Alexander could see the unmistakable simrities between Michael and Sebastian. The boy inherited his father''s looks, eyes and personality. Every time Michael looked at him or smiled, it all reminded Alexander of Sebastian.


    <em>''If only Sebastian could regain his consciousness and open his eyes, Michael would''ve been so happy.''</em>


    Alexander thought as regret clouded his vision.


    Hunter moved the phone away from Michael''s face and smiled at his father. "I''ll have to kick him off the bed or ssh a jug of water on his face if we want him to wake up. You know how much of a deep sleeper he is," Hunter said, breaking Alexander''s chain of thoughts. "Let him sleep. We''ll speak to him in the morning," Alexander said, fondness boarding his tone of voice.


    "Please take care of him, darling," the words left Felicity''s mouth in a whisper.. Hunter inclined his head in a firm nod at his mother''s request. "Of course, mom, you know I will," he affirmed as his eyes briefly scanned his best friend''s face. "Yes, baby, I know," Felicity dered without an ounce of doubt in her voice.


    "I''ve got his back. I''ll never leave his side and will always protect him," Hunter promised, earning a proud smile from his parents. Their eyes held so much love and trust they filled Hunter''s heart with warmth.


    "Where''s Eric?" asked Felicity. She cleared her throat, eyes surveying Hunter''s face when he didn''t answer immediately.


    <em>''Huh, the things I do for you, Eric.''</em>


    Hunter inwardly cursed, and after a beat, he replied.


    "He''s in the toilet, and he takes his sweet time," Hunter lied, faking augh. Hunter and all his friends were in the library earlier, and after finishing their study session, the girls went back to their dorms. Eric, Danny, Michael and Hunter went to their secret hideout for a smoke.


    Later, Eric and Danny went out to have fun, and Hunter knew very well what that fun meant. They were surprised when Michael refused to join them, saying he wanted to sleep. He was never the one to say no to bike racing, alcohol and girls. Hunter had noticed the change in his best friend''s behaviour.


    Ever since Hunter survived that attack at the street racing event, Michael never left his side. They both knew if there was anything they were scared of, it was losing their loved ones.


    Pressing his lips together, Alexander shook his head as he detected the lie in Hunter''s nervousughter. Before his mother could pry more, he said goodnight on the pretext of needing toplete his assignment.


    "Be good and take care of each other," Felicitymanded before kissing him goodnight. "Don''t cause trouble in Mathew''s absence," warned Alexander, all the yfulness now gone. He was seriously concerned. Hunter raised his arm, brought his hand up to his brow in a salute and answered with a "Yes, boss."


    "So, is it true?" Felicity asked as soon as Hunter disconnected the call. Alexander chuckled at the gorgeous woman beside him. The pleased grin and the excitement in her eyes highlighted her happiness. "Felci, you know your son better than me," he hinted at something he was sure she would catch on. When Felicity fixed him with an unimpressed re, Alexander sighed.


    "I don''t keep count on how many girls he has been with, and you know the list isn''t that short," Alexander stated. "He is too young for a romantic rtionship ormitment or responsibilities. Let him have his share of fun. He will learn to cherish when he finds the right one. Didn''t he promise he''ll bring the girl home when it''s official?" he asked in a softer tone. Felicity scoffed and moved away from him to rest her head on the soft pillow.


    "The apple didn''t fall far from the tree, I see," she said, scowling at her husband in disapproval. Alexander seemed offended by the taunt directed at him. He rolled to his side, propped up on his elbow, hand supporting his head. "What''s that supposed to mean, angel? You were, are and will be the only woman for me. I''m a faithful, dedicated, loyal, one-woman man," Alexander dered.


    Felicity turned to face him, imitating his position. She smirked arrogantly before replying. "That was after I stepped into your life. stair told me everything in detail about how you were a manwhore in school and college before we met. You would fuck everything with a hole," Felicity said, scrunching her nose in disgust.


    Alexander scoffed in return while flicking his index finger on her cheek. She yelped and pped his chest.


    "That traitor made me doubt our friendship, you know," he said, allowing the nostalgic feelings about the good old days to take over his thoughts. "I often wondered if he was my best friend or yours. You stole all my friends in no time," Alexander used, fixing her with a yful re. "No regrets, though. You stole my heart at first sight," he admitted with a dreamy sigh, making herugh at him fondly.


    "You liar, you only wanted to shag the hottest girl in the university before anyone else has the chance," she stated usingly while Alexander shook his head in disapproval. "Ah, Felci, watch your dirty mouth," he scolded, looking offended. "It was love at first sight for me. I''ve never seen the angel for real before you entered," he confessed.


    Felicity smirked and clicked her tongue. "Admit it, the man-slut in you wanted to devour me at the very first chance. You were desperate and only thinking with your dick," she stated smugly. Grinning wide, Alexander agreed with no shame. "I only wanted that one chance. I would''ve dly presented my head on the silver tter for you if you had asked for my life," Alexander revealed.


    "You''re the worst, most shameless," remarked Felicity. A little bed shuffle brought them closer, and she shifted, adjusting herself so that she could rest her head on Alexander''s arm.


    "I miss those days, Felci," Alexander admitted in a whisper. Felicity knew he meant to say he missed his friends. Resting her chin on his chest, she lifted hershes, looking into his sad eyes. "I miss him too, Alexander. I miss all of them. stair, Anna, Thomas, Jessa, Sebastian, you and I were lucky to have each other as best friends," Felicity concluded, and Alexander agreed without a second thought.


    They were each other''s support system and had shared everything, be it theirughter and happiness, their strength and weakness or the bad days and the sufferings. As best friends, they had faced failure and sess together. They had experienced their first love and had endured their first heartbreaks. Such was their beautiful friendship.


    Even though they had seen the worst days of their lives because of Christopher and Johnathan, Alexander never regretted making friends with stair. He would choose him over and over again, no matter what. He had always cherished the presence of all his best friends in his life, including stair and Marianna.


    It brought immense pleasure andfort to Alexander that his son also got the chance to experience this beautiful friendship. He was lucky to have friends like Eric and Michael who would die for him if need be.