The final exam was just around the corner, and Ederic was busy preparing. He had done well in all his exams so far, but the last one always seemed a bit dull. After this, though, he'd finally get a month-long break and then move up to the next grade. His excitement and happiness were palpable, but he was so engrossed in his studies that he didn't really notice what was happening around him. Spending all his days in his room, it was hard for him to catch anything going on outside.Just two days before his last exam, Ederic was in his room, studying away. It had been over four hours since he'd seen his mother; usually, she'd come by to check on him, but today she hadn't, which left him feeling a bit strange.It was at that moment that he caught a series of noises from outside. Instead of locking his door, he had it slightly ajar to catch any distant sounds. Even with the commotion, he didn't have the luxury to pay much attention. He needed to focus on his studies - the sooner he finish
"E... Eomma..." Ederic's voice wavered, choked with emotion. His mother remained unconscious, the rhythmic beeping of the ICU monitor the only sound that broke the heavy silence, emphasizing the tension in the room.His mother was working, when she felt a sudden tightness in her chest that led to her collapse on the floor. Aaron and Mrs Alit had been present during that incident. Mrs Alit wasted no time in getting her to the hospital, while Aaron was instructed, to bring Ederic along. the true reason concealed from Ederic. Mrs Alit informed Mr Alit about Ederic's mother's condition on the way to the hospital.The elder found it difficult to call Ederic, but eventually, the younger boy come out of the room. With a firm but gentle grip, Aaron led him out of the mansion, understanding that the truth couldn't be avoided any longer.Ederic's mother had been battling a heart condition, and her health had taken a sharp downturn. Her determination to hold onto her son was evident, yet the fig
Before the burial, Ederic's mom's body was washed. After cleansing, the body is dressed. The body was placed in a casket where it was displayed on a covered stand known as a catafalque. The person's hands are crossed on top of the chest.The funeral service is to be held in a church, the priest or minister enters first. The casket was carried by pallbearers and the family members follow.Everyone there for the funeral was wearing a black suit to indicate their condolences to the family members. Prayers are read and hymns are sung.Friends and family members say their final goodbyes. This may include placing flowers in the casket. A small amount of dirt was placed on the casket as well.Standing next to Ryan, Ederic held his hand in a tight grip. The pain of saying goodbye to his mother was unbearable, causing him speechless, just like the day before when she had passed away. It had been only one day since her departure, but it felt like an eternity. The weight of her absence choked hi
Ryan stepped into the room, flicking on the light with one hand and balancing a plate in the other. He shut the door behind him using his leg and caught a faint whimper from the corner of the bed.His gaze swept the space and landed on the younger figure, huddled on the floor in a protective embrace. Without hesitation, Ryan approached, placing the plate gently on the nearby table.Between the table and the bed sat Ederic, his tears flowing freely. He struggled to catch his breath amidst sobs, a heavy weight in the room. Ryan reached out, his touch a comforting presence on the younger man's shoulder, coaxing him from his cocooned world."Ederic," Ryan's voice was soft and full of concern. Ederic turned his head, meeting the elder's gaze. His eyes, a reddened hue resembling ripe tomatoes, bore evidence of relentless tears. A testament to the fact that his emotional release had been ongoing since his return to the room.The elder tenderly wiped away the younger man's tears, his broad pa
Another two days had come and gone. Aaron's school exams had concluded, marking the end of his academic journey. These days would be etched into his memory, the ghost of Ederic's mother haunting him. His condition was even more pitiable than Ederic's. The intensity of his dark circles and the pallor of his face spoke of sleepless nights and deep distress.With the weekend's arrival, Ryan made his way to check on Ederic. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Alit refrained from entering his room. Knocking only resulted in the sound of objects clattering to the floor, a clear signal of his anger and frustration towards them.Standing outside the door, Ryan was met by a pleading Mrs. Alit, her desperation evident. She implored him to intervene and coax Ederic out, as the younger man had refused to eat for more than two days. It was a plea born of genuine concern for her son's well-being."Ederic... It's me, Ryan... Open the door," Ryan's knuckles rapped gently on the door, while Mrs. Alit discreetly r
Ederic stayed quiet the whole time, listening closely to Ryan's words. This kid was really attentive. After his mother, Ryan was the only one who could rein in this little tiger cub."Eomma..." Ederic softly murmured, his face filled with sorrow. Ryan was taken aback. Did he just say 'Eomma'? Ryan sensed the depth of his sadness, but he knew he had a life too. Being cooped up within four walls wasn't a real solution."Hyung, I'm gonna go... Don't worry. I'll behave," Ederic managed a smile despite his pain. Ryan pulled him into a warm hug. Someone observed from upstairs – none other than Aaron. There was a kind of emptiness he felt when Ederic agreed to go abroad.One week laterSeven days passed, and Ederic appeared more normal, focusing on his tasks without much talk. He mostly hung around in his mom's room, though not like before. At times, he strolled through the garden to recharge himself.Mr. Alit had already sorted out a passport and visa for Ederic. Since the visa was for a st
