Killian was unexpectedly well behaved throughout the whole ride. If only Xi Xie and Drake were present, they'd think Killian's been possessed by a model student.
Well, anyone sitting closely to one of City A's powerhouses will undoubtedly try to soften their edges.
Killian never in his whole life thought he'd be able to talk to, much less sit in the same car, with such a powerful man.
Alexi Leonardo and Marco Roselli both held City A in a tight grip. The powers playing in the city were either one of the two, thus they are both in a competitive stance since the beginning. Alexi slightly had an advantage in the business world, while Marco completely owns the underground market. Yet up until now, there have been no known visible conflict between the two. If ever there would be one, City A would surely encounter a city-wide civil war.
Killian couldn't help looking subtly at the man beside him in the backseat. He was dressed casually in gray v-neck t-shirt and dark blue jeans, coupled with a black windbreaker and white sneakers, which means he really intended to spend his day in the arena. The only accessory he had on was a Tag Heuer Carrera steel watch. Everything that Alexi wears is simple, unlike him, which made Killian even more embarrassed since Alexi is the very definition of cool and sexy which he wanted to have. Does he need to be Alexi's age in order to pull it off better? He's sure he is still visually pleasing, so maybe demeanor is what he lacks.
"What's wrong?" A cool, minty breath enveloped him, making him look stunned right after coming back to his senses.
His face flushed as he tried to move back from the suddenly enlarged attractive face in front of him. "N-Nothing! I was thinking of what to tell Mom and Dad in case they decide to ground me." He answered sheepishly. He didn't notice himself staring at Alexi for too long and how long that man has been staring at him too.
"Do you want me to help you?" Alexi still maintained a close distance, head lowered lightly as if talking to a child. This made Killian more stable, thinking this senior-like behavior is normal.
"Um, no need, sir. I already owe you too much." He scratched his tall nose with a shy grin. Besides, his Mom and Dad would ground him even longer once they learned he bothered Mr. Leonardo too much. Maybe not only grounding. He thought of the thin guava stem his father uses to hit him up until now every time he finds out he's been skipping classes and failing subjects making him wince instinctively. Adding his mother's slippers, he's sure he'll stay in bed for two to three days after the disciplining.
"We're you hurt earlier? Why didn't you say so?" Hands inspected his arms and legs before he knew it, making him panic.
He held the hands at bay as he lied and explained politely, "I wasn't injured, sir! I was just thinking of what could've happened if you and my friends weren't there to help me."
Alexi stilled for a moment, and his eyes darkened as if he thought of something unimaginable. After a while he sighed in relief and rubbed the messy hair of the little kitten in front of him. "Good thing it didn't happen. You should beware of people trying to get close to you for benefits. Don't let yourself be used by other people."
Killian nodded like a chicken, treating his words as food for the soul. This man's advice is so valuable, he must make use of them like a ladder to success.
Alexi liked the well-behaved appearance of the youth and his hand stayed in his head longer, "If you need help in anything, you can just come to me."
The nodding head stopped abruptly, "I can't do that."
Is this teaching him not to be used by others but making use of others? Is this how he was able to stand at the top of the business world? He admired the man even more.
"I insist," Alexi smiled, "How about you ask for my help on situations you really can't control?"
"Then I'll take your word for it, sir." He smiled in return. He noticed the familiar landscape outside the car window and suddenly offered to the man, "We're here. Would you like to go inside? My dad loves tea while mom loves coffee, maybe you'll like their coffee and tea."
Alexi raised an eyebrow in surprise before his eyes showed an evil glint, "Can I have Uncle's tea? I would like to have this chance to talk to him about something."
Killian couldn't help rejoicing inwardly. If there's a visitor he can still postpone the judgment time of his parents. Of course, it didn't show in his expression.
Both men in the backseat excitedly got out of the car, not knowing each had a plan in their heads.
