After Riley had disappeared into the shadows of narrow alley, Liam turned toward his brother.
" Brother, let's go home."
Ethan started the engine and they left the dilapidated neighborhood behind. For a few minutes, the only sound was the clicking of the turn signal.
" When did you become friends?" Ethan asked, his thoughtful gaze fixed on Liam through rearview mirror.
" With who? Riley." Liam replied, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed out the window. "We met tonight and just... clicked. It's hard to explain. So, I asked him to be my friend."
Liam turned toward Ethan, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "Why? Is something wrong?" There was a flicker of something unreadable in Liam's expression—a brief departure from his usual cheerful self.
" No. You never make friend on the first meeting."
"Do I?" Liam frowned. "I just… kind of liked him at first sight. He looked pretty."
Ethan raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"No, wait! That came out wrong. I didn't mean it that way," Liam added, sounding frustrated. "I like him as a friend. Nothing else. I'm not gay, Brother. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes," Ethan said, a rare, amused tug appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Phewwww." Liam released a heavy sigh, leaning back into the leather.
" Now," Ethan continued his voice turning stern, "are you going to explain, what were you doing at the bar?"
" Oh, about that," Liam lied confidentially, leaning on his acting skills. " I just stumbled in there by accident. I didn't know it was a that kind of place."
Silence followed. The streetlights flickered across Ethan's face.
"Brother.... Do you believe me?" After a long pause, Liam asked again, his confidence wavering.
Ethan ignored the question, replying simply." Be careful, next time."
Liam wanted to push further, but seeing the unreadable look in Ethan's eyes, he bit his tongue.
Since he had escaped a lecture this easily, there was no point in digging a deeper hole for himself.
The rest of the drive was spent in silence as the scenery shifted from cracked pavement to manicured lawns. The car passed through a heavy iron gate and entered an exclusive estate. Luxury mansions, each more imposing than the last, lined the private road.
They stopped in front of a massive three-story estate that stood out even among its wealthy neighbors. A security guard stepped forward immediately to open the car door. Ethan handed the keys to a guard and, noticing no movement from the back, opened Liam's door.
Liam was fast asleep, his head tilted at an awkward angle against the window. Ethan sighed, reached in, and lifted his younger brother with practiced ease. He strode into the mansion, passing through the marble-floored hallway and up to the second floor.
As he reached the long upstairs corridor, he spotted a shadow sneaking toward a door next to Liam's room.
"Noah." Ethan called out softly .
"Aaaaa."
Noah let out a strangled yelp, spinning around so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet.
" Brother, it's you. You scared me; I thought it was Mom."
Noah relaxed visibly, leaning against the wall.
"Are you just getting back from the office? You're late today."
Seeing Ethan carrying Liam, his eyes went wide.
"Wait, is that Liam?. Why is he with you? Was he out late ? Did you pick him up? Does Mom know?"
Ethan ignored the barrage of questions and carried Liam into his room, placing him gently on the bed. Noah followed them in, hovering like a curious bird.
" Why are you coming home so late?" Ethan asked, turning the table.
That shut Noah immediately.
" Liam, eat something light before you go back to sleep." Ethan said to the "sleeping" Liam. Then he turned toward Noah. "Noah, go get some food from the kitchen."
" Me?" Noah pointed at his own chest. "The kitchen is all the way downstairs!"
" Go."
Getting a cold statre from Ethan Noah, grumbled and turned toward the door." Fine, fine. But he is sleeping. How is he even going to eat."
Once Noah was gone, Ethan looked at the bed.
" Get up."
The figure under the covers didn't move.
"...."
" I know you're awake."
Right then, Liam's stomach let out a long, betraying growl. Liam sat up, his face turning bright red in the dim light.
Why did my stupid stomach have to ruin my performance? Liam thought bitterly. Now he's going to start the interrogation again.
" How did you know, I was awake?" Liam mumbled.
" From the start. I'm going to my room. Make sure you eat something."
Ethan said. He didn't push for more answers; instead, he reached out and patted Liam's messy hair before walking out.
Ethan entered his own suite, removed his coat, and loosened his tie. He picked up his phone and dialed his secretary. The call was picked up on the third ring, a flustered voice answering from the other end.
"Yes, Sir! How can I help you at this hour?"
"I want you to find every piece of information available on a boy named Riley Blake," Ethan ordered, his voice like flint. "You have three days."
He ended the call without waiting for a reply.
Back in Liam's room, Noah returned with a tray carrying two steaming plates of fried rice. "You're awake! I knew you were faking."
" Why were you with Big brother? Did you two go somewhere together behind our back?" Noah asked, hopping onto the edge of bed.
" Why should I tell you?" Liam retorted, pulling the tray closer.
" Hey, give me some respect. I'm older than you." Noah said, though his pout made him look the same as Liam. "Does Mom know you were out ?"
" No. At least I was with big brother . Unlike someone." Liam countered.
" I couldn't sleep. So, I was taking a stroll. "
" Heh. You were strolling outside in those clothes like anyone would believe it. You don't even change out of your sleepwear unless Mom force you to."
"Hey, I am not that lazy.I was .... with Friends."
" I wonder how Mom would react after knowing that her son was out with friends until 2 a.m."
Noah froze, then leaned in with a nervous grin. "Little Brother, here have some fried rice.Do you need a soda? Let's make a deal. If you don't say anything to Mom, I'll keep my mouth shut about you and brother Ethan tonight."
"You've got yourself a deal," Liam said, reaching for a fork. "Now, go eat in your own room."
"Yes, little brother!" Noah stood up, laughing as he dodged the cushion Liam threw at his head. "Goodnight!"
"Idiot," Liam mumbled, but he smiled as he ate.
Once he finished, Liam washed up and changed into his pajamas. As he lay in the dark, his mind drifted back to the boy at the police station.
He really exist. His hair... it's the exact same shade as Grandma's and uncle's. But I couldn't see his eyes properly behind those thick glasses. Are they lavender like grandma's as mentioned in the novel or blue like the rest? He doesn't look like the rest of us, but he feels... familiar.
Liam couldn't think much longer. His exhaustion finally won, and he drifted off into a deep sleep.