Boy wonder

He constantly has to prove himself – show that he's the smartest person in the room.

His father demands this. As if he's not his son, but just a tool he would readily drop when it turns out to be of no more use.

(Well, he only threatens to do that – he'd never kill the goose that lays the golden egg, that's for sure.)

The single person that doesn't see him either as the boy wonder or a source of money is her.

When he's with Angela he's just Patrick.

That's why he never reads her. They just sneak somewhere quiet and exchange frantic kisses until both of them are completely breathless.

She loves him. Loves him for his own sake – no matter how good a performer he is, or whatever else.

Someday she'll be his and his only.

In the meanwhile Patrick contents himself with dreaming about their future together.