Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 45: The Twin Who Brought Bad Luck

Chapter 45: The Twin Who Brought Bad Luck
They all immediately turned their attention and walked forward. They all, except the twins, seemed to know what Antonio was bringing.
Nathan followed them out. He still didn’t know their traditions. Once on the terrace, he heard Nael’s screams and everyone’s laughter.
The cold air hit his body, fresh and bright. Snow covered the driveway with a white layer.
Alexander pulled Nathan closer, pointing to two metallic red sports cars parked in the yard. "A gift from Grandpa. For you and Nael."
Nathan was shocked. His breath caught in his throat.
"What..." His voice broke. Nathan stared at the cars, so shiny, looking so beautiful in his eyes. Something he had never even imagined.
"You’re joking," he whispered.
Roger laughed. "No, they’re really for you and Nael." They always got the same gift on their seventeenth birthday.
Alexander smiled at Nathan’s still incredulous face. "But you can’t drive it until you’re eighteen."
Nael, who was still circling the car, immediately complained. "Alex, come on, that’s too long!"
Alexander crossed his arms. "One year. And that’s final. The car will stay in the garage until then."
Nael pouted, but he knew he couldn’t argue with Alexander.
Nathan didn’t know what to say. He felt small, overwhelmed, and strangely warm, but it had nothing to do with fever. The car was for him? A
real
car?
Nael leaned against his own car, looking at Nathan. "It’s so cool, right? Nathan, we’re going to look so cool when we’re eighteen."
Nathan exhaled shakily, his chest feeling tight.
"...Thank you," he said softly.
Alexander ruffled his hair. "Merry Christmas, boys."
Nathan looked at the car again, still surprised.
This Christmas was truly special. He felt that this was the first Christmas in his life where he felt happiness without worrying or thinking about any anxieties.
But he couldn’t drive it before he turned eighteen? He looked at Alexander. The man would make sure his words were obeyed.
Tsk. The car would have to sit in the garage.
That day, he was busy because the mansion was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Finally, night fell. He went straight to his room after dinner.
It was exhausting. Nathan lay down on the sofa and breathed. He stared at the ceiling; the shadows of today’s happiness seemed to repeat themselves there.
Despite what they had done to him, seeing how they treated all the workers in the mansion today made Nathan think that this family wasn’t bad. They weren’t like the arrogant and conceited rich people in his mind, except for Antonio.
Nathan sat up, reaching for his car key in his pants pocket. He rubbed it several times. Seeing the gift made his chest throb strangely. He had forgotten about the other gifts.
He was still embarrassed thinking that he was the only one who hadn’t bought anything for them.
The car was very expensive. If he was in trouble after leaving the rich family six months later, he could sell it. But then he suddenly remembered, how would he drive the car if Alexander only allowed him to drive it a year later?
Nathan immediately frowned. He hadn’t thought about that.
Anyway, he would find a way later.
After carefully storing the car key, he headed to the table where his game console from Alexander was set up. Leo had helped him assemble it until it was ready to use.
He couldn’t wait to try it out. But then his eyes fell on the pile of gifts lying on the bed.
He picked up the gifts one by one, more relaxed now. All the gifts looked expensive, thoughtful, some handmade, some clearly chosen with care.
He tried on the sweater that fit perfectly from Leo, the expensive headphones with his name on them from Lucas, and the rare limited-edition watch from Roger. The leather-bound journal from Malvin had his initials engraved on it.
Then he picked up the accessory from Nael, a black bracelet with his initials. But it wasn’t NS or NT; it was NN. Nathan frowned.
Don’t tell me it was Nathan and Nael.
Nathan thought.
"Ew! So lame!"
Even so, he still kept the bracelet in the box.
Nathan sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, running his fingers over each item. They had all prepared something for him.
Everyone.
And he hadn’t prepared anything for them. That realization hit him slowly, making him uncomfortable.
He hadn’t even thought of gifts for them. Not a single one. He was too focused on school, surviving, adapting to the mansion, and all the new things.
Even so, shouldn’t he have at least tried?
He sighed, feeling uneasy. After all, he would have to pay for all those expensive gifts. He didn’t want to be in debt.
"Tsk, forget it," he muttered. "Next year. Maybe."
