Otto (begging for gifts, tips and votes)

Chapter 21

Otto

Such an innocent boy, not even at 18, yet you're already jeopardising his personal hygiene." Marco's godmother said, raising her legs once more, preparing for another strike

Marco quickly dashed out of there. With those fearsome kicks, only a fool will remain there.

But his godmother was relentless, not even showing the traits of an old person. She pursued him as soon as he ran.

As Marco turned back, he's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. her speed had already caught up to his. With pressure building, Marco could run with tears building in his eyes.

30 minutes had passed since Marco's Godmother started chasing him around the house, luckily with the intervention of otto

Marco could finally rest easy. They put the old woman to sleep after a few minutes.  "an old woman is scary," Marco thought, as he took a few steps back and watched his godmother sleeping on her bed.

Otto, by his side, looked at the old woman lovingly, "Grandma must have missed you a lot, uncle," he commented under his breath, but it didn't escape Marco's ears.

"Why do you say that?" Marco leaned down and whispered in the young boy's ear.

Otto was startled, he didn't expect Marco to be able to hear what he said, but he quickly recovered,

"Actually, uncle, after all these years of living with grandma, this the first time I saw her expend so much energy and move so fast,"

"She doesn't do things like this normally....." He paused for a bit before continuing.

"And for the first time, her smile looked sincere," Otto voice grew soft, a smile formed on his face, but

he suddenly remembered something, and his smile faded once again.

Marco's heart warmed as he heard the otto's comment. He looked at the young boy in front of him with interest.

Ever since he entered the house, he had noticed the boy but never found it important to know about him, but at this moment, it was different.

"Young lad, tell me about yourself. How did you meet my godmother?" Marco eyes formed cresents, trying to look as amicable as he can, but his imposing figure still startled Otto away.

With some distance in between, Otto finally started talking again, "Uncle, my name is Otto, I was an orphan on the street that Grandma....your godmother took in,"

"An orphan, huh? No wonder you act so much more mature than your peers," Marco intervened with a grin on his face, not being stingy with his praise

"Thank you, uncle." Otto smiled at Marco before continuing to reminisce

"Grandma told me she found me at the age of four, in the rain, skinny to the bone wih a high fever, she took me to her abode and prepared some porridge for me to eat."

"Mmhmm, sounds like something my godmother will do. She must have been very lonely after I left." Marco couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

"Days after she took me in, she started telling me stories, especially about you. She also talked about an illegitimate price almost as much as you, Uncle." Otto looked at Marco with a kind gaze.

"Oh, what kind of stories did she tell you? Can you remember,"

Just like that, a harmonious atmosphere was created. The young boy rambled on about stories he had been told by his grandma while the middle-aged man listened attentively, sometimes intervening,

They both related with each other easily, in the blink of an eye, time flew by and it was Midnight.

Marco looked at the 14 year old in front of him, satisfied by their long chat, but seeing the time he knew it was time to end it.

"Otto, it's time for you to go to sleep, we can continue our chat tomorrow." Marco had grown to like the boy in the short time that had passed.

Not only was he sensible, but he was quite ambitious too, Marco was led by the young boy into his room,

Seeing the room, Marco smiled. This was the exact same room he slept in when he was with his godmother. He didn't mind that otto was sleeping there.

Rather, he was relieved that the room was still in good shape. Just like that, otto laid on his bed, and Marco used a thick quilt to cover him.

Otto has been observing Marco from the start, and he had already found out that the middle-aged man in front of him was as kind as his grandma.

After tucking in the sheets, Marco was about to leave the room when he heard otto's voice faintly call out uncle.

"Otto, what is it? You don't want to sleep?" Marco asked softly, seemingly not wanting to be harsh on the young boy.

"Uncle is not that I don't want to sleep I just have a question." Otto mustered as much courage as he could, he wanted to ask the question that has been lingering on his mind.

"Then ask away, any questions you have, I promise I'll answer," Marco seeing that the problem wasn't that otto didn't want to sleep but rather a question, Marco wanted to know what question could be bothering otto like this.

"Uncle, when are you going with grandma," Otto hoped that it'll be a few days away but reality hit him hard.

"Honestly, my godmother chased me around the house yesterday, if I don't bring herto my villa tomorrow, then my life will probably be at risk," Marco said jokingly but to Otto this answer left him in demise.

"Uncle, is it only grandma that's going with you? What will happen to me? Will I be thorwn back to the street?" Otto stuttered as he talked. Otto couldn't hold his tears anymore. Sadness filled his heart.

Tears streamed down otto's face slowly, he's eyes had already begun reddening.

Marco, hearing the series of questions, suddenly realized what kept Otto awake. He wanted to comfort Otto, but the young boy's tears were already overflowing,

Marco looked at the scene a misunderstanding has caused.

Who knew that this young 14 year old will be facing a mental burden of abandonment ever since he came.

Marco couldnt help but think back to the chat he had with Otto, both of them relating easily, apart from the smiles that quickly faded from he's face, not once did otto show a sign of a mental burden.

Taking in a deep breath, Marco tried mak8ng his tone of voice as comforting as possible.

"Otto, who said you're not coming with us? Right from the start I've always included you in the plan,"

"You're already my godmother grandson and my nephew. Why won't I carry family to my villa,"

Otto heart warmed when he heard Marco's comment, a man he knew for less than a day was already calling him family,

Otto didn't find this weird but sincere. He looked at the smile on Marco's face, cleaned the tears on his face and smiled back

"Thank you, Uncle" Otto said with a smile, he thought Marco might abandoned him or even his grandma but he was just overthinking.

"Just don't cry anymore, if you're going thorugh something like that again, just ask." Marco maintained his amicable act

"Goodnight, Uncle. I can sleep now," he said as he blew the candle that lit his room.

"Good night Otto, sleep tight, tomorrow we'll be moving to your uncles house and though he's not conscious right now, you'll probably be able to make a new friend there"

Marco said while thinking about Jarvis, the young lad he swore to serve.

Early in the morning....