After breakfast, Aiden lounged on the sofa, eyes fixed on the TV as his favorite series played.
Asher walked over and sat beside him, leaning slightly toward him.
Asher: "Aiden, remember you once said you wanted to visit the second branch of my restaurant?"
Aiden (smiling): "Yep."
Asher: "Then I'll take you today."
Aiden's smile faded just a little as he glanced down at his lap. He had already promised Jake he would go to the party.
Asher (watching him): "What happened?"
Aiden: "I… already promised Jake I'd go out with him tonight."
Asher: "So you don't want to come with me?"
Aiden: "It's not like that. I want to. I'll… I'll call Jake and tell him I can't join the party."
A slow smile curved on Asher's lips.
Asher: "Okay, then. I'll go get ready. You should get ready too—it's a long drive from the city."
Aiden (nodding): "Alright."
Asher went upstairs, and Aiden reached for his phone. He dialed Jake's number, already rehearsing what to say.
Meanwhile, in the study room, Lucien sat at his desk surrounded by open files. His phone buzzed on the side, and when he saw the screen, his expression softened.
Lucien (answering): "Hello, Mom."
Mom: "Lucien, my baby, how are you?"
Lucien: "I'm good. What about you?"
Mom (dramatically): "How am I supposed to be good when my son doesn't visit me? You don't even call me!"
Lucien: "I'm sorry, Mom… I've just been busy with important work."
Mom: "Mm-hmm, just like your father—always busy."
Lucien: "Mom—"
Mom (sighing): "Alright, alright, I know… you love your father more than me."
Lucien (smiling faintly): "That's not true. I love both of you."
Mom: "Then prove it. Come visit me. And take Asher with you."
Lucien: "Alright. We will."
He hung up, leaning back in his chair for a moment, already thinking about how to fit the visit into their plans.
Asher and Aiden left the house for the restaurant visit. Aiden's face lit up with excitement, his eyes shining as he gazed out the window at the passing streets.
But Asher's phone wouldn't stop buzzing. Again and again, the screen lit up with incoming calls. With a sharp sigh, he silenced it, deliberately ignoring the name flashing across.
Aiden (curiously): "Asher, did you tell Lucien about us going to visit your restaurant?"
Asher (calmly, brushing it off): "I told him. He said he's busy and also said have fun."
Aiden lowered his gaze, his lips tugging into a faint frown.
Aiden (softly): "It would feel better if Lucien came with us."
Asher reached across and gently held Aiden's hand, his voice steady but laced with something heavier than usual.
Asher: "Aren't you happy with me?"
Aiden lifted his eyes, blinking at him. Then, with a small, honest smile, he replied—
Aiden: "Nope. I'm happy."
But Asher wasn't done. His hand moved, cupping Aiden's face, and Aiden froze, blinking in surprise at the sudden intimacy.
Asher (firmly, almost possessive): "Forget everything. Now—it's just you and me."
Aiden's smile faltered. Confusion clouded his expression, as though he couldn't recognize the shift in Asher's behavior. He forced a faint smile, turning his face toward the car window to avoid Asher's gaze.
Meanwhile, back at the house, Lucien's voice thundered through the hallways.
Lucien (furious): "Why didn't you tell me when they left?!"
One of the servants flinched, bowing nervously.
Servant: "S-Sir… Mr. Asher told us not to disturb you."
Lucien closed his eyes, massaging his temple with a heavy sigh. His voice dropped into a low, dangerous murmur.
Lucien: "Asher… how dare you…"
Aiden sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window. His thoughts wandered, the silence only broken when his phone suddenly rang. Startled, he glanced at the screen—Lucien's name flashed across it.
Before Aiden could react, Asher's hand shot out. He quickly snatched the phone and answered with a calm, almost casual tone.
Lucien (sternly): "Aiden, where are you?"
Asher (smiling faintly into the receiver): "Honey, aren't you busy?"
Lucien (voice tightening): "Asher, where are you taking him?"
Asher leaned back, his voice smooth but evasive.
Asher: "We're on holidays. Maybe three or four days… after holidays we'll come back."
Lucien (furious): "What the hell are you talking about?!"
But Asher didn't give him the chance to press further.
Asher: "Okay, honey. Don't overwork yourself. Bye, bye."
He ended the call abruptly, ignoring Lucien's sharp tone on the other end.
Aiden turned to him, eyes wide and filled with confusion.
Aiden: "Asher…?"
Asher only smiled, slipping the phone into his pocket before Aiden could protest.
Asher (softly, almost teasing): "Lucien missed us."
Aiden hesitated, his brows furrowing. He nodded slowly, but deep inside, unease gnawed at him. Asher's actions, his tone, his strange confidence—it was all so unlike the brotherly figure he knew.
After a long drive, the car finally pulled up in front of the restaurant. Aiden had dozed off somewhere along the way, his head resting gently against the seat, his breathing soft and steady.
Asher glanced at him, a faint smile curving his lips. Kitten, you fall asleep so quickly… he thought, his eyes warm yet unreadable.
The guard hurried forward, opening the car door with a respectful gesture. Asher stepped out gracefully, his presence commanding immediate attention. His secretary was already waiting, bowing slightly as he spoke.
Secretary: "Everything is ready, sir."
Asher gave a short nod, his expression composed. Then, without hesitation, he bent down and carefully scooped Aiden into his arms.
The younger man stirred faintly but didn't wake, his weight light and fragile against Asher's chest. Holding him as if he were something precious, Asher strode into the grand building, his every step exuding authority and control.