Love Began with the First Meeting

Brian went back to the villa and saw Mark sitting silently while reading a book.

From the moment he started living with his father, Mark remained quiet all along.

And sometimes, even when they sat together, neither of them could hardly feel the presence of the other.

Noticing the cold air between the father and son, Lisa called out to Brian and said, "Mr. Brian Long, the milk is ready." After hearing this, he then walked into the kitchen after casting a glance at his son.

Mark wondered about the commotion and saw Brian was back. Immediately, he stood up and went upstairs, while his father silently watched his figure fading until the door blocked his sight.

By the time Lisa finished taking out Mark's milk, like the usual, Mark was nowhere to be seen. She gave the milk to Brian and prepared to take her leave. Suddenly, after taking a few strides, she halted and said, "Mr. Mark was already heavy-eyed, but he didn't go to bed until he saw you back."

Hearing her words, Brian understood what she was trying to say. He then took the milk and went upstairs and headed to Mark's room. Upon entering, he saw him sitting idly on the bed. He walked slowly and handed the milk over. He then asked, "Your grandparents wish to see you. What do you think?"

But instead of giving an answer, Mark continued drinking his milk quietly, while his father continued, "Tomorrow, your aunt will be holding a party. Her grandfather wished to see you as well."

But even before he could continue, Mark interrupted him and asked, "Can I see mommy there?"

The words of this young man echoed in his mind. Angered, Brian frowned, but soon regained his poise. Coldly, he answered, "No."

"Then I don't want to go. Can I stay home instead?" Mark replied.

Without thinking twice, he replied affirmatively, "Sure." Surprised by his answer, Mark stared at Brian with his innocent eyes, filled with wonder.

Glad that his father didn't question his actions, he tried conversing with his father with a hopeful heart. "Then, can I see mommy the day after tomorrow?" his voice was dripping with expectations.

But even before Brian answered, Mark added in a sullen tone, "You won't let me see mommy any more, right?" knowing what he would say in response.

Again, a mixture of pain and anger stung his heart, after hearing his words. However, on one hand, he really wished Molly would come and beg him. But on the other hand, he would rather never see her again after seeing how she tried so hard to run away from him. Seeing Brian didn't reply, he placed his empty glass on the side table and slipped into bed. He buried his face with the quilt as a sign of protest.

Observing Mark's actions, Brian curled his lips with self-mockery. He then stood up, grabbed the empty glass and left the room. As he was about to grab the doorknob, Mark lifted the quilt and asked unhappily, "What should I do to see mom?"

The disappointed look on his face made Brian's heart ache. After a pause, he said, "You can see her when you call me daddy."

After saying his condition, Brian walked out and closed the door. His lips pursed tightly together in dismay. For all these years, he had debased himself so much that even before a little boy, he just kept conceding.

With this thought in mind, he sneered at himself, then went downstairs. As he stepped into the kitchen, another glass of milk sat on the table. Since when did he start drinking milk?

Suddenly, a voice surfaced and said, "Coffee before bed isn't good for your sleep," "Drink some milk." It was Molly's voice echoing in his mind - he remembered.

Brian continued to hear her fresh and clear words, resounding in his ears. He took the milk and walked to the window. Staring outside, the lamps were depressing in the dark night. The sky turned gloomy and cloudy - it's about to rain. Recently, Brian bought a private pasture to produce milk specifically for Mark. Thus, the milk he was drinking was air-lifted from Netherlands. He believed that his son deserved all the best things in the world.

But why would he value Mark so much? Was it because he was his son, or was it because Mark was the proof of his and Molly's love? Wondering why, his eyes slowly turned into deep black.

As the night continued to fall deeper, his aloof figure was elongated by the light. On the other hand, Mark couldn't bring himself to sleep. He stealthily opened the door and peeked at Brian, who's standing before the window. With lips pressed, the young man stared at Brian in wonder. He tried uttering a word and opened his mouth, but eventually sank into silence and closed the door instead.

With questions in mind, Mark laid on the big bed and glanced around the room. He had no idea what the room had been like, but it was all in light green - his favorite color. He heard from Lisa that his mom used to live in this room.

'But why would mommy live here with him?' he pondered to himself. 'Why would she marry daddy?' all these questions kept running on his young mind.

While trying to figure things out, Mark blinked his eyes and felt a bit sleepy. He often sleeps at sharp ten. Today, it was already past ten, but he just couldn't bring himself to sleep. He asked why, but no one answered.

Badly missing the times he spent with his mom, dad, uncle and Manny, his heart kept longing for them in the long night. But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't go anywhere near them.

Mark pouted his lips in anger and sorrow. Back then, "Daddy Brian", the name he called Brian in the deepest part of his heart, didn't even know he existed. He recalled Lisa saying how Brian was always preoccupied. But no matter how busy he was, Daddy Brian would always return home before ten and tucked him to bed after drinking his milk.

For several times, when he woke up in the middle of the night, he would always see the light turned on in the study where Daddy Brian was still working.

'Why would he split up with mommy?' he wondered. 'Mommy seems to hate Daddy Brian so much,' he continued, forcing himself to answer his own questions.

As Mark continued to immerse himself in his thoughts, his eyes became heavy. After a while, he could no longer stay awake and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, it was indeed cloudy. It was a total contrast from the night before, turning the sullen weather into a cool and windy day.

That morning, the father and son were having breakfast together. But as usual, neither of them ever spat a word. The same heavy scene always made Lisa let out deep sighs.

Suddenly, Brian broke the silence and said, "If I can't make it home on time, you go to bed directly. Don't wait for me," Brian said aloofly without lifting his head. Mark clearly heard his father's words. It resounded in his ears. 000000000☐☐☐☐☐