Not One, But Two!

Chapter 228

"Sorry, what was it?" Abigail reflexively asked when she didn't catch what Addison was mumbling.

"N-Nothing." Addison blushed, and he thought his face was burning hot. "Why don't I slice an apple for you, Miss Abigail." He changed the subject.

"That'd be nice, thanks. Little Addie's grown up so much now that he knows how to take care of me."

While speaking, Abigail ruffled his hair, all doting.

Addison loved this side of Abigail. He had been an orphan since he was just a child, and no one in the orphanage ever genuinely cared about him. Abigail was the only one who treated him the best and gave him things he could never imagine having.

He would want nothing more than to just stay by her side till the end of time. Soon, he grabbed an apple and started paring it like he was carving a piece of art, super focused on every move.

Meanwhile, the sun shone on Addison, giving the outline of his body an illusion of a halo.

Abigail raised her head incidentally, and Charlotte's words popped into her mind when she looked at this little companion of hers, who had already grown into a fine young man before she knew it.

Everyone will have to suffer the consequences of their actions, no matter who they are.

Shadow was too dangerous of a presence. If she continued to let Addison run the organization, his life would forever be bound to it. With that, she asked softly, "Addison, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

Addison looked up in two shakes. His eyes were so dazzling that one wouldn't be able to look away like the entire galaxy was contained within them.

He had a pair of beautiful eyes, and no doubt he would have tons of girls falling for him in the future.

Abigail smiled at the notion. "You're twenty now, and I'm thinking of sending you abroad to study."

Addison paused upon hearing her words, and he lost his grip on the knife, slitting his finger and causing blood to gush out.

"Goodness." Abigail hurriedly bandaged it with gauze.

"See what a klutz I am, Miss Abigail. Are you not worried that I'll starve to death if you send me abroad?" said Addison with a smile seeing how Abigail worried for him.

"You know how to cook. Besides, there is always takeout. You won't starve."

Addison's gaze dimmed after he heard her words, and Abigail knew he objected to the idea, seeing that he drooped his head saying nothing.

"Addison, you're still young. The least you should do is study more and see what the world has to offer. I don't know what the future will hold for Shadow, either. I first established the organization to protect you guys. Now that all of you have grown up, you can't depend on this for a living anymore."

No one but themselves knew the members of Shadow were all homeless orphans who Abigail brought back from all around the world. She taught them to fight and gave them skills, but she couldn't map out a future for every one of them.

However, Addison was different. He was with her the longest and respected her like they were family, so she wanted the best for him.

Suddenly, Addison looked up at her with gnashed teeth. "And how do you know the life we have now isn't what we want? The others are so used to it now that they can't go to school, graduate, and enter the workforce like normal people. What's more, many of us are antisocial. Don't tell me you want to disband Shadow when we've finally escaped society and can be ourselves in Shadow."

Abigail had indeed thought so.

Because of Hitman Island, she thought organizations like this weren't permanent solutions. But who'd have thought Addison still sensed it, and now, hearing him say so, she suddenly felt reluctant. NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

"No, I'm just saying maybe it's better that you guys live a different life."

"Do we have to change our way of living just because you want to after falling in love with Mr. Buckley? Why in the world does our future have to change because of Mr. Buckley?"

Addison had never spoken to Abigail like this ever. However, he was displeased because of his jealousy, the efforts Abigail put on Greg, and also how she tolerated Valerie.

She was Abigail, the person he respected the most. He didn't want to see her upset, but now that she wanted to disband them just because Greg barged into Hitman Island alone, he couldn't stay silent anymore.

"Greg Buckley isn't the only one who can go through fire and water for you, Miss Abigail. The guys and I, any one of us, can risk our lives for you. Just say it if you don't want us anymore. We won't become your burden."

With that, he ran out, and there seemed to be crystal-clear liquid in the corner of his eyes.

Abigail felt terrible in an instant.

I should've thought things through.

At that, she lifted the covers, wanting to chase after him, but when she saw her plastered ankle, which Addison had demanded, she couldn't help but shake her head.

Never mind. Addison's just upset; let him be alone for a while.

Abigail had no clue that he had now become sensitive and even had feelings for her he shouldn't have, only thinking he was still young. Addison, on the other hand, felt despondent after running out of the ward.

Why?! What did Greg Buckley do to get Miss Abigail to treat him so nicely almost instantly?!

He had already run far away at this point, but he still eventually stopped in his tracks.

