Arlyn and Adrian

9

Leta leads the way to Arlyn's door. He pushed the bell button.

"Awhile..."

A familiar voice was heard by the two people who were now standing in front of the door.

Door opens. Showing the figure of Abi. His originally cheerful face turned stiff once he saw Adrian's figure.

He tightened his grip on the doorknob.

"Pig! How are you, baby?" Leta bent her body and kissed Abi's forehead while stroking the child's edge of the head.

Abi did not move his gaze away from Adrian. Adrian gulped his saliva while Leta was astonished by how the child he had just kissed did not heed him at all and instead hooked his eyes on the figure of the young man beside him.

"Pig. Do you know this uncle?" tanyanya.

Abi did not answer. His eyes were still not moving at all.

Adrian stiffly opened his mouth. "..Yep. We, we've met."

Leta's eyebrows are linked up. "here? Or somewhere else?"

Adrian rubbed his nape. "Here."

Oh God.

What kind of relationship was going on between this young man nearby and his young boss?

Even Abi knew him. Leta was completely convinced that Arlyn was not the one who would introduce Abi, Riel and Azel to others.

Even Leta first got to know the three children as soon as she visited Arlyn's house. Surprised by the appearance of three children behind the woman's body. And he only found out the location of Arlyn's house after 4 years of knowing her young boss for the first time at the stop.

Arlyn is a person who doesn't talk much. And somewhat closed. Even after 6 years Leta knew the figure of Arlyn and worked under him, there were still many things that Leta did not know about the woman.

What his favorite food is like, his hobbies. Arlyn never showed any signs of fondness for anything but baking.

Leta doesn't even know when his young boss's birthday is. Arlyn never answered when asked. There was never a celebration. Arlyn always gives Leta a gift for her birthday. So did Leta's other co-workers.

Arlyn always celebrates other people's birthdays but never celebrates her own.

For the young man standing nearby, he already knew Abi's figure,

Leta was kept busy making her own hypotheses.

Adrian opened his mouth after having trouble braving himself. "Abi ... I brought this for you. To Riel and Azel." He paused his amulet. "And Arlyn."

He bent his body. Handing over the stack of boxes in her hands to Abi.

Abi pressed his lips together. Hesitatingly accepting Adrian's gift.

Just like Adrian. He opened his mouth after having trouble venturing. "...Uncle." He paused his sentence. "Can I talk to uncle?"

Adrian was surprised by the boy's request. His mind was made to think that Abi was not a shy child. It was so different from her old self.

He slowly nodded. "..Yep. Where do you want us to chat?"

Abi turned his head back. Seeing the situation at home. He finally answered. "After."

Adrian was silent before he could. "okay."

Leta is shocked by how the young man learns of Arlyn's three foster children. And how Abi invited the young man to talk to him as if they had had had a conversation between them before.

Abi moved his gaze on Leta. "Grandma just come in. Me," He shifted his eyes on Adrian. "I want to talk to Adrian's uncle first."

Leta caught the name of the man as the name of the young man who was still standing quietly beside him.

Leta's eyebrows move up. "...Okay." Okay." He looked at the pile of boxes in Abi's hands. "Do you want me to bring it inside?"

Abi nodded. Handing Adrian over to Leta. Leta had a desire to eavesdrop or participate in the conversation between Abi and the young man named Adrian, but he held back his desire.

He put on a smile. "I'm going in first, yeah."

Adrian is surprised by Leta who talks suddenly to him. "Ah, yes." He gave a faint smile.

Abi watches Leta enter before returning his gaze to Adrian. "Come uncle."

Adrian takes Abi to the back of Arlyn's house. A simple garden with a wide variety of flowering plants. Adrian recalled Arlyn saying that Azel loved flowers and planted some in the back. Adrian considers the simple but beautiful garden as a garden belonging to Azel.

Adrian realizes that Abi has stopped stepping. Turned his body towards Adrian.

Adrian waited for Abi to start the conversation. After a tense wait she finally saw Abi's lips move open.

Abi with a small movement raised his head. Making himself able to look at the face of the adult in front of him was right in the eyes. "....It's about umi.."

Adrian's eyes widened a little. "...Arlyn?"

Abi nodded. He was about to speak again but Adrian's movements stopped him. Adrian lowered his body. To sit on the grass of the garden behind Arlyn's house.

"Can I sit here?"

Abi was silent for a while before nodding. Adrian sat cross-legged in front of Abi's short body. The boy did the same. Making Adrian again had to bow his head to look at Abi although now the distance is not so far away.

Adrian hesitantly tells Abi to continue his sentence. "Yes?"

Abi lowered his head under Adrian's gaze. Both of his hands are tied. Played with each other. "....Umi said uncle has a lot of money."

Adrian was made aghast and embarrassed but said nothing.

"..Yeah.."

Abi suddenly raised his face. "Please, buy me a present!"

Adrian's eyes widened. "....A present?"

