The night street in District 2 was never quiet. With bars and clubs opening all night, the street was full of someone either heavily drunk or drunk enough to not cause chaos.
The red light at the intersection was flashing its light, halting every vehicle in its sight from advancing forward.
Driving home after our dinner together, I tapped my car's steering wheel as Cedric's words flashed in my mind. Although we didn't pursue the matter further throughout dinner, the fact that Cedric realized meant that sooner or later, others would find out too.
It's not like I tried to hide it or anything, but I felt uncomfortable having people worry about my condition.
'Yes, I'll admit it, I have a high pride in this aspect.'
Other than my family members, having others see my vulnerable side was considered a weakness to me, and illness was one of them.
"Ethan, the light has turned green." Ilyas warned me.
"Ah, right."
I stepped on the gas when I realized the cars behind me were blaring their horns.
As promised, I took Ilyas home to know where his house was located. The others had already gone home on their own. And because we lived in different directions from each other, we parted ways shortly after we were done eating.
"That one is my house."
I turned my wheel and parked in front of a small white apartment. It was located quite deep in the alley, and the building looked a little run-down, but the place was relatively clean.
"Thank you for driving me today, rest well Ethan."
Ilyas smiled, waving his hands while saying goodbye. His smile was always so radiant even when he was not putting a lot of effort into it. But today, maybe because he was especially happy, I could see a halo surrounding him.
"You too, see you on Monday."
Returning his smile with a nod, I drove back to my house in the opposite direction.
The sky was bright because of the moon, so I thought once I arrived home, I would enjoy the night peacefully by stargazing.
But a thought was just a thought if I couldn't achieve it.
Parked in front of my house were three black sedan cars with thug like men wearing earpieces. Noticing my car approaching, their gaze stayed on me until I got out.
"What's going on here?" I asked as I stepped out of my car – a slight malice in my tone.
I recognized these men. They were the security guards of a company I tried to enter and get kicked out from in the past.
"Young master Ethan, the madam is waiting for you. Please enter quickly."
I frowned. That was certainly news to me. I didn't have any plan beforehand on receiving guests this late at night.
But regardless of my feelings, I entered my house unwillingly under the guards' watchful eyes.
Inside my living room, I spotted a middle-aged woman sitting elegantly with her legs crossed, her gaze glued to a tablet in her hand.
"You are late. I informed you through a message, but you didn't reply, so I asked Oliver to unlock your door. Seriously, who still uses a key and a lock instead of a digital door lock these days?" She said with a demeaning demeanor, which made me raise my eyebrow.
'Umm… Your son and the rest of the world…?'
But at least now I knew who opened my door without my permission. Oliver was Ethan's mother, Lily Dale's, personal secretary and bodyguard. B-Rank esper with espionage ability – including unlocking a door like a thief.
I pulled up my phone and checked the messaging app. There was indeed one unread chat that was sent half an hour ago, but it was just one sentence of [I'm coming to your house].
'If you're coming, at least tell me a few hours before the actual appointment.'
I almost clicked my tongue, but I held it in – keeping my thoughts to myself.
While there's nothing wrong with a mother visiting her child without notice, the parental relationship in this family was one that felt more like a business rather than a loving parent-child relationship. So it would be weird to expect her visit as one where a mother missed her child and one where we had a heartfelt reunion.
As if to prove my thoughts, she immediately placed down a handful of documents on the table.
"Sign it and come to the company at ten tomorrow."
Skimming through the documents, I noticed that this was an agreement for a photoshoot. RetroV was launching a new product, and they needed someone to promote it.
"But why am I the model?"
Oliver handed me a magazine, opening it at the page where it said 'Esper popularity ranking based on votes.' and my face was the highlight. That was all I needed to know.
After all I did to reach out to them, I never got a response. But now, when they finally reached out to me, all they talked about was business.
Feeling the document in my hand, mixed emotions came over me.
I did inherit fragmented memories of the original Ethan, and since he was a child, he was deprived of love from his parents. All he had was his brother's love, which was taken away from him when his brother attended middle school in a foreign country. That's why the original Ethan grew with a twisted personality.
But even then….
"Alright, I'll go."
I signed the document and agreed to come.
"Great, be on time, and don't forget to attend your cousin's marriage next week."
Holding the document in hand, Lily got up and immediately went out.
I let out a deep sigh, gazing at the car that just left, more precisely, the person inside it.
My heart still yearned for a parental love, even though logically I knew there would never be that kind of love in this family. Not the 'me' who transmigrated here but the 'Ethan' inside me.
Patting myself to calm down, I whispered.
"Don't worry, your desire is my desire too."
Though there's no answer, I continued.
"So, I'll try my best to fulfill it."