The Amazement

Aike felt as if his world had just been shattered before his eyes, but he was careful not to let it show on his face. At the mention of his name, which slipped so easily from the disgraceful mouth of this lout, he remained impassive.

It should be noted, however, that Howie is no disgrace, not even a lock of hair. It's just Aike playing cold and aloof.

Not only is he astonished by Howie's greeting, as if he hadn't almost been run over like a rag doll by a driver who didn't even think of stopping, but what bothers him even more is that Howie called him by name without the slightest hesitation and with a certainty that frightens him.

But that didn't stop him from opening his eyes wide when he saw that Howie wasn't fooled by his calm exterior.

With his eyes wide open, Aike shook his head as if he were chasing away a bad memory or waking from a nightmare in broad daylight.

Then he began to blink in a flutter worthy of the synchronised dance of fairies at a flower festival.

Howie, for his part, didn't take his eyes off him, amused at the way he had managed to trouble Aike, who usually showed no emotion at all.

A mischievous smile came to life at the corner of his lips, adding further to Aike's confusion.

He does not help Aike understand his amused expression. On the contrary, he enjoys seeing Aike, who is always confident and infallible, being thrown off balance by a mere earthling like him, as they often refer to people in his category.

That's what they call everyone who doesn't belong to their circle, as if they weren't earthlings themselves. Humans and their pretensions, pfft!

Howie takes a step towards Aike, causing the latter to jump back at a speed that almost makes Howie giggle, but the lunatic teenager manages to keep the giggle to himself. He merely chuckled mockingly, almost contemptuously at Aike vehement leap.

Their eyes meet and the tension between them rises a notch. Aike doesn't know how to describe the emotions running through him at the moment, which gives him an almost silly expression when his gaze meets Howie's again.

"What?" Howie asked him mischievously, every trace of contempt or disdain in his eyes gone, giving way to amusement. "Do I frighten you, Aike?" he cooed softly, still amused by the confused expression on his interlocutor's face.

Aike moistened his lips without taking his eyes off Howie's and replied in a neutral tone, trying to control the panic in his voice.

"Why should I be afraid of you? Do you think your excessive behaviour makes you a scary guy?" The contempt in his voice was inevitable.

Howie winced as he ran a hand through his hair and tucked it behind his ear, revealing a good part of his face that had previously been hidden by his voluminous hair.

He said, 'It's good you're not afraid of me. At least you're not stupid.' Then he looked away, as if he had lost all interest in this impromptu encounter.

While answering Aike absentmindedly, Howie searched his pockets for a rubber band to tie his hair back but couldn't find one.

After a moment's thought, he asked Aike, "Do you happen to have a rubber band or something to help me tie my hair back?"

The boy who had made Aike feel strange and creepy had vanished, and Howie was no longer the amused person who had looked at him as if he'd hit the jackpot.

Aike wondered what was wrong with the man, observing him from head to toe.

He seemed to effortlessly switch from one topic to another, one expression to another, without considering the emotional state of others or the impact of his icy gaze.

Aike didn't answer Howie's question, too preoccupied with his thoughts. Howie redirected his attention to Aike, checking if he was still engaged.

When he sees the astonished look on Aike's face, he just smiles like a happy child, and his eyes follow his smile with a slight sparkle that chases away the icy temperature they seem to hide deep inside, giving him a childlike and charming air.

"I'm sorry," he says to Aike, "I have this habit of upsetting people, which makes me a bit of a madman in their eyes. I assure you, I don't mean to upset you, it's quite natural. You'll get used to it, don't worry." He explained it as if it were nothing, making Aike more and more confused, who remained speechless.

"So this rubber band, do you have it or not?" he asked again, this time with more clarity and presence of mind, and without knowing how the tension between them had disappeared as if by magic, without them noticing.

With the friendly tone Howie had spoken to him, Aike felt more or less at ease in his presence. He nodded negatively.

"Would you like to stay with us for a while?" Aike offered, more relaxed than ever. He didn't know why or how he found himself asking him such a thing, but he did it anyway.

Life has its secrets that humans will never be able to understand, so he didn't try to understand his behaviour now, maybe later.

