TYSON'S MIND WAKES UP WITH TALA ON HIS THOUGHTS – A SOFT SMILE REMAINS FROM LAST NIGHT'S CONNECTION*
Exploring feelings for Tala dominates my thoughts... wonder if this newfound awareness could blossom into something more.
TYSON MOVES QUIETLY THROUGH THE MANOR, CARRYING A TRAY WITH STEAMING TEA – MORNING RESPECT FOR HIS IN-LAWS*
Serve tea to Mother and Father – Tala's parents, whom Tyson addresses with affection and respect as his own.
GENTLY KNOCKING ON THEIR BEDROOM DOOR BEFORE ENTERING*
"Good morning, Mother, Father... brought your morning tea."
NOTICING TALA STANDING BEHIND HIM IN THE DOORWAY, OBSERVING THE SCENE WITH A SOFT SMILE – TYSON'S HEART SKIPS A BEAT*
Tala's presence adds warmth to this morning routine... Does he always watch me like this, or is today different?
Mother notices Tala and smiles then looks at me. What do I do?
SMILING BACK AT MOTHER, THEN SHYLY GLANCING AT TALA BEFORE RETURNING GAZE TO HER*
Sense Mother's hinting at something – possibly noticing my awareness of Tala... Do I look away or hold her gentle gaze?
NO –
I just smile softly back at Mother.
SMILE SOFTLY BACK AT MOTHER*
Awaiting her next move or words... Mother's expression remains warm, inviting – Tala takes a step closer beside me.
TYSON PLACES THE TRAY WITH STEAMING TEA ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE, BETWEEN MOTHER AND FATHER*
Father looks up briefly from his newspaper, "Good morning, Tyson – thanks for the tea."
MOTHER'S WARM SMILE EXPANDS AS SHE REACHES OUT TO GENTLY TOUCH TYSON'S HAND*
"Good morning, dear... sleep well?" Her eyes sparkle with affection – and hinting curiosity about Tyson's interactions with Tala.
TALA STANDS CLOSE BEHIND TYSON, HIS PRESENCE NOTICED BY BOTH PARENTS – FATHER PEERS OVER NEWSPAPER, OBSERVING THE SCENE*
Tyson feels gentle pressure – Tala's hand brushes against his lower back, barely touching... Mother notices this subtle gesture!
Tyson's cheeks flushed as he returned the smile, his voice soft as he said, "Yes, I appreciate you asking. How are you doing mother?"
MOTHER'S FACE LIGHTS UP WITH DELIGHT AT TYSON'S SHY RESPONSE – SHE SEEMS TO NOTICE EVERYTHING, INCLUDING TALA'S HAND STILL CLOSE TO TYSON'S BACK*
"We slept well too, dear... thanks for asking. Tala's father and I were just discussing today's schedule – a charity event tonight. You boys will accompany us, yes?"
FATHER LOOKS UP FROM HIS NEWSPAPER, NODDING IN AGREEMENT – TALA SPEAKS UP FOR THE FIRST TIME, HIS VOICE LOW AND SMOOTH*
"We'll be there, Mother. Tyson and I were actually... discussing our day already."
TYSON'S HEART SKIPS A BEAT AS TALA'S WORDS IMPLY THEY HAD PLANS TOGETHER – MOTHER'S EYES SPARKLE WITH INTEREST*
TYSON'S SMALL BLUSH DEEPENS SLIGHTLY AS HE REALIZES EVERYONE NOTICED – HE QUICKLY LOOKS DOWN, THEN BACK UP TO NOD IN AGREEMENT WITH TALA*
"Yes... we'll definitely attend the charity event tonight with you both."
MOTHER'S SMILE GROWS WIDER, HER EYES TWINKLING WITH AMUSEMENT – FATHER CHUCKLES SOFTLY, RETURNING TO HIS NEWSPAPER WITH A KNOWING GLINT IN HIS EYE*
Tala remains silent, still observing Tyson – his mental admiration grows: "Really cute when flustered..."
