บท 13: Chapter 13
Alex was persuaded or more like forced by Dana to join them for dinner. This meant that he would spent his entire Sunday with them.
"Okay, but I have to take Zero out for a walk. Peter, do you want to join me?" He firstly needed some time to collect himself. If Daniel wasn't Peter's father than maybe there was some chance for him. Okay, the chances were still low, since he might nonetheless turn out straight, but they were at least a bit higher than nothing.
Peter gladly tagged along, taking over the leash and totally occupied with Zero. This gave Alex some time to regain his composure.
They went to the park where they first met and Alex took a small ball out of his bag. With this Peter could play catch with Zero which gained Alex another half an hour. They took the long route through the park, halting at an ice cream stand. Afterwards they found a lake were Zero swam and caught the ball even when he had to dive in the water. Peter being nearly spent from all the excitement got his energy back when he spotted his friend Leon on the playground. With this another two hours passed by with the boys playing with Zero.
Nearing the time for coffee and cake a stout lady in her thirties came to the playground, visibly looking for Leon. "Mom, look. I met Peter and Zero by chance! We played with a ball. Zero is really good at playing catch. And teacher Alex is here, too." He pointed towards Alex and Leon's mother started walking over to him.
"So you are the defender of kids, armed with a dog." She greets him with a smile.
"Haha, that is too much of praise. But thank you. It was my first challenge and I could have never done it without Leon or your help. You raised him into someone outstanding."
She nods, acknowledging the compliment. "It was hard. My husband and I loaned from that group to open our restaurant. But quickly it turned out that my dear husband was a cheating good-for-nothing, prioritizing his little underaged mistress over paying back the debt." She looks in the distance, collecting her thoughts. "But Mister Smith always treated us fairly. He really looked into the case and saw that my kids and I did nothing but try hard. My friends were all worried that I might end up being sold to a brothel to pay back the debt like in all those mangas. But Mister Smith figured out who the bad seed was and made my husband pay it back on his own. He got a new chance, working hard on an oil ring. In three months he should be able to come back and I hope we can start over. You know, for the kids' sake."
Alex ponders over that. He doesn't know what to reply so he just settles for "I wish you luck."
She smiles faintly, knowing how unprobable it was.
"Well, I have to get going. I have a cake in the oven." She give Alex a last smile and then calls Leon over. They wave good bye as they leave the park.
Peter and Zero, equally panting hard after playing the whole day, came over towards Alex.
"We also should go back. Your mother and uncle will be worried about you." Alex tastes the sound of 'uncle' on his tongue. It felt like a promising future, full of new discoveries.
Inhaling deep, steeling himself he straightens his back and heads back alongside Peter and Zero.
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As Alex and Peter arrive back at the villa with Zero in tow, a familiar man in a suit greeted them.
"Young master, teacher Alex. Welcome back. The boss and his sister are already waiting."
"Carlo, we played so much! Zero can play catch, he even went into the water. And we met Leon. You know, I told you about him? My friend from kindergarten? He played with us and… and…" Alex tunes out as Peter recapitulates the whole afternoon, skipping from one highlight back to another leaving the man named Carlo confused but still caringly smiling.
"Now, in with you two. What are you standing outside for? Peter, go wash your hands. Your are dirty all over. We have cake in 10 minutes." Dana shouts out of the door. Peter dashes inside quickly with an "Okay!" at the mentioning of cake.
Looking outside Dana addresses Alex "Teacher Alex, you too. Please come inside. The cake will be ready in ten minutes. Do you prefer coffee or tea?"
"I drink tea, thank you."
"Oh, just like my brother. You two really match each other." Alex blushes. 'What is she hinting at? Could it be, she read my intentions? But if yes, does this mean she is supportive? No way, Alex Johnson, you are getting ahead of yourself. Calm down.'
Delightedly watching Alex's inner struggle Dana guides him inside, gesturing towards a door across the hallway "Please, feel free to freshen up. The bathroom is over there. When you are ready, we are in the living room." She points towards another door, one he already was familiar with. "Thank you." And with this he quickly walks towards the bathroom, splashing water onto his face and willing himself to calm down.
....................
'God, these last two weeks were a rollercoaster ride for my nerves.' Again inhaling deeply and straightening his hair he goes towards the living room.
Peter was still nowhere in sight while Zero already lay down besides the sofa, dozing off. On the couch sat Daniel, looking as gorgeous as ever.
"Oh, teacher Alex. Welcome back. You really went all out entertaining Peter, thank you. Please sit." He gestures towards the spot on the couch next to him. Alex feels unsure, he already wanted to sit in one of the chairs, putting a bit of distance between them. But now he doesn't have a choice.
He sits next to Daniel but still as far away as could be considered polite. He wasn't ready for more.
"Oh, did you freshen yourself up? You still have some water drops in your fringe." Daniel's hand stretches towards his head. Alex freezes. Looking into Daniel's green eyes he feels like a deer in the headlight. Daniel moves his finger and gently catches a water drop that was nearly falling in Alex's eyes. Alex expected Daniel's finger to at least grace him, wanting him to make skin contact.
But Daniel was catious not to touch him. He just moved his hair a little, then pulled back his hand slowly, still keeping eye contact.
Alex, realising his own thoughts, blushes but can not break eye contact. These green eyes, sucking him in.
"Alex." The sound of his name lingers in the air between them. It is the first time that Daniel doesn't address him as teacher. The words seems to reach over and close some space between them. "If you would like, we could…" straining his ears to hear what Daniel is about to say.
Suddenly, he startles when Peter crashes in the living room.
"Is the cake already here?"
Alex quickly turns his eyes away, his heart beating furiously. 'Could it be…? Can I really hope…?'
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