He felt a peace rise inside him, a boundless calm that ran through his whole body, a feeling of security as if he had always known this boy standing before him.

Although, they attend the same prestigious school, but beyond that, they have never interacted. So, what is the reason for this sudden connection?

If they hadn't had those few lessons together, they wouldn't know who was who when someone had to say their name in front of them, but here he is, as if he had always been part of their routine. What is this now?

Since Howie has adopted a friendlier tone and a more relaxed, less intimidating attitude, the atmosphere between them has become more manageable and tender.

"Sorry, but I've got more important things to do than hang out with you, man." Howie replied nonchalantly, which made Aike sulk without his awareness.

Howie replied that he had things to do, but nobody knew where he was at the moment. "If I don't want my good mother to turn into a hysterical bomb about to explode, I'd better get home right away." Howie tries to explain his refusal when he sees his interlocutor's pout. A lame excuse, of course.

His parents have no idea of the current situation in Wood Hill, as someone has managed to intercept the email and use the chaos to play truant instead.

It is not yet eight o'clock, so no one will be worried about his absence, at least not until his dad picks him up from school.

As Howie was about to leave, a voice spoke from behind Aike, a voice that was almost identical to the one of the person in front of him, but which wasn't him. If he hadn't known better, he could have sworn that Aike could speak with his mouth closed.

"I've got your rubber band," the voice said softly, in an almost soothing calm.

He froze for a brief moment before turning around and placing both hands on Aike's shoulders casually. He then casts a curious glance over the latter's shoulder at the newcomer. The charming smile he flashed at Ayke was as beautiful as the person he is.

The twins were surprised to see him smile so much and so beautifully. The only time they really noticed him at school was when he did his sick scenes, which made almost everyone uncomfortable and amused others who didn't give a damn about his existence or the fact that he might actually be ill.

Whether he is unwell or not is not their concern, as long as it is not contagious or poses a threat to them.

His eyes shone with mischief and sparkled with a childish gleam as he clicked his tongue. "Here we are! Look who finally decided to show up. I was wondering when you were going to show your pretty face, Ayke. Did you enjoy eavesdropping on your brother's conversation, you little rascal?"

With a swift motion, he pushed Aike aside as if he were an unimportant branch blocking his path and approached towards Ayke, who was standing nearby with a black rubber band between two fingers at the height of his pretty face.

Howie took it with unbridled nonchalance, and began to tie his hair into the well-known ponytail that he wore to school every day.

When he had finished tying it up, he straightened his clothes and gave a satisfied look to his two onlookers, who had been staring at him the whole time.

The twins could not quite put their finger on exactly how he made them feel, but they knew they felt different around him. It is a bit annoying!

"So gentlemen, did you enjoy the show?" Howie cooed softly while they continued to stare at him openly without blinking.

Aike's face flashed with annoyance as Ayke laughed out loud. The laugh was beautiful and melodious, ringing crystal clear. Needless to say, he liked the boy's sophisticated yet relaxed demeanour.

For the first time ever, they dropped their pretenses and openly shared their emotions without worrying about how to behave. They allowed each other to express themselves freely without feeling the need to conform to any particular attitude. They realized this the moment they saw the outcome.

Aike doesn't really like Howie's lackadaisical way of life. He seems to be too frivolous and volatile for his liking, but Ayke doesn't mind all that at all. He even feels he's found a companion in the long-haired boy, who seems both crazy and fascinating at the same time.

Nevertheless, they are both surprised by their own attitudes. "What was all this letting go in front of a stranger?" They wondered helplessly through their bond beyond Howie's reach.

For a moment, they stood stone-faced, staring at each other as if frozen in time, whilst Howie said nothing to disturb.

He was giving them time to work out what was happening to them, sensing that it's important for them to deal with the situation between themselves. It was as if someone were telling him to stay out of it, to give them time to come to terms with this new state of mind.

In a panic, Ayke ran over to his brother, who looked at him with his mouth hanging open. "What happened?" they asked each other in unison, a little confused.

"Calm down," Howie told them. This time his voice was soft and very calm, bringing out the deep boyish undertone of it.

