Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 109: Release Me

Zane pretended to be seriously reading the menu while listening to his father’s conversation. He was sure Alexander was looking for his younger brother.

"No, he is not with my son. We are having dinner right now."

"Yes."

Adam replied repeatedly, now glancing at his son. "Zane, do you know where your friend Nathan is?"

Zane lifted his face from the menu and shook his head, then looked down again. His face flushed, his chest pounding because he had to lie.

"Yes, sorry about that. Maybe you can ask his other friend," Adam said again.

Zane remained silent.

Adam looked at him again. "Do you know who Nathan’s friends are?"

Zane pretended to think. "No, he doesn’t really have any friends. How could he have friends when his brothers are so protective?" he replied deliberately.

Adam immediately cleared his throat. "Ah, I didn’t know about that. Sorry, Alexander. Yes, yes. Just tell me if you need any help."

Adam closed his phone and looked at Zane. "It’s rude to talk like that, Zane."

Although he was reprimanding him, the man’s voice was low.

"It’s a fact. We are two unlucky people. I don’t have a mom, and..." He wanted to add ’father’, but he stopped and looked at Adam, seeing his father’s uncomfortable reaction. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"... and Nathan, living in a golden cage. We have a lot of good things, but we lack basic necessities. His freedom, and my need of love."

Adam looked at Zane, wanting to say that there were many things adults had to do to make their families happy. But then he saw that his son was not happy.

"I don’t want to fight with you now. You gave me your point, and I think I have to feel sorry for my absence. But I will fix it from now on," Adam said, surprising Zane.

Because he was ready to argue. But his father accepted it and even apologized to him.

He felt bad about it.

"I’m sorry for asking you to be a good son when I didn’t teach you anything. There are many things I regret. If your mother were still alive, she might have killed me," Adam continued.

Zane looked down silently.

A moment later, he looked at his father. "Are you really going to kick David and his mom out?" he asked.

Adam sighed, then nodded firmly.

"Just because of me?"

Adam looked intently at Zane. "Don’t worry. It’s not only about you. You wouldn’t understand. But this is my final decision."

"Is it because of another woman?" Zane asked suddenly. He often heard Marie yelling because Adam rarely came home and was playing around with women.

Adam was silent for a moment. Then he smiled. "It was a bad start with her. I was so sad and depressed when your mom died. I couldn’t even look at your face. It was so devastating. And then she came. She worked in a bar, her words truly hypnotizing. And just like that, we made a small agreement to stay together. I wish I had looked for you too. It was a selfish decision. But with time, I realized it was my stupid mistake."

For the first time, Zane heard his father’s point of view. It was something he never imagined his father, who was so perfect in his eyes, would face.

That his father also felt heartbroken.

Zane took a deep breath. Marie and David’s departure, for some reason, left something unsettling. He just couldn’t believe that he was going home without feeling disgusted, afraid, or uncomfortable.

He tried to get rid of the bad thoughts. Whatever he thought, he was sure it wouldn’t change his father’s decision.

"Eat well," Adam said when the waiter came to take his order.

Zane nodded, hiding his current feelings of happiness.

"Will you give me more time after this? Or will you be busier, and this is just a momentary thing?" Zane asked after the waiter left their table.

Adam stared at his cell phone. He was still busy, but he seemed to be trying hard to ignore the various messages and calls.

"As I told you, I will try my best to fix our relationship. And I hope you are not too difficult, too. I would love to ask you to join our activities. We can go to golf, bowling—"

"Oh nooo! I don’t want to play with old people," Zane complained. He didn’t like those social events.

"It’s better than racing. It’s dangerous."

"You won’t forbid me from going there, right?"

"I have to do it. You are my face, Zane. How can the son of a police chief break the rules? You know it’s illegal."

Zane immediately realized the effect of his closeness to his father. It was not fun.

Adam saw that and just smirked slightly. "Just make sure I don’t see you."

