The next day, when Alpha Kilian and Nelly headed downstairs for breakfast, Dave was already having breakfast in the dining hall.
Dave raised his gaze when they walked down the stairs, and his eyes met Alpha Kilian 's in the air.
However, the two remained silent. They acted like kids not talking to each other after a fight, completely different from their usual interaction.
After walking down the stairs, Nelly was the first to break the silence by saying, “Good morning.” Dave shifted his gaze to Nelly and nodded. “Morning.”
Seeing that Alpha Kilian had no intention of taking a seat, Nelly ignored him and sat by the dining table. Alpha Kilian 's brows scrunched up at that scene.
Then, Nelly raised her gaze and looked at him. “Take a seat. Aren't you having breakfast?”
Since Nelly had said so, Alpha Kilian knew he didn't have a choice. He glanced at Dave before sitting down reluctantly.
Meanwhile, Dave remained composed and continued eating his breakfast while scrolling his phone. It was as if he was not bothered by Alpha Kilian 's presence.
Seeing that, Alpha Kilian 's frown deepened. Then, he also looked away and treated Dave like air.
Nelly could not stop her lips from curling in amusement while watching this scene. Despite being adults, the two were acting like children. It was hilarious.
Soon, the housekeeper served them their breakfast.
“Please enjoy.” The housekeeper left the dining hall right after serving breakfast. Dave kept his gaze lowered all the time and did not even bother looking at them.
At the same time, Alpha Kilian also focused on his breakfast, but his tense expression added more awkwardness to the atmosphere.
Nelly suddenly said, “Dave.”
Dave was startled and raised his gaze. “What's the matter?” “I want to borrow your car,” Nelly said.
Dave stared at her. “Are you heading out?” “Yup.” Nelly nodded.
Dave was about to say something, but Alpha Kilian looked at Nelly and interrupted by asking, “Where are you going?”
Looking at the two men, Nelly said, “After losing my phone, I ordered another, and the new phone has arrived. I want to go and collect it.”
“Where is it?” “Where is it?”
Dave and Alpha Kilian asked the same question at the same time.
Almost immediately, they realized they were in sync and looked at each other. Nelly also looked at them. “You guys are quite in sync.”
“No way.”
“No way!”
Again, they denied that in unison.
Alpha Kilian frowned this time and looked at Dave. “Can you stop mimicking me?” “You're the one mimicking me!” Dave exclaimed.
“I—” Alpha Kilian was at a loss for words for a moment. Then, he put his arm around Nelly and said, “She's my woman, so it's only natural that I'm talking to her!”
Dave refused to admit defeat. “But your woman talked to me first. Also, she was asking me a question instead of talking to you.”
Alpha Kilian could not find the words to refute. The two glared at each other in silence.
Nelly finally could not hold back her laughter. She chuckled, yet that simple gesture emanated a sense of charm and allure.
Alpha Kilian furrowed his brows when she chuckled. “Nelly , what are you laughing at?”
Nelly looked at them smilingly. “You two remind me of Tony and Ben when you fight.” Alpha Kilian and Dave were both rendered speechless by her remark.
After being teased by Nelly , the two exchanged a glance. There was a hint of embarrassment in their gazes.
A long moment later, Alpha Kilian mumbled, “We're not fighting. We aren't children. Why would we fight?” “Is that so?” Nelly raised her brows.
“Of course,” said Alpha Kilian . “I can speak for myself, but I'm not sure if a certain someone feels the same.”
Hearing that, Dave knew Alpha Kilian was referring to him, so he immediately refuted, “Alpha Kilian , I have a name. Who are you trying to imply by saying that?”
“Whoever that admits to what I said.”
“You're the one picking a fight. How could you point fingers at others?” Dave questioned. “How am I picking a fight?” Alpha Kilian responded with another question.
“You should know better!” “I don't know anything!”
“Then reflect on yourself! You will know the answer once you reflect on what you did!”
“I—” When Alpha Kilian was about to say something, he noticed Nelly was pointing her phone camera at them. She was clearly recording a video of them.
On top of that, she was laughing so brightly at them, as though she was enjoying the show.
Seeing that, Alpha Kilian immediately realized something. Similarly, Dave also realized something. The two quickly concealed their agitated emotions.
Then, Alpha Kilian said, “I've thought this through, so I no longer have to reflect on myself!” Dave snorted and looked away.
Alpha Kilian reached out and snatched the phone out of Nelly 's hands. She laughed. “Are you guys done fighting?”
Just when Alpha Kilian and Nelly were about to leave, Donna came out of her room. It just so happened that she caught sight of them.
“Daddy! Nelly !” she cried out before flying down the stairs at lightning speed.
