Towards the end of August, the heat of summer pressed down the city. The sky was clear, endless blue and inside was peaceful. The faint hum of the Air conditioner blended with the sweet aroma of the fresh brewed coffee and toast.
Lin came downstairs slowly, his school uniform clung neatly on his slender body. His wet hair was still carrying the traces of morning shower. Drop of water clung onto his neck, making his pale white skin gleam faintly in the sun. He looked tired, yet his cute little face made his fatigue appear almost fragile.
He went straight to the kitchen, a modest breakfast awaited him a fresh brewed coffee and golden toast arranged in a neat plate. He sat down and take a few bites before looking at the before looking at the living room.
There sat his stepfather and mother. His mother was curled comfortable on the sofa, while his stepfather was quietly sipping coffee as he scroll through the morning news on his phone. His lips curled faintly, and greet them politely.
"Good morning," he said politely.
Both of them looked at him. His mother's face bloom into a warm smile."Good morning, how was your night?"
His stepfather set his mug aside and nodded softly. "Good morning, Lin. Are you ready for school?"
"Yes, Dad, I'm ready," Lin replied as he looked around the room, searching for someone. Then he looked at his mother and asked, "Mom where's big brother?"
His father glance at his wrist watch before answering."Dimitri left this morning. He had a business meeting at the office."
Lin's fingers froze around his cup. For a moment, silence lingered in his eyes. He lowered his cup and slowly murmured, "oh okay..." before continuing his breakfast.
Even though his parents were here with him, it's felt a little emptier, without his big brother.
When he finished eating, he stand up and adjust his bag. "Dad, I'm ready."
His stepfather stood up as well, pressing a kiss on his wife's cheek before pulling on his suit jacket.
Taking his car keys, he gestured Lin to follow. "Come on Let's go."
"Bye, mom," Lin said before following his father.
Together, father and son walked into the scorching sun. Before getting into the car, his stepfather stopped, turning to Lin with an unusual gentleness in his eyes. "Your teacher called me and your mother yesterday. She said you did very well on your exam. I'm so proud of you son."
Lin's eyes widened in surprise. Although this man is not his real father, he had never once felt unloved in this home. He treated both him and his mother with kindness and patience especially him. He smiled warmly. "Thank you Dad.... Then.... Can I go visit big brother at the office tomorrow morning?"
His stepfather look at him for a moment and asked,"is that what you want?"
"Yes,"Lin nodded firmly.
"Alright. You can go tomorrow. But promise me you won't disturb him while he's working."
"I promise, Dad" Lin's smiled warmly.
"Good. Get in."
The drive was quite and comfortable. For twenty minutes they moved through the bustling city until the school gates came in view. Lin stepped out, waving goodbye. his father also waved back before driving off.
Clutching his bag, he exhale softly.
Since tomorrow is Saturday. He would finally get a chance to see Dimitri again properly. He looked at his phone as he imagine what he should wear, then he had ordered online.
The package will arrive this evening. He couldn't wait.
"Lin!"
A soft call came from behind. He turn around and spot his childhood best friend Rei jogging toward him. His brown hair messy, They had grown up side by side, Rei is the only person he could share all his secret with.
"Hey. Rei going to class?"
"Yes, Rei answered."
Lin eyes narrowed. "What happened?"
"I got dumped," Rei admitted, scratching his neck awkwardly.
Lin stare at him ".....Again?"
"Yes."
Lin frown and asked. "What happened this time?"
Rei chuckled. "He caught me on a date with his friend."
Lin nearly choked. "Rei! That's bad, How could you do that? How many guys have you date this month? Four maybe six?"
Rei shrugged carelessly. "There's no such thing as love anymore, Lin. People just wanna have fun."
"Aren't you dating senior Dylan?"
Rei rolled his eyes. "He's my side boyfriend."
"What the hell, Rei? You are only seventeen."
"So?" Rei smirk.
Lin sighed. "Let's go."
Rei chuckled, scrolling through his phone as they walked through the hall. "I'm going to Dylan's house today. I'm spending the night too. How is your plan going?"
Lin steps slowed. His smile slowly faded as he whispered, "He's not even talking to me anymore, He's been giving me cold shoulder for months Rei I'm not happy."
"Awnnnn," Rei teased playfully, bumping his shoulder."Did you try the seduction trick? I mean you're cute, you know, there's no way he won't notice you"
Lin blushed. "I'm planning to do that this weekend. I'm going to father's company."
"Great, want me to come?"Rei grinned.
"Hell no." Lin rejected instantly.
Rei laughed as they entered the classroom.
The rest of the school day passed by quickly, long lectures, noise, and the endless group of teachers. By closing time, rei waved goodbye to Lin before going back to Dylan who was waiting outside.
His father's personal driver was already waiting for him outside the school gate. He slipped inside, and they drove him home.
As soon as he arrived, Lin's eye lit up, his package was already at the front door. He went in and open it immediately, His heart racing as he pulled out an oversized V-neck sweater with shirt, shorts,and footwear that frame his body perfectly.
His excitement was almost a childlike, his face glowing as he laid them gently on the table.
The sun fell. The second day came quickly.
By the time he woke up Dimitri was already gone. The house was quite.
Lin stepped into the bathroom, turning on the shower. Warm water ran down his pale white body, steam filled the bathroom.
Droplets of water slide along the curve of his neck and collarbone, disappearing into the clean white towel tied to his slim waist.
Standing in front the mirror, he rubbed cream all over his body, massaging it into his fair skin.