***Salazar mansion***

The study room was deathly quiet. Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to the door, staring out at the dark, gloomy garden.

He repeatedly looked at his cell phone. When unexpected messages or calls came in, he just grumbled.

Huan stood there. Jack contacted his men to search the entire city.

"I think you really need to listen to Nathan. He was quite calm when Louis was here. And it’s his first time asking for something," Huan said.

Alexander was silent, clenching his fists. Annoyance and anger mixed with worry.

"Where are those two kids?! Damn it!" he cursed.

He then looked at Huan. "We can’t take Louis back. What will they say? That I’m indecisive?"

"Well, now it’s not about their opinion. And who would think that you’re indecisive? I will kiss your hands if you really take Louis back. Everyone else will be happy too if Louis is here. Nathan and Nael will surely respect you more. So who cares if someone says you’re indecisive?"

Alexander sighed. He felt challenged, and he didn’t want to lose.

"Listen to me once. Nathan will distance himself if you keep this harsh way. It’s your time to show him that you truly listen and consider his opinion. You know, your time with him won’t be long. I think he’s still not convinced to stay here after six months. What you showed him, how you treated him, you did your best to push him away."

Alexander turned, staring at Huan. "What? I love him. I do everything for him! I treat him well! How can you say I push him away?"

Huan sighed. The man would never see himself as flawed.

"Will Nathan now come to you with love and hug you? I’m sure not. He will leave after six months without a second thought."

Alexander was about to argue, but then he fell silent.

Nathan... even though Alexander had done everything to love him and make him stay there, he wasn’t sure if Nathan would come to him willingly and with open arms.

"Damn, am I really that bad?!" Alexander snapped. Rather than asking, he was expressing his frustration.

Huan nodded without hesitation. "You really are that bad. Everyone knows you are good in business but not with relationships. I believe you actually don’t have a heart."

Alexander stared at Huan sharply. "It’s personal, I know. You just hate me now. I’m sure I’m not that bad."

Huan clenched his fists, taking a deep breath.

Then the door opened. Lorenzo bowed and walked closer.

"Boss," Lorenzo said. His voice was gravelly.

"Did you get them?"

Lorenzo shook his head. "Not yet. We’ll try harder." He sounded tired.

Before Alexander could speak, Lorenzo spoke again.

"I’m sorry. I failed. But I can’t take care of them if they’re against me. It never ends well if they keep refusing me."

Alexander rubbed his forehead. "They just need time, Lorenzo. They’re young. Once they settle, they’ll see that you’re there to keep them alive."

Lorenzo shook his head slowly, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "With all due respect, I’m afraid that until that time comes, they’ll already be in danger. Please release me from this duty."

Alexander stared intently. "You take responsibility for my orders, Lorenzo. You refuse it?"

"I’m sorry. I can’t take this. I know I’m capable enough. I will protect you or anyone else. But not the ones who always run away from me. It’s really exhausting."

Alexander sighed.

Huan was silent. He stared at Alexander, forcing him to think about his words.

Alexander sounded angry. "Get them, now!" he shouted loudly.

***Meanwhile, at Gabriel’s house***

The three teenagers were engrossed in playing video games. Without realizing it, it was already late at night.

Nael and Nathan were playing while Gabriel acted as a commentator, showing his dissatisfaction.

Drakken then appeared, standing in the doorway. "Boys, it’s late. You’d better both go home. Your brothers will pick you up?" he asked.

Nael and Nathan were engrossed in their game and answered without breaking their concentration.

"If not, I will call them."

Hearing that, they both turned their heads at the same time.

"NO!" they exclaimed.

Drakken frowned. "Why? Don’t tell me both of you ran away again."

Nathan found his words strange. They had never met, and yet this man knew they had run away before.

But he just shook his head. "No, we’ll take the bus home."

Drakken shook his head. "If your brother knows you ran away here, they’ll make a scene. Better I drive you home."

Nathan and Nael looked at each other.