The car rolled to a stop in front of the house.
The driver stepped out quietly and walked around to open the door. Alexei got out first, and then Noel followed right behind him. He looked around nervously, not sure where to look or what to do.
There were men standing outside the mansion. They were lined up neatly, like they'd been waiting a long time. The moment they saw Alexei, they all bowed.
"Welcome, young master."
Alexei didn't respond. He just kept walking like this was normal.
Noel walked faster to keep up. His hands were shaky, and he tried to keep them still, but it was hard. He had never been anywhere like this before. Everything felt too big, too quiet, too serious. He wasn't sure how to act.
When they stepped inside the mansion, the first thing Alexei looked at was the big family portrait by the door. The frame was gold, and every face in it looked cold and proud. No one was smiling.
Growing up, Alexei's mother had never let him or his brothers come here. She never explained why. But when he got older, he came on his own. That's how he met his grandfather.
At first, he didn't like him. The man was strict, sharp-tongued, and never smiled. But he was smart. And he taught Alexei things no one else could.
His mother had tried to protect them from this side of the family.
Alexei didn't blame her.
As they moved further into the house, a maid noticed Noel and gave him a small wave. Noel tried to wave back but got flustered. He turned quickly and bumped right into Alexei's back.
Alexei had stopped walking.
Noel looked up at him with wide-eyed. He wasn't sure what would happen now.
Alexei didn't say anything right away. Then, without turning, he spoke quietly, "Say hello to Mr. Chen."
Noel peeked around Alexei and saw an older man sitting on a long couch in the middle of the room. The man's face was calm but cold. He didn't look anything like Alexei. His eyes were sharp, and he didn't smile at all.
Noel froze. Then, hiding behind Alexei again, he said in a small voice, "Hello, Mr. Chen."
Chen poured himself a cup of tea. The smell filled the room, something herbal and bitter.
"Come here, little boy."
Alexei gave Noel a small push on the back. "It's okay. Just be yourself."
Noel walked over awkwardly and slowly. He sat beside the older man. He was stiff, his back straight, his eyes darting nervously. He didn't know where to put his hands.
"Boys should stand tall," Mr. Chen said. "Even if you're young, don't hide behind others."
"I'll remember that, Mr. Chen. Thank you." Noel said quickly.
Alexei sat beside them, placing a hand gently on Noelle's head to calm him.
"Did Nora tell you she's coming back the day after tomorrow?" Mr. Chen asked.
Alexei nodded. "Yes. I'll pick her up."
(Short backstory)
Nora was Alexei's sister. She left the country three years ago to study music and help with international affairs.
Everyone thought she would stay abroad for good. But two weeks ago, she called and said she was finally coming home.
Mr. Chen rubbed his forehead. "Since you've both talked, I'll leave that to you."
Alexei gave a short sigh. "Don't worry. It's no trouble."
Noel started swinging his legs back and forth. He was trying to be patient while the adults talked. But he was also bored. There were no other kids in the house, and everything felt very quiet.
His eyes landed on a bowl of nuts on the table. Slowly, he reached for one, cracked it open, and was about to eat when he looked up, and saw Mr. Chen watching him.
Noel paused. Then, carefully, he offered the open nut.
"Mr. Chen, do you want some?"
The old man blinked, surprised for a moment. "This child is quite sensible," he said, his voice softer than before.
Noel smiled a little.
But then Mr. Chen added, "It's a shame. No matter how sensible a child is... he's still not your child."
The nut slipped from Noel's hand.
He didn't cry. He didn't say anything. He just sat there, quietly staring at his lap.
People said that to him often. Not always with words—but with looks, silence, and hesitation. He remembered when he was younger, how the other parents never let their kids visit him.
How he didn't have birthday parties. How he only got his first real toy after Alexei brought him home.
Everyone reminded him in different ways: You don't really belong.
Alexei didn't like what Mr. Chen said.
He pulled Noel close and gave him a warm hug.
Mr. Chen's frown darkened. He was beginning to think his grandson is impotent; because why would someone willingly adopt a child that's not theirs.
"I'm not impotent, Mr. Chen," Alexei said calmly, without even looking at him.
Before Chen could respond, a voice came from the stairs.
"Alexei's here?"
Everyone turned.
A tall woman walked down in a beige dress. Her skin glowed, and her hair looked like it belonged in a magazine. Noel had seen her on TV and billboards before.
Now she was right in front of him.
"This must be Noel, right?" she said as she walked over and sat beside them. "Why didn't you tell me you were here?"
She smiled down at him. "Noel? Is that your name?"
"Yes." Noel nodded with his flustered cheeks as his eyes shifted nervously to Alexei seeking for help.
"Mrs. Chen," Alexei said gently.
"Hello, Mrs. Chen!" Noel repeated quickly, trying to be polite.
She scoffed. "Stop calling me that. You'll confuse him. Noel, I'm your aunt."
"You're the one confusing him," Mr. Chen muttered. "You've completely destroyed the family tree."
"What family tree?" she rolled her eyes. "Noel, call me whatever you want. Don't mind him."
Noel nodded.
"Master," a maid entered, bowing slightly, "dinner is ready."
...
"Thank you," Noel said as the maid placed a steak on his plate.
He looked up at Alexei. "Does your red drink taste the same as mine?"
Alexei was holding a glass of red wine. The question surprised him, so he didn't answer right away.
The taste of the wine reminded him of something...
A voice whispering:
~~"Sir, don't touch there..."
"Arch your back," he had murmured. Her body had trembled under his hand.
"Give... give me..."
And when he kissed her neck and asked her name; "Lola... Park..."~~
"Alexei," someone said.
"Alexei?"
He blinked, coming back to the room.
Mr. Chen was watching him. "Sometimes I wonder what's going on in that head of yours. Come to my study after dinner."
Alexei nodded. He couldn't help but wonder how Miss Park was doing.