On the table, a black hair straightener sat heating, he straighten his snow white hair and slowly drew the straightener down. Each stroke left it's strand silky and perfectly straight.
He slipped into his outfit of the day that was neatly folded, he picked up a bottle of perfume and gave a soft spray over his collar, then he apply a touch of lipgloss.
Slowly his reflection turned flawless.
Downstairs, his mother's eyes widened, "hmm... Lin why are you dressed like that?"
Lin came downstairs gracefully, holding his bag in his hands. "Dad said i could go to the company today, I want to go and visit big brother."
His mother froze for a second, surprise flickering on her face. Ever since she married Dimitri's father, life had been tough, Dimitri, her husband son from his divorce wife, had grown distance and cold toward her and her son. No matter how hard she tried, she could never replace his real mother.
She lowered at her son worry clouding her face. "Lin.... Are you sure about this? You know how you brother is."
Lin saw the sadness in her eyes and stepped closer, hugging her tightly, he said softly, "Mom, don't worry. Big brother is not that kind of person."
She look at him and sigh in defeat, "Alright .... But be careful okay.
"Okay mom bye."
He went outside, slid into the back seat of car. The driver close the door and car begin it's long way drive. In the back seat Lin looked at the delicate box on his laps warped in pink ribbons and smile softly.
He asked the driver to stop by a cake shop, Earlier. Inside the box was a perfectly baked strawberry cake. Dimitri's favorite. He smiled and whispered with hope in his voice, I hope big brother will like it.
The car stopped in front of the towering building. He stepped out, carefully clutching the cakebox in his hands, and look at the shining glass building. He bit his lips nervously, and his lips curved into a determined smile.
He walked inside the marble lobby, the receptionist greeted him politely, and soon he enter the elevator and the door slide shut.
As the elevator ascended the floor after floor, his heart beat violently. He imagine the look on Dimitri's face, would he smile at him? would he even accept the cake? He sighed whispering under his breath. "I pray everything go well today."
The elevator finally chimed. The door open to quiet hallway. He followed the marble floors until he reached his brother's office.
Then he pushed the door open carefully.
There was a tall woman inside, who stood by the desk, phone in her hands. Her beauty and her posture was flawless. When she saw him, she smiled softly and end the call.
"Hi~~~ you must be Lin."
Lin stare at her in surprise, "Yes... hello sister, where's the CEO?"
She walk to him slowly, her heels clicking against the polished floor and she smiled softly. "Oh... your brother's is in a meeting right now. Nice to meet you Lin. I've heard a lot about you from your brother, I'm Mira your brother's girlfriend."
All the sound faded for a moment.
Lin's eye widened in shock. The cake box in his hands slipped from his finger falling in slow motion before hitting the floor.
Lin stood frozen, staring at her, his breath caught in his throat, before look at the ruined cake at his feet.
He quickly lowered his eyes, "Oh.... I see."
Surprise flashed across Mira's face, as Lin dropped the cake. "Oh....no, poor cake." she bend down slightly, watching the ruined cake on the floor.
Lin's body tremble, as he looked at the mess on the floor. The office door suddenly open a group of people walked in, they looked exhausted, clearly they just finished the meeting.
The secretary spoke quickly, "Sir, the file is ready. We just need your final confirmation."
Dimitri's tall figure entered behind them, his expression was calm but strict he look at his secretary and said in his deep voice, "Then, drop it at my table."
"Yes, sir." he bowed, before they all started leaving one after the other.
All sound faded for a moment, Dimitri's sharp gaze laded on Mira. "Why are you here? didn't I told you I'll come meet in the evening."
Mira walked over with a soft smile on her face. "hmm~~ I just came to check up on you. and why are you frowning your face like that."
"it's nothing, don't worry about it." Dimitri replied coldly, moving to sit on his chair. "This project is more complicated than I thought."
"Awnnn~~~ sorry." Mira murmured sweetly as she begin to massage his shoulders.
Dimitri's expression softened "Thank you," he said warmly.
Lin stood frozen In the corner, he bit his lower lips hard to stop it from trembling. He finally speak up, "Hi big brother."
Dimitri didn't even look at him, "Go home."
Lin's eye widened. "But I—"
"Didn't I warn you not to come to the here, if you haven't finished your exams." Dimitri interrupted harshly.
"But I... have already finished my exam," Lin trembled slightly. "And father said I could come...."
Dimitri looked at him and said uninterested. "Done already?"
"Yes, big brother."
Mira look at both of them, sensing the heavy atmosphere. She touched his shoulder lightly. "I think I need to get going, we'll see later in the evening, bye Lin." with that she walked out, the door closing softly behind her.
Lin slowly walked closer to Dimitri. His trembling hands reached out desperate to hold him, but Dimitri smacked away his hand.
Tears welled up in his eyes, he tried to hold him again, sobbing softly, "Big brother... I'm sorry why are you ignoring me.... "
Dimitri's gaze focus on the file he's reading. "So you know what you did?"
Lin nodded quickly, tears streaming down his face. "Yes... I'm sorry."
"You are clearly trying to do that same disgusting thing I warned you about." Dimitri slam his hand against the table.
Lin flinched back in fear, his whole body tremble, Dimitri stood up and walked toward him, his towering figure over him.
"B-Big... brother," Lin whispered as he stepped back, Dimitri caught his wrist roughly and pulled him over.
Tears stream down his face as he tried to wipe them quickly, "Big brother.... I love you. but why won't you love me back?"