(NIEL)
The room was quiet except for the baritone voice of Rhio as he talked. Elthon's eyes were focused intently at him as if waiting to hear something that he expected. The lawyer looked just a little surprised at Rhio's unexpected words. My gaze returned to the young man who stood by the huge glass windows.
"…Just do the best to help her."
I raised my brows in surprise. It wasn't like Rhio to say such words. With interest piqued, I instantly approached him when he hung up the call. "Who's 'her'?"
"None of your business," he quickly replied. He sat back in his chair and busied himself on his laptop.
Elthon shook his head and smiled to tease him. "Let him be. A workaholic like his father! He's gotten his father's genes."
"Right," I agreed.
Rhio's head remained bowed to his device when we left for Elthon's suite. I stroked my chin in wonder while Elthon seemed happy about it.
"Could it be?" he wasn't asking me in particular. More likely he was talking to himself. He dropped the talk and smiled at me without saying anything. Is there something I need to know?
"It seemed like a good sign," I said.
"It is!" Elthon's face lit up.
A smartly clad woman followed us when we reached the suit. I nodded to acknowledge her presence. Elthon seemed unbothered by her arrival.
"Please get us some black tea, Ms. Chin" Elthon requested.
My eyes spied her as she go, "Is she your secretary?"
He bobbed his head and smiled, "Yes. And I might lose a secretary once more if Rhio knew. He's removed every pretty lady this place has."
"What an unwarranted indifference!" I agreed "Maybe he feared to fall in love with somebody then lose her like he has lost his mother. But who was that certain 'her' he referred to with strange kindness?"
Elthon shrugged. His secretary returned and placed the tea on our table. "He'll never say so let's just keep our eyes on the watch."
"Deo must know something."
He waved off my suggestion, "He's too loyal to Rhio to spill the things they both knew. Besides, Rhio doesn't need our help with that matter. He's a grownup already."
"I guess," I said as I sipped the brown liquid. "Our boy can handle that alone."