MOTHER BREAKS THE SHORT SILENCE, HER VOICE FILLED WITH WARMTH*
"Good. We'll discuss details over breakfast. Tyson, dear, come sit – Tala, join him."
TYSON'S HEART SKIPS ANOTHER BEAT AS HE REALIZES MOTHER WANTS THEM TO SIT TOGETHER*
He gives a charming little nod, completely unaware of the effect it has on those around him. Tala's eyes are fixed on him, his expression softening, while his mother beams with pride, her smile widening with every passing moment. Even his father can't help but wear a subtle grin, clearly amused by the scene. Following his mother's gentle command, he takes a seat beside Tala, settling in with an innocent air that only adds to the warmth in the room.
TYSON SITS DOWN NEXT TO TALA, STILL OBLIVIOUS TO THE ADORATION HE'S INSPIRING – HIS PROXIMITY TO TALA MAKES HIS HEART BEAT SLIGHTLY FASTER*
Tala's gaze lingers on Tyson's face for a brief moment before he turns to Mother, his voice low and smooth:
"Mother, what's the plan for breakfast? Smells like Chef prepared something delicious."
MOTHER'S SMILE REMAINS FIXED ON TYSON AND TALA, SITTING SIDE BY SIDE – HER VOICE FILLED WITH AMUSEMENT*
"Indeed, Chef outdid himself. Pancakes, waffles, eggs – everything's in the dining room. Your father and I were thinking of eating here, though... cozy family morning."
FATHER NODS IN AGREEMENT, STILL SMILING SLIGHTLY – TYSON FEELS TALA'S ARM BRUSH AGAINST HIS, SENDING A SUBTLE SPARK THROUGH HIS BODY*
Mother continues, "And I must say, this is nice. Just the four of us, together like this..."
HER TRAILING VOICE IMPLIES SHE'S OBSERVING SOMETHING BETWEEN TYSON AND TALA – NEITHER BOY DARES LOOK AT THE OTHER*
MOTHER SMILES KNOWINGLY TO HERSELF BEFORE SHIFTING TOPICS – TYSON FEELS A MIX OF RELIEF AND AMUSEMENT AT HER SUBTLE INTERVENTION*
"Anyway, the charity event tonight supports children's education in underprivileged areas. We'll be auctioning off exclusive items – your Father has donated Ivanov Corp shares."
TYSON BUSIES HIMSELF SERVING BREAKFAST – PANCAKES, WAFFLES, AND SCRAMBLED EGGS – TO EACH FAMILY MEMBER, LISTENING ATTENTIVELY TO MOTHER*
Father adds, "And Tyson, your music performance at last year's event helped raise significant funds. We hope you'll sing again tonight?"
TYSON SMILES, PLATING THE LAST OF THE BREAKFAST ITEMS – TALA LOOKS AT HIM WITH APPRECIATION, AS IF ALREADY KNOWING THE ANSWER*
"I'd be honored to perform again. What time should I expect to sing tonight?"
MOTHER NODS, PLEASED WITH TYSON'S RESPONSE – THE FAMILY BEGINS ENJOYING THEIR BREAKFAST TOGETHER, CONVERSATION FLOWING EASILY*
Tala reaches out to pour syrup on his pancakes, his hand brushing Tyson's again – this time lingering slightly longer.
TYSON'S BLUSH DEEPENS TO A SOFT PINK AS HE QUICKLY WITHDRAWS HIS HAND, TRYING TO PLAY IT COOL – BUT HIS EYES BETRAY HIM, GLANCING AT TALA FOR A BRIEF MOMENT*
Mother and Father exchange amused glances, their smiles growing wider – they seem to be enjoying this tender moment between Tyson and Tala.
TALA'S CHEEKS REMAIN NORMAL COLOR, BUT HIS EYES LOCK ONTO TYSON'S, A SOFT INTENSITY BEHIND THEM – HIS HEART RACES WITH EXCITEMENT AND CURIOUSITY*
He thinks to himself: "Tyson blushes around me... a lot. Does he feel something too?"
