Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 143: The 98

On the way home, Nathan felt the need to have a serious talk with Louis.

"I have to finish my final assignment before the end of the month, and I need to do it together with Zane. You can’t stay with me there," said Nathan, listening to the steady roar of the car on the highway. The snow wasn’t piling up much today. The weather looked bright.

Louis nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. "If Boss Alexander would allow me to let you stay alone, I would definitely not annoy you there."

"Why did he suddenly make this crazy decision to send you everywhere with me? Did you say something about me?" Nathan accused.

Louis was silent for a while, knowing it was better not to lie because he was sure Alexander would interrogate the boy.

"I have to tell him everything, Nathan. It’s my job. I don’t want to make another mistake."

"What?"

"You know he fired me because I failed to tell him about Nael. I don’t want it to happen again."

"By telling him everything?"

"Yes, it’s my job. So he can decide what he should do. I don’t have the right to make decisions."

Nathan frowned. "I regret asking you back. I don’t like being treated like a prisoner."

Louis was silent. He sighed deeply. "I’m really sorry, Nathan. But I don’t want to let my guard down again this time."

"I don’t need your guard. I don’t like you interfering in my life. If you can’t stay away, I’d rather have no bodyguard. I’m not in a life-and-death situation with Zane." Nathan clenched his fists, still upset with Alexander’s decision to let Louis overstep his privacy.

Louis didn’t speak for the rest of the trip. But he looked confused and felt that Nathan would make his life hell if the boy decided he didn’t need him. He remembered Lorenzo’s words about how Nathan had made his life difficult.

Louis pressed his lips together.

Nathan sensed Louis’ dilemma. He knew the man was only following orders. But he had no interest in letting anyone else decide what he should do. He liked Louis because the man seemed relaxed and not too controlling, but now he regretted asking him back.

Nathan stared out the window. The rows of trees leading to the mansion were visible, their branches covered with melting snow in some places.

Then the car stopped in front of the gate. Nathan stared at the gold plaque that looked worn and old. There was writing there. It was neatly engraved, partly covered with dried moss.

EMERALD.

Nathan was sure he saw the writing.

He had never thought the mansion had a name. He stared at the open gate. He was now accustomed to all the things he used to think existed only in a fantasy world.

When he was little, he believed that only kings and queens had houses like this. He never imagined he would be able to experience such a life now.

Despite his hatred and heartache, a small part of him was grateful for this opportunity.

The car drove slowly and smoothly.

A castle-like building came into view. Once again, he couldn’t believe he had been living there for two months. The building looked old from the outside, but it towered elegantly. The light from the lamps made the atmosphere lively. Otherwise, the building would have looked like a vampire’s castle.

The car stopped, and Nathan sighed, staring at the mansion’s terrace.

Louis got out, about to open the door, but Nathan had already stepped out. His face looked tired.

Louis stopped beside him. "Nathan, please forgive me. I know you’re not comfortable with me always following you around. But apart from my job as a bodyguard, I see you as my own brother. I feel the urge to protect you."

Nathan looked at Louis. "It’s suffocating to be guarded like a toddler."

"I know. I’ll try not to cross your boundaries. But please let me know what happens. Because if not, I will be the one in trouble."

"What? I don’t even do anything. I just go to school and study with Zane. Nothing else! What can I tell you?"

"Well, just anything. Tell me anything. Even... if Zane tries to... molest you... or something..."

Nathan felt his cheeks flush. "He’s not like that! Anyway, I can do whatever I want!"

Louis sighed, confused about how to make Nathan understand that the boy was not yet allowed to engage in adult activities.

But Nathan had already walked quickly inside. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Nathan walked, this time allowing himself to move slowly and enjoy his surroundings. The marble floor echoed with every step he took. Then the red carpet muffled his footsteps in the corridor.

He looked up at the tall window beside him, which revealed a view of the garden. He remembered them putting up a Christmas tree there.

That memory... was quite pleasant, when he thought about it now. After getting to know the Salazar children. Especially Alexander.

They weren’t bad. He had been blinded by hatred and hurt. But he realized from the beginning that he was probably not meant to be there.

Nathan was still staring at the garden as he walked, remembering some things that he might miss later, perhaps.

Then the corner of his eye caught movement at the end of the corridor. He turned, catching a glimpse of a familiar figure.

A tall young man with brown curly hair.

Ray?

He only caught a glimpse, but he was sure he saw Ray.

But it was impossible for that man to be there. Why would he be at the mansion?

Still, Nathan was curious. He walked across the living room toward the corridor leading to the back garden. He passed the dining room and kitchen. At the end of the corridor was a path leading to the basement.

A figure resembling Ray was seen coming out of the basement. He looked at the corridor behind him. It looked dark.

There was no way Ray was there, and there was no way he would walk toward a corridor that looked so neglected.

