The Runaway Groom // Brallon

Chapter 4

Brendon sat awkwardly in the couch, putting his attention in petting Zero as he sat beside Matty. The noise of the TV envelopes the silence between the two of them.

Dallon insisted that he cooked for them and 'assigned' him to entertain Matty while he's preparing. There's apparently no need for the order since Matty has his headphones on, nodding along to the music he's listening.

He realizes this must be the university boy that Dallon mentioned about sometimes. All the books in Dallon's apartment are gifts from Matty. The genres range from mystery to sci-fi novels. There are a few text books and DIY Books that Brendon found along the collection.

An old turnable that Dallon often uses came from Mrs. Truman just a year ago. So, Matty also brings him some extra vinyls that he bought from England.

It's nice how their family treats Dallon like their own, giving him little gifts and extras for whatever he needs. Dallon never asked for them, but he deserves it.

"Brendon?"

His head snaps toward the curly haired man beside him, looking at him expectantly. That's when he realized he was asking a question. "Pardon?"

"I asked when you met Dallon." He says as he puts down his headphones and shifts his position to face him.

'I met him when I escaped my wedding.' Is what Brendon wanted to say but of course he can't. "I-I met him at his work."

Matty raised an eyebrow at him. "The preschool?"

"Uh. Y-Yeah. My little brother studies there. And then Dallon and I got talking. Yeah." Brendon mentally slaps himself for the lame lie but it's nothing as bad as the truth.

He inwardly sighs in relief that Matty seems to take that for an answer.

"That's good. Dallon doesn't have a lot of friends. Believe me how surprised I was when I learned he has a friend staying over his place." Matty says with an amused, but fond smile. There's a hopeful look in his eyes. "At least someone would be looking out for him. I know I can't always be there for Dallon, but please, look out for him, okay?"

It sounded more like a plea than just any simple favor. Nonetheless, Brendon gestures his head with a nod and a smile. At least Matty seems to take that smile for an answer.

'He's not so bad.' Brendon concludes.

"Did you know, when Dallon first came here, he looked like on the verge of dying from starvation. It scared me." Matty says grimly, his arm reaching out to pat on the sleeping puppy on Brendon's lap. "Nana--my grandmother and I, thought we should help him. I know his parents died from an accident. With his older brother still missing, he felt it was his responsibility to take care of his siblings on his own."

It's a realization for Brendon to hear Dallon's predicament. He feels ashamed for despising his grand lifestyle when there are others like Dallon who are living far worse than him. He has a house, the friends, the wealth. But what is he living for? Dallon lives for his family, but what about himself?

"Nana and I decided to let him rent an apartment with whatever money he's got on his pocket the moment he came. We couldn't leave him behind in that state." Matty continues, his face still grim at the memory. "I worry about him a lot. He's like a brother to me."

Brendon hums in understanding. He feels a bit guilty for his childish mood towards this man who only meant well for Dallon.

Matty runs a hand through his untamed curls and lets out a relieved smile. "But, he seems to be doing so well now. He looks a lot healthier, he looks happier. That's good enough for me."