The silver gift

Leonardo woke up startled from a nightmare he was having about his father, sweating profusely as he sat on the bed. He looked around and recognized Frank's room. He looked at the empty bed, relieved to be alone there. The last thing he remembered was lying as far away from Frank as possible.

He got up and walked to the door, surprised to find it unlocked. He hurriedly stepped out and entered his own room.

After changing into the only set of clothes available in that room, Leonardo went downstairs towards the kitchen, his growling stomach indicating his hunger. As he passed by the dining room, he saw Abigail, Gold's mother, sitting alone and having her breakfast, with two staff members standing silently behind her. He approached, pulled the chair in front of him, and sat down.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gold," hesaid.

"Good morning, young man. Are you feeling better?"

Leonardo looked at the lady in front of him, confused. She continued, "Your injury."

He smiled, placing his hand over his chest, above the T-shirt he's wearing. "Oh, yes, it's getting better."

"Great, then," she said, taking a sip from her delicate golden-detailed cup of coffee. Leonardo grabbed the juice pitcher, pouring the liquid into his glass. Just then, he saw Frank entering the room and sitting at the head of the table, between Abigail and himself. Frank didn't say anything and took a piece of the cake on a plate in front of him.

"That's not polite, Frank. You didn't even say good morning," Abigail said, looking at Frank. He looked up at her and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Sorry, Mom. Good morning. Did you sleep well? Have they treated you well?"

"Yes, I'm being treated very well. And from what I see, not only me," she said, smiling, her gaze stopping at Leonardo, who choked on the orange juice upon realizing her attention.

"Easy, young man, take it slow," Abigailsaid, smiling, pleased with Frank's embarrassed reaction.

"Sorry," Leonardosaid, "Sorry? You just stained the entire napkin, like a child." Franksaidangrily, getting up from the table and leaving the dining room. Leonardo watched him leave and stuck his tongue out, causing the two staff members to laugh, and Abigail found Leonardo's gesture amusing.

"You know, young man," shesaid, removing the cloth napkin from her lap, gently touching it to her mouth, "I think you're what was missing in this house. I don't know exactly what your relationship is with him, but I like you." She placed the napkin on the table, and the two staff members quickly approached to help her pull the chair and get up.

Leonardo, caught off guard by her words, didn't know what to say and just stood there, watching her leave, completely confused by everything. He finished his juice, grabbed a donut from the table, and stood up, determined to go to the gazebo in the garden.

"Relationship, well, what is she thinking? I have nothing to do with that show-off gold boy. If she only knew how I'm really treated. If she knew how he locked me up like that," he muttered to himself as he walked and felt someone following him.

When he turned around, he was startled to see Robert, almost dropping the donut on the floor.

"Damn it, Robert, you scared me."

"I'm sorry, Leonardo."

"Okay, but next time, let me know when you're behind me. A good morning wouldn't hurt."

Robert remained serious, but Leonardo noticed that he's holding back a laugh.

He started walking again and climbed on the gazebo, sitting on the ledge and leaning his back against the column as he ate the donut and looked at the beautiful garden. The birds were singing, and he saw a squirrel climbing a nearby tree.

Frank, who was on the phone in his office, got up from his chair and looked through the large office window. In the distance, he saw Robert standing in the middle of the garden, and upon closer inspection, he noticed Leonardo sitting there. A smile appeared on Frank's face as he remembered Leonardo sitting on his bed, the gray eyes looking at him so closely. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even realize when Abigail entered the office, nor did he hear that someone was still speaking on the other end of the call.

"He's charming, isn't he?" Abigailsaid.

Frank jerked his body in surprise and looked at his mother standing behind him, also looking toward Leonardo.

"Call me later," he hung up the phone and put it in his pocket.

"Why didn't you knock on the door before entering, Mom? I could have been in a meeting."

"Well, I saw that you weren't."

Frank sat quietly in his chair, observing her as she walked around the table and elegantly crossed her legs. Despite being fifty-three years old, Abigail exuded beauty and elegance. Gold had never seen a woman with such presence and delicacy. Like him, her eyes were dark, but far from being as cold as her son's, they exuded tenderness and love.

"Do you need something, Mom?"

"I came to bring you a present."

She handed Frank a small package, and he looked at her confusedly. He opened the wrapping, revealing a silver pocket watch.

"A watch?"

"Yes, son. It was your grandfather's. He carried it everywhere. He said it had protective powers." She smiled, reminiscing about her father. "You know how he was, a dreamer."

"I don't believe in these silly things."

"Whether you believe it or not, it's yours." She stood up and walked to the window.

"You know, Frank, I believe in your grandfather. He was fanciful, but a strong and wise man. This watch wasn't just his lucky charm, but he said that time always solves the most difficult things if we know how to be patient."

She approached Frank, giving him a hug from behind and delicately kissing his cheek.

"I'm going back to New York. I love you, son."

Shesaidand left, leaving Frank deep in thought in his office.

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