Miss Abigail's all alone in the hospital now. Greg Buckley, that son of a bucket. He still needed Miss Abigail to perform surgery on him when she needed care the most! What's so good about a guy like him? How lonely will Miss Abigail be if I'm not with her…

As the thought crossed his mind, he went and bought some oranges nearby.

Abigail raised her head slightly when she heard footsteps and found an awkward-feeling Addison returning with a bag of oranges. With that, she pulled a smile. "How did you know I wanted to eat oranges?"

As aggrieved and reluctant as Addison was, he swallowed it all when he saw Abigail's smile.

"How can I not when I know you inside and out?"

"Well, I feel naked in front of you."

Abigail's reply got him bursting into a chuckle.

I mean something to Miss Abigail too when she's willing to coax me, doesn't it?

"I'm sorry for being rude just now, Miss Abigail," Addison apologized.

"I'm at fault, too," she said with a smile. "Disbanding you guys has nothing to do with Greg. I just thought that traversing in the gray area might not be a good thing for you guys when I saw what eventually became of Hitman Island, even though it existed on this planet for so long. After all, you guys are still so young. We were left with no options when I first established Shadow. But now, hundreds and thousands of paths are laid in front of us, giving you guys endless possibilities. I would still hope to see you guys come into the light."

She knew Addison was a sensible one despite being at a crossroads now. He could get where someone was coming from; the important thing was that it was thoroughly explained to him.

And sure enough, Addison was no longer as glum after hearing Abigail's words. He could accept whatever reason as long as she didn't make the decision because of Greg.

"I'll ask the others then; see what they think. We've gotten used to our way of life now. Not everyone prefers to live under the light.

Many of them were abandoned by society. If Abigail hadn't sheltered them, who knew if they'd still be alive today? Hence, he couldn't make the decision for the others, even though it didn't matter much to him.

"Let's not rush this one. I was just rambling out loud. I won't want to disband Shadow either if there's a way to rationalize you guys. So let's put this on the back burner first, okay?"

"Okay." Addison nodded and finally quietly sat down and continued paring the apple he didn't get to finish earlier before handing it to Abigail.

"Is there anything else you want to eat, Miss Abigail?"

"I don't really have an appetite. I'm studying Teal's detox formula; I really need Amy for this. Addison, see if Amy can recuperate outside of the hospital. If she can, I'll leave with her and go to Reeve Residence."

Abigail was the most captivating when she had her head in the medical cases.

Addison nodded with acknowledgment despite his reluctance to leave. It had been a long time since he had last spent time with Abigail like this.

"Can I ask you something, Miss Abigail?"

"Go ahead. What's there between us you can't tell me about?" Abigail was really patient with Addison.

Addison's fingers were in a tangled mess, and his face was tinged with red as he mumbled, "Can I stay here with you tonight? It's been a long time since we last chatted."

The request took Abigail aback.

Come to think of it, she seemed to constantly be in the middle of something ever since returning to Harrion, and it always had to do with Greg at that. It really had been a long time since she and Addison chatted.

She could tell something was bothering him. Could it be his first love? He has grown up, after all.

With that, she agreed with a smile. "Sure."

It hadn't even been a second since his elation when Abigail continued, "You're like a brother to me, so you can tell me anything. I've walked a few more miles and seen the world a few years longer than you have. Therefore, I do have more experience in some aspects than you do."

And just like that, his smile froze on his face.

Could there be a more awkward situation than 'I see you as my love, but you think of me as your bro' in this world?

"What? You don't believe me?" Abigail ruffled his hair habitually, mistakenly thinking her words had taken him aback. "Alright, go and pay Amy a visit first. We'll chat when you return, okay?" she said with a smile.

Could he say no?

With that, he got up and headed out but paused when he was at the door. He turned around to find the sunlight shining on Abigal, enveloping her in a layer of warm golden light.

His face instantly softened, and his lips curved into a smile.

If he could, he really wanted to stay with Abigail like this for the rest of his life.

At that, he tucked away his infatuation and fled the ward.

Meanwhile, Abigail noticed a kind of medicinal herb in the detox formula that only Amy could configure, and she couldn't help thinking maybe Amy would have a better future if she was sent for training for some time.

Amy was skilled at Chinese herbal medicine and even more obsessed with traditional Chinese medicine. More so, the main reason Amy stayed by her side was to learn traditional Chinese medicine theory from her. Now that Amy was injured because of her, Abigail wanted to give her a chance to study.

Mid-thinking, her phone rang, and she canceled the call with a frown when she saw the oh-so-familiar caller ID.