Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"Why does it still hurt? Should I grab some aspirin or something?"

"No, no! I'm a tough guy; I can handle it." Danny vehemently shook his head, convinced that popping pills without a real ailment was basically asking for trouble.noveldrama

Blame it on that deadbeat dad of his, always roping him into his schemes.

Of course, if the old man tried playing the sympathy card, not even a visit from mom would get him out of his grave.

"Mom, let's head downstairs. I'm kinda hungry," Danny tried to deflect.

Whitney sighed and nodded, helping Danny get washed up before carrying him downstairs.

But once in the living room, there was no sign of Ludwik.

She couldn't help but complain. "Seriously, his son's been in an accident, and he's off who knows where at the crack of dawn."

Was this how he always took care of Danny?

Reluctantly, she moved to the kitchen, opening the fridge to scout for something quick to whip up.

Just then, Ludwik strode in, decked out in workout gear - a damp white T-shirt clinging to his toned chest and abs, grey sweatpants, and sleek running shoes. His athletic ensemble made him look both youthful and ruggedly attractive, oozing masculinity.

Especially striking was his face, damp hair and a slightly sweaty brow only adding to his allure... irresistibly rugged.

Whitney's gaze involuntarily drifted down to those grey sweatpants.

A thought unbidden crossed her mind: Grey sweatpants on a man are like lingerie on a woman...

"...Geez."

She inadvertently checked him out, noting he seemed... well-equipped. For a moment, she lost her train of thought, her face heating up.

What was she even thinking? Ludwik, with his model-like looks, could easily dazzle anyone.

And there he was, having the audacity to jog, likely turning heads left and right.

Irritated, Whitney snapped, "Got a lot of free time, huh? Your son's sick, and you're out jogging?"

"I went to grab some breakfast, thought I'd run too," Ludwik quickly explained.

Whitney just glared.

Approaching her, he lowered his voice. "I saw that doctor, you know. He said to really get better, I need to stay active."

His already deep voice, now laced with a post-exercise huskiness, was distractingly sexy.

Whitney felt her cheeks burn under his breathy words.

Danny, oblivious, piped up, "What's getting treated, Dad? Where?"

"..." Whitney's face was a study in embarrassment.

Ludwik's handsome face tensed, then he sternly replied, “Kid stuff, Danny. Don't pry."

"But you keep saying it's not getting better. I'm just worried, no gratitude!" Danny huffed, feeling slighted.

Whitney shot Ludwik a look of despair.

Ludwik, cornered, slowly explained, "It's around my back, okay?"

“Just say back then, why make a mystery of it?"

"I heard from Parker and Ashton that a man's back is important, somehow linked to women?"

"You better get it treated soon." Danny, feigning wisdom, advised before taking his seat at the table.

Ludwik shared a long look with Whitney, noticing her flushed face, a mix of cute and embarrassed.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Whitney cut him off, "Your friends, teaching Danny all the wrong things. Great role models, huh?"

“He picks up on things by himself," Ludwik defended, narrowing his eyes playfully, "Besides, isn't Parker your friend too? You seem pretty concerned about him."

Whitney was momentarily speechless, her gaze falling on the breakfast Ludwik had brought.

"I got these for us," Ludwik smiled, placing the food on the table. "Danny, let's eat."

"Not bad, got my favorite donuts." Danny eagerly opened the bag.

"Hold on." Whitney intercepted, frowning as she took the sugary treat from Danny, turning to Ludwik, "You thought donuts were a good idea for a kid with a fever? He needs something light and easy on the stomach, not this!"

Ludwik froze, then glared at Danny.

Danny guiltily looked away; he'd texted Ludwik earlier, craving donuts.

It was his fault, really. He wasn't even sick, but now his dad was taking the fall for his cravings.

"Mom, actually, I wanted them..."

"It was my oversight, should've thought it through," Ludwik sincerely apologized.

Whitney was unimpressed, pulling out some healthier options, "And this, just donuts and bagels? Really?"

She sighed, "Kids need more careful feeding, especially when sick. You got that?"

As she launched into a lecture on proper nutrition, Ludwik listened attentively, his gaze softening.

He wished for more mornings like these, her endless chattering a comforting start to the day.

But such moments were fleeting.

After Whitney finished her spiel, surprised by Ludwik's patience - a stark contrast to his usual impatience - she wondered if he'd really changed. "You got all that? It's how you should care for him."

"Got it," Ludwik nodded, his demeanor gentle, almost dog-like in its loyalty, "Want me to write it down?"

"..." Whitney, exasperated, turned to make some porridge.

As she left, Danny dramatically pleaded, "Ludwik, I don't wanna eat porridge. I went through all this trouble for donuts!"

"Don't worry, I'll sneak you some while your mom's busy."

"Uh?" In the kitchen, Whitney spun around, her senses on high alert. "What are you two whispering about over there?"

"Just saying how pretty mommy is," Danny chimed in, trying to charm her just like Sammy often did.

But mommy wasn't having any of it. With a quick glance at him, she grabbed a bag of donuts and tossed it straight into the trash. "Ludwik...oh no." Danny gritted his teeth, mourning the loss of the donuts as if attending their funeral, "Mommy's being so mean." "Tell me about it. I feel just like one of those donuts she tossed away," Ludwik mumbled under his breath, feeling secretly wounded. Danny shot him a cold look. "The donuts didn't deserve this, you do! Don't flatter yourself."

Ludwik couldn't help but wonder what he'd done to deserve two sons like this-one ignoring him, the other simultaneously defending and despising him. Well, he supposed it was his own doing.

The man sat down at the dining table, a shadow of gloom over him.

As Whitney finished making oatmeal and turned around, she saw her husband and son looking like two statues yearning for their wife and mother's attention. Had Sammy been there, the picture would have been complete.

Feeling a flush on her cheeks, she avoided her husband's intense gaze and announced, "Danny, breakfast is ready. Eat up, I've got to head to work soon."

Danny sulkily sipped his oatmeal, turning to his dad. "I did my best, okay? But I can't just cling to mommy all the time; it doesn't fit my cool persona." Ludwik looked at him disdainfully.

Pouting, Danny continued, "Besides, mommy's got her own stuff to do. What's your plan now?"

Ludwik fell silent. He knew well enough that tricking her into coming over last night was a one-off. What about tonight, or the night after?

He couldn't always use Danny as an excuse. She would see through it eventually, and then she'd be furious.

He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.