The twins turned towards him defensively, like startled animals. Howie addressed them, saying 'Stop it' in a tone that was half serious and half amused, as if he was talking to his pets. The twins responded with serious expressions and accusatory glares. The situation amused him, despite their aggressive stance.

"I had nothing to do with this situation, okay?" "If you didn't feel the need to coordinate in front of me, that's your problem, not mine, because it didn't come from me." He states objectively. For some reason, he feels compelled to defend himself.

"Perhaps it's for the best that's, who knows," he muttered to himself, watching their every move out of the corner of his eye.

The twins still look at each other in a frenzy, somehow ignoring his muttering, "So it's true? He really recognises us, it's official?" They talk to each other, still out of Howie's reach.

"And he knows everything, he knows that we do everything so that no one can tell us apart? How did he do that?" After asking each other a few questions without saying a word aloud, they turned their attention back to Howie, who was looking at them much more amused than before.

Then he regained his seriousness and cleared his throat before speaking in a detached, professional voice. Slipping a hand into the pocket of his skinny jeans, he lifted his chin, narrowed his eyes slightly, and placed a hand on his chest in a professional pose.

"I don't know why or how, but I assure you that I know absolutely nothing about how I manage to tell you apart." "I just know you," he tells them, all the while managing to maintain the detached, professional tone and demeanour he's adopted to perfection.

"And it's not like that's all I have to do," he grumbles through his teeth at the sceptical look on the twins' faces.

"I'm a busy man, as you know, right?" The twins shook their heads in the negative simultaneously. He glared at them and continued.

"Are you kidding me? I've got far too much on my plate to be interested in people's lives. Besides, you're not even part of my world, so why should I bother with you and your bourgeois rebel stories, eh?"

"All the more reason for us to distrust you," they both replied in unison.

Howie rolled his eyes in annoyance, "What? You must be joking. You think I spend my time spying on you, do you?" They both nodded in the affirmative.

"OK, that's it... keep dreaming, boys," Howie replied, rolling his eyes at them. "So I've been spying on you. Is that OK with you?"

They're all paranoid in this town, he muttered to himself.

Without waiting, he turned on his heel, shoved his hands in his pockets, took out his headphones and put them on his ears, then scrolled through his playlists for a moment, looking for the list of music that would suit him best at the moment as he walked away from them.

Dean's voice rose in his ears, like the gentle dripping morning dew on the leaves of a green meadow. A meadow that stretches as far as the eye can see, with a fragrance that invites you to slow down and take in the serenity of the place..

Dean's voice rose, captivating and powerful. It drew Howie in, causing him to forget everything else, including the twins and the accident that almost ruined his whole life. This behaviour is characteristic of him; in a split of second he becomes absorbed in his own world with just a little music.

Howie moved away from the twins, who were still struggling with their instincts and emotions. They were unsure whether to stop him, prevent him from leaving, or let him go further away.

They were caught in the middle, and it was an unpleasant situation. However, they were determined not to let Howie believe that he had actually uncovered their secret. They were too proud to admit it, and they feared that he might tell someone else, causing everyone to find out about their pink cane.

"We need to take action before it's too late," they say to each other.

"Should we have an honest conversation with him?" Aike asks his brother. "When I spoke to him previously, I felt a sense of calm and well-being in his company. Of course, that was when he wasn't displaying his erratic behaviour," he continues thoughtfully.

"He has a tendency to make people feel uneasy. Yes, I know the feeling," his brother responds, almost irritated, as if their roles had been reversed. Ayke tried to dissuade his brother, or maybe himself, saying, "Do you think it's a good idea to let him come into our lives and turn everything upside down? He's not a stable guy, remember?"

It's strange how he suddenly becomes full of reservations about the subject, as if he wasn't the one who laughed out loud at Howie's audacity not so long ago.

"If we're going to go down that road, neither are we," his brother replies without any hesitation, rolling his eyes. He wondered if any reasonable person would enjoy manipulating others. Aike defended Howie, questioning the sanity of their childhood pastime. Despite his previous annoyance with Howie, Aike found the idea of befriending him tempting.