Killian was still bouncing joyfully as he led the man inside, not noticing the unusually gloomy butler who opened the door for them. This look usually means the master is in a bad mood, or extremely angry. Killian was ignorant of all of this at the moment.
"Come, my parents must be in the living ro-Ah!"
Snap!
"Dad, wait!" Killian instinctively clung to the man who could save him. Arms and legs clamped tightly around the man who was just behind him before, trying to get away from his dad's deadly weapon. The wooden stick struck his behind, making him yelp and climb higher up the man.
Alexi couldn't control a low laugh from escaping as he wrapped his arms around the frightened little kitten. Mr. Philip then noticed the man his son brought back and was even more furious.
"What are you doing climbing up Mr. Leonardo?! Get down you idiot!" He roared, veins bulging in anger.
"No! You're going to hit me either way!" Killian retorted.
"You bastard!" Mr. Philip felt like his son was really trying to send him to the afterlife in a faster way. "Get down! I won't hit you!"
"But you're still angry!"
"Who the hell wouldn't be angry?!"
Alexi chuckled and raised his hand to stop Mr. Philip and calm him down, "It's okay, CEO Philip. Being too emotional won't be good for your health. I'm sure Killian already knows what he did wrong and what he should do in the future." He ran his hand up and down Killian's back as if comforting him. "Besides, he must have been really frightened earlier. He might need a time alone to rest and digest what happened."
Mr. Philip reluctantly put away his stick and sat down. "Go up your room and don't come out until I say so." He sternly ordered to his son.
Alexi lightly patted Killian's butt twice, telling him to come down. Killian jumped down smoothly and beamed at him, mouthing 'thanks' before running upstairs and disappearing from his father's sight. Mr. Philip glared at his son's back for a while before sighing and bowing at Alexi.
"Mr. Leonardo, thank you so much for helping my son. I don't know how to repay you, but I am willing to offer anything I could." He guided the man to sit and ordered the maids to set up tea and pastries. He sent everyone away after all of it.
Alexi just smiled amiably and this made Mr. Philip even more nervous. "I do not wish nor ask for anything, CEO Philip. On the contrary, I am here to extend my help."
Mr. Philip was taken aback, "What do you mean, Sir?"
"Lido's family isn't that powerful, but they can hurt the vitality of your company. He's the heir after all, so they will bite back until they can negotiate with you to get him out of prison. I do not want that to happen. I want him to stay inside for a long time, if not dying there." The way Alexi talked about the life and death of a person indifferently made Mr. Philip fearing for his brat who climbed up the man literally earlier. Ah, forget it. That brat might really need a heavy blow to wake himself up and face the reality that he's a mere bug in front of this man. "I can offer your company unlimited help to deal with them when the time comes and I can provide you with capital for expansion after that, even with minimum share rights and forfeited decision-making power."
Mr. Philip's hand trembled as he listened more to the man's words. He couldn't believe Alexi would allow himself to be taken advantage like that. Even how delectable of a pie the offer is, he can't just agree. The man might really need something from them.
"Killian is not young anymore. He must be exposed to society as early as possible in order to have the capital to stand firm in the business world someday. He's a risk-taker, determined, capable and confident, yet today's incident proved he's still softhearted and easily manipulated. With proper guidance his fiery personality can be controlled, he can learn better and excel more than his peers. He needs to face the real world and be ready for take off when the time comes."
Mr. Philip couldn't help his heart beating faster as he faced this man longer. "You will end up with the most loss if you really want to help us. Even I cannot assure you the expansion would bring back what you let go, because I know I have mediocre qualities. And Killian may have the qualities that you mentioned, but maybe by the time he can rise above difficulties, a long time has passed and he was once again at the bottom. What if he can't repay you properly? I'd be turning over my grave in regret if that happens. Honestly, I don't trust my son that much."
No, not at all.
"You don't need to repay me," Alexi drank his tea leisurely and rubbed the rim of the teacup before looking at Mr. Philip seriously, eyes darkening every second.
"I only want Killian."