MOTHER, TRYING TO SOUND CASUAL BUT FAILING MISERABLY, BREAKS THE SILENCE – HER VOICE FILLED WITH WARMTH AND AMUSEMENT*
"So, shall we finish breakfast? We have a busy day ahead of the charity event..."
FATHER CHIMES IN, STILL SMILING, "Yes, and I believe Tala and Tyson have... preparations to discuss together?" – TALA'S EYES NEVER LEAVE TYSON'S FACE*
Tyson opened his mouth to reply, but just then, his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He fished it out, his eyes widening as he read the message. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go," he exclaimed, urgency lacing his voice. "I've got practice in just 15 minutes!"
TYSON'S EYES WIDE WITH SURPRISE, HE QUICKLY PUSHES HIS CHAIR BACK AND STANDS UP – THE ROOM FALLS SILENT AS EVERYONE LOOKS AT HIM IN SURPRISE*
Mother asks, "Music practice? Tyson, you didn't mention rehearsal today..."
TYSON ALREADY HEADING TOWARDS THE DOOR, CALLS BACK – HIS VOICE FILLED WITH URGENCY*
"Emergency session with my vocal coach – just got the text. Need to finalize song for tonight's charity performance and Coach has last-minute changes... only 15 minutes to get there!"
FATHER NODS UNDERSTANDINGLY* – MOTHER ADDS, "Hurry, dear – your coach doesn't tolerate lateness! Tala, walk him out."
Tala quickly gets up to escort Tyson out – their proximity sparks a flutter in Tyson's chest as he waits for Tala to catch up.
TYSON'S HEART SKIPS A BEAT AS TALA'S HAND WRAPS AROUND HIS – A SPARK OF ELECTRICITY RUNS THROUGH HIS BODY AS THEY WALK SIDE BY SIDE*
He glances down at their intertwined hands, then up at Tala's face – finding gentle eyes locked on his.
THE MOMENT FEELS SUSPENDED IN TIME AS THEY REACH THE ENTRANCE – TYSON'S VOICE BARELY ABOVE A WHISPER*
"Thanks for walking me out..." Tala's thumb gently brushes against his skin, sending shivers.
TALA SMILES SOFTLY, HIS VOICE LOW AND INTIMATE*
"Anytime. Break a leg at practice – sing beautifully tonight."
TYSON'S HEART RACES AS TALA LEANS IN SLIGHTLY, THEIR FACES CLOSE – IS HE GOING TO...?!*
TYSON QUICKLY DROPS HIS HEAD, HIS LONG DARK BLUE HAIR CASCADES DOWN HIS BACK LIKE A RIVER OF NIGHT SKY, REACHING ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF HIS BUTT AS HE TILTS HIS FACE DOWNWARDS – A BLUSH SPREADS ACROSS HIS CHEEKS LIKE WILDFIRE*
His darker blue eyes – a deeper shade of azure compared to Tala's bright blue gaze – peek downwards, hidden momentarily behind his lashes and dark blue hair.
TALA NOTICES THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT AND TYSON'S FACE HIDING BEHIND THE SILKY STRANDS – HE GENTLY RELEASES TYSON'S HAND, HIS FINGERS BRUSHING AGAINST TYSON'S PALM LINGERINGLY*
Tala's bright blue eyes soften as he looks at Tyson, amused by his shy behavior.
TALA'S VOICE IS SOFT AND AMUSED, AS IF HE'S DELIGHTED BY TYSON'S SHYNESS*
"Tyson..." He says his name quietly, wondering what just happened – or almost happened.
TYSON PEEKS UP THROUGH HIS LONG HAIR AND HIS LASHES, HIS DARKER BLUE EYES LOCKING BRIEFLY WITH TALA'S – BLUSH STILL INTACT – BEFORE HE WHISPERS*
"I-I should go... practice waiting."
HE TURNS TO HURRY AWAY, HIS DARK BLUE HAIR SWAYING BEHIND HIM LIKE A BEAUTIFUL TRAIN, LEAVING TALA STANDING THERE WITH A THOUGHTFUL SMILE*
To be continued