Shadow's Embrace

Chapter 10

Xuan noticed the change in Xian immediately. At first, she thought it was just stress from work, but as time went on, she realized something was seriously bothering him. Whenever Rafael came to the orphanage, Xian seemed nervous and anxious, avoiding eye contact with the man altogether. The teenagers had also changed, becoming quieter and less energetic than usual. Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

One evening, after dinner, Xuan approached Xian in the living room. "Hey, is everything okay?" she asked gently, noticing the dark circles under his eyes.

Xian looked up briefly, his expression tired and guarded. "Everything is fine, Xuan. Just busy with work, that's all." He returned his attention to the papers scattered across the coffee table, pretending to read them intently.

Xuan wasn't convinced. She sat next to Xian, placing her hand on his arm. "Xian, I know you better than that. Something is clearly troubling you, and I think it has to do with Rafael." Her voice softened, her eyes filled with concern. "If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll worry myself sick."

Xuan's gaze bore into Xian, her eyes piercing and wise. "As someone who cares about you and the children," she said, her voice measured, "I deserve to know what's been going on. Is Rafael pressuring you? Is he mistreating you?" She waited expectantly for Xian to respond, her brow furrowed with worry.

Xian shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting away from Xuan's scrutiny. "There is nothing going on," he insisted, his voice flat and unyielding. "Just leave it alone."

Xuan frowned, her expression tinged with frustration. "Xian, I know you're hiding something. I've the one who raised you so that I can tell when you're not telling me the whole story." She leaned forward, her eyes locked intently on Xian's face. "Whatever it is, I want to help you deal with it."

Xuan sighed, rubbing her temples in exasperation. "Xian, I'm your sister. I should hope I have some standing here to ask these questions." She straightened, her eyes narrowing. "Since you won't talk to me, I have to wonder if whatever is going on is worse than I thought."

Xuan's expression turned stern, her voice taking on a note of authority. "Xian, you owe me an explanation. As your older sister, it is my duty to ensure that you are safe and happy." She paused, studying Xian's evasive responses. "I know you are struggling with something, and I will not be brushed aside like this."

Xian forced a smile onto his lips, hoping to ease Xuan's worries. "Sis, really, everything is fine. Maybe I've just been working too much lately." He stood up, picking up the papers from the coffee table. "Don't worry about me, I promise I'm doing great."

Xuan studied Xian's face intently, searching for any sign of deception. Although she sensed that something was amiss, she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Satisfied that Xian appeared genuinely unworried, she decided to drop the subject - for now. "Okay, Xian. If you say everything is alright, I believe you," she said, though her tone betrayed lingering doubts.

Later that evening, Xian made an effort to appear more present and engaged with the teenagers. In the living room, he initiated a game of charades, encouraging everyone to participate. As the night progressed, the group's laughter grew louder and more frequent, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the previously subdued household.

Renzo mimicked playing soccer, acting out kicking a ball and scoring a goal. Morgana pretended to hold a paintbrush, twirling around the room to convey dancing. Alisha acted out reading a book, using exaggerated gestures to show turning pages. Gael hopped on one leg, flapping his arms like wings to represent flying. Xing, meanwhile, mimed cooking, stirring an imaginary pot with a spoon.

Xian watched the teenagers playfully act out their chosen words, feeling a pang of guilt for not being able to share his problems with them. Though he struggled to push aside his worries, he managed to laugh along with the others, trying to create a sense of normalcy in the midst of chaos.

After several rounds of charades, the group decided to switch games. They gathered around the TV, browsing through channels until they landed on a popular music program. The lively beats and catchy melodies soon had everyone singing along, their voices blending in perfect harmony. Even Xian found himself swaying to the rhythm, momentarily forgetting the weight of his troubles.

As the evening wore on, the group settled into a cozy routine, chatting casually during commercial breaks and sharing snacks. It was a rare moment of peace, one that Xian cherished deeply. For a brief instant, he forgot about Rafael and his overwhelming power, lost in the simple joy of sharing a relaxing evening with those he cared about most.

As the final song faded away, the teenagers exchanged contented smiles, still humming the tune. With a satisfied sigh, Xian rose from the couch, stretching his legs. "It's getting late," he announced, glancing at the clock. "Time for bed, everyone." The room fell silent, save for the occasional yawn, as the teens bid each other goodnight and began to disperse.

With a final check of the living room, Xian ensured everything was tidy and switched off the lights. He closed the door behind the last of the stragglers, letting the warmth of the evening linger in his heart. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine a life free of tension and secrets, where he could fully enjoy moments like these without the burden of Rafael's grasp. As he turned to head upstairs, the faint memory of the music still resonated softly in his mind.