Eryx clenched his fist in frustration, but he kept his emotions in check, knowing Alan was just a child.
"Dad, you didn't wake me up. I just want to go home," Alan said, hugging his father tightly. Braylon felt torn, wanting to stay with his son but faced with a new case he needed to address. His heart ached at the thought of leaving Alan alone.
"Braylon, you should stay with him. He's still recovering, and he needs you," Alex said, his voice softening. "We can handle the new case. You stay by his side." He gave Braylon a reassuring pat on the back.
"We'll discuss the case later. For now, we don't even know if it's a prank or something real," Eryx said as he got up from his chair and walked out. He was enchanted by his son's cuteness and couldn't bear to see him upset, though he stubbornly masked his feelings behind his stern demeanor.
"Look at him; he still cares about you. Why don't you try to reconcile this time?" Alex suggested.
Reconciliation? Braylon wondered if he could truly accept someone who had always seemed so distant and unapproachable, someone who, in his eyes, had seemed more like a distant, uncaring figure. He feared that Eryx might see him as weak or be ashamed of their past issues. Even though Braylon understood Eryx's nature, he felt insecure about revealing the truth, unsure if Eryx could ever truly accept him.
"It's still too early, Alex. Don't worry; I'm not so weak as to let my love slip away," Braylon said with a bright smile, leaving Alex stunned. He barely recognized the Braylon of the past in this confident and assertive man. Despite his amazement, Alex was relieved to see Braylon handling the situation well.
"Then I'll be on my way," Braylon said. "If he asks about me, just tell him I left with Alan." He picked up Alan and carried him in his arms, while holding his belongings with his other hand.
As Braylon exited the office with Alan, he was unaware that someone was watching him. Eryx observed from a distance, feeling a pang of emotion whenever he saw the child. There was an undeniable connection, a bond that made his heart flutter whenever he saw Alan.
At Night
After finishing work, Alex joined Eryx and went to his villa. He was still troubled by his unrequited love for Revilla, even though she was in a relationship. Yet, he felt he now had the chance to pursue her.
By the time they arrived home, it was already eight o'clock. They were surprised to find Revilla in the garden. Eryx, sensing the moment was Alex's, went inside the house to give him privacy. Alex hesitated for a moment before approaching her.
"Revilla…" he called softly.
She turned, brushing away her tears. Despite her sadness, she didn't want to show her vulnerability to anyone, not even to her friends who were like family to her. She managed a pained smile, which only deepened Alex's concern. He sat beside her quietly, allowing her to lean on his shoulder as they shared a silent, comforting moment.
He wrapped his arms around her, and the warmth of his embrace was too much for her to bear. Overwhelmed, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer and began to sob uncontrollably as Alex gently patted her back. It was all he could do in that moment. She had loved him with all her heart, but the person who had stood by her during tough times had revealed himself to be someone she couldn't accept—a total pervert. How could she come to terms with that?
"It's okay, don't cry," Alex murmured softly, rubbing her shoulder in comfort. She clung to him, letting her tears flow freely in his embrace. Though Alex was naturally a jealous type, seeing Revilla so heartbroken made his own feelings take a backseat. Revilla had been blind to his affections, choosing to stay with someone who had ultimately let her down. By being with a "stone," she had lost a "gem."
As she wept, she suddenly felt warmth on her other side. Eryx had joined them, handing each of them a cup of coffee while holding his own. They sat together in the chilly night air, the warm coffee offering some solace. It was almost perfect—except for the absence of Braylon. They all felt his absence keenly, though none of them would admit it.
"Thank you, guys. I'm so grateful to have you by my side," Revilla said, wiping away her tears as she gazed at the night sky, twinkling with stars like crystals. Both Eryx and Alex nodded in silent agreement.
"Let's go inside. It's really cold out here," Eryx suggested, getting up from the bench and starting to walk away. But he was stopped by Alex's voice.
"At least give him a chance, Eryx. He's all alone. I can't stand to see him in such a miserable state," Alex said, his words heavy with concern. Eryx paused, clearly affected by what Alex had said.
"Trying to fix a relationship that's meant to fall apart is absurd," Eryx replied, his voice cold as he turned and walked away. Alex understood the deeper meaning behind those words. Eryx wasn't just talking about someone else—he was also referring to Alex's situation. Eryx's words were sharp, but there was truth in them. Sometimes, though, the only way to know is by giving it a try.
Both Alex and Revilla followed Eryx inside, the memories of their carefree college days heavy on their minds. They wished they could freeze time at those moments when life felt simpler and full of promise. As Alex watched Revilla walk ahead, he couldn't help but feel a surge of love and concern for her. She was still unaware of how deeply he cared for her, and he didn't know about the physical injury she carried, making his feelings even more complicated.
Eryx busied himself with cooking, and Alex and Revilla assisted him, though their thoughts were elsewhere. They all felt the absence of Braylon—friend, brother, and love. If Braylon were here, he would have taken over the cooking without a second thought, ensuring everything was perfect without even asking for help. They were worried about him, knowing how difficult it must be to raise a child alone. What they didn't realize, however, was just how alone Braylon really was.
In Braylon's Apartment
After coming home, Braylon prepared dinner for Alan, who wasn't in the best of health. It was important for Alan to eat properly and take his medication on time. Despite his recent illness, Alan was happy just to have his dad with him. His fever and seizures had been brought on by missing his father, a reminder of how much Alan needed Braylon close.
"Alan… come and eat…" Braylon called out as he set the table. Alan ran to the dining table, his face lit up with a bright smile, a smile that was just like his dad's—just like Eryx's. In Alan, Braylon could see so much of Eryx. The simple things that brought Alan joy reminded him of Eryx, and it made Braylon smile without realizing it. But the joy was short-lived, as a sharp pain pierced his heart. Eryx's coldness was something he had never fully experienced until now, and it hurt more than he expected.
The sound of the chair scraping against the floor brought Braylon back to reality. Alan had already taken his seat. Braylon served the food and sat across from him, feeling a wave of hesitation. He wanted to talk to his son, to connect with him, but the fear of triggering another fever or seizure held him back. Braylon's worry weighed heavily on him, leaving him unsure of how to bridge the gap between them.
"Alan… I want to tell you something…" Braylon finally said, his voice gentle but serious.
"Yeah, Dad?" Alan looked up at him, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Actually, I might not be able to stay with you for a few days. I don't know exactly when I'll be back. So, can you stay with your aunt for a little while?" Braylon's concern for Alan's health was evident in his tone. Alan's expression immediately turned sad, and the look on his face pierced Braylon's heart.
"But Dad… you said you'd stay with me… why all of a sudden?" Alan asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"I'm sorry, dear… This came up unexpectedly. I didn't see it coming," Braylon explained, trying to soften the blow. "Once this work is finished, I'll take some time off, and we can go out together. But until then, you'll need to stay with Aunt Zaneta and be on your best behavior, okay?" Braylon tried to reassure him, hoping to ease his son's sadness.
Alan hesitated for a moment but then smiled brightly, trusting his father's words.
"Then promise me... You'll take me to the park and the amusement park. Then I'll behave," Alan demanded with a bright smile. Braylon was taken aback. How considerate his son was. Alan could sense the stress his father was under from work. He didn't want to trouble his dad. Even though he longed for his father's presence, he understood the sacrifices Braylon was making to raise him.
"I promise," Braylon replied.
"Then I'm going to bed, Dad," Alan said as he jumped off the chair and headed to his room.
"Don't forget to take your medicine before you sleep!" Braylon called after him.
"Okay, Dad…" Alan shouted back. Braylon sighed with relief.