“This is a different situation, Aike. We are taking these measures to protect ourselves, as we do not know Howie's motives and why he is always on the verge of causing chaos. Additionally, Howie is a complete stranger to us, and we have no knowledge of him.” Ayke responded firmly, and the idea of befriending Howie became more and more alarming with each word his brother spoke.

“Well, let's take action to change that. What do you think?”Aike hastily added, with anticipation gleaming in his eyes."We'll get to know him and be friends with him. We've never found anyone who could see through us, little brother. We don't want to lose the only person in front of whom we can be ourselves without paying attention, hm?" Aike continued plaintively, still willing to try despite his brother's protests.

"What if he doesn't want us? What if mother finds out that we're seeing one of them? What will become of us? Once he's in our lives, it'll be hard to get rid of him." Ayke replied more sensibly and carefully than ever, for his brother had no intention of letting go of the matter any time soon.

"Ayke, don't overreact, it's not like he's a puppy that mum can get rid of because we've grown attached to him, hm? He's a human being and don't forget we're talking about Howie, brother. I have a feeling it's going to be hard to get rid of someone like that."

"Do you not wish to experience that kind of laughter again in the future? It was the first time since what happened with Eck that I had heard you laugh like that." He spoke these words in a sorrowful tone, his eyes almost misty with tears.

Ayke responded in a deep and determined tone, "I would rather not laugh for the rest of my life than allow someone to hurt us. And what if it is not our mother, but the puppy itself who causes harm?"

Ayke almost shouts, “He is uncontrollable, undisciplined and unpredictable, even in this context, and the whole establishment knows it. I don't understand why you insist. We are digging our own grave with him. So it's no.”

He pauses to look at his brother, who opens his eyes wide, and then asks in a low voice, “Are you bored with us, Aike?” sadly.

“No, no... what are you talking about? I wanted to experience it, but if that's not possible, we won't force ourselves. Besides, you're right. if the danger this time is none other than the puppy, what would we do?" Aike hurried to answer to calm his brother.

Aike is a reasonable person in everything. Even if he really wants to be friends with Howie, he knows how to compromise. He also knows that the danger is more serious than these senseless needs that overwhelm him like an addict in withdrawal.

They both know how much they need each other. They never argue, they always discuss the decisions they have to make about their lives, but today may be the first time they were frustrated in a discussion.

They both understand the importance of their relationship and communicate effectively. They value their autonomy and independence, as they are often subject to their parents' authority. However, they have developed a strong bond and are committed to maintaining it.

As Howie disappeared into the distance, his yellow sweatshirt stood out like a lamppost in the dark.

Ayke muttered to himself, 'Maybe we'll be friends someday, but not now.'

Aike gave him a sad look that he didn't want his brother to see. He would have liked to have a friend other than his brother. He didn't want to live like all the other children because he was bored with their complicity.

He understands that any external attachment, including their mother, would hinder their focus. Their mother has made it her mission to eliminate any potential distractions. If she has failed, no one else will succeed unless she allows it.

Ayke is apprehensive, not because he is rough or paranoid enough to believe that Howie is a spy or a leech waiting to latch onto his prey and suck out the last drop of blood. On the contrary, he knows that this enigmatic boy is hiding something much more intriguing, and he would like to uncover it, just as he discovered his secret.

He recognises that Howie is not very interested in what they have, as this is only the second time they have spoken during his time at Wood Hill.

However, he wonders how they can maintain their friendship without their parents noticing or interfering. He is determined that no one, except his brother, will be allowed into his life if it means losing them later.

He believes that nothing can come between him and his brother, not even their parents. However, if it is a stranger, how can they protect him? They are only children.

He took his brother's hand in his and pulled him into a hug, they're not used to hugging. It is not part of their upbringing, they are taught to put aside unnecessary emotions and that hugging is for weak and lazy people.

In fact, that's the education they've received, but when they need it, when they're out of reach, hidden behind the walls of their rooms, they hug each other a lot.

