In the private dining room of the restaurant, Essen Reed was enveloped in ample warmth from the heating, his pale face regaining some color after drinking a hot bowl of chicken soup. His appetite was good too, as he consumed a large bowl of rice.
When he was almost done eating, Alexander Gale finally spoke leisurely, "Where are you staying tonight?"
Holding half a bowl of chicken soup, Essen Reed mumbled two words, "Your place."
"?..."
"Just kidding." He put down the bowl, eyes curving, "Let's stay at a hotel first, I need to be a bit reserved."
Alexander Gale stared at him, grinding his teeth secretly, this kid was quite something, not at all as obedient and quiet as he seemed!
"I'm full."
Alexander Gale stood up first, "Put on your coat, I'll take you to the hotel."
Essen Reed slowly put on his down jacket, wrapped a scarf around, covering most of his face.
Alexander Gale chuckled, "Are you that afraid of the cold?"
"Mm, don't want to catch a cold."
"Then why not wear a hat?"
He lifted his bright eyes, "Came out in too much of a hurry, forgot."
Alexander Gale was truly tickled, touched his head, "I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."
He gently rubbed against the warm palm, eyes seemingly sparkling with stars, "Will we meet tomorrow?"
As if a feather lightly brushed his heart, Alexander Gale quickly withdrew his hand, "Yes, but you'll have to wait until I get off work in the afternoon."
"I'll wait for you."
"Mm."
...
The hotel was booked by Alexander Gale, who pushed Essen Reed's suitcase into the room, softly instructing, "Call customer service if you need anything, or call me, I'll have someone arrange it."
Essen Reed nodded, "Got it."
"Rest early, I'm leaving."
"Wait a moment."
He stopped him, opened the suitcase, and took out a gift box, handing it over.
Alexander Gale raised an eyebrow, "What's this?"
Essen Reed's eyes were smiling, "A Christmas gift."
He paused for a moment, then remembered, today was Christmas...
Looking at the gift box handed to him, his throat felt a bit tight, "I didn't prepare a gift for you."
Essen Reed shook his head, "It's okay, I just prepared it casually."
Alexander Gale didn't accept the gift, instead, he grabbed Essen Reed's slender wrist, pulling him into an embrace, and gently hugged him.
Essen Reed's eyes widened, frozen.
After a few seconds, Alexander Gale stepped back, took the gift box, "Thank you."
"You're... welcome..."
"I'm leaving, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
*
Alexander Gale left the hotel, sitting in the car, not in a hurry to start it but opening the gift box first.
Inside was a palm-sized album, filled with chibi versions of Alexander Gale, in the elevator, leaning against the door frame, handing over a small cake, sitting in the car...
Essen Reed had drawn almost every scene they had encountered in Paris over those two days.
The warmth of the album, through his fingertips, numbed his heart, silently for a long time, Alexander Gale slowly smiled, saying it was prepared casually, little liar.
After flipping through it twice, he placed the album on the passenger seat, a pleased smile hanging on his lips, and drove away.
*
The next morning, Essen Reed, woken up by the ringing of his phone, groggily reached for his mobile and answered, a deep and pleasant voice came through.
"Are you still asleep?"
He buried himself in the blankets, mumbling a response.
"I ordered breakfast for you, eat first then go back to sleep."
"Not hungry, won't eat."
"Essen Reed, listen to me."
The tone, with a hint of coaxing, made Essen Reed's ears turn red, he got out of bed grumbling, "Got it, getting up..."
Sitting in his office, Alexander Gale heard the sound of getting out of bed, then hung up the phone.
"Knock knock knock."
"Come in."
Assistant Shen Jin entered, saying, "Boss, Mr. Reed is here."
Alexander Gale put away his smile, then picked up a folder on the desk, "Let him in."
"Okay."
After Shen Jin left, Nicholas Reed came in, holding a gift box, cheerfully calling out, "Gale brother."
Nicholas Reed placed the gift box on the desk, "Here, a belated Christmas gift, wanted to invite you for dinner last night, but you were busy, so I'll make up for it today."
Alexander Gale glanced at it, his expression indifferent, "Hmm."
Nicholas Reed felt a bit disappointed, "Aren't you going to open it? I carefully selected it."
"I have a morning meeting soon."
He pressed down his lips, "Alright, I'm off to the company too, free for dinner tonight?"
"I have plans."
The light in Nicholas Reed's eyes completely dimmed, "Then when you're free, I'll leave."
"Hmm."
Nicholas Reed left, the gloom on his face not yet dispersed, walking out of the elevator and hearing two receptionists gossiping.
"The boss seems in a good mood today! He actually nodded when I greeted him this morning!"
"Wow! Really? You're not seeing things?"
"Really! In novels, when the domineering CEO acts out of character, it's often because they're in love, do you think the boss might be..."
"Shh, shh, shh! Don't talk about that during work hours."
"OK, OK..."
Nicholas Reed glanced at the two, resuming their professional smiles, and left the Huarui Building with furrowed brows.
In the hotel suite, after eating breakfast, Essen Reed lost his sleepiness, finished a painting, changed clothes, put on his down jacket, wrapped a scarf, and left.
He bought a bouquet of flowers at a nearby flower shop and took a taxi to the outskirts cemetery.
The sky in London was overcast, after getting off the taxi, he followed a vague memory, searching for a while before stopping in front of a tombstone.
The woman on the tombstone was named Jo Xi, her smile as gentle as her eyes, very much like Essen Reed's.
Jo Xi died from excessive bleeding after giving birth to him prematurely, he had never seen her, struggling to piece together any memory of his mother.
Essen Reed squatted down, dusted off the tombstone, placed the flowers, and spoke disjointedly about his and Benjamin Reed's life in Paris over the years, until snow began to fall, then stood up to say goodbye.
Just about to call a taxi when his phone rang.
He sat by the flower bed, answering, "Hello."
Alexander Gale noticed his voice was off, "Why is your voice so nasal?"
Essen Reed sniffled, "It's too cold outside."
"You went out? Where did you go?"
"To the outskirts cemetery, to see my mom."
Alexander Gale frowned, "Only wearing a down jacket?"
"Mm, Alexander Gale, it's snowing, so cold."
"Are you done?"
"Mm."
"Take a taxi back immediately."
He glanced at his phone screen, "It's 11:30, do you have a lunch break?"
"I do, come over, I'll treat you to lunch."
"Can't find a taxi." He shook off the snowflakes on his legs, "Come pick me up."
Alexander Gale laughed, "Essen Reed, you said you came back to London to chase me, but it feels like you're giving me the opportunity to chase you, doesn't it?"
Essen Reed also laughed, "Are you coming or not? If not, I'll go back on my own."
"Wait for me half an hour."
"Okay."