DO YOU LIKE MY SISTER?

Neon's mouth was gaping from the huge house in front of him. It wasn't as big as the palace that he saw in books and magazines, but it was still so big compared to the house that they used to live in the countryside. In front of this house, he felt so small, like a tiny ant that could get crushed under someone's foot.

Then, he sensed that something was wrong. He had no idea why he was brought to this place and he didn't even know who owned the house. Remembering how much he suffered in secret from the previous house, Neon trembled in fear. He didn't want to live in someone else's home again!

"This will be your home for the meantime while your sister recuperates in the hospital. She said that she'll come and get you once she's discharged."

"No!" Neon took two steps back and hid behind Eli. "I don't want to. Eli, I don't want to live in other people's homes. I want to stay with my sister."

"Ah? Is that so? But your sister will feel bad if you keep getting exposed to bacteria in the hospital. Anyway, this is my house. Most of the time, I live alone but currently, my mom returned from overseas and she would sometimes stays here. Don't worry, I have explained the details to her and she has no problem with it."

"I still don't want to. I'll just live in the streets."

"Do you want your sister to worry while she's in the hospital?" This question seemed effective because Neon finally calmed down. Eli could understand why Neon was acting this way. He experienced the same thing with his nephew and both of their cases were caused by trauma. "I'll always be with you," Eli promised and gently patted the little boy's head. "In the morning, we will go to the hospital and you can stay with your sister. Then, we'll come home together at night."

"Is that really okay?"

"Of course. Your sister and I are best friends. We will always help each other."

Neon smiled faintly but he did not believe his words. He knew that Eli was only saying those words to calm him. In Neon's mind, [If Eli was really my sister's best friend, why didn't he notice that she was suffering financially? Since Eli said it was his house, it means he's rich. He could have lent my sister some money and I wouldn't have suffered from that auntie. Liar! Why are you all lying to me?!] But he needs to behave. He can't cause more problems for her sister.

Eli took the small backpack that Neon owned which contains some of his basic items and led the little kid to the house.

"This will be your room for now," he said then shifted his gaze to the other room next to it. "This is mine. If you need something, just knock on my door. Also, I have a lot of food in the refrigerator. You can get anything you like."

"Okay, Eli."

"I have a day off today and Belle said that I don't need to visit her. I lent her my laptop though so she should be fine. Let's go to the mall and buy some clothes for you."

Neon refused almost instantly upon hearing his offer. "There is no need to do that. I can wash my clothes and use them alternately." Last time, when Belle bought him new clothes, her godmother got angry because it was a waste of money. In the end, when Belle left for work, he was whipped using a thin branch of a guava tree. Thin it may be, but the impact whenever it hits his skin, was so strong and painful. He couldn't even sit properly for a few days but he never told his sister about it. Since she works so much and always has overtime, they usually don't cross paths at home because he has to go to school as well. That was the reason why he refused his sister whenever she plans to buy him something.

"Your sister was the one who told me to get you something."

"She can use it to pay for the hospital bills. I'm fine with my clothes."

"Hmm..." Eli thought of another excuse but a brilliant idea popped into his mind. "You can rest first. I'll just call someone in my room."

"Thank you, Eli."

When the child disappeared from his sight, Eli clutched his chest. Talking to the well-behaved Neon was like talking to his nephew. They both looked gentle and calm outside but when you look into their eyes, there was that look of fear and vigilance. They were on constant alert because they were afraid that they'd cause a problem and get hurt from it.

Checking the time on his phone, Eli knew that his nephew was still awake and he requested a video call. The phone just rang twice and the little guy who looked so much like his father appeared in front of the screen.

"Hi, Andrei. How are you doing? Did you have fun at school?"

Andrei picked up his board and wrote "I had so much fun. I played tag with my friends today and I almost fell but Jules helped me."

"That is great! I am glad that you have found many friends. I also have a friend here. His name is Neon. He's younger than you and very behaves."

Andrei gave him an incredulous look and wrote "your friend is younger than me?! I thought your friend will be my future auntie".

