

He stared at Antonio, who was walking beside him with a bright expression.

He can't help but feel his heart jumping in joy at the presence of the younger man.

"Even if it's late, congratulations on waking up from a coma, Yoyo."

Mikhall smiled as he looked as he uttered those words.

Antonio gaze at him for a while before opening his mouth.

"Thanks, Brother Mikey! By the way, you look really handsome when you smile, Brother."

Antonio said as he continued to stare at the man's face.

Mikhall felt his cheeks burning hot so he said shyly as he turned his gaze away.

"Really?"

"You didn't know? Has nobody told you that before?"

Antonio asked confusedly.

"No one told me that before."

Mikhall answered honestly, making Antonio's eyes widened in disbelief.

'With that handsome face of his? Nobody complimented his smile?'

What Mikhall said is actually true.

No one has ever complimented his smile before.

That's because he never smiled at anyone before.

Within his circle of friends, they know he is in a fine mood if his eyebrows aren't wrinkled, but they haven't really seen him smile yet.

While his family, who rarely see his smile, complimented him but they do it inside their mind.

"Then, now you know."

Mikhall listened to Antonio and his smile became even bigger.

"Thanks for the compliment … you're also very…"

Mikhall said but paused when he realized something.

'Oh no, what should I say? It's not like I can say he is handsome when his face is very pretty?'

Mikhall deliberated as he looked fixedly at Antonio, who was waiting for him to continue to speak.

"You're very good-looking, Yoyo."

He immediately said while feeling satisfied with himself as he quickly came up with a gender-neutral term to describe someone's face.

He then saw Antonio beaming before they continued walking again.

As they arrived at the crowded area inside the park, someone bumped into Antonio and because his body is still weak, he wobbled and is now at the verge of falling face-flat to the ground.

 But before that could happen, Mikhall immediately hugged his waist and supported him to properly stand back up.

"Are you okay?"

Mikhall worriedly asked.

"I'm fine Brother Mikey, thanks to you."

Antonio replied with a grateful smile.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!"

The person who bumped Antonio sincerely apologized while bowing.

"It's fine, don't worry about it."

Antonio smiles at the person, but beside him, Mikhall is glaring intensely toward the man.

"How about we go sit there for a while, Yoyo?"

Mikhall muttered while pointing at a bench.

He worried that Antonio must have been hurt on that bump.

"Sure."

As they sat at the bench, Antonio's eyes can't help but linger on the colorful cotton candies being sold in front of them.

"Do you want one?"

Mikhall inquired when he noticed Antonio not looking away from the stall.

"Yeah, I wanna try it but I forgot to bring money with me."

Antonio replied while pouting.

Mikhall subconsciously chuckled and without realizing it, his hands had already flown and landed on Antonio's cheeks to pinch it.

Squeeze.

'How soft.'

He thought as his fingers pinched Antonio's cheeks.

Antonio, whose cheeks are suddenly being pinched, looks at Mikhall with moistened eyes.

He couldn't help it since he felt his cheeks hurting.

'Cute … I want to bite him.'

Mikhall thought as he gazed at Antonio's teary eyes.

"Brother Mikey?"

He called out to the man, who looked so delighted while pinching his cheeks.

"Ah … sorry … I didn't mean to pinch you that hard, Yoyo."

Mikhall immediately apologized as soon as he snapped out of his impulsiveness.

He felt embarrassed about what he just did so he stood up and said while looking at the cotton candy shop.

"Right! You want cotton candy, right? I'll buy you one as an apology, so please stay here for a while."

He said and dashed into the cotton candy shop across from them.

Antonio, who was left alone at the bench, rubbed his cheeks while feeling confused.

"Why did he pinch me?"

He muttered as he looked at his surroundings.

The area where he was sitting is shaded and the air in the park is quite refreshing.

There are people here and there enjoying the stalls around the park, with most of them being couples.

As he continued to observe his surroundings, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Yoyo?"

He turned his head and instantly smiled when he saw a familiar man.

"Brother Yuji!"

He uttered in a jolly tone, making Yuji beamed with happiness.

"At first I had my doubts since you're alone, did that brother of yours go somewhere else for a while?"

Yuji inquired as he sat beside Antonio.

"Ah no, my dad is inside the restaurant across from us and I'm strolling here in the park with Brother Mikey."

Yuji's eyebrow arched when he heard an unfamiliar name.

He can't see anyone accompanying Antonio right now.

'Don't tell me that Mikey bastard left our innocent Yoyo all alone in this crowded place? Imma beat that punk.'

"Brother Mikey? Who's that?"

He asked.

"He's the son of one of dad's closest friends—by the way, are you here with your girlfriend, Brother Yuji?"

Antonio curiously stared at him, making him laugh awkwardly.

"Haha … I actually came here with my younger brother but for some reason, he vanished from my sight."

"Then, shouldn't we be searching for him now? It's quite dangerous for kids to be alone in this place, Brother Yuji."

Antonio said in a very concerned voice.

Yuji scratched his cheek as he replied.

"Oh, he isn't a kid anymore—he's around your age."

That statement made Antonio calm down, however, he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong about Yuji's reaction to his brother disappearing.

"Shouldn't you be looking for him or try calling him?"

He suggested, but Yuji just sighed.

"Well, our relationship isn't really that good to exchange numbers with one another … that's why I can't call him."

Upon hearing that, Antonio can't help but feel pity toward Yuji.

At that moment, Mikhall arrived with a stick of cotton candy in his hand.

"Here, Yoyo."

He handed the cotton candy to Antonio.

"Thanks, Brother Mikey!"

Antonio gratefully accepted it and started consuming it.

Meanwhile, Mikhall stared coldly at the man sitting beside Antonio, Yuji.

Yuji also did the same.

'Mikhall Grimmer? What is this emotionless kid doing with Yoyo?'

'Yuji from FujiTek? Why is that bastard sitting closely and chatting with Yoyo?'

They simultaneously thought as they stared at each other.

"Brother Yuji, this is Brother Mikey … I mean, Mikhall … Brother Mikey, this is Brother Yuji."

Antonio introduced to one another as he noticed the two men having a staring contest.

"Hello."

Yuji greeted Mikhall, who just nodded at him while taking a seat at the other side of Antonio.

"This is delicious, Brother Mikey! Here, try this."

Antonio muttered as he shoved a small piece of the cotton candy to Mikhall's mouth.

Mikhall opened his mouth and ate it.

'Too sweet.'

He thought as he licked his lips that was touched by Antonio's fingers.

He looked at Antonio and smiled dotingly upon seeing that Antonio seems to be waiting for his comment.

"Yes, it's delicious."

At the same time, Yuji who was watching the two's interaction raised his eyebrows when he saw Mikhall's gaze toward Antonio.

Then, he noticed Antonio turning to him and shoving a piece of cotton candy before his mouth.

"Would you like to have a taste too, Brother Yuji?"

For some reason, he felt like he shouldn't because a certain man on the other side of Antonio is glaring daggers at him.

However, as a person who doesn't want to disappoint Antonio's expectant look, he quickly bites the thing being fed to him and brilliantly grins at Antonio.

"It's very delicious, Yoyo."

He said happily while glancing at Mikhall whose glare that was directed to him became more intense.

'Ah Alden! Your brother seems to have attracted a wild beast here … I don't know what to do to save him, please come and protect your brother quickly!'

He screamed inside his mind, hoping that the heavens would deliver his thoughts to his best friend.