Stopping before them, she tilted her head up and asked, “Daddy, Nelly , are you both going out?” “Yes.” Alpha Kilian nodded in response.
“Can I tag along, then?” Donna implored, blinking. Alpha Kilian hesitated.
Seeing that, Donna tugged on the hem of his shirt and whined, “Daddy, I've been here several days, but you've only taken me out for a meal. I've never been anywhere. I can't just stay here all the time, no?
Bring me along, please? I promise I'll be good. I won't give you any trouble.” She raised her hand in a gesture of swearing an oath.
Well, that's true.
Alpha Kilian felt guilty toward them, yet he couldn't tell them the truth. Lifting his eyes, he turned his gaze to Nelly , seemingly seeking her approval.
In a flash, Donna understood who held the power there. Thus, she promptly swung her gaze to Nelly . “Nelly ...”
Nelly regarded her intently. “Remember your promise that you won't give us any trouble.” Donna bobbed her head fervently.
Finally, Nelly relented, “Let's go, then.”
“You're the best, Nelly !” Donna cheered in delight.
At that exact moment, Dave looked up at the brothers upstairs. “What about the two boys?”
The others followed his gaze, only to be greeted by the sight of Tony and Ben standing on the stairs, staring at them while gripping the railing with both hands.
“Would you two like to tag along as well?” Nelly inquired. Tony and Ben immediately shook their heads. “Nope!”
“So, what are you two doing there?”
“Bye!” Tony swiftly waved.
A smile curved Nelly 's lips at their reactions. “In that case, stay home and take good care of Thalia, okay?”
“Okay!” Tony and Ben replied. “Let's go!” Nelly urged.
Following that, they headed out. As Donna left with them, she deliberately shot the two boys a provocative look, gloating over the fact that they were staying home while she went out with their parents.
However, the two boys merely flashed her a half-smile in return.
In the car, Dave drove. Alpha Kilian sat in the passenger seat while Nelly and Donna sat at the back.
Donna clung to Nelly like a lazy koala, whereas Nelly put an arm around her daughter. The two of them appeared exceedingly cozy.
The car traveled along the road for a long time, so Donna grew drowsy and drifted off. An indeterminate time passed before the car came to a stop at long last.
Donna was still all groggy when she saw them alighting from the car. “Nelly .”
“Let's go,” Nelly stated.
Without asking any questions, Donna climbed out of the car as well. Right then, Alpha Kilian and Dave both held a bouquet of flowers in hand.
It wasn't until after getting out of the car that Donna realized they were at the cemetery and promptly sobered up considerably.
She said nothing, trailing behind Nelly quietly. After walking for a few minutes, they stopped before a tombstone.
Dave walked over and placed a bouquet of flowers in front of Zavier's photo. “I'm here to visit you, Zavier. But this time, I'm not alone!” While saying that, he glanced at Alpha Kilian , who was standing at the side.
Standing before the tombstone, Alpha Kilian stared at the photo affixed to it. As usual, Zavier wore his signature bright smile, looking handsome and innocent.
Alpha Kilian slowly stepped forward and placed the bouquet of flowers before the tombstone, muttering, “You still look as you did at twenty years old, but we've all grown old.”
Upon hearing that, Dave lowered his eyes.
“I'm sorry I only came to visit you after such a long time. You won't hold it against me, will you? Well, even if you do, what can you do about it?” Alpha Kilian murmured as he gazed at the photo.
A long while later, his voice turned significantly more solemn as emotions surged in his deep, dark gaze. “Zavier... thank you. Thank you for the letter you left me, granting me freedom from the guilt that had been haunting me. Let's be friends again in the next lifetime!”
Subsequently, Nelly turned to Donna . “Come.”
With that, the two of them bowed before the tombstone.
Then, Nelly looked at Dave and Alpha Kilian . “We'll wait for you both in the car.” Turning to her, Dave nodded slightly.
Nelly then walked back to the car with Donna , hand in hand. “Who was that person on the tombstone, Nelly ?” Donna ventured. “He was your daddy's best friend,” Nelly answered.
“I see.” Donna bobbed her head sensibly.
The two of them got back into the car and directed their gazes in Dave and Alpha Kilian 's direction. Studying Alpha Kilian , Dave strolled over to him and patted him on the shoulder.
“Zavier will probably be able to rest easy if he sees this scene today,” he remarked. Looking at his friend, Alpha Kilian flashed him a smile.
“Okay, let's go!” Dave suggested.
Alpha Kilian retracted his gaze before leaving with him.
As they walked back, Dave glanced at him. “What letter were you talking about?”
Without a word, Alpha Kilian took out the letter left by Zavier and handed it to the other man. Opening it, Dave perused the contents. “How did this come about?”