11: Meeting Alexander

DANIEL

Liam has the softest of hands. His smooth skin felt fragile under my rougher hands.

The bolt of chills down my spine, when I touched him, startled me. 

I was so immersed in his pain the first time I touched him, in the hospital, to feel other things. The things I felt today in the absence of tears. It wasn't hard to know what those chills meant.

He and I had a rapport, a solid one. I still don't know how I will go about it, but I don't plan to overthink it. 

My intercom buzzed, and I contemplated picking it. My secretary was just here a few minutes ago. What the hell did she forget to mention? “What is it?”

“There is a gentleman here to see you, he is calling himself Alexander.” 

From her tone I could gather he was no official.  

“I don't know any Alexander,” I said, mostly to myself. “Send him in,” 

The tall gentleman who graced my office screamed power and wealth. From his Patek Philippe watch, to his plaid 3-piece gray suit and not to forget his Alexander McQueen leather shoes.

He wore a deathly glare, and his eyes had a hint of skepticism in them.  

“My name is Daniel, the warden. How can I help you, Mr. Alexander?” I stretched my hand, and he shook it, too firmly for my liking. 

Before I could ask what he wanted, a slender-looking man with black curls walked in. 

“Hi,” he waved warmly, his gaze mostly at the Alexander guy. He stood beside him and rubbed the guy's back, and I assumed he was comforting him or something.

“What do you want from him?” Alexander blurted, without bothering to introduce himself. 

“Who?” I asked with obvious confusion. 

“My cousin,” he snapped, taking a step closer. His eyes narrowed on my face. His grudge is apparent.

“Your cousin?” I couldn't have been more lost.  

“Liam,” Realization dawned and when I looked closely, I could see some familiarity between the two. For instance, their brown orbs, though Liam's is more of gold, compared to hazel I am staring at.

“I am just helping your cousin,”. I stated casually. 

“You expect me to believe that?” He spat, 

“No,” I shrugged. “But that is the truth.” He wasn't convinced.

“Baby,” the twink by his side called, stepping in front of him. Wow, so they are together. For a brief moment, I had assumed he is a relative of Liam as well, but from the endearment, I am certain that's not the case. 

“I believe him,” 

“I don't,” Alexander countered breathlessly. “No one is that good,” 

“But you are,” the slender one insisted, making me question the circumstances under which they met. 

“And he might be, as well.” He lowered his voice, but I still heard everything. “Give him a chance, he can keep Liam safe for us.”

I could have screamed, 'listen to your man,' but that would have probably made the man distrust me further.

Now that I have known who he is, a part of me wants him to like me. More like approval.

I think for him to barge in my office, he must really care for Liam, and maybe the opposite is true. 

“If you hurt him, there is nowhere you will hide that I won't find you.” He dished a threat. I had begun wondering when we would get to that point. “And the last thing on your mind will be, I shouldn't have messed with him.”

Without further ado, he stormed out just as he came. 

“I apologize for his behavior,” his partner murmured sheepishly. “He is just worried about Liam, that kid is too soft and naive for this place.” I smiled at the irony. The young man calling Liam a kid was barely a few years older. 

“I understand his concern,” he stepped forward and shook my hand. “Please take care of him," he begged, but what he didn't know was that I didn't need any prompting to care for Liam.

“I will,” I promised, and he smiled briefly before following his lover. 

“Wow,” I breathed, sinking back in my chair. 

Seems like everyone is out to protect the brown-eyed boy.