CHAPTER 7 :Unexpected Bonds

​After breakfast, the mansion fell into a heavy, expensive silence. Aiden wandered aimlessly through the marble halls, his mind drifting to his café back home. He missed the smell of burnt espresso and the sound of students arguing over physics. Eventually, he spotted Madam Smith sitting in the garden, a small porcelain tea set resting on the table before her.

​"Would you care to join me?" she asked. Her voice was gentle, yet it carried the natural authority of someone used to being obeyed.

​"Can I?" Aiden asked timidly, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped onto the grass.

​"Of course, dear. Have a seat. Get him a drink," she ordered a nearby maid with a graceful wave of her hand.

​Aiden swallowed hard and sat across from her. The initial silence was awkward, but it quickly melted into easy conversation. He found her charming—grandmotherly but sharp, like a diamond wrapped in silk.

​"I could hardly believe it when I heard Damien brought someone home," she said, her eyes twinkling with a sudden, keen interest.

​"And… why is that, ma'am?"

​"The Damien I raised," she began, her gaze drifting toward the koi pond, "has been cold and distant since he was a teenager. Ever since the accident that took his parents… he hasn't been the same. He was in a coma for two years. When he finally woke up, it was like part of his soul stayed behind in that darkness."

​Aiden's smile faded. A heavy knot formed in his stomach. "Oh… I'm so sorry, Grandma. I didn't know."

​"It's not your fault, dear," she said softly, reaching across to place a warm hand over his. "But perhaps fate brought you here for a reason. He needs a light, Aiden."

​Before Aiden could respond, Charlie appeared at the garden entrance, his hands buried in his pockets and a playful smirk on his face.

​"There you are! I've been looking all over," Charlie announced. "We're going shopping, so get ready. You’ve got twenty minutes."

​"Where have you been? You left him alone all morning," Madam Smith scolded lightly, though her eyes were kind.

​"I had to run an errand for Charles," Charlie replied sheepishly. "Anyway, move it, Aiden. We don't have all day to spend Damien's money."

​Aiden turned back to the elderly woman with a slight pout. "I really hate to leave now. I was enjoying our talk."

​"It's fine, dear," she said with a warm smile. "We'll continue when you return. Go have fun."

​The car ride into the city was quiet. Aiden watched the Tokyo skyline glide by, but his mind was stuck on what Grandma Smith had said. A coma for two years… He tried to imagine waking up to find the world moved on without you, and your parents gone. He sighed without realizing it.

​"Aiden?" Charlie called out, snapping his fingers. "You okay? You've been staring out the window like a sad movie character for ten miles."

​"I'm fine," Aiden muttered, shaking his head. "Just thinking."

​"About?"

​"Nothing important. Let's just get this over with."

​The mall was a cathedral of glass and high fashion. Aiden immediately noticed the prices and felt his stomach do a flip. Every shirt cost more than his monthly rent. When he reached for a simple, plain T-shirt in a corner, Charlie frowned.

​"There's no way you're getting that," Charlie said, snatching it out of his hand.

​"Why not? I like it. It’s comfortable."

​"Because Damien will have my head for letting you buy anything cheap," he teased, dragging Aiden toward a designer rack. "Just pick what you want. Don't look at the tags."

​"But—"

​"No buts. Have fun for once. Treat it like a mission."

​Charlie ended up selecting half the store—silk shirts, tailored trousers, and soft cashmere sweaters. He laughed whenever Aiden tried to help carry the stacks of bags.

​"Come on, let the staff do it," Charlie said, nodding to the three employees following them. "It's their job, not yours. You’re the guest of honor today."

​After the shopping spree, they stopped at an upscale traditional restaurant. The table was soon covered with colorful sashimi, tempura, and wagyu beef.

​"Wow…" Aiden's eyes sparkled at the presentation.

​"You love it, huh?"

​"Of course! This looks amazing. I’ve never seen food look this much like art."

​"Then dig in," Charlie grinned. "And please—drop the 'senior' and 'sir' thing. Just call me Charlie. I'm only two years older than you."

​"O-okay… Charlie," Aiden said, smiling shyly as he picked up his chopsticks.

​As they ate, Aiden’s curiosity finally got the better of him. "So… all your names start with 'C'. Charles, Charlie… Why is Damien's different?"

​Charlie chuckled, pouring some tea. "Good question. His full name is actually Charlton. But don't ever call him that. He absolutely hates it."

​"Why?"

​"No one really knows. Maybe something tied to the accident, or maybe he just thinks it sounds too stiff. He’s always been the odd one out."

​Aiden nodded slowly, then looked down at his plate. "When is he coming back?"

​"Probably not today. He's got meetings in another province. Why—missing him already?"

​"What? No!" Aiden blushed a deep crimson. "I just… I wanted to know if I had to keep hiding in my room."

​Charlie smirked, leaning forward. "Thought so. You’ve got it bad, Blondie."

​"I do not!" Aiden huffed, though his heart was racing.

​They finished lunch, and Charlie mentioned he had a party to go to later that evening.

​"Can I come with you?" Aiden asked hopefully, desperate to see something other than the mansion walls.

​"Uh, no way. Damien would kill me if I took you to a club in a foreign city. And besides, his parties aren't exactly 'safe' for a newcomer like you."

​"Pleaseee," Aiden pleaded, giving him his best puppy-dog eyes. "It's not like I'm gonna tell him. And it’s not like he’s my boyfriend or anything."

​"Not your boyfriend? Then what is he?" Charlie teased.

​"Someone who abducted me on a Monday!" Aiden said with a sarcastic laugh.

​Charlie laughed loudly. "But you two did have a 'thing' that night at the club, didn't you?"

​"Yeah… maybe," Aiden admitted quietly, standing up to leave. "But it's not worth being kept hostage over."

​Charlie chuckled softly, following him out. "Now I get why he likes you. You’ve got a backbone."

​"Whatever," Aiden huffed, though he couldn't hide the small smile on his face.