Tony woke up earlier than usual. Still groggy, he walked down the grand staircase into the quiet morning light filtering through the Marcos mansion windows. As he entered the dining room, he found Dnie seated at the table, sipping from a porcelain cup of tea.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Morning. Did you check on David, and have you seen Mark?"
Dnie didn't look up right away. "He's still upstairs… with David."
Tony paused mid-step, his brows furrowing. "Wait—he spent the night in David's room?"
Dnie finally met his gaze, her tone laced with gentle sarcasm. "Where did you leave him yesterday, Tony? Of course he passed the night in David's room."
Tony sighed and looked away, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "This is going to get complicated," he muttered under his breath.
Tony narrowed his eyes. "Then let me go and check on David."
But Dnie raised her hand, stopping him firmly. "No one goes upstairs unless David himself asks for it."
Tony frowned deeper. "And if he doesn't want anyone up there? Why can't he send Mark outside, too? What if something happened?
Dnie let out a patient sigh. "Tony, you know as well as I do that Mark is different. David sees him differently. Even I was instructed not to step foot in that room."
Tony clenched his jaw, reluctant but listening.
Dnie continued calmly, "let's wait. David will call if he needs us. Until then, chill.
She looked him straight in the eye.
"David's order," she spoke with quiet finality.
David had asked one of the maids to quietly bring breakfast upstairs for him and Mark.
By then, he and Mark had already shared a quiet, steamy shower. Mark had insisted on helping him, gently handling David's injured arm and washing him with slow, careful movements. David couldn't stop smiling through the warmth of it. For once, he let someone take care of him—and it was Mark.
Afterward, Mark collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted. He had been awake most of the night, and after their intense moments together, he had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.
David was seated on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Mark's hair, when the door creaked open.
It was Dnie. David called earlier.
She leaned against the frame, a teasing smirk curling on her lips as she saw the tray of untouched breakfast and Mark's bare back under the sheets.
"Hope it's not what I'm thinking," she teased, raising a brow.
David turned, flashing her a half-smile. "It is."
Dnie clutched her chest dramatically. "Oh, Brother, you're terrible! Even with one hand being destroyed?"
David scoffed. "Hey, stop exaggerating. My hand is not destroyed. I'll heal in no time."
She rolled her eyes with a laugh. "You're unbelievable."
Just then, Tony appeared behind her. His eyes instantly went to the bed—and to Mark, still sleeping peacefully in David's sheets.
The flicker of dislike was immediate, sharp, and visible.
"I just came to check on your health," Tony said stiffly, barely looking at David. "How's your hand?"
"It's healing," David replied coolly, reading the tension in Tony's posture. "Thanks for asking."
Tony's jaw clenched. He gave a curt nod, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room without saying another word.
David sighed as the door shut behind him. He looked down at Mark's sleeping form and whispered, "Even asleep, you stir everything around me…"
Tony stood outside the door longer than necessary. He'd already asked about David's condition, already seen what he didn't want to see—Mark lying half-covered in David's sheets, lips slightly swollen, skin marked with affection Tony refused to admit was mutual. He clenched his jaw, his chest tight with something more bitter than concern.
He hated how effortlessly Mark fit in this world now. How he, a driver's son, was being cradled by the heir of the Marcos empire as if he belonged there all along.
Tony's hands curled into fists.
He couldn't explain it—not out loud. But every time he saw Mark beside David, every time he saw the way David looked at him like he was precious, irreplaceable, something dark twisted in his chest. A rage he buried deep. He told himself Mark is acting weak, submissive, and he's dangerous in my view.
Tony hated Mark because he had something he secretly wanted but would never have.
Respect. Intimacy. Power through love, Tony said to himself. Mark, you are wrong to be lucky. I will make you unlucky.
The storm inside him only grew louder.
David's eyes lingered there for a moment longer than necessary, his jaw tightening.
Dnie didn't miss it.
"Still don't trust him, huh?" She asked,
David leaned back slightly on the bed, his fingers still combing Mark's hair absentmindedly. "It's not about trust," he said, voice low. "It's about how he looks at Mark."
Dnie raised a brow. "I see that too, I guess Tony does not like Mark.
David gave a bitter chuckle. "Who cares? The way he looks at Mark...Like he thinks Mark he's not good enough for me."
Dnie crossed her arms, her expression softening. "Then prove he's perfect for you. Not just by being silent on him.
David looked down at Mark, sleeping peacefully, lips slightly parted, lashes curled over flushed cheeks.
"I'm trying," he murmured.
Dnie stepped forward and brushed his shoulder. "Then keep doing it. Mark likes you, even if he doesn't say it."
She turned to leave. "Now enjoy breakfast. And please, don't start round two until your hand is better." She smirked before slipping out.
David snorted quietly, shaking his head. "She's impossible."
He leaned down, kissed Mark's temple gently, and whispered, "Mark… breakfast is here."
Mark stirred, groaning lightly. "Mmm… Five more minutes."
"You need energy," David said, nudging him. "You burned a lot last night. And this morning."
Mark cracked one eye open. "You're the one who couldn't keep your hands off me."
David grinned. "Can you blame me?"
Mark sat up, his hair messy and his eyes sleepy. "You're shameless."
"You love it."
Mark rolled his eyes but smiled. David handed him a warm slice of toast from the tray, and as Mark took a bite, David just watched him, a calm warmth settling over him.
"Eat slowly," he said gently. "I want you to get strong."
Mark glanced at him, something flickering behind his eyes. "I should say that to you."
David reached for a strawberry and placed it at Mark's lips. "Let's feed each other then."
Mark took the berry between his lips, eyes locked, I love you." David voice.
Mark leaned closer. "I know."
The moment was quiet. Intimate. Safe.