Tyler felt his chest sting with the thought of being abandoned. His mother left him; even his unknown father left him. Why was he that unlovable?
Why does everyone leave him one by one?
The man saw the look on his face and went to hug Tyler again. "You're not alone; you have Angel and me."
Tyler felt his heartbeat when he heard the name. He asked in a low whisper, "How is he doing?"
Then he let him go, the man who used to be his stepfather, Adrian Moretti, famous in the business world, popular with the world, because of his ruthless business skills. Tyler heard rumors of the man, and Tyler was happy to see the man doing well, and Adrian smiled, "He's doing alright; he misses you a lot."
Tyler felt a little comfort in that. Adrian asked, "So, do you want to come with me?"
Tyler knew he didn't have much choice, since he was a minor, and he didn't have anyone else. Tyler felt a strange feeling at the thought of this man who wasn't related by blood; he had divorced his mother; wouldn't it make sense if he hated him since he was the child of his mother?
However, Tyler didn't say anything and nodded. "Yes, I'd like to go."
After finishing talking with the policewoman, she also pulled him aside and gave him her phone number. She told me, "Tyler, I have many people who lose their families and end up with someone else, but most times, they aren't who they are. But that man doesn't seem like a bad man. Take my number, call me if there's anything you need."
Tyler knew she was worried about him. She took her job seriously. She must have met many people who lost their parents and ended up in someone else's care, but sometimes those caretakers aren't always good people.
Tyler nodded with a smile, "Thank you, I will save your number and keep it in mind."
She nodded with a smile, patting his shoulder.
They turned around when they heard Adrian calling for Tyler's name, his eyes calming watching Tyler, and Tyler stepped toward, Adrian asked, "Are you ready?"
Tyler nodded, and they stepped out of the station.
He walked to a car that looked expensive and rich. Tyler couldn't help widening his eyes. "Damn, you're really rich."
Adrian let out a chuckle. "Well, since I am a businessman, I do make more money than others."
Both of them enter the car where Tyler felt slightly unworthy stepping inside the car, but Adrian patted his shoulders, "Don't worry, the car won't bite you."
Tyler rolled his eyes; it wasn't what he was thinking about. He looked around the car's surface and asked a question that was on his mind, "How is he doing?"
Adrian replied calmly, "Who?"
Tyler raised his brow. "Angel, I haven't heard from him in a long time. Is he really happy to see me?"
Adrian smiled; a hint of love for his son appeared on his face. "Yes, ever since I told him that you were coming home, he couldn't stop talking about you for the past two days."
He raised his head toward Tyler. "I was surprised he still remembers you. He was still nine, but you used to take care of him a lot as a child, and both of you were really close, like two animals in the same pod."
He rubbed his chin with a smile. "He never forgot you; I'm relieved you haven't forgotten him either, so you can get to know each other again and become friends."
Tyler nodded; he felt a hint of excitement seeing Angel again.
***
Later, they filled the car with music. Adrian got him some food from McDonald; the food was delicious. Tyler felt stuffed from eating, and Adrian laughed at seeing his face. They stopped at an airport, and Tyler arched his brow. "Wait. I never asked. Where do you live?"
Adrian smiled, "Germany. I just realized I never told you where we were going."
Tyler felt nervous. He had never left the country before, and the thought of it made him so nervous he felt clammy in his hands, and Adrian could see it in his face. Adrian patted his hands. "Don't be afraid."
Tyler nodded and they stepped into the airport where thousand people crowded them where Adrian had to hold him by the shoulder so they wouldn't get separated. After getting the airplane ticket, they stepped on the plane, and Tyler remembered feeling the exhilaration of it, and he felt sad at the thought of leaving his dead mother and his best friend, Nino.
He closed his eyes and told himself not to be sad; he would see his friend again no matter what. This wasn't the end.
They arrived at their location where they talked and got to know each other better on the trip. Tyler found out that Adrian works twenty-fours on through Monday-to-Friday, so he hadn't spent lot of time with his son, however he always keep in check with his son through phone calls and from the woman, name Red, which is a nickname, who's a caregiver, who takes care of Angel while Adrian works.
Tyler saw the building where he will live in the future. It was huge. He thought silently.
Adrian asked with confidence, "You like it?"
Tyler nodded like a hamster. "Yes, it's beautiful."
Adrian knew he would like it; it was the most popular building in Germany. Everyone wants to live here, but only people with great connections and wealth can afford it.
Adrian walked into the house while Tyler followed him behind.
When they stepped into the house, there was a young man sitting at the kitchen counter. He was eating something from the bowl, which looked like some kind of soup.
The moment they entered the kitchen, Adrian called out to his son, "Angel, look who's here."
Angel looked up, his eyes, kind and soft, widening in surprise. "Tyler, is that you?"
Tyler felt half-nervous; he nodded, "Yes, it's me."
Angel jumped down from the counter and went forward to hug him. "Hey, Tyler. I miss you. I can't believe it; it's been so many years."
Tyler patted him on the shoulder, he felt awkward hugging someone, whom he hasn't seen in a long time, "I know, it feels like a dream."
Tyler got a good look at Angel. He could only think of one word.
Beautiful.
The boy looked gorgeous with his light green eyes, dark wavy hair, and sun-kissed skin. It's as if his very face was carved by the gods; it was strange- the young man didn't look anywhere close like his father. He looked soft and gentle, like he couldn't hurt a bunny.
Not only that, but he was also small in his arms.
Tyler could tell when the boy went forward to hug him, then the boy pulled away from him and asked him, "Do you want to sit down?"
Tyler was about to speak, but Adrian spoke up, "Angel, give him some time to pack up, then we can all talk."
Angel nodded, "Okay, Dad."
Angel turned to Tyler, "Do you want me to show you your room?"
Tyler nodded, "Yeah."
Angel smiled, grabbing his hands, "Alright, come on."
They stepped up the stairs. Tyler was surprised to see the house was huge on the inside; everything was shiny and clean. It was very different from what he used to, and he wondered why his mother didn't like it here. Adrian and Angel both seemed happy to have him here; surely, they loved his mother.
Tyler frowned at the thought, but Angel called out for his name, "Hey, what are you thinking about?"
Tyler lifted his head, and Angel was watching him with kind eyes. Tyler revealed a smile, "I was thinking of my mom."
Angel nodded, "Are you okay? I heard what happened?"
Tyler felt his throat tightening painfully. "Yeah, I will be okay."
Angel nodded carefully, like he didn't want to say the wrong word. Then he carefully took Tyler in his hands, and they stepped into his room where he would be staying.
The room was black; there was a huge bed with blankets and pillows, and a huge window that overlooked everything. The garden, the trees, the plants growing out of the ground.
Tyler asked, "So, what is it like living here?"
Angel smiled, "I think it's cool, but sometimes it gets lonely here."
Tyler turned and saw Angel smile. "My dad works a lot; that's why I was so happy that you came here. I won't be so lonely anymore."
Tyler nodded.
Angel tilted his head. "After you pack, do you want to watch a movie with me?"
Tyler nodded, "Sure, let me get my things done."
Angel nodded, "No problem, I can help."
Tyler shook his head, "I'm all good, thanks for asking though."
Angel nodded and stepped out of the room. Tyler closed the door. While looking around his new room, he felt nervous. He saw Germany was very different from where he grew up. He and his mother always lived in a trailer park, but in the past, he and his mother would move every two days. It was the same process where he made new friends, but those relationships never lasted. Why? Because people look at him and his clothes; all they see is a boy with a druggie mother, and he always wore dirty clothes.
Even though Adrian and Angel are kind to him, he doesn't feel like he belongs here.