Stranger that I Know: The Forgotten Promise

6 – Adopting Nero

"Do you… have a name?"

Ilya murmured, brushing his fingers against the man's cheek. His skin was surprisingly smooth, a stark contrast to his rugged appearance.

The man didn't answer, he simply gazed at Ilya with an expression of pure trust and adoration.

"How about I adopt you?"

The man didn't respond, but his eyes never wavered from Ilya's face, the silly smile glued on his lips.

"Let's call you Nero,"

Ilya said, stroking his cheek. He rubbed the man's chin and neck lightly, the way one might with a pet. Nero closed his eyes, leaning into the touch with a contented sigh.

"Ilya, the car's ready," Leo interrupted, his voice tinged with disbelief as he approached. His gaze flickered between Ilya and Nero, clearly unsettled by the scene.

"He's coming with us,"

Ilya announced firmly as he stood, Nero instinctively following him, never letting Ilya out of his sight.

"Are you sure? What are you going to do with him?"

Leo asked, hurrying after them as Ilya guided Nero to the back seat of the car.

"Just drive, will you?"

Ilya replied, his tone curt. Exhaustion and annoyance weighed heavily on him, and Leo's questions only added to his irritation.

Leo sighed, knowing it was futile to argue. Once Ilya decided on something, no one could change his mind. What baffled Leo more was how naturally Ilya behaved with Nero.

Ilya, who was infamous for avoiding physical touch, seemed completely at ease holding Nero, as though it were second nature.

"It's fine. He's not dangerous,"

Ilya said, sensing Leo's silent judgment practically screaming from his expression. He ignored him, focusing instead on calming Nero, who resisted getting into the car. Nero's wild instincts flared as he fought against being 'trapped' inside what he likely saw as a box.

It wasn't until Ilya sat beside him that Nero finally settled, his body relaxing as he clung to Ilya for reassurance.

As the car started moving, Nero stiffened, his grip on Ilya tightening protectively. Ilya glanced down, startled but oddly touched by Nero's reaction. It was as if the man thought the car was some kind of threat and was determined to shield Ilya from harm.

A soft smile broke across Ilya's lips as he observed Nero's behavior. The stranger was like a child experiencing the outside world for the first time fear giving way to awe as the car continued its smooth journey.

Nero pressed his face against the window, watching the passing scenery with wide-eyed wonder, his excitement evident as he leaned closer to the glass.

The drive was long, stretching over five hours. Ilya, drained from the day's events, leaned back in his seat and let his eyes close. Sleep claimed him quickly, his head resting against the seat as the steady motion of the car lulled him into a deep slumber.

He stirred at the sound of voices, distant at first but growing clearer. Someone was speaking, their tone sharp and irritated, followed by a low, animalistic growl.

"Hey, untamed animal, stop growling and let me wake him up!"

Leo's exasperated voice cut through the haze of sleep, snapping Ilya fully awake.

Blinking, Ilya sat up, his vision filled with the sight of Nero crouched protectively over him. Nero's dark hair fell like a waterfall, partially obscuring his face, but his posture was unmistakable, he was shielding Ilya from Leo.

"It's fine,"

Ilya said softly, placing a calming hand on Nero's head. He stroked Nero gently, and the man relaxed under his touch, though his intense gaze never left Leo.

Turning to Leo, Ilya's expression hardened.

"Call him an animal again, and you'll lose your job. I still have enough evidence against you."

Leo flinched, but he quickly recovered, masking his discomfort with a sharp retort.

"I thought you had difficulty sleeping, but you've been out like a rock this entire drive."

Ilya ignored the jab, stepping out of the car with Nero following close behind. He grabbed Nero's hand and walked toward the entrance of his apartment building, his thoughts preoccupied.

"Tomorrow's schedule has been canceled, and you're expected to meet with the President in the afternoon,"

Leo called out.

Ilya stopped in his tracks, confused.

"Wasn't my schedule packed for the next few months?" he asked, frowning.