Three and a half years had passed, and everything was different. Perhaps..."Ederic, your phone keeps ringing. Are you going to answer it or not?" Jasver entered the younger boy's room with a vexed expression. Ederic, however, was fixated on his phone, his face displaying confusion. Should he answer it or not? His thoughts were interrupted by Jasver's voice as he shook Ederic, causing him to startle with a heavy gasp. Until that moment, Ederic had been entirely unaware of his surroundings."Ed... I've been trying to talk to you.""Hyung... I'm sorry, I just zoned out," he politely apologized. Ederic was impressively obedient in front of Jasver, even though he could be somewhat brusque with others. Jasver understood this aspect of his personality and couldn't seem to change it. He glanced at the phone's screen to see who was calling, letting out a small sigh before shifting his attention back to Ederic."Hyung..." Ederic locked his mobile and met Jasver's concerned gaze. He lowered his
Ederic's nervousness remained, and despite his desire to be strong, he always felt a sense of weakness around Aaron."Come back home for your birthday," Aaron's request hung in the air. Ederic's silence lingered for a moment. Since he had moved to the US, Ederic hadn't returned home to celebrate his birthday. He had even ignored their calls altogether."Hyung..." Ederic hesitated. He truly didn't want to go back home, but it was the first time Aaron had called him. How could he refuse?"You should come home.""I will," Ederic replied, his tone slightly desperate. Aaron's voice held a touch of assertiveness. Ederic wished for a gentler tone from Aaron, but it seemed he couldn't receive that from the elder."Then I'm hanging up," Aaron announced before ending the call.Ederic's heart raced, and he flipped onto the bed, his hair splayed out. For years, Ederic had been secretly keeping tabs on Aaron's life through social media, but he never let Aaron know about it.Jasver was aware of Eder
The day overflowed with joy and happiness as the entire family reunited, but Mr. Alit stayed away from the crowd, seemingly overwhelmed with emotions. Ederic attempted to engage him in conversation, but he was met with silence.Aaron decided to share a small story about Ederic, and as they listened, Dallin couldn't help but offer a playful warning to the younger one. "Don't ever think about running away from home, hmm?" he said cutely, and Ederic nodded in agreement. It was a charming family that seemed to thrive on breaking societal norms."I'm your brother-in-law, so you should listen to me and be a good boy," Dallin declared proudly, but he instantly regretted his words when Ryan draped his arm around Dallin's waist, pulling him closer."What did you say, Darling? I can't quite hear you properly," Ryan whispered near Dallin's ear, causing Dallin to tremble. Alistair chuckled at their interaction, while Lyan seemed ready to confront Ryan for startling his little mochi."Hey, Ryan Al
Ryan, Alistair, and Dallin's marriage was indeed a momentous occasion, filled with love, joy, and understanding. As they tied the knot, they embraced their polyamorous relationship, defying societal norms and expectations.It was a day of celebration and togetherness, as they chose to share their happiness with their closest family and friends. Dallin's vision for the wedding venue was nothing short of breathtaking.The place was adorned with an exquisite blend of flowers and crystals, representing their love's uniqueness and beauty. The decorations created a magical atmosphere, welcoming the guests with a delightful fragrance and a glistening aura. Every detail was carefully planned by Alistair and Ryan as It was preferred by Dallin. “Do you like it, baby?” Ryan whispered near Dallin's ear, while Alistair was dangerously close, wrapping his hand around Dallin's thin waist. Dallin nodded with a shy smile, his face turning a deep shade of pink and red.“We prefer the word 'darling',”
The weight of each word bore down on their hearts, making it feel like they were suffocating. Ederic clenched his fists, struggling to control his emotions, when his hand was suddenly enveloped by a warm one—Aaron's. Ederic tilted his head to look at the elder."You know, I never wanted you to be the downfall of the Alits, but I became one," Aaron said, his tone heavy with regret."Still, I'm the reason, Hyung," Ederic thought to himself.Aaron scoffed, remembering the resentment he had once held against Ederic during their teenage years. Ederic chuckled softly, revealing a hint of pain."Leave it. Do you know that Alit Enterprises is on the verge of collapse?" Aaron changed the subject, his expression grave."Yeah, I know... I saw everything on the news," Ederic nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. Once more, their conversation seemed to stall, words failing them. Aaron took a deep breath before continuing."About Hazel, I adopted her five years ago when she was just a 2-year-o