Giving gifts had never been a part of his life. At the orphanage, on Christmas Day, many donors would come and give them gifts. But that was not something he could expect. If they were lucky, they would get clothes or toys.
But no one expected anything from anyone.
But here, the situation was different. They had a lot of money. But more than that, they remembered and tried. That was the important thing.
Nathan took a deep breath. "Whatever," he whispered.
He stored all his gifts neatly in the closet, arranging them carefully, because he knew all the gifts were given sincerely.
As he lay back down to rest, his chest felt strangely warm. A little uncomfortable, but warm.
***
The day after Christmas was quiet. Snow fell slowly outside, covering the mansion with a soft and silent layer.
Nathan woke up cheerfully, but as soon as he left his room, he put on an indifferent face. He headed to Alexander’s room and knocked on the door.
He had to go to Vale’s house that night and he wanted the man to know because he needed Louis.
After a while, the door still didn’t open. He knocked several more times.
It felt like a long time before the door finally opened. Nathan was surprised to see Huan inside. But he immediately greeted him.
"I want to see Alex," Nathan said.
Huan nodded. "Come in."
Nathan was a little surprised that Huan was already working this early. Did his brother and his guards never sleep?
Alexander was walking toward him. A smile was on his lips. "Good morning, you’re up early."
Nathan didn’t want to beat around the bush. "Good morning. I want to go to Vale’s house tonight. They’re having dinner. And I need Louis."
Alexander blinked once. "Today?"
"Yes. I told him I would go after Christmas."
Alexander looked at him with a regretful gaze. "Not today."
Nathan blinked. "Why not?"
"Because we have a family event tonight."
Nathan’s eyebrows rose. "A family event? What kind of event?"
"A post-Christmas event," Alexander explained calmly. "Every year, our relatives, both near and far, gather for a formal reunion. This time it’s being held at the Imperial Star Hotel."
Nathan’s stomach dropped.
"That five-star hotel in the city center?"
"Yes."
"And I have to go?"
Alexander looked at him with a hint of disbelief. "You are a Salazar. Of course you have to go."
Nathan groaned into his hands. "I want to go to Vale’s house..."
"You can visit him tomorrow," Alexander said softly but firmly. "Tonight is important. They will be meeting you for the first time."
Nathan already hated the idea.
Too many people. Too many eyes. Too many ’relatives’ who didn’t even know he existed until recently.
He exhaled dramatically.
Alexander ignored the drama. "Roger will help you choose the appropriate clothes."
Nathan muttered a curse under his breath, but he knew he couldn’t refuse. He had to send a message to Vale that he couldn’t come.
That night, Roger entered his room with the enthusiasm of a man preparing a celebrity for their red carpet debut. He carried several sets of clothes in both hands.
"Young Master Nathan! Just in time. I’ve prepared several options."
Nathan frowned as he looked at the row of suits. "Why do I need all those suits for one night?"
"Well, you won’t wear ALL of them, but you have to choose. I’m sure they’ll fit you perfectly. I’ve tried them on Nael."
Roger clapped his hands. "Try the black one first. No, actually... try the navy blue one. No, wait! The charcoal gray one highlights your eyes."
Nathan sighed. This was going to take a long time.
After a grueling thirty minutes, Roger finally chose a well-fitting charcoal gray suit, a crisp white shirt, and a subtle silver tie. Nathan stared at his reflection, stunned.
He didn’t look like a kid who grew up in an orphanage. He didn’t even look like a college student. He never imagined he could look this good.
He didn’t want to be narcissistic, but the figure in the mirror really looked like a millionaire, expensive and classy. His hair was neatly styled like an English aristocrat.
"This feels strange," Nathan whispered.
"You look amazing," Roger said. "And truly dignified."
Nathan wasn’t sure if that was meant as a compliment. But he agreed.
Imperial Star Hotel
The hotel lobby shone like chandeliers melting on the ceiling. Gold accents, towering glass walls, and gleaming marble floors reflected every glimmer of light.
Nathan entered, tense despite the luxury surrounding him.
Amidst the opulence, he faintly heard some teens laughing, but he froze when he heard what they were saying.
"He’s Nael’s twin, the one who brought bad luck, right? He’s back?"