In sixteen years, the children have never witnessed their parents kissing, yet their love for each other remains evident. As babies, their mother insisted on placing them on cushions to avoid physical contact, a precaution that

Their uncles found the idea particularly unhealthy. When the uncles expressed their concerns to the youngest brother, Lucian, their father remained unfazed, acknowledging that it was his wife and children's decision to make. Therefore, she had the right to choose what to do or not to do.

Aike tensed up in surprise at his brother's sudden change in behaviour. However, his brother was determined to give him a hug, regardless of their location, so Aike allowed himself to be held.

He gave in to the urge to run and fell into his brother's arms. His brother breathed a sigh of relief as Aike wrapped his arms around his waist.

They remained in that position for some time until their driver, who was nearby, began to feel anxious. He worried that someone might recognise them and take a picture. The driver cast anxious glances around him, almost panicking to the point of fainting.

He is aware of their strict upbringing and how the boys were expected to comply with their parents' wishes.

He also knows that displays of affection, such as hugs, are not encouraged. Despite this, they embrace each other in the middle of New York.

There is a concern that if someone takes a photograph of them, their mother may find out. The consequences could be severe, as some societies have stoned individuals to death in public squares for similar actions.

Although the boys are not inclined to engage in conversation with the staff who manage their villa, they have always been respectful towards them.

Their interactions have been limited to brief exchanges such as 'Sir, dinner is ready', 'Sir, your mother has arrived', 'Sir, you have a parcel', 'Sir, you have post', etc.

and have never extended beyond the scope of their work. The staff were always amazed when the boys responded with a 'thank you' followed by their name without ever making a mistake. The staff believed that the boys had no idea who they were, let alone their names.

The staff members often say that both children have good qualities. They believe that if the children had different parents, they would be the happiest kids in the world.

Sometimes they even compete to be the first to announce the arrival of a parcel or any news related to the children. It is always a pleasure to see a faint smile in their eyes.

When the Morgenstern family's adults are away on business, the atmosphere in the house is more relaxed, enjoyable, and less tense.

It is evident that the cooks, gardeners, maids, butlers, and chauffeurs are happier and more amiable, and their work reflects their positive attitude.

The absence of the masters on business trips not only provides relief to the twins but also to the staff.

At times, the staff even encourages the boys to invite friends over, ensuring that they will take care of everything.

However, a well-educated and properly trained dog will always act as if its owner is present, regardless of whether the owner is abusive or absent.

The twins in question never organize any social events such as get-togethers, sleepovers, playdates, or fancy dress parties, unlike Kaeli.

Alfred felt tears welling up in his eyes as he watched them hugging, unconcerned about the glances directed towards them. He wondered what could have happened between them and the boy who had just left to make them act so unreasonably in broad daylight.

He exited the black Maserati limousine and approached them cautiously, keeping a distance to avoid startling them. He gently cleared his throat to gain their attention, maintaining a straight posture with one hand behind his back.

Despite clearing his throat for a good ten seconds or so, the twins remained motionless and did not acknowledge him at all.

He felt his throat burn as he cleared it to remind them where they were. "Oh no," he said to himself. "They heard me, but they did it on purpose. I'm sure they did it on purpose at this point."

As he desperately tried to call them to order, a violent coughing fit gripped him as he swallowed his saliva. The boys burst out laughing, unable to keep straight faces as they listened to Alfred cough up his guts.

A flash of anger crossed his eyes for a moment as he saw them laughing at his failed manoeuvre. Ah, children, they're all the same in the end,' he thought between coughing fits as his gaze softened considerably.

The boys broke the embrace to help Alfred, who was in danger of choking on his own saliva. Aike went back to the café to get Alfred a bottle of water, whilst Ayke rushed to poor Alfred's aid.

Instinctively, he gave him a few gentle slaps on the back to calm him down.

"We heard you the first time, you didn't have to strain your throat until it hurt, Alfred. We weren't ready to let go of the hug. But thank you for always looking out for us," Ayke said as he softly rubbed Alfred's back.

They had never touched another body but their own. They had never been so intimate with anyone else.

Upon realising what he was doing, Ayke stopped his action and brought his hands before his eyes, which he scrutinised as if they belonged to someone else.

