CHAPTER 25: DON’T FOLLOW ME!

Nathan stared at Nael, who was panting as he ran toward him.

"Wait!" Nael bent over, struggling to breathe, as if he had just run a marathon.

Nathan frowned. What was wrong with this kid? He wanted to call him weak. Even a small child wouldn’t be this exhausted just from running from the mansion to the lake.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan snapped, glaring at him.

Nael straightened up. His face was pale, and he was still trying to catch his breath.

"You... how about yourself? Where are you going?" Nael asked, looking at the bag on Nathan’s back and his appearance.

Nathan immediately turned away and kept walking. "It’s none of your business!"

He was sure the kid would go back to the mansion and tell his other siblings that he had run away. But that would buy him time before they came after him.

The longer he walked, the heavier the footsteps behind him sounded. When he turned around, Nael was still following him.

He stopped right away.

Nael also stopped, looking anxious with his pale face.

"What do you want?! Go back to your house!"

"But it’s your house too. Let’s go back together," Nael pleaded. He was sure Nathan was running away. He had seen him passing through the back garden from the balcony and had hurried after him.

Nathan snorted at the word "home." "Go back! I don’t like you following me!"

He walked again through the darkness, carefully finding his footing in the thick snow. After a while, he could still hear footsteps and heavy breathing behind him. That meant Nael was still following.

It annoyed him, so he stopped again and glared. "Didn’t you hear me? Go back!"

Nael flinched at the outburst, but he didn’t step back. "Let’s go back together. Please," he begged.

This time Nathan stepped closer, making Nael retreat. He grabbed his twin’s collar. "Get off my face! You make me sick!"

Nael flinched.

Nathan frowned when he saw the sudden sadness in Nael’s eyes. For some reason, it made him uncomfortable. He immediately pushed Nael away, and his twin fell onto the snow.

He turned and continued walking.

But Nael didn’t give up. He still followed. He was afraid Nathan would get hurt in the middle of the snow like this. It would be better if they stayed together. He had his phone with him, so if needed, his brother could come pick him up. So he thought it was safer to stay by his twin’s side.

Nathan was extremely annoyed, so he walked faster.

Nael struggled to keep up. Since childhood, his stamina had never been good, and he rarely exercised. Now, he was already out of breath. In weather like this, he even felt sweat dampening his forehead.

"Nathan, wait!" Nael pleaded breathlessly. They were already far from the mansion. He saw Nathan heading toward the forest.

"Go away!" Nathan shouted loudly.

"Ehh... You can’t go that way. There’s no road there. The highway is on the right," Nael said, trying to run and close the distance.

Nathan stopped. The forest ahead looked dark and scary. Tall trees stood with chunks of snow on their branches. The shadows made the scene even more creepy.

He felt he couldn’t ignore Nael’s words, since the boy knew the area better. But he couldn’t just act like he agreed, so he simply walked further and turned right.

Nael looked relieved when Nathan finally changed direction. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, then tried to walk faster to catch up with his twin.

"Wait! Nathan! I’m tired!" Nael cried. He was exhausted. His body collapsed onto the snow. His breathing was labored, small clouds forming with every breath.

Nathan didn’t look back. He didn’t care. He hadn’t asked the kid to follow him.

Cold... Nathan felt his body starting to freeze even under his jacket. He saw the road up ahead. Finally!

He looked back and saw Nael still crouching in the snow, so far away that his body looked tiny.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Why was that kid making things difficult? He didn’t want to care, but how could he leave a human being there?

He tried to keep walking, but his conscience wouldn’t let him.

"Aaaarhhhhh! Damn! That useless kid!" he cursed, but finally turned back toward Nael.

When he reached him, he roughly pulled the boy to his feet. He was surprised to see Nael trembling.

"Seriously?" Nathan said when he saw Nael’s face, which was even paler.

Nael slowly stood up. "Can we walk slower?"

"Why? I don’t care at all. Just call your brother to pick you up. Dumb ass!" Nathan snapped.

Nael groaned when he saw Nathan walking away. "Wait! I want to go with you!"

"I’ll throw you into a well somewhere if you keep following me!" Nathan threatened.

Nael didn’t care. Even though his body wouldn’t allow it, he still kept following Nathan’s footsteps.

Nathan, compared to before, slowed down even though he grumbled the whole time. But he kept looking back to make sure Nael was still walking and not fainting.

After what felt like a long journey in the dark, they reached the side of the road. No cars passed by. It was quiet.

"Where are you going?" Nael asked breathlessly, his voice trembling.

"It’s none of your business. You should go back because I’m not taking you with me," Nathan said seriously.

Nael shook his head. "No. I’m coming with you. We’re going back together. Come on..." he begged, hoping Nathan would soften.

"Fuck off!" Nathan snapped.

Nael looked sad, but he didn’t give up. He still followed Nathan, even though the distance between them grew. Should he call his brother now? But Nathan would surely hate him even more. It would be better if he could persuade him.

But how could he persuade him when he was so far behind? Even though he tried hard to catch up, he struggled. He was already panting heavily.

The sun began to rise behind black clouds. It was brighter now, and he could see the road better. He hugged himself tightly. He regretted not wearing a thicker jacket. Because he had rushed, he had just grabbed whatever jacket he saw. His feet were only covered in sandals and socks.

Meanwhile, Nathan walked faster now that they were on a main road. If something happened to Nael, someone would see him and help him.

He needed to get to the bus stop. For now, he just had to go somewhere. On a weekend like this, Vale would surely be busy with his boyfriend. He didn’t want to bother him. Should he go to a café? But he was sure Daniel had already found a replacement for him.

Nathan looked down. He needed a job now, after running away like this. Should he meet Daniel and beg him to take him back?

While thinking too much, he unconsciously slowed his pace. Where was he even going now?

Meanwhile, in Alexander’s room—

Huan was half-naked, breathing heavily next to the bed where Alexander sat on the edge, naked. The man’s face was flushed, covered in love juice.

Alexander grabbed his hair, forcing him to look up. "Suck well," he whispered.

⚠️ Next Chapter will contain a bit smut/adult scene. If you’re not comfortable with it or under 17 years old, please skip it ❤️.