Boring Kid

The mention of Wexford Lane made Raina think of Gale. For some reason, she found herself unusually concerned about him.

After a brief silence, Raina started the car and left the Vexley Group building. She couldn’t help but ask, “By the way, since you’re at the company, where’s Gale? Is he alone at Wexford Lane?”

Leif’s eyes softened slightly. “Yeah. He doesn’t like crowded places. When I’m not around, he usually stays by himself at Wexford Lane.”

Raina frowned, clearly uneasy with that. The idea of such a little kid being all alone there just sounded sad.

She thought for a moment and said, “How about this, Mr. Vexley? I’m staying at Wexford Lane for a while anyway… If you don’t mind, I could… well, I could help take care of Gale.”

The moment she said it, she realized how awkward that sounded. She wanted to take it back, but it was too late now.

After spending these past couple days around Leif, she realized he wasn’t the cold, ruthless person everyone said he was—the one always wrapped up in scandals and chaos. He had a decent temper, was easy to talk to, and pretty much always willing to help. Still, they were basically strangers.

Gale was Leif’s only son and maybe the future heir to the massive Vexley Group empire. Someone that important wasn’t exactly easy for just anyone to get close to.

Leif hadn’t replied yet, which was… well, interesting.

Just as Raina was trying to figure out how to explain herself better, Leif’s deep voice finally came through.

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”

Raina was surprised. So he hadn’t been ignoring her—he was just thinking about whether it’d be a burden.

She quickly shook her head. “No trouble at all. It’d be great if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind,” Leif said. “Gale likes you too. I’ve never seen him so close to anyone.”

Never been that close?

That didn’t sound like something you’d say about a kid barely over four years old.

She remembered when she first met Gale, how he completely lost control and his face showed this dark, angry streak no normal child should have.

It was like a bottled-up frustration that no kid should carry on their face.

But since she wasn’t close to Leif and Gale wasn’t her child, she didn’t want to pry. What if there were family secrets? Asking too much would be awkward.

So she changed the subject. “What does Gale like to do?”

If she wanted to help him open up, she needed to know what he enjoyed so she wouldn’t accidentally upset him.

Leif answered without hesitation. “Reading.”

Gale didn’t like to interact with others and never spoke. So when Leif wasn’t around, he spent most of his time in the study reading books—sometimes the whole day. That only made him more withdrawn and less interested in people.

Raina frowned. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

She sighed. “Alright, got it.”

That didn’t sound like a kid at all. Even most adults would find that boring.

She couldn’t help but ask more details, and Leif answered openly.

As they talked, the car drove onto the road leading to Wexford Lane.

Maple trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves blazing red in peak autumn. A gentle breeze scattered leaves like flames falling from the branches—absolutely breathtaking.

Raina drove over the carpet of fallen leaves, and one leaf fluttered in through the window. Leif picked it up, studied it quietly for a while, then tossed it out.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at Wexford Lane.

As soon as the car pulled up, a small figure ran out and stood obediently by the driver’s door. He was too short to see inside the car and probably worried Raina wouldn’t like him standing on his toes, so he just waited patiently for her to get out.

Leif glanced sideways, feeling a little bitter.

What Raina didn’t know was that Gale had never once come to meet Leif. The father and son exchanged a look filled with mutual dislike, then both quickly looked away.

Leif said, “I’ll cook.”

After breakfast, Raina already knew Leif could cook, but she still asked, “Need help? Or someone to assist?”

Living at Wexford Lane meant not having to worry about a thing, but after so many years of shamelessly freeloading, Raina suddenly felt a little awkward about doing nothing.

Leif seemed reminded of some unpleasant memory and furrowed his brow just slightly. “No… You just go pick some fresh vegetables over there.”

Then, like he was worried she wouldn’t know how to pick them, he added, “Gale, take Miss Carrington over.”

Gale obediently nodded, then grabbed Raina’s hand tightly with his little fist, as if afraid she’d let go.

Raina didn’t pull away or feel uncomfortable about the stranger touching her hand. Instead, it felt like she was holding hands with someone very important.

Seeing this, Leif didn’t say another word and turned toward the kitchen.

After a few steps, Raina noticed Gale struggling a bit to hold her hand, so she crouched down and said awkwardly, “Want me to carry you?”

Gale’s eyes widened because Raina was now crouched down, so their gazes were level with each other.

When he heard what she said, that usually serious, cold little face suddenly brightened in an instant.

It was like he was surprised, shocked, but also really happy—there was even a hint of shy embarrassment, his little ears turning slightly red.

Raina felt her heart skip a beat, a sudden, inexplicable pang of tenderness washing over her.

The next second, Gale threw himself into her arms, wrapping her up tight. If he could cry out loud, right now, in her embrace, he definitely would’ve broken down and bawled.

Raina sighed softly, her eyes growing gentle. She smiled as she lifted him up, and maybe it was just her imagination, but the little guy seemed to be trembling slightly in her arms.

No, it must be just her imagination.

She didn’t think too much of it and carried Gale toward the vegetable garden.

What she didn’t see was that not far behind, Leif was standing by a large gate, his gaze quietly restrained and controlled as he watched them for a while before silently turning away.

***