Alfred realised what had happened and stood up, slightly embarrassed.

What possessed him to let Mr Morgenstern touch his back like that? Couldn't he have reminded him and kept his cough to himself until he was out of sight? He chastised himself without any self-pity.

God only knows how he could have managed to keep this cough, over which he had no control, to himself.

He had to take care of it, didn't he? How could it have come to this?

He looked at the boy in front of him with some hidden admiration in his eyes before he looked away and cleared his throat one last time, drawing Ayke out of his contemplation of his hand.

Ayke turned to his brother, looking like a wet puppy. His brother had arrived with a bottle of water and offered it to Alfred. He looked at him as if he had just discovered a secret, his eyes full of questions.

This time it was Aike who took his brother's hand when he saw his confused expression. Simultaneously they look back in the direction Howie had gone a few minutes ago and regretfully see that the yellow sweatshirt and ponytail have disappeared into the horizon.

They look at each other for a moment without saying a word, all under the eyes of Alfred, who was waiting for them to be ready to go home.

When he saw that they were ready, he moved to open the back door of the car that he had held open for them.

But once again the boys stopped in their tracks and looked at each other before saying in unison, "What if we don’t care?"

Lost in the newfound enthusiasm that had gripped the twins, Alfred wondered if they were addressing him or someone invisible. 'Children are surprising,' he said. 'You never know what's going on in their heads.'

He had seen them do even stranger things, so he wouldn't be surprised if they added more to the long list.

He decided to ask despite his reservations because it is better to be aware and avoid negative consequences than to be caught off guard. He asked, 'What if we don't care about what exactly?'

The boys stared at him before responding, "Everything, absolutely everything."

Alfred was certain that something was happening, but he couldn't quite identify it yet. He reassured himself that he would gradually understand the situation, so there was no point in trying to comprehend everything today.

Even though he couldn't differentiate between them, he was always with the boys.

Therefore, there was no need to exert himself in trying to grasp everything at once.The boys had always been mysterious since they were young, and Alfred started working for them when they were five. Alfred began his career as a car mechanic at the age of eighteen.

One evening, while returning home from his part-time job in an affluent neighbourhood where he provided various services such as lawn mowing, gardening tool and swimming pool cleaning, and rodent fumigation, he was determined to find ways to support his ailing mother. He never declined any job offers that came his way.

His motivation was to support his sick mother. One evening, he met Maryse while walking down a small slope to get to the bus station.In this area, it is impossible to find public transportation without a car. The people here seem to have no idea what a bus or underground is.

To locate the nearest bus station, he would need to walk for two or three hours or call a taxi company, which he could not afford. However, he could not afford the luxury of a taxi as the day's pay was reserved for something far more important and necessary.

As a young person, walking and running were not a problem for him, and he was well-known in the area, so there was no risk of being reported to the police. Even if someone had previously played this deceitful trick on him.

Alfred was lost in thought, contemplating what to do with the five hundred pounds he had just earned, when he was abruptly interrupted by an angry and frustrated voice.

His father, who had a passion for cars like Alfred, was a mechanic who worked for a car company. Occasionally, Alfred and his father worked together on cars when he was home. At the age of fourteen, his father left him, who was also very young.

He had hoped to leave his own garage to his son, but unfortunately, cancer took his life before he could make that a reality.

Across the road, despite the twilight, Alfred noticed an elegant woman tapping nervously on her mobile phone screen.

It made him wonder why she was there at that hour. He crossed the road while surveying if another car was coming, he was not ready to be run over by this young.

He stopped a few yards away and called out to her. It wasn't very elegant of him to call out to a lady like that, but he wanted to make sure she noticed.

He was tired, hungry, and had a long way to go home.

He did not want to scare or give the impression that he was a thief attempting to steal her property. Therefore, he decided to get her attention while maintaining a safe distance.

Maryse was startled to see someone on foot in the area and let out a cry of fright that hit Alfred like a cold shower, followed by a vicious slap. He would have been better off minding his own business.

'If I hadn't stopped so far away from her, how would she have reacted?' he wondered. He tried to approach her, but she continued to scream and back away.