As Nathan was about to step into the dark hallway, he heard a voice calling him.

"Nathan?"

He immediately turned around.

Leo was standing in the doorway to the dining room. The man’s face looked calm as usual. He motioned for Nathan to come closer.

Nathan looked back at the hallway before stepping away from it.

"I didn’t know you had come back. Come eat with me," said Leo.

Nathan rarely heard the man speak. But he seemed friendly now.

"No, I’m not hungry. I’ve eaten with my friend."

Leo nodded, not looking disappointed at all. "Okay then, have a rest."

Nathan nodded, glancing at Leo’s smile before leaving.

As he walked, he convinced himself that he had only hallucinated seeing Ray.

Meanwhile, Leo felt his heart beating fast. Although his face looked calm, every time his plan encountered a slight obstacle, the blood rushed through his body. But he enjoyed the sensation.

He grabbed his cell phone. He typed a message. "98."

He stared at the message. It was not sent, only one check mark, but he put his cell phone back in his pocket. Then he walked quickly toward the dark corridor at the end of the hallway.

Serene stared silently from where she was cleaning her cooking utensils, sensing Leo’s unusual behavior today.

Nathan walked toward his room and saw Nael coming out. The boy looked lethargic, his face gaunt.

He walked past him.

"Welcome home," Nael greeted him half-heartedly.

"What happened to you? Did someone just kick your guts out?"

Nael shook his head weakly. "No, just Mom didn’t come today. Alex said he couldn’t reach either of them. I’m just worried."

"Why? They’ll come if they want to."

Nael sighed. "I don’t know. I just want to see them."

Nathan didn’t want to be rude. He could see how much Nael missed his parents. He tried not to say anything else.

"You better get some sleep. Did you finish your final assignment?" asked Nathan, changing the subject.

Nael nodded. "I finished it last week."

"What??"

"The earlier the better. I don’t want to rush my mind."

Nathan stared at Nael in disbelief. What kind of kid is crazy enough to finish all their final assignments so early? But then he remembered Zane’s words. Nael was an extraordinary student when it came to academics.

He just didn’t believe it.

He didn’t even believe that boy was his twin!

"Whatever, don’t talk to me," said Nathan. He felt he had to work extra hard to finish his final assignment.

After showering, he immediately headed to Alexander’s room.

The man was inside, typing on his cell phone when Nathan entered.

Huan seemed busy with a suitcase in the middle of the room. Nathan frowned.

"You’re leaving now?" Nathan had heard that Huan was resigning, but he didn’t expect the man to leave so soon.

Huan nodded. "We’re going on vacation for a week in Malta. After the final exam, let’s go again, together," he replied.

Nathan opened his mouth, forming an "O."

"You’re not resigning?" Nathan asked.

Before Huan could answer, Alexander replied, "We’re getting married. He won’t be working with me anymore. He’ll be part of our family."

"Ah... You’re getting married?" Nathan looked at Huan, grinning. "Well, congratulations then."

He then walked toward Alexander. "I want to spend many days at Zane’s house to do our final assignment." He didn’t ask for permission; he informed him.

Alexander looked up from his phone. "Why does it have to be done at his house?"

"Because we decided it that way."

"Can’t he just come here?"

Nathan frowned, not expecting that. "He can come here?"

"Of course."

Nathan immediately beamed. "So we can sleep together in my room, right?!"

Alexander took a breath, the thought of the two kids spending the night together making him feel suffocated. "No. We have a lot of guest rooms. He will stay there."

Nathan immediately pouted. "No, he will sleep in my room."

"Why does he have to sleep in your room?"

"Because he is my boyfriend. We are in a relationship now," said Nathan bluntly. And he didn’t want to be separated from his boyfriend on the one night they could finally be together.

Alexander was silent. Huan even stopped what he was doing. They both stared at Nathan, speechless.

"It’s even more strictly forbidden for you to sleep together," said Alexander.

"Why?" Nathan refused to accept it. "Both of you can sleep together, naked too. Why can’t I do it?"

Huan’s mouth gaped open at the boy’s unfiltered words. Alexander suddenly forgot to breathe.

"Because it’s too early for you to sleep together as lovers. I will not let you do it."

"What do you mean? They have sleepovers a lot. Why can’t I do it with Zane?"

"Oh, Nathan. Let him sleep in the guest room, okay?" Alexander sounded like he was begging.

But Nathan shook his head quickly. "Nope. He will sleep with me. We will do a lot of fun things!!"

He wanted to play many games with Zane, show that boy the games he never played there. And many other things too.

Alexander gasped, imagining that "a lot of fun things" would lead to something inappropriate.

But Nathan didn’t seem to accept his advice. The boy had already left the room after deciding to bring Zane to stay overnight and sleep in his room.