Abi nodded once. "Yes." Yeah." Abi is back. "Umi keeps saying that uncle has a lot of money and will not run out of money even though uncle ate food at that time three times a day every day."

"......"

Adrian silent.

For a month he was trapped in grief. Overshadowed the figure of Arlyn who rejected him.

But it seems that the woman who always occupied his mind did not forget him. And instead, said strange things about her to Abi. And maybe on Riel and Azel too.

Adrian enough, happy.

At least even though Arlyn rejected her, she did not forget about it.

Adrian pressed his teeth. He remembered Nevan's words.

'Bribery of his children.'

That's not the right thing to do. But, uh,

Adrian desperate.

"....Abci. ..Can I talk to you?"

Abi got the question, closing her lips. He had already ventured to make a request to this adult in front of him. Now he had to dare himself to be spoken to by her.

"Hm." Abi gave a muttering assent after being silent for a while.

Adrian braved himself again.

"....I'll give you whatever you, Riel and Azel want ... I'll also give your Umi a gift whenever you ask. So," He swallowed his saliva. "...Can I see your Umi again?"

Abi bit her lip. He forgot this. He tells Adrian because he wants to give Arlyn a gift. He forgot the fact that the adult in front of him liked his umi. And certainly have the desire to be near his umi.

Like her who likes Arlyn and wants to always be near her umi.

He remembered Arlyn's words.

'When you ask someone for something, you have to prepare a reward for that person.'

The adult who likes his umi said that he would comply with his request, provided he could meet his umi?

Abi fights with himself.

"....Okay." Okay."

Adrian did not expect approval. He wondered if he had heard wrongly or not. But his brain told him that what he had heard earlier was not wrong. He was about to put on a smile and say thank you before Abi's voice stopped him.

"But,"

Adrian was silent. Worryingly waiting for Abi to continue his sentence.

Abi looked at Adrian's face hesitatingly. But there was conviction and unanimous decision in his eyes. "Uncle can be near umi. Only when there's me."

Adrian silent.

When Abi was around? Will there be a boy when he's near Arlyn?

Imagine that makes Adrian ashamed.

He realized what he was doing when he was near her. And Abi will be watching him? Adrian will not be able to shake off his embarrassment and awkwardness in that moment.

But, if that was the only way he could be near Arlyn, then Adrian would do it. He would do anything so he could look at her Arlyn.

Adrian nodded. Small smile. "OKAY. Thank you, Abi."

Abi swallowed his saliva. Nodding doubtfully. He turned his face away. Refusing to return the gaze of the adult in front of him.

He bit his lips. "...Comein. I'll let uncle see umi."

Adrian's eyes widened.

Is it true that he can see Arlyn again?

Abi raised his body to its feet. Looking straight at Adrian who was still sitting.

"A, Ah."

Adrian immediately got up. Watching Abi walk towards the front door of the house before finally following the steps of the boy.

The door of the house was open as before. No one shut it down.

Abi said hello. The people inside the house retaliated.

Arly. Sit on the table table. Raising his eyebrows saw the arrival of a figure he had not expected.

"You?"

He frowned. He then saw the figure of his smallest foster child standing in front of the figure of a man named Adrian. Arlyn stood up from her stool. Approaching Abi and touching the boy's shoulder.

"Why did you show up together?"

Abi half hugged Arlyn's thigh. She always loved hugging her.

He closed his lips

"...Umi. I'll let uncle Adrian see Umi again."

Oh God.

Letas. Still sitting on his stool. Surprised by the progress of the situation.

Arlyn frowned. "Why does he have to see me?"

Azel and Riel looked at the three figures of people near the door from their seats.

Arlyn raised her face towards Adrian. "What are you talking to this kid?"

Adrian was aghast and immediately raised both his hands. "No."

Arlyn looked back down at Abi who was looking up at her. His eyes look sparkling. Arlyn could not help but frown.

What made Abi suddenly change?

Arlyn initially wonders but then considers it a past breeze. Whatever it is. As long as the children she nurtures are not distracted, Arlyn will let Adrian do as he pleases.

Arlyn sighed softly. "You wanna sit down?"

Adrian was surprised by Arlyn's question. Clumsily nod. "..Can."

Arlyn pointed towards the dining table with her chin. "There."

Adrian nodded then walked over to the bench next to Azel.

"...Hi." Hey."

Adrian gives a clumsy greeting to Azel and Riel.

Azel gave a faint smile. "Hi uncle."

"Uncle. Uncle still likes umi?" Ask Riel. Adrian silent. Leta covered her mouth with two hands.

Arlyn who was about to sit on her stool knocked on Riel's head. "You. Stop saying things like that. Abi, come here." Arlyn swung her hand. Abi approached him and was lifted up and seated on Arlyn's thigh.

"Enjoy! I want to too!" Riel patted the table with both hands. Arlyn ignored.

"Riel wants to be in Grandma's seat?" Leta chuckles. Riel pouted.

"You want umi." protested.

Arlyn clucked. "I held Abi because there was no other bench."