Words, meant to be spoken, had remained trapped within Aaron's heart for too long. It was a stark contrast to how he used to be—a talkative person in front of his love. Whether he had cursed or praised, words had always flowed from him effortlessly.Amidst the rustling sound beside Ederic, who continued to gaze at the grave, Aaron's attention was drawn to the source of the noise."Dadda..." A 7-year-old girl called out to Ederic, and that single word sent shockwaves through Aaron's world. Misunderstandings filled his mind, his hands clenched into fists, and he held his jaw tightly.But then, another word from the child shook him to his core. Aaron wanted to cry, to hold his love close, and he slowly unclenched his fists, overwhelmed by emotions surging freely from his heart."Appa..."And now, let's introduce the girl who called Aaron her Appa—Hazel Alit, the adoptive daughter of Ederic Alit. Such a lovely child, isn't she?With her dimpled smile and captivating dragon-like eyes, ther
Seven years had passed, and words that were once easy to say had now gained depth and weight. In Aaron Alit's hometown, so much had changed.A sense of responsibility had taken root in the hearts of everyone. In their youthful days, filled with energy and blissful ignorance of the real world, they had been reckless and carefree. But life had evolved, and the burden of responsibilities weighed down their egos, with the relentless pace of life never showing any signs of slowing down. They were keenly aware of this fact.Over the years, they had learned valuable lessons, particularly how to cherish each and every relationship. While they may not have aged significantly, the experiences they had gone through had matured them beyond their years, giving them a profound understanding of the world at a young age.In these seven years, the Almighty Aaron Alit had built his empire, known as Ed.A, which had sent shockwaves through the world of business. Starting from scratch, it was expected tha
Alistair's muffled cries gradually subsided as Ryan offered him a glass of water. There were no comforting words from the elder, which Alistair didn't expect, knowing Ryan's character well."Dallin came to see me, maybe before leaving," Alistair said, his voice trembling as he wiped away his tears harshly, causing his already pale skin to turn even redder."I know... You should've done what he said," Ryan replied, his voice carrying a sense of regret."He wanted us to be together, which you can't do, Hyung," Alistair added, exposing a truth that weighed heavily on both of them. Ryan's world seemed to crumble with each passing second, and he took a deep breath before rising from his chair.“We will talk about it some other time. I've work to finish”“Are you trying to run away Hyung? Sure enough, you don't want me in your life. Thanks, Hyung. l got my answer” Alistair got up from the chair and flashed a painful smile that hurt Ryan.He walked away wiping the shedding tears. He wanted t
Alistair sat in his office, scrolling through the news on his computer screen when he came across a headline that made his heart skip a beat. "Aaron Resigns as CEO!" The words flashed in bold letters, leaving Alistair in a state of shock. Alistair came to his company today only but seeing the unbelievable news, His heart almost stopped beating. His hands trembled as he picked up his phone and dialed Ryan's number.After all the problems, it was his first time calling Ryan, purely he didn't want to, but he had to confirm this news. As the phone rang, Alistair hoped that maybe it was all a mistake, a misunderstanding, moreover, his heart was beating over his rib cage as if it was going to pop out of his chest.There was a deep silence before a piece of words from another side.“Hello,” Ryan's voice came through the line.“Hey... How are you?” Alistair let out his words which were above a whisper. He received a 'fine' as an answer from Ryan's side.Alistair pressed his lips controlling
"I never expected that the great Alit would be homeless one day," Ryan teased Aaron sarcastically as the younger brother sought shelter with him."Can you stop making fun of me, Hyung? Leaving home isn't a big deal for me, especially since he did it," Aaron replied, taking a sip of his wine and appreciating the gentle breeze from the balcony. Ryan let out a sigh and pressed for more details."What happened, Aaron? This isn't like you at all. Are you sure he left the country just because uncle said so?""He knew about our relationship and warned him, I think. But I didn't listen to his warning," Aaron admitted, his heart heavy with pain. Memories of Ederic's cheerful smile flashed through his mind, reminding him of how resilient and forgiving the younger had been, even when Aaron had hurt him."I warned you, Aaron, didn't I? He's your brother for God's sake," Ryan scolded, frustration evident in his voice."I never saw him as my brother from the start, and he can never be, Hyung," Aaro
Aaron knocked on the door, and Ederic turned to see him. Ederic was surprised to see Aaron, as he thought Aaron had already left for work."Hyung? I thought you left already," Ederic said as Aaron walked in and closed the door behind him. Ederic had been scrolling through his mobile, but he put it aside as soon as he saw Aaron, which made the elder frown, though he decided not to dwell on it and took a seat beside Ederic."I was going to... Ed, it's the third time in two weeks you've taken time off from the office. What's going on with you? I won't force you to talk, but you know you have me. You can tell me," Aaron said, his concern evident.Aaron's presence was having an effect on Ederic, and he had to shake off his inappropriate thoughts before responding."Nothing, Hyung... You know I'm just not used to working, but I'll be fine," Ederic said with a reassuring, albeit slightly forced, smile. Aaron sighed and decided not to press the issue further. He respected Ederic's desire for