She could have locked herself in the car and activated the emergency alarm to scare off the intruder and draw attention from nearby houses. However, if he were a gangster or a thief, he would have called out to get her attention. Alfred crossed the road, ignoring Maryse's reaction.

She had been screaming, but stopped suddenly. He checked the road again before continuing on his way.

Only when he heard horns honking did he look back. The woman, who had been hysterical, realized he meant no harm and waved for his help. He crossed the road again to assist her.

Upon reaching her, he stopped at a respectful distance and patiently waited for her to speak.

As she remained silent, he took the initiative and asked, 'Madam, did you encounter any issues with your vehicle?' She nodded and proceeded to explain that she had attempted to contact the company, but for some inexplicable reason, the call had failed to connect.

"I can take a look, if that doesn't frighten you." She nodded again.

He approached the car slowly, as if it would start screaming like mad if he moved suddenly. Alfred asked her what had happened so he would know what to do and where to look.

She told him that she had slowed down to answer a phone call and then the car turned off. Alfred stroked the body of the car and shuddered when he saw the model. "The lady not only looks rich, she looks immensely wealthy," he thought to himself.

He asked the lady to get in and start the car, but was surprised when she allowed him to do it instead.

As he got into the car, the smell of leather filled his nostrils. After taking a deep breath to fully appreciate the scent, he pressed the ignition.

The engine roared for a moment before falling silent. He got out of the car and opened the bonnet.

"Can you start the car again?" he asked her and this time she complied. It was just as he'd thought. "It's the starter," he said to Maryse. "There was a bad connection - let me clean it to make it easier for the current to flow - then you can go."

When he had finished, she turned the ignition back on and the car started without a sound. The car was in good condition and new, he noted. She probably hadn't used it much or too often. He went to the window and advised the woman to get her car serviced.

If a car hasn't been used for a long time, you should always have it checked as a precaution, even if it's new. She listened and took the advice, noting how young the person in front of her was.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him. "Ah, I came to do some work. Have a nice and safe journey home, madam, and good evening." He replied in a soft and serious tone, like the child in full puberty he was.

"Wait..." Maryse said to him. "Where are you going?"

"Oh, you probably don't know. Even if I told you, you wouldn't have a clue," he replied calmly.

"Well, here," Maryse replied, handing him a hundred pounds. He looked at the note and at the lady and replied, "No, don't worry, it wasn't much."

Even if he needed money, he was not going to extort a hundred pounds from someone who was in trouble.

"Then let me buy you a taxi." Maryse insisted when he refused to take the money.

"The station is a few blocks away, I can walk." Alfred insisted. His father and mother always told him not to get paid when he provided a service to someone in need.

"Even if you get there, you'll have to wait for hours to find a bus. So get in the car when I get home and I'll call you a taxi. Don't argue with me, young man." Maryse, an authoritarian person to whom no one ever says no, doesn't give in so easily.

Alfred could tell from her tone that it was best not to argue any further. He entered the passenger seat after walking around the car.

Maryse discovered that he was eighteen years old and lived with his mother. He was passionate about cars and was pursuing a career in mechanics, following in his father's footsteps.

Maryse was short-staffed, so she had to drive that evening and leave the driver to take the boys and their nannies to their appointments for the day.

It was then that she came up with the idea of taking Alfred with her. The boys had their own driver, as did she.

Alfred returned home that evening with a smile on his face. He now had the freedom to attend his lessons without any hindrance, although he could no longer take on odd jobs as he had a contract with the lady.

Despite his young age, he is now one of the longest-serving employees at the villa. He has watched the boys grow up and has fulfilled his father's dream. Although he does not work in the garage, he has his own staff. Nonetheless, he still takes care of the Morgensterns' cars and provides transports for the boys.

After the death of his mother eight years ago, Maryse offered him the opportunity to live full-time at the villa, as the boys had to wake up early for school. He currently resides in the staff house, which is an outbuilding that is as spacious and welcoming as a family home.

It should be noted that the Maryse he met that evening is very different from the one who is currently raising these two children.

