Ten-year-old Neil felt like he'd taken a nap...
When he jolted awake, he was shocked to discover that it was already dark!
The birthday boy quickly jumped out of bed, pulled on his clothes, and rushed downstairs.
It was his birthday, and somehow he'd fallen asleep...
Neil instinctively suspected Big Nick was behind it, but that was okay. Usually, after a prank like this, a big surprise followed...
Neil dashed into the restaurant's main hall. Everyone had fallen into an eerie silence. He flashed a goofy grin, ran over to his mom, Fox, and tugged at her hand. "Quit pretending. I know there's a surprise..."
Seeing the complicated expression on his mom's face, Neil turned to the silent Nick and spread his hands. "All right, you're the boss. I give up. Whatever you've got planned, bring it on."
Nick was already twenty-two and stood 190 centimeters tall. Years of training had made him look strong and fit. His face, which usually wore a teasing smile, looked unusually stern now.
Seeing Neil's face say, "I knew it," Nick walked over, slung an arm around his shoulders, and vigorously ruffled his hair. "I told you I'd look out for you. Maybe someday I won't be able to beat you, but right now, I'm still the boss..."
As he spoke, Nick shoved a gift box into Neil's arms and grinned. "Inside are the phone numbers of the Swan Girls I collected for you. Hope you have a good time at school. And I hope my old man doesn't go crazy..."
After Nick left the restaurant with long strides, Neil was just about to chase after him and ask what was going on when a pair of pale hands grabbed his cheeks.
Ginny, Hell's Kitchen's one and only princess, had grown into a stunning