Their Parallel Universe ✓

Chapter 30

"I'll bring him back home before Christmas, Auntie Amy."

Scowling, the male Torres twin gives the man talking to his mother an unimpressed look.

When Eujae invited him last week to watch his parents' play, Poll assumed that they would travel to the next town by public bus. The guy didn't tell him that he would pick him up at their house with a private car.

Now whether they would take a public bus or a private car is not an issue for him, and he would be lying if he said that he didn't prefer the latter. Of course, personal transportation would be much more favorable any day.

So no, he doesn't have a problem with the vehicle. He does, however, have a complaint about the driver. Or about what the driver is doing, talking to his mother about how he would look after him as if he were a minor who needs a guardian wherever he goes.

Poll watches as his mother stands behind Eujae while the man is busy organizing their bags in the gray sedan's trunk.

"I'll leave my Poll to you then, Eujae. Drive carefully, alright?"

"I can take care of myself, Mom," Poll butts in, unable to stand hearing the conversation anymore, "What do you mean you're leaving me to Eujae? Why do you guys talk about me as if I'm a kid who needs to be supervised?"

After closing the rear of the car, Eujae walks to Poll and pulls the white cap off the male twin's head to ruffle his hair. "It's not that we think you can't take care of yourself, Apollo, but since I was the one who invited you, it's only fair to say that I'm responsible for you while we're there."

"Hey! Stop messing with my hair, brat!" Poll snatches his cap back from Eujae and puts it on before crossing his arms across his chest with a huff. "And I am going with you because I want to, so I'm responsible for myself, alright?"

"Now stop arguing, you two," Amelia tells them in a gentle tone. She faces her son's friend and pats his cheek, smiling faintly. "You're a sweet lad, Eujae. Your girlfriend must be lucky to have you."

At that one word, the furrows in between Poll's eyebrows deepen. He glances back and forth between his mother and the other man. His gaze stops at Eujae's face as he tries to gauge his reaction.

Just as Eujae turns to him, Poll averts his eyes and acts indifferent to the topic. Through his side vision, he perceives the man smiling at him. However, he pretends not to notice.

The male twin convinces himself that he is not interested in hearing Eujae's response and that he has no other choice but to listen to the two's conversation; it is not like he wants to know anything about the guy's love life. Yet when the man gives his answer to the older woman and denies that he has a girlfriend, Poll sighs internally as he feels like breathing has become easier.

He looks back at Eujae, only to regret it the instant their gazes meet and he sees the cunning smirk on the man's lips. The impishness extends to his brown and blue eyes, and Poll discerns the glint in them behind the semi-rimless glasses.

Poll opens his mouth to demand that Eujae tell him what he finds amusing, but before he can even get out a word, his mother beats him into shooting questions at the man. "Oh, how come? How can someone as handsome and kind as you not have anyone?"

The mischievous expression slips off Eujae's face just to be replaced by sheepishness. Recognizing the shift, Poll decides to chime in once more. "Mom, so what if he is handsome and kind? Doesn't mean he is required to have anyone. I am handsome and kind too. And I don't have anyone, but is that a big deal for you?"

"This child." Amelia directs her attention to her son. She reaches to pinch the tip of Poll's nose. "Of course you're the cutest and the sweetest, and no, you're not required to find someone if you're not interested or you're not ready yet. I know food, arts and your cartoons–"