Their footsteps echoed dully as Ronald, the butler, watched them leave the mansion. He simply cleared his throat and headed toward the kitchen for dinner preparation. 

As they stepped out of the huge front door, they were greeted by the sweet scent of fruit from the orchards. A tractor passed by, and the guy in his 40s looked at them. He looked sturdy with furrowed brows. Unshaken. Liam followed his gaze. A stoic, distant look settled on the man’s face. A young lad was seated beside him, tilting his head in bewilderment. 

“Who are they? Are they here as guests, wandering around?” A young man said in a soft tone. He was in his twenties. He had a beauty mole beneath his right eye, tan skin, and deep brown eyes. His hair was slightly messy, and he wore a weathered shirt. 

“Don’t know, and don’t care. Let’s be quick…Charlie’s waiting at the front.” The man said in a deep tone. He turned the steering wheel to their right on the orchard track. 

“C’mon, Johnny, don’t be so mardy,” the young lad teased. John just clicked his tongue. Not annoyed. But the young lad’s eyes shifted to Anton, who met his gaze. He flinched and immediately looked ahead at the road. 

Anton just raised a brow in silence. The afternoon was bright, warm but not humid, and the breeze felt soothing. Liam looked farther ahead, shading his eyes with his right hand. Breathing softly, from far ahead, the orchard stretched wide and steady. 

Anton glanced to the other side, noticing people moving between the trees, inspecting them as though tending to the orchard. The leaves shimmered gently, as if brushed by light itself, while the branches stood calm in the heat. The wind blew to the east. 

As they stood on the grand steps, Liam mumbled, “It’s beautiful, don’t you think, Anton?” He spoke in a calm tone, grinning as he looked far ahead to his left. The air brushed their hair like soft fingers. 

Yet, Anton’s eyes were on him, saying, “It is beautiful,” as though he meant Liam looked pretty in his eyes. That was what his heart was pounding for. His lips curled into a grin. When Liam was about to meet his gaze, Anton looked forward, adding, “It’s like the whole land is breathing, peacefully.” A smile tugged lightly at his lips. Not knowing himself, Liam’s glance lingered on Arnold’s side-view face, tracing every detail of his expression. Calm and simple. 

Silence passed by for a second between them. Suddenly, Anton’s eyes locked with him for a brief moment, and Liam’s gaze looked warm as he smiled. 

A sudden thud skipped in Anton’s chest. What the―his eyes grew wide slightly in surprise. But Anton didn’t want to assume. Whenever Liam looked at him, so warm and tender, his thoughts felt dreamy about wanting more from him: to like him. He didn’t want Liam to feel uneasy around him. So, he set aside those inconvenient feelings. 

“Shall we stroll around a bit, Anton?” Liam said softly as he smirked. His hands were in his pockets as he stepped down the stone steps. Anton stared at his back, without replying. 

No wonder he felt something beyond friendship. He balled his right fist tightly. I can’t let myself go deeper than what we are now, he said to himself. It was hard to believe someone like Liam could ever see him as more than just a driver and an errand man. 

Liam looked back, wondering. “What are you waiting for? Come on, Anton. It’s such nice weather. It would be nice to get my skin tan a little bit,” He beamed. Anton just smiled back, strolled forward, stepping on the stone stairs in haste. 

***

Aunt Rosie did not join them for supper. She had an urgent business meeting with one of the Hawthorne family’s business partners in Victoria and had to stay the night there. 

The dining room glowed beneath the chandelier hanging above the long table. Liam and Anton ate quietly while one of the servants attended to them, though she did not seem particularly friendly. She appeared to be in her thirties, slim and pale. Her hair was neatly tied into a bun, wrapped with a white linen maid’s headband. 

When she served water in Anton’s half-filled glass, her lips curled into a grin as though a silent flirt caught Liam’s gaze. It bothered him. Even though Anton didn’t notice, he was too busy slicing the steak, still unaccustomed to table etiquette. 

Liam let go of a soft scoff, quietly as he gracefully sliced his steak as if showing Anton how to slice them. He caught Anton’s attention, who followed his lead. He felt pleased. 

“You’ll get used to it soon, Anton,” Liam said calmly. He took a bite with his fork before slicing again. 

Anton reacted timidly, trying to perfect his table manners. Liam smiled, as if satisfied that Anton was listening to him well. The room felt cozy under the chandelier’s warm glow. A soft stillness lingered in the air, like a quiet romance of two people dining together. 

“Ah, by the way, Anton,” Liam said, meeting Anton’s gaze. “Do you mind if I come to your room tonight?” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips. Anton blinked slowly, processing what he heard.