Meanwhile, at a fast-food restaurant, Howie sat facing a table full of food that he was not allowed to eat.

Saliva dripped down his chin as he grabbed a hamburger and a roasted chicken leg, greedily taking bites out of them. He was about to do the same with the bread when a hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

He was startled, causing the bread to fall from his hands. He had been so absorbed in his feast that he hadn't heard the person approaching. He stood up, flushed with anger, to confront the person, only to find himself face to face with his father.

"Dad!" He exclaimed in a small, high voice of amazement. "But what are you doing here?" he asked in his deep voice, free of astonishment and its spontaneous high pitch.

"I wanted to ask you that question, son, but you brushed me off, so do you want to answer first, or is it up to me to explain my presence in these hostile places in front of this table filled with poison and filth, hm?" His father asked him in a firm tone.

"Dad... why do you always have to ruin my mood?" Howie replied in a plaintive tone.

"I can't believe you actually have the nerve to ask me that? Well, it's because you don't eat, you stuff yourself." His father replied.

"And first of all, what are you doing here? Have you been following me?" He chooses to ignore his father's insolent remark, calling him a pig without actually saying it.

"No, I wasn't following you. But we need to talk." His father replied, abruptly changing his tone as if he were suddenly on slippery ground.

"I have to eat, since you're already here, why don't you eat with me, eh?" Howie replied, ignoring his father's cautious tone with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Knowing his son, Marc would rather sit with him than stand up to him, which wouldn't be good for either of them. After all, he doesn't go out every day and eat junk food, just once in a while.

Howie is the type to bend the rules if they are imposed on him. Marc pulls out the other chair in front of his son and sits down, looking at him for a moment while the other keeps his eyes on the food he has meticulously ordered.

"Don't tell me you're going to eat it all?" his father asked him worriedly. "We'll see, and I'm not alone anymore," he replied without looking at his father.

"Why didn't you tell us about today?" His father began, picking up a garlic butter roll. "What are you talking about?" He has the audacity to ask his father very calmly.

"The meeting, of course," Marc said, a little annoyed at his behaviour.

"It wasn't my place to tell you, did you not receive the emails?" He asked his father ironically, knowing full well that he had no way of receiving them, since he had taken it upon himself to redirect them.

"You know as well as I do that someone here intercepted them and deleted them." Marc continued calmly, "With this son he has, there is no way to get angry or upset. The best thing to do is to remain calm and polite."

"Oh, I see," Howie huffed innocently.

His father put down the chips he had just picked up, a little annoyed at his son's game, although it was not the first time he had tried to drive him mad.

He stared at Howie, unable to find the right word to give him the lecture he wanted. Howie felt his father's heavy gaze on him and decided to look at him, smiling.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," he replied quietly with a charming little smile.

"But how do you always find the passwords? We don't want you going through our documents, Howie. It's not right. You need to take care of your business, take care of it, stop going through our business. You're driving us crazy. Marc finally told him, without raising his voice or using a harsh tone with Howie, who never took his eyes off him during his tirade.

He thought his father wouldn't stop and that he would have to ask him at some point.

"And you're not worried? I'm not going to drive you crazy like you say," he said, knowing that "we" were very impersonal for Marc, despite his choice of pronouns, and asked the question in a very calm and calculated tone.

Much too calm for Marc and he knew that when Howie was calm, nothing went well. He always knew when and how to use words with him. When Howie is happy you can see it in his eyes and in his smile, when he is angry he becomes calm or rather absent.

And when he is in that state it is difficult to talk to him. Marc is the only one who can see these traits in him. Although he is the only one who knows the difference, he is also very careful with himself. Howie is extremely intelligent and changes tactics every second.

The reason Marc is here is to discuss his behaviour. He's been following him all day, he's seemed distracted the last few days and he wants to know if there's anything he can do to help.

But how to approach the subject?

And this driver who almost killed his son, or worse, paralysed him for the rest of his life, has been reported to the authorities. He shouldn't run away without taking the time to take a look at the teenager. They give him away along with a file full of all his misdeeds over the past five years.

He won't be speeding through the city centre like a madman on such a busy road any time soon.