After the amusement park, Kael and Leo walked back to the apartment. They were very tired, but they were too excited to sleep. The giant purple gorilla was sitting on the couch. It looked like it owned the place.
"I am going to set up the PS5 now," Leo said. He looked like he had more energy than a battery.
Kael laughed. "It is midnight, Leo. Don't you want to sleep?"
"No way! I have a new life to start!" Leo replied.
They spent the next two hours playing games. They sat on the floor and ate more snacks. They had chips, sodas, and the fancy gold-bar chocolates Kael brought. The chocolates were very rich.
"This tastes like a million dollars," Leo said, licking his fingers. "I feel like a king eating this in my pajamas."
They laughed and played until their eyes were red. They talked about the funny faces Kael made on the roller coaster. They talked about the big blue cotton candy. It was a perfect night. Eventually, they both took a warm bath. The apartment was quiet. Kael felt a deep sense of peace. He felt like a real person again. Finally, they went to bed.
The next morning, Kael's eyes popped open. He didn't need an alarm. His body knew it was time to go back to the fake world. He looked at his phone. It was 7:30 AM. He had a new text message.
Jaxen:The car is five minutes away. Be ready.
Kael groaned. He put his face into the pillow. "He is like a robot that never sleeps," he whispered. "Does he even have a soul? Or is he just made of suits and coffee?"
He got out of bed quietly. He didn't want to wake up Leo. He walked into the living room and stopped. Leo was sleeping on the couch. He was wearing a pajamas, He was hugging the giant purple gorilla very tightly. The gorilla's big, goofy head was resting on Leo's chest. Leo was snoring softly.
Kael smiled. It was a very funny sight. Leo looked like a little kid again. All the stress of the last few weeks felt worth it just to see Leo sleeping so peacefully.
Kael went to the kitchen. He packed his bag. He put his fancy shampoo and his expensive silk shirts inside. He felt a heavy sadness in his chest. He did not want to leave. He wanted to stay here. He wanted to wait for Leo to wake up and make more spicy noodles. But he had a deal. He had to pay off that 50,000 dollars.
He found a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a note for Leo:
I have to go back to work. The boss is being mean again and wants me back early. Call me on your new phone later! I love you, kid. Stay out of trouble. — Your big brother.
He placed the note right on top of the PS5 box so Leo would see it first thing. Then, he took one last look at the messy, happy apartment. He sighed and walked out the door.
The street was starting to get busy. People were walking to the bus station to go to work. Kids were running around before school. It was a normal, noisy morning. Then, everything went quiet.
A giant black car pulled up to the curb. It was very long and very shiny. It looked like a shark in a small fish tank. It was way too fancy for this street. Every neighbor stopped what they were doing to stare at it.
"Is that a movie star?" an old woman asked, squinting her eyes.
"No, look! It's Kael!" a man shouted from across the street. "Kael! Did you win the lottery? Can I have twenty dollars?"
Kael felt his face turn bright red. He felt so embarrassed. He didn't want his neighbors to think he was a big shot. He grabbed his bag and ran to the car. The driver, Marcus, hopped out. He opened the door for Kael without saying a word. Kael jumped inside as fast as he could.
The inside of the car was very cold. It smelled like new leather and expensive perfume. Jaxen was sitting in the back seat. He looked perfect. His hair was perfectly styled. His suit had no wrinkles. He was looking at his computer screen. He didn't even look up when Kael sat down.
"You are on time," Jaxen said. His voice was as cold as ice.
"Nice to see you too, Mr. Valtieri," Kael muttered. He crossed his arms and looked out the window.
As the car started to pull away, Kael saw the front door of his apartment open. Leo ran out onto the sidewalk. He was still in his pajamas and messy hair. He saw the big black car and started waving his arms wildly. He was jumping up and down and smiling so big his face looked like it would break.
Kael felt a lump in his throat. He waved back at his brother until the car turned the corner and Leo disappeared. The neighborhood was gone. The smell of the bakery was gone. Now, he was back in the fake world of mansions and secrets.
"How was your brother?" Jaxen asked suddenly. He still did not look away from his computer.
Kael was surprised. Jaxen usually didn't ask questions about "normal" things. "He was happy," Kael said. "He loved the gifts. Especially the PS5. He spent the whole night playing it. He thinks you are a very good person, Jaxen."
Jaxen stopped typing. His fingers stayed still on the keys for a second. He looked at Kael. His eyes were hard to read. They weren't angry, but they weren't kind either.
"He is wrong," Jaxen said simply. "I am a businessman. I do things for reasons. Not because I am 'good'."
"Sure you are," Kael said, rolling his eyes. "But thanks anyway. It meant a lot to him. And to me."
Jaxen didn't say anything else. He went back to his work, his fingers clicking fast on the keyboard. The car drove fast, moving away from the small apartments and toward the giant, quiet mansion. Kael leaned his head against the window. The weekend was over. The vacation was done.
"What is for breakfast when we get back?" Kael asked, feeling his stomach growl.
"Green juice and high-protein eggs," Jaxen said. "Healthy food for a busy day."
Kael closed his eyes and thought about the oily, spicy noodles he had with Leo. He thought about the blue cotton candy.
"I miss my noodles already," Kael whispered.
The car kept moving, taking him further and further away from his real life and deeper into the lie. But as he looked at the expensive watch on his wrist, he remembered the promise he made to leo. He had to do this. For Leo.