48 Regimen (1/2)

The two of them went to one of the numerous restaurants at the mall and Marcel generously order a lot of food. Liam silently stood at his side while holding his hand as he continued to order everything that looked healthy on the menu.

”Are you taking it to go?” the girl working on the counter asked.

”Yes” Marcel replied and once the price was quoted he took out his wallet and handed her his card. She swiped the card and asked them to wait in one of the booths in the restaurants.

Marcel got them some drinks as well walked to one of the tables with Liam following behind him closely. Marcel handed the glass of freshly squeezed juice to Liam and watched him drink it slowly.

He never thought that watching someone drink juice would be interesting but whenever he watched Liam eat something he felt satisfied so he couldn't stop himself from affectionately patting his head.

After a little over thirty minutes, one of the waitresses brought out their food with a huge smile on her face and set it on the table.

”Thank you,” Marcel said as he got up from his seat with Liam. He took the large bag which had the restaurant's logo and left the restaurant while holding Liam's hand. The two of them walked around the mall for a bit, mostly so that Marcel could familiarise himself with it before they left the premises.

Rather than take a bus back, Marcel hailed a taxi and the two of them got into the taxi and Marcel gave the driver their address. The two of them sat in relative silence on their ride home and after fifteen minutes they were being dropped off at the apartment complex.

Marcel paid the taxi driver and the two of them went to the apartment complex. Marcel went to the guard's small office to ask if his delivery arrived which he found out that it hadn't arrived yet.

He thanked the man and told him that he was expecting a delivery that night so he should let them up once he arrived. The guard nodded in understanding and looked at Liam who was still holding on to Marcel's hand.

He remembered that Damien was the one holding the child earlier he looked at Marcel as if wondering whether they were Damien's relatives and that was how a beautiful misunderstanding was made.

Marcel and Liam went upstairs to their apartment without much incident and when they got inside Marcel smiled happily. He was happy not to be going back to that dingy room at the orphanage, now he had a proper home.

Marcel put all the food they bought on the table and went to the kitchen to get plates. Liam stood at the dining area not knowing what to do as he was torn between sitting at the dining table and following Marcel to the kitchen. Fortunately Marcel returned before he had to make a decision.

”Hurry up and sit, aren't you hungry?” Marcel said and pulled a chair out for Liam before he too sat down next to him.