The house was almost empty. The rooms were dark and hollow. You would have thought that a vampire or a ghost lived in this house, not a person.
Was he using this house as a hiding place? Willy thought, looking around the empty hallway.
As if reading his mind, Tim turned around. "I only used the office, I didn't need another room. That's why the rooms are almost empty."
Willy always felt like Tim could read his mind perfectly.
Tim stepped closer. "If you want us to live here, then you can arrange it to your taste."
Should we live here? Willy's mind spun. They would start a new life together, far from everyone, but he didn't know anyone here. It wouldn't be easy. Making this decision is not so easy, he admitted to himself.
Willy cleared his throat. "I'll think about it."
Tim smiled softly. "If you want to rest, the bedroom is on the second floor. I'll cook some food while you rest."
"Thanks. I'll rest for a while," Willy said, feeling the exhaustion catch up to him.
Willy went up to the second floor, and Tim went into the kitchen. The fridge was full, as Tim's assistant had prepared everything. Tim started preparing the food with quiet efficiency.
Upstairs, Willy walked down the hallway, but he didn't know which room was the bedroom. "Tim didn't tell me which room to go into," he muttered.
He opened the door to the first room. It was completely empty. He closed the door and headed for the next one. The second room turned out to be Tim's private office. The room was full of books and various documents. Willy was about to close the door and leave when something caught his eye.
It was an old picture sitting on the desk. Moved by curiosity, he came close to see. It was the only picture in the entire house, and he wondered why Tim kept it. It was a picture of Tim's family. The photo showed Tim's parents, a little Tim, and another boy who was laughing.
Willy's breath caught. Who is this boy? Tim told me he was an only child. Is he his brother? But why would he hide it from me?
Willy immediately left the room, closing the door firmly. He felt incredibly guilty for looking. He knew he would definitely have to ask Tim about it. He couldn't rest now, but he decided to lie down in the next room anyway.
Soon, Tim finished cooking and went up to Willy's room. "The food is ready."
Willy stood up. "Okay, let's go."
Tim noticed right away that Willy looked confused and worried about something. "What happened?"
Willy looked down. "When I went upstairs, I accidentally walked into your office."
Tim's expression went still. "Did you see the picture?"
Willy nodded, feeling terrible. "I'm sorry, I entered without your permission."
Tim let out a slow breath. "My brother is in the picture."
I was right, Willy thought.
"I haven't lied to you, Willy," Tim whispered softly. "I'm their only child now. Let's eat and talk."
They came downstairs in a quiet silence. Tim had prepared everything beautifully on the table.
Trying to lighten the mood, Willy forced a smile. "Did you also work as a chef by any chance?"
Tim let out a small chuckle. "No, but when you live alone, you learn to do everything yourself."
Willy felt his heart ache. Even though this boy had parents and a brother, he had lived alone in this empty house for years.
Willy stared at his plate. "Do you have a bad relationship with your brother too?"
Tim froze completely. He didn't say anything. All the color instantly vanished from his face, and he looked physically ill.
Willy dropped his fork in panic. "Tim! Are you okay?"
It took a few seconds before Tim could speak, his voice a quiet rasp. "No... I don't have a bad relationship with him. He was my best friend."
His best friend? What happened to change everything so much? Willy thought. "Why isn't he your best friend anymore?"
Tim had great difficulty forcing the words out. "He died... After that, we moved here. My relationship with my parents changed completely too."
A wave of sorrow crashed through Willy. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you about this."
Willy immediately got up from his chair, rounded the table, and hugged Tim tightly. He could never have imagined this tragedy. Now he felt even more guilty for asking. "I am really very sorry, Tim."
Tim held him back, his grip tightening as he buried his face in Willy's shirt. "It's okay... it's been a long time already. I've gotten used to the fact that he'll never be by my side again."
Tim hugged him even tighter, as if holding onto his only comfort. Willy gently rubbed his back.
"It must have been so hard for you to go through all of this alone," Willy murmured softly. "But I'm with you now, and if you ever want to talk, I'll listen to you anytime."
Tim pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes with a grateful smile. "Thank you. You make me happy just by being by my side."
Willy smiled and gently kissed his forehead. Willy always knew how to bring him back to life.
Tim cleared his throat, trying to change the heavy mood. "Why don't we go watch the sunset now?"
Willy looked at the window. "It's still a bit early."
"Then let's prepare the food and have a picnic on the beach," Tim suggested, a small spark returning to his eyes.
Willy knew Tim wanted to forget about the painful conversation, and he wanted nothing more than to make Tim happy. "Will you make those sandwiches? It was so delicious when you made them for me at the apartment."
Tim's smile widened. "I'll make you anything you want."
