Chapter 11 – Staring Games
"What are you doing?"
Andre's eyes snapped open, startled to find a face far too close to his own. His breath caught when he realized it was Zhen Yichen.
The man stared at him for several seconds, completely unfazed, before straightening up as if nothing unusual had happened. Standing tall, he looked down at Andre with his usual calm expression.
"Oh. You were sleeping," Yichen said in a low, even voice. "I was staring."
What… freak, Andre thought, keeping his face expressionless.
"Then stop," he said flatly.
"..."
"Okay."
Hmph.
Andre sat up, checking his phone. His eyes widened slightly.
An hour plus? Wow… that's a long nap. Still tired though.
"Do you need me for anything?" he asked, glancing at the man who was still standing there — still staring like he had all day to waste.
"What time is it?" Yichen asked, ignoring the question.
"Past three."
"Oh. Then no."
"Great." Andre got to his feet. "I'm going home, Mr. Zhen. Have a nice day."
"..."
Halfway to the door, Andre paused and turned back. "Your secretary came earlier and dropped some documents on your desk."
Without waiting for a reply, he left, closing the door behind him.
The room fell into silence for about three minutes. Yichen slowly walked to his desk, sat down with a composed, almost regal air, and reached for his phone.
"Come in," he said briefly into the receiver before hanging up.
Then he leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on nothing in particular, savoring the stillness.
No one could tell what he was thinking — but his gaze seemed a little darker than usual.
•••••
Andre arrived back at the building that was supposed to feel like home — though to him, it didn't.
Finally. I just want to rest.
He stepped out of the car, thanking the driver. At least Yichen had the decency to arrange for someone to bring him home.
Inside, his mother sat in the living room, watching TV — an entertainment news program.
"Oh dear! My poor Mo Yue," she muttered at the screen, shaking her head.
Andre tried to sneak past quietly, heading for the stairs, but his mother's instincts were too sharp.
"Oh, Andre, you're back!" she called out.
"Hm." He gave a small nod.
"Have you had lunch?"
"Yeah."
"…Okay… Yichen?" she asked, her tone nervous.
"Hm."
"Then come sit with Mom."
Suppressing a sigh, Andre walked over, wearing his usual indifferent expression.
"How was it? You said you're an assistant now?"
"Yes," he replied, eyes drifting toward the TV.
"Okay… but who are you working for? Yichen?"
Andre didn't answer right away — he was distracted by the news report. On-screen was his new boss, Mo Yue, caught in a scandal. Apparently, he'd injured another celebrity in a misunderstanding. The victim was now recovering and unable to perform. Fans on both sides were clashing online, the arguments getting ugly.
Wow. Interesting.
"Andre?"
"Yes."
"Whose assistant, I asked?"
"Oh, right." Andre smirked slightly — Mo Yue's face was still on the screen.
"Mo Yue."
"What?!"
"I'm his assistant."
"What?! Mo Yue?! You're his assistant?"
"Yes."
"Wait, why aren't you working for Yichen?"
"Yes."
"Then how are you Mo Yue's assistant?"
"Mo Yue is an artist in HYU."
"Oh! Really?!"
"…"
"That's great! My son is working for my idol!" She beamed like a teenager.
Andre wasn't surprised. She was a hardcore Mo Yue fan, listening to all his songs even if she didn't understand every lyric.
He knew enough Chinese to get by, but he was still learning — which was why he and Yichen usually spoke in English when alone. But with his mother, it was always Chinese. Roman do as the Romans, she always said.
"Ani, help Mom get an autograph, okay?"
"Okay, okay. I'm off to rest. Don't disturb me."
He stood and headed to his room.
"Okay!" she called after him, still grinning at the thought of her autograph.
Andre closed his door behind him, letting out a long sigh.
If only his mother knew… this "assistant" job wasn't going to stay ordinary for long.