Riel rounded her eyes. "Then Abi sat in my chair! Abi. Down."

Abi stuck out his tongue. "No way."

"Pig!" Riel welds.

Azel patted his sister's shoulder. I'm used to that kind of mess.

Adrian was silent about Arlyn's interaction with his children. Again.

Adrian misses this. He had only seen the interactions of the four members of the small family once but he felt as if he had entered into the warmth of their familiarity.

Leta chuckled before then realizing how Adrian had hooked his eyes on Arlyn. A red tinge dyed the tip of the young man's ear.

Leta bit her bibr which formed a grin.

Why so adorable???

For Leta who is old and has gone through her romance, seeing a young person fall in love like this makes her happy.

Looking at Adrian, he guessed that the young man was a quiet person. Arlyn was also quiet. But Adrian, he's quiet, yet warm.

Leta looks forward to what kind of relationship will happen between the two.

Leta felt like she wanted to see the interaction Adrian and Arlyn would have with her own eyes. But then he thought maybe he should give time for them to spend just the two of them.

Take it easy Arlyn. This old mother will make you have a handsome and established partner.

Leta grinning. "Pig. Riel. Azale. Want to help grandma pick things up at home?"

The three turn their attention to Leta. And so did the other two.

Abi raised his eyebrows. "Nonstone? At grandma's?"

Leta nods. "Yes. You guys want to, right?"

Riel exclaimed in excitement. "You! Did the rabbit still exist?"

Leta smile. "certain."

"okay! Brother! Abi! Let's go!"

Riel jumped down from her chair. Azel stood quietly. Leta stood up with a smile adorning her wrinkled face.

"You coming?" Arlyn asked. Drooping down to see the child's movements on his lap.

Arlyn can't see Abi's face but Adrian can. The boy looked at him. Watch the adult's movements.

Adrian gulped it. Leta realized it was approaching Abi. Carrying him away from Arlyn.

"Honey.. Go with grandma.."

Abi rebelled. "No. I want to be the same umi..."

"You don't want to accompany grandma?" Leta weld. Abi who is a good boy so do not have heart.

"Pig. Help grandma Leta. Or I won't let you touch me." Arlyn.

Abi's eyes widened to hear Arlyn's words.

He closed his lips. Leta grinning. "Come on."

He guides Azel and Riel out of the house while pulling one hand of Abi to go with him. Ignoring the reluctance of the boy.

Arlyn sighed softly as soon as the door of her house closed. He turned his face to Adrian, who was still holding his eyes to the door.

"You're back."

Adrian realized Arlyn was talking to him immediately turned back. Her lips closed several times.

"....Yeah.."

Arlyn leaned her body against the back of the chair. "I guess that parcel was from you?"

Leta came in with a stack of boxes that looked good. Too good. Arlyn asked about it but Leta just smiled ignorantly. Making Arlyn a little annoyed before instantly considering it the wind then.

Adrian slowly nodded.

"You said you didn't say anything to Abi. Then did he say something to you?"

Adrian closed his lips. "Your children must love you very much."

Arlyn raised her eyebrows. Frowning. "What are you talking about."

Adrian secretly plays the fingers of both hands. "They're not your real children, are they?"

"Not."

Adrian asked again. "Have you ever had a partner?"

Arlyn frowned. "really. What are you talking about?"

He saw Adrian who looked down with a flat face but did not hide his nervousness made amused. He put his elbows on the table. Leaning the side of his face facing the man in front of him was. Giving a seductive smile. "Hey."

Adrian raised his face. The tip of her ear was reddened by Arlyn with a smile like that.

Arlyn chuckles. "You still like me?"

He saw Adrian's eyes widen. The man bit his lower lip.

Arlyn still could not help but be confused by the young man's behavior.

"What makes you like me? You have strange tastes."

Adrian was surprised to receive Arlyn's question. He was about to answer even though it was still accompanied by nervousness. But the woman raised her other hand first. Let him know he doesn't have to talk.

"No need to answer. I don't need your answer. Hey."

He called back. Back to make the man focus himself on the sentence from the woman.

"You have a lot of money, right?" Arlyn grinned. Adrian was silent before slowly nodding.

Arlyn spoke again. "Take me and the kids for a walk."

Adrian silent. "....A walk?"

Arlyn nodded steadily. "Yes. When can you?" She asked.

"....Now-"

Arlyn cut straight away. "Not necessary now."

Adrian is soft. "Then, tomorrow?"

"You don't have a show?"

"Nothing."

"Then come back here at one noon tomorrow."

"Is there anything you want to buy?" Adrian asked doubtfully.

Arlyn shrugged her shoulders. "Of course."

Adrian was about to ask again but Arlyn spoke first.

"Now you go home. I want to rest. Tomorrow I have to take care of three little kids and I have to gather mood and energy."

He stood up and shook his hand.

"....."

Arlyn walked towards a door of the room and disappeared behind it. Leaving Adrian in his seat.