10. Covered Secrets

Ravi breathed as quietly as possible in the late night, leaning against the wall to listen for any movement in the next room. However, there was nothing but silence, only the sound of the springtime wind rustling outside, causing leaves to dance to its tune. What was wrong with Daniel? He had secluded himself for the past two days, and Ravi was sure of it, despite his mother's claim that Daniel was out of town and had no return date.

Even if Daniel were indeed away, his older brother would have surely bid him farewell. Ravi occasionally heard noises from the far end of Daniel's room, things falling, perhaps the sound of shattering glass. But as quickly as the noise arose, it would vanish, sinking back into the silence as if it had never happened.

His parents and even Raymond seemed to be hiding this from Ravi. Sometimes they pretended not to hear when Ravi brought up the topic of Daniel during their conversations.

"What's going on?" Ravi asked himself. He drew his knees closer to his chest.

Ravi jerked as he heard a stifled groan from outside his window. He rose, ignoring the sudden throbbing in his head from moving too quickly. Ravi peered outside to identify the source of the sound, but his view was limited. The noise came from far to the left, beyond Ravi's line of sight.

Ravi cracked the window open slightly, and what he saw made his breath catch. There was a man with silver hair and pointed ears, hovering with white wings flapping behind his back. He wore a strange outfit that clung tightly to his body, resembling a sturdy suit of armor. The man looked oddly similar to Raymond. Ravi didn't know why he was around Daniel's balcony, and his presence unnerved Ravi.

"Still alive, I see. Perhaps I didn't give you enough poison." He laughed cynically, and his lips curled when Daniel stumbled out, looking worse for wear. Ravi took a sharp breath, relief flooding through him as he finally saw Daniel, even in this condition.

As Ravi had suspected, Daniel was in his room, not in good shape. Nevertheless, the lies he'd been fed were biting at Ravi. No one had told him about this, about the poison, about the strange man, and Daniel's connection to him.

"There's no room for you to speak here. So leave," Daniel hissed sharply and harshly. The words and tone made Ravi shiver. He had never heard Daniel speak like that before, not even to Raymond.

"Relax, I want to savor your suffering. So, I will recreate your days and that cursed brat's life like in hell. I don't want to end it so quickly," the hatred flowed smoothly from the words of the silver-haired man. He stared menacingly at Daniel, his eyes dangerously lit, and his face hardened.

Daniel snarled, taking a determined step, his fingers clenched tightly at his side. "If you dare lay a hand on my family, I'll make the events of fifty years ago repeat themselves."

The man chuckled sardonically. "I can't wait."

Ravi was jolted from his spot as he peeked when the stranger's eyes met his for a split second, and the man grinned before flying away.

He saw me.

Ravi quickly darted back, leaning against the wall, feeling his heart pounding heavily. He had never let fear overtake him, but that look, filled with hatred and calculation, was unmistakable. Chills ran down his spine as he still felt the presence of the strange man lingering in his mind.

Who was he? What was Daniel hiding? What did Daniel know while Ravi remained ignorant? What happened fifty years ago?

Similar questions echoed relentlessly in Ravi's mind, making him increasingly uncomfortable. In his inner turmoil, tears welled up without his realizing it, streaming down his cold cheeks. He pulled his knees tighter to his chest, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. He was a man; he shouldn't act this weak.

A soft knock on the door broke Ravi's reverie. He wiped his tears away and glanced at himself in the mirror on the wall before taking a deep breath. He walked to the door, not wanting to deceive anyone into thinking he was asleep.

Ravi opened the door only to find Raymond standing in front of him, hugging himself tightly. Ravi furrowed his brows, looking at Raymond with a pale and drained expression, losing all color. He finally spoke in the middle of the quiet night and the dim light from Raymond's shining eyes nearly distracted his focus. "What's wrong?"

Raymond didn't answer; he just continued to scrutinize Ravi with his gaze. Ravi felt extremely uneasy under such intense scrutiny, but he couldn't bring himself to look away.

"Why isn't Ravi sleeping?" Raymond finally spoke, his voice a whisper.

Ravi didn't answer at first, but then he shifted his gaze to the back of Raymond's head and replied, "I'm not sleepy. What's wrong, Raymond? Do you need something?"

"Don't be afraid, Ravi. I'm here," he said suddenly. Ravi was taken aback by Raymond's words. He felt his cheeks warming, and his heartbeat sped up as Raymond slowly approached him.

"Why would you think I'm afraid?" he muttered, staring straight into Raymond's different-colored eyes.

"I know what Ravi thinks and how he feels."

"No, you don't know," Ravi denied. He didn't say he didn't trust Raymond, but he felt his privacy was being invaded. He didn't want to share anything except his happiness with others.

"I know. That man will never be able to harm Ravi."

Ravi's eyes widened, and he was surprised by Raymond's words. His stomach twisted as he heard the voice of the stranger with silver hair echoing in his mind. He didn't know why he suddenly felt anger for his parents, and Raymond, for not telling him anything. "He might not harm me, but he hurts Daniel. I know that. I believe you can know what I'm thinking, but you never know what I felt yesterday and today. If you did, you wouldn't just stand here like this." Ravi shook his head, feeling his tears rise, but he tried to hold them back. "You don't know anything. My parents, Daniel, even you, Raymond, I don't know what you're hiding from me. I don't know what to say anymore. Go back to your room; I want to sleep."

Ravi didn't want to see Raymond's reaction, or he would surely regret every word he had said. When Ravi stepped back to close the door, Raymond suddenly held his wrist. Ravi looked at Raymond's face. From where did Raymond gather the courage? He had told Raymond not to touch him like this.

Ravi pushed his hand away. "Don't touch me. I'm really disappointed."

"Ravi, I'm sorry that I can't tell you the truth."

Ravi didn't know what he was doing. He didn't want to be mad at Raymond. It was his right because even though Raymond said he belonged to Ravi, in Ravi's eyes, Raymond belonged to himself. But why was Ravi acting like this?

"No need for apologies when one makes a deliberate mistake. Leave my sight." After saying that, Ravi's eyes widened, looking at Raymond whose shoulders drooped. Ravi covered his mouth and shook his head helplessly. What had he just said?

Ravi shook his head once again, not meaning to say that. The words had come out suddenly from his lips. Unintentionally, tears welled up in his eyes, and he saw the sadness in Raymond's expression. But Ravi's hand quickly slammed the door shut.

What was wrong with him?