mply displayed "Mother". Showing it to him and realizing the caller, he just shook his head immediately, passively, only a bit dismayed perhaps for the unnece

ertain if he'd really do it, as if she had the say at

said, dismissi

ened to her or acknowledge her opinion. She was just a woman after all. Although even if she was a boy, it wouldn't

the bandage, assuring it was secured, finishing his first task

d her life to, that she had to immediately change the topic o

rupt silent, then rang o

of mother-son relationship they had with each other, or if ever there were any issues between them though. If ever that either of which was true, still she'd never have any ri

g phone further away from

y snatched the phone from her hand. He gracefully slid his thumb on the screen t

ce of the table. Slouching still, with a gesture of a hand, without looking directly at her, he asked fo

emember and imagine her own mom. She tried to imagine and think of something else, but failing. She r

Gi

he way he hum, the way his domineering voice echoed and dr

u didn't attend your

o study anymore," h

t come home last night.

or. It didn't seem that he was comfortable even remotely at

can send someone to fetch you there. Have you

"Y

d just realized it was so out of place that she immediately covered her mouth. She wasn't even the recipient of the call. And she wasn't supposed to intervene at all, but merely to listen. Anyway, she couldn't help but wonder why he boug

t until she was finally done speaking. Her other feet that now was at his hand wasn't actually swelling or anything, perfectly fine unlike the other, still he worked on it, all his eyes on it,

ested and concerned. Madeline imagined her press

m with

e speaker. Sound of hurry. Multiple knocks. Slam of a

Gideon, face unrecognizable thi

ment of silenc

voice spoke, insistent and

actually," said

ainted each other even simply by exchanging their names. They were, after all, strangers of each other, not kn

her then," Gideon's

bring her here, Gideon," h

she'd want to. Besides, I still have to bring her to the nearest hospital-" There wa

What? What happened? Were you in

scratching his temp

alization this time. "

uddenly blushing, blood

ight, son,

erything once I go h

quisition this time. "W

already tired of talking with his parents and an

ear. Do you need anyt

'll send my location after this call. And I need an appointment

y. "Sure. I'll actually be glad to welc

k you," s

you need?" It was

an't think of anything else

for a moment at least?"

ot thi

th birthday, then," his da

think she'll

speak," dem

her feet, now massaging it. His ears wer

anxious. She cleaned her

, you can just call

at's your name? I'm M

-madel

, as if prayed, whispering a sort of incant

e, what a be

my son so far?" Gideon'

hts. "I-I am sorry, Sir, but

t? Why is that? Gi

ideon sta

d at him. At his s

I am grateful I got to meet him. Not in the best way, but still. I am thankf

he table with champagne and foods, don't you t

e, despite Gideon's careful strokes. "No, I'm sor

I'll tell Gideon to invite you on his birthday. For su

can't. I don't

g with him alone means that he's inte

m sorry, you don't unde

on't say sorry to us.

so stupid to explain. I'm sorry

he wasn't even done yet with hers, although there was really nothing to fix on it. She wondered why he was still doing it, why he was

have

e was apparent between them. "Okay. Let's go." He aggressively shoved bo

I have to

ou can'

d I can just r

you have

o, y-yes,

not the safest option. Let's wait for Mr. De Cas

ant to g

your hom

are you d

ted a bit. "Because I

don't eve

y said. "Tell me anything else. I'm

n't even

and for a handshak

g her temples with her knuckles. "Y-you d-don't have to tell me anything about you..." She

t? I don't

"I

are you

"I

an inch closer than her reality. Her weight crumbled down on her feet, and her head although so light felt like she was being pushed down underwater. She couldn't breath, like there was a heavy pile of wet clothes against her chest, and later on there was only darkness anywh