Willy helped Tim clean up the kitchen and make the sandwiches. Tim brought a basket, and they packed everything they needed before heading down to the beach.
Tim paused at the door. "Are we forgetting something?"
Willy looked at the ring on his finger and smiled beautifully. "I think we have prepared everything."
"Then let's go," Tim smiled.
Down on the shore, the sky looked breathtaking. The waves were slowly and quietly crashing onto the sand, and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. Peace, a beautiful view, and the person you love right by your side Willy realized there was nothing more he could possibly wish for.
They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the sunset together.
Willy leaned his head on Tim's shoulder. "I already love this place."
Tim rested his chin on Willy's hair. "We can come here anytime. I will take you anywhere you want."
Willy looked at the water. "But you don't love this place."
Tim squeezed his hand tightly, interlocking their fingers. "Promise that I'll always be happy anywhere you are. I am happy with you, and I don't care where I am in the world."
Willy's cheeks turned completely red. Tim always made him feel so special.
Tim leaned close and kissed him deeply. "I love you, and that's all that matters to me. I have never loved someone so much in my life."
Willy blushed, playfully turning his head. "There is no need to repeat this every single day, Tim."
"I want to remind you every day how much I love you," Tim insisted with a grin.
Ever since he met Tim, Willy heard him say "I love you" several times a day. Willy would never admit it, but it made him incredibly happy to hear those words. He had never loved anyone this much either.
As the air turned cold, Willy shivered slightly. "Should we go home? We have to go to your grandparents' tomorrow."
Tim stood up, pulling him up gently. "Let's go. You are very tired today."
Even though it was still early in the evening, Willy fell asleep immediately due to extreme fatigue. Tim quietly straightened the blanket over his shoulders, kissed him softly on the head, and left the room without a sound.
He walked down the dark hallway and entered his private office. He hadn't been here for a long time, but everything was exactly as he had left it.
He sat in the chair under the dim lamp and picked up the silver frame, looking at his brother's face.
"Brother..." Tim whispered into the quiet room, a tear falling from his eyes. "I miss you every single day. But don't worry about me, I'm happy now. I found the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. One day I'll bring him to meet you. Don't worry, I have one last thing to do, and then I'll be free from this nightmare. I'm sorry I can't tell him everything right now. I don't want to hide things from him, but I have no choice. The less he knows, the safer he will be. I couldn't protect you... but I will do everything I can to protect him. I know I should have waited for everything to end before involving him, but I can't even be without him for a moment. I love him very much. If you were here, I'm sure you would be very happy to meet him. You would understand each other well because you have the same interests. Don't worry, I'll take care of our grandparents. I know you're probably angry that I ran away from our parents, but I can't see them. One day I might forgive them for everything, but not now. I know you understand me."
He sat like that for several minutes, staring at the picture. Later, he carefully put it back in its place and returned to the master bedroom. He lay down next to Willy with absolute care, so as not to wake him.
Because of you, I can sleep peacefully at night, Tim thought, pulling Willy's warm body against his chest. Thank you for giving me back a normal life.
Tim soon fell asleep. For the past ten years, looking at his brother's picture would automatically cause violent nightmares that kept him awake all night. But now, with Willy by his side, he slept peacefully until morning.
He had always avoided looking at that picture, afraid to even remember, because instead of good childhood memories, his brain would instantly force him to remember the one day he wanted to forget most.
Ten years ago
A younger Tim had returned home completely happy, running through the grand hallway as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Brother! Brother, where are you? I'm back!" he shouted excitedly. He had won first place in a major junior competition, and he wanted his older brother to be the very first to know about it.
He ran happily up the stairs and down the hallway. His brother didn't answer. Smiling, Tim threw open the bedroom door.
"Look what I…"
The words died in his throat. The gold award fell from his paralyzed hands, crashing onto the floor with a loud clang.
The young boy completely lost the ability to speak. He didn't cry, he didn't shout; the shock was so severe that he lost all ability to do anything. All that repeated in his mind was: Impossible. This can't be happening.
How could he believe any of it? In a second, he had lost his brother and his absolute best friend. What should I do? He just stood there, entirely helpless. He knew that even if he did something, nothing would change. His brother was gone.
Later that night, crying in the dark, he made a fierce promise.
"I love you, don't worry about me. I promise to make all your dreams come true. I will take care of our family from now on. I promise to do everything and take revenge for you."
After that tragic day, his life completely changed. Instead of being a cheerful, lovable boy, he became cold, calculated, and insensitive to the world.
He couldn't have imagined that morning that his entire life would be ruined before sunset. Since that day, nothing but misfortune and darkness had occupied his life. That was his reality until the day he met Willy. Willy brought light into his dark world and completely, beautifully changed his destiny forever.