Eli laughed so hard at that which caused Andrei to put his hands on his hips as if he was a mother scolding her son.

"Anyway, my friend has a sister but she's in the hospital right now. I am just looking after him while she's not around. I was planning to buy him clothes but he refused. I remembered that you have some clothes here at my house. Can I give those to him?"

Before he could finish his words, Andrei was already writing something and it was probably very long because he took a long time to write it.

"So...do you agree or not? I don't mind buying new ones."

Andrei flipped his board and Eli took a screenshot of his nephew immediately, including the board that he was holding proudly. What he wrote was something Eli did not expect. "He can have everything else except the orange shirts. Those are the ones that my mother gave me."

Eli smiled and gave his nephew a flying kiss which made Andrei grimace in disgust. Eli just couldn't stop laughing as he kept teasing his nephew.

After half an hour, he ended the call and went out to get Neon to choose the clothes he likes. To make sure that the child won't refuse this time, he showed him the screenshot he took earlier.

"This is Andrei, my nephew. He said that you can have his clothes since they wouldn't fit him anymore except for the orange shirts. Those are his favorites because those were given to him by his mother on his birthdays and Christmas."

"Why is he using a board? Is he mute?"

"Not really but something happened to him and he refused to say anything to us. It's been three years since we last heard him talk."

Neon stared at the phone screen where a boy was looking proud while giving away his things. "He looks happy when he talks to you."

"He does?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe because I am his favorite uncle."

"Well, you are his only uncle."

"Oh, right! Wait, how did you know?"

Neon told him about the picture he saw in the other room and he guessed it was a family picture with Eli as the only son.

Diverting Neon's attention, Eli talked about his family while walking down to the first floor where Andrei used to stay. By the time they finished chatting, Neon was also half done with choosing the clothes of his choice. He never realized until it the two of them returned to his room with the clothes and shoes he got.

That day, Eli spent his time with Neon in his house. He cooked for him to know what was his preferences in food but he just ate silently across him.

"You are the complete opposite of your sister," Eli commented and Neon looked up, cocked his head to the side with that what-do-you-mean look. "I don't mean in a bad way. It's just that, your sister is very cheerful and she likes to make children happy. In contrast, you are very quiet and you rarely speak what is in your mind. However, I felt like your sister changed after the medical mission incident. Sometimes, it felt like she was a different person. At the same time, her changes seem good for her."

Neon chewed his food and drank a mouthful of water. Since he was raised by Belle's godmother, he was taught to never talk while eating but he was also taught to answer if someone speaks to him. In short, he has to chew his food before answering. That's how it should be.

"Belle is only like that at work. You are best friends, right? Why can't you tell?"

Eli was stunned to hear this coming from a child. From the time he met him about one month ago, he was well-mannered and never caused them problems when he visited Belle during working hours. His behavior was also the reason why they allowed him to come to the hospital with his sister. He observed people and played with the children in the pediatric department.

Yet, the little boy in front of him seemed annoyed.

"I'm sorry." Neon said and tears were threatening to fall on his face but he held back. He wiped his tears and bravely looked at Eli who still looked shocked by his question. "I just feel annoyed when I hear people talk about how cheerful my sister was. Why can't anyone see how much she suffered? She was having a hard time but she had to act cheerful in front of everyone because she didn't want anyone to pity her. I hate everyone!"

Eli stood up and moved his chair to sit beside Neon. It must have been hard on him to see how his sister forced herself just to earn money for that abusive woman. What Neon needed right now was security. He needed someone whom he can trust and someone who won't betray him.

"Neon, I wasn't really close with your sister before. We barely talk to each other and in most instances, it was your sister who cheered me up. Now that she is suffering, I wanted to be the one to cheer her up. However, your sister doesn't remember almost all of the people in the hospital which is why I claimed to be her best friend. I cannot promise that I'd be always there to help her because I am busy with work and other things, but if ever she needs help and I am available, I'd be there to help her, to help you."

"Do you like my sister?"