Chapter 4

"Where were you last night? You didn't come back until now. Do you know how worried we were?" Mrs. Silvester spoke in a hushed tone, already annoyed and worried.

"What do you want, Mom? And who are they?" Eryx rolled his eyes, gesturing towards the middle-aged couple and the girl sitting with them. A hangover playing a not so good role in his mood.

"They've come to discuss business. Go and freshen up, then come back downstairs," she urged, trying to rush him, but Eryx resisted making it too obvious.

"It's not just business, Mom. It looks more like a marriage proposal. And didn't Dad mention he has an important meeting this afternoon? Why are they here only for a business proposal?" Eryx clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Mom, you're trying to deceive me. I just graduated. Why are you trying to push me into marriage?" Eryx couldn't raise his voice in front of them yet he didn't like the presence in his house, not today.

"Come on, darling, it's just an engagement. The marriage can wait until you're ready. She said she'll wait for you as long as you accept her," Mrs. Silvester persisted, attempting to convince Eryx.

"So now you're admitting it's a marriage proposal. How ridiculous," Eryx retorted, not giving his mother a chance to respond as he stormed towards the stairs. Mr. Silvester's expression shifted abruptly, his usual aloofness evident.

"He's a bit tired, please excuse him," Mrs. Silvester apologized with an awkward smile. The Richardson family was wealthy, though not on the same scale as the Silvester and Rhys.

Their daughter, Amy Richardson, was a second-year business management student. Facing issues with their company's funding, they sought the Silvesters' assistance. Despite knowing it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, they still insisted on the marriage proposal, unable to refuse the demand. Eryx slammed the door shut with a loud noise.

"Arghh!!!"

He screamed as loud as he could, but it did little to ease the pain in his heart. All he wanted was to see Braylon and ask him about his feelings. He had been excited when Braylon confessed to him. In his turmoil, Eryx scattered things around the room, breaking a vase and throwing objects onto the floor in a fit of frustration and anguish. Each crash and bang grated on Mr. and Mrs. Silvester's nerves, testing their patience beyond measure. They exchanged uneasy glances.

"Well, we have matters to attend to. If you'll excuse us..." Mr. Silvester began politely, struggling to find the right words. Mr. Richardson nodded understandingly and stood up from the sofa. After seeing their guests off, Mr. Silvester ascended the stairs and knocked on Eryx's door. There was no response.

Mrs. Silvester stood nearby, her worry growing palpable. Mr. Silvester managed to open the door after several attempts, expecting to scold Eryx for his outburst. However, the sight that greeted him was far more distressing than he anticipated. Eryx's room was in disarray, with books and belongings strewn across the floor like discarded trash.

Vases, glass bottles, and other fragile items lay shattered into pieces. Mrs. Silvester quickly scanned the room, searching for Eryx.

She found him curled up in a corner, knees pulled close to his chest, his face contorted with grief as tears streamed down his cheeks. He looked vulnerable and broken. Without hesitation, she rushed to him and enveloped him in a tight embrace, holding him close as he sobbed inconsolably.

Mr. Silvester stood by silently, his heart aching at the sight of his son in such distress. Words failed him in the face of Eryx's evident pain. The shards of broken glass had cut into Eryx's skin, causing him to bleed.

His feet, legs, and hands were stained with his own warm blood, a testament to the depth of his anguish. Mrs. Silvester trembled with worry and sorrow, unable to comprehend why her son had hurt himself like this. She attempted to touch his wounds, but he recoiled, blocking her from reaching him.

Avoiding eye contact with his parents, he shut himself off from everyone. Unable to reach Braylon, Mrs. Silvester left the room with tears streaming down her face.

Mr. Silvester, seeing the severity of the situation, summoned Alex and Revilla for assistance.

Thirty minutes later, when Alex and Revilla arrived, Eryx remained in the same place. Mr. Silvester escorted Mrs. Silvester away to provide them with privacy.

Both Alex and Revilla were taken aback by Eryx's condition. Revilla knelt in front of him and gently touched his shoulder. He hugged her tightly and began to cry, his heart heavy with sorrow. Revilla felt her own heart sink, trying to comfort him while Alex attempted to console him as well.

“There, there… Don't cry. What happened? Please tell us,” Revilla urged gently, unaware of Braylon's confession of love. Eryx remained silent, refusing to speak.

“Is this about Braylon?” Alex asked, and Eryx nodded. Despite Eryx appearing tough, Alex knew he relied on Braylon for many things.

Sighing deeply, Alex continued, “You need to accept it, Eryx. He has to pursue his dreams. I hope you can understand.” Alex understood that Braylon had feelings for Eryx from the beginning but had kept them hidden. Revilla, unaware of the situation until now, tried her best to support Eryx.

“Did Braylon confess to you?” Alex asked, and Eryx nodded. Revilla now understood the depth of their situation and respected their feelings, showing no signs of disapproval.

She was happy that Braylon confessed before he leaves them but it was quite disappointment that Braylon walked out alone from their circle. She gently patted Eryx on the back.

“Don't be sad. He'll come back in two years,” Revilla reassured him, attempting to comfort him. It had been a while since Eryx had shown such emotion.

After treating his wounds and ensuring he fell asleep, Alex and Revilla left the house. Eryx faced the daunting prospect of being alone, something he hadn't been accustomed to since Braylon entered his life.

"We have to follow the path fate leads us on," they thought solemnly.

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