Earlier that day, Leo had scolded him for requesting half a day off, citing his packed calendar.

"The order came from upper management. Something's happened. You're meeting with the President and Vice President tomorrow. I'll come to pick you up,"

Leo said before leaving abruptly, offering no further explanation.

Ilya watched the car drive off, unease settling in his chest. It was unusual for plans to change so suddenly, but he shrugged it off and headed inside, still holding Nero's hand.

His apartment was quiet, the lights off. It was a small one-bedroom unit where he had lived alone ever since his family discovered his mental health issues, specifically, his dreams of harming his siblings.

At the time, their rejection had shattered him, but now he was grateful for the solitude. At least here, he didn't have to face anyone.

Nero obediently sat on the couch where Ilya pointed, silently waiting for instructions. Despite the new surroundings, he seemed calm, his demeanor unassuming.

After preparing a simple snack, Ilya handed Nero a blanket and gestured for him to sleep on the floor near the bed. Nero settled down quickly, his breathing evening out almost instantly as he fell into a peaceful sleep.

Ilya lay on his bed, restless. He turned from side to side, his head pounding with the weight of the day's events. His gaze drifted toward Nero, who slept soundly, his expression serene.

A pang of envy stabbed at Ilya.

How does he sleep so peacefully? he thought bitterly.

Then a memory surfaced of the day, how easily he had slept during the car ride, with Nero nearby. And the same thing happened when Nero came to his room at night.

"Could it be possible?"

Ilya murmured to himself, an idea forming in his mind.

Grabbing his pillow, he climbed down from the bed and lay beside Nero on the floor. He closed his eyes, but sleep remained elusive. Frustrated, he stared at Nero's face, his features softened in slumber.

Just as Ilya decided to give up and fetch his sleeping pills, Nero moved. In one swift motion, he wrapped his arms around Ilya's waist and pulled him close, cradling him as though protecting something precious.

Ilya froze, his head now resting against Nero's chest, his body enveloped in Nero's warmth. The stranger's strong arms held him securely, his steady heartbeat thrumming against Ilya's ear.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The rhythmic sound was soothing, like a melody lulling him into calm. Slowly, the tension in Ilya's body melted away, and his eyelids grew heavy.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Ilya drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next day was hectic. Ilya had planned to stay home and teach Nero a few basic things, but his father called him early in the morning, demanding he come over urgently. Since taking Nero along wasn't an option, Ilya reluctantly left him behind, alone in the apartment.

As expected, his father's true intention became clear soon enough. He wanted to show Ilya off to his associates and, as usual, ended the meeting by asking for money to fund yet another business venture. Ilya wanted to ignore the request, but he knew his family would continue pestering him until he gave in.

By the time he had handled the endless demands, Leo arrived to take him to the agency, leaving Ilya with no chance to spend even a moment with Nero.

What surprised him most was that, despite knowing he'd meet Cairo after a long time, his mind was elsewhere. Nero occupied every thought of his, he worried whether Nero had eaten, whether he'd run away, or if he'd figured out how to handle the food delivery Ilya had arranged.

The worries stayed with him as he entered the President's office. Inside were just the President, his secretary, the Vice President, and Leo. The atmosphere was tense, and it didn't take long for Ilya to sense that something big had happened.

But no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't think of anything he'd done recently that could warrant such an atmosphere, except maybe adopting Nero.

"Ilya, I heard you rejected an invitation from one of our investors?"

The President's voice cut through the tense silence, sharp and direct, skipping any pleasantries. Not even a greeting.

Ilya's gaze shifted toward Cairo, who stood by the window, his back turned, seemingly lost in thought as he looked out. The Vice President made no effort to acknowledge him or the unfolding conversation, his silence heavy and unreadable.

Before Ilya could respond, the President's voice rang out again, colder this time.

"You've been blacklisted from the industry…"

The words hit like a sledgehammer, leaving the room steeped in an unbearable stillness.