A blushing Craig quietly leaned against Sean, who in turn wrapped his hand around his waist, both chatting with each other even though they were next to each other and carelessly throwing dogfood into the environs.The two, coupled with David and Jude, were waiting for the lovebirds Hayden and Zenos to walk out of the suite.Unexpectedly, Zenos, who had always taken punctuality as an important thing, was the reason behind their lateness this time.Xena, who had been sitting in her car, suddenly stood up and cat-walked toward Craig, saying, "Craig, I'd like to see you." She said with a joyful smirk on her face.Her eyes are fixated on Craig, who has just lifted his head to stare at her.Seeing Xena's actions and hearing her words, Craig's hand wrapped around Sean possessively, and his expression turned fierce.Staring at the smirking Xena, Craig already knew that she couldn't be around him for a good reason. "What do you need?" He asked, sticking tightly to Sean, who became joyful at C
"Then you're going to the airport?" He asked with excitement in his eyes.There was an uncontained, wide smile on Craig's face, which made Caleb snort. He realized that Craig was probably denied going to the airport by Sean, and Caleb is Craig's only hope now."What do I do? I'm involved in your couple's departure." He replied, and Craig patted his shoulder joyfully."Buddy. I'll leave with you at the airport, together with Hayden." He said and returned to wrapping his hands around Sean. "Case solved, Sean." He said and Sean nodded.Sean took a step toward Caleb, carrying the sticky Craig."Thank you. I owe you one," Sean said, and Caleb shrugged."I'm in charge of taking care of those silly two." He said.Craig bared his teeth and raised his fist to threaten Caleb in reply."We're leaving," Sean announced upon seeing Hayden and Zenos walk out of the hotel.He bid them farewell before he pulled Craig to his car, leaving for the airport. Jude and David snorted at Sean in reply.The fou
"Uncaring host," Xavier scorned at the four who had just strolled casually into the airport yet garnered the crowd's attention.Not only did they cancel their flight, they didn't inform Xavier, who had been anxious to leave Grail."Mr. Mask's influence doesn't seem to know? I must've overestimated your capability." Zenos asserted with a sneer.After all, he is disgruntled about this scheming person who is after Michael. If it wasn't that Michael's emotions had begun to spiral out of control, Zenos would've kicked him out."Really?" Xavier asked with a naughty smirk and threw his hand around Zenos' shoulder.Immediately, Zenos threw his hand off without hesitation."I seemed to have overestimated your information outlet." Xavier retorted with a laugh.Sean pointed at Xavier and Zenos and shook his head, an apple in his hand. "More like enemies than partners." He pointed.Zenos glanced at Sean; he didn't need evidence to know that Sean had chosen thrills over finding out Xavier's inform
It was dusk. The road was deserted except for green bushes, trees, and some warehouses that seemed to have been dumped for over two decades.Walking down the deserted road were five thin and malnourished children dressed in haggard and torn clothing, with dirt sticking to their clothes, faces, and bodies. They seemed to haven't taken their bath for a few days.Despite the five children's tired and hungry expressions, they stuck together, their hands holding each other as they walked down the lonely road.Upon seeing a large ditch ahead, the five children decided to cross to the other side of the road to continue their walk with the hope of finding a house nearby, someone, or a car, but they knew it was hardly possible.This side of the country is a no-go zone for humans since it's rumored to be a dangerous place.Without bothering to look to the right or left, the tired children began to cross the road to the other side while panting weakly.They were in the middle of the road when a
“No place feels as beautiful as home; I didn't realize how much I missed here,” Sean uttered, his hands spread horizontally as he inhaled the air of Green State.Sean, David, Jude, Zenos, and Xavier have just alighted from their car and are making their way out of the car to inside the mansion.The bodyguards in the mansion kept bowing at them while giving the accompanying Xavier a subtle, curious look.“True.” David nodded with a smile on his face. “It's hard to fathom how much I've missed here already.” He concurred.Jude sighed and increased his striding pace. “I wondered if Michael is doing okay; we haven't heard from him throughout the journey.” He said, his voice laced with extreme worry.They didn't hear from Michael, since he never picked up his call or replied to their texts, and it made the three distressed. They can only hope that his trauma didn't act up during their absence.“It must be all because of that Xav,” Sean grunted and bit into a fresh and clean apple a bodyguar
"Wait!" Sean pointed at Xavier coldly and said, "We brought you here only for you to try to get our brother?" Sean retorted, glaring coldly at Xavier.Indifferently, Xavier bypassed Sean and stopped in front of Michael. "Brother-in-law, your brother has always been mine," he divulged, turning to stare at Michael with a naughty smirk on his face. "Right, wifey?"Although Xavier looks indifferent, only heaven knows how fast his heart is pounding against his chest by just staying in front of Michael. It was hard for him to control himself from holding the man or hugging him.Michael blinked and began to panic upon seeing Xavier. He never expected this surprise. Although he was the one who texted Xavier first, Xavier ignored him, making him believe that the man had probably moved on, but what he never expected was Xavier giving him such a surprise.Michael's heart was pounding against his chest; his knees weakened, and he suddenly felt thirsty.As if he were dreaming, he stretched his han
"Zenos, you're home?" Hayden, who had just woken up from sleep, asked with a pleasant laugh that drifted into Zenos' ears.Right at that moment, Zenos could finally fathom how much he missed seeing Hayden's face, hearing Hayden's voice, and everything about Hayden. His lips curled up slightly, and his blue eyes were filled with shiny light that could capture whoever stared into them at that moment. With happiness reflecting in his blue orb, Zenos opened his luggage to unpack it. "Yes," Zenos admitted, and right at that moment, Zenos paused.Right in his luggage, what welcomed Zenos were three paintings of him. His brows quirked in surprise, and he picked one of them up.Zenos knew Hayden must have been the one to place the painting in his luggage when he wasn't watching.Since Zenos wasn't the one to carry his luggage out of the suite, he didn't notice anything amiss.Carefully, Zenos placed the three paintings on his bed, intending to arrange them in his room after unpacking them.A
Xavier paced around the hotel room; his mind was running chaotically. Suddenly, he paused in his tracks, and his cold eyes were pinned on the shrinking Michael, who had almost plastered himself to the bed.Xavier's things were delivered to the hotel, and the embarrassed Michael refused to tell his house location, which brought them to the hotel."Now tell me why you left. You should have a sufficient reason to explain the sudden disappearance three years ago, shouldn't you? After all, I've given you sufficient time to prepare your mind. Xavier sneered. All his emotions were revealed now that the two were alone with each other."Three years. Three years, Michael. You left without thinking of us. Throughout the time we were together, I did all I could, and everything kept telling me we were doing well! Did you know how hard I prepared for our first anniversary? Did you know the surprises I planned only to discover you lied to me and ran away?" Xavier's voice boomed coldly in the room.M
Upon hearing Hayden's words, an amused smile crept on Zenos' face, and he nodded in agreement. He grabbed the boy's hand and placed his head on the boy's shoulder; he kissed the boy's smooth and pale cheek. "Hm, let's stay at home.” Upon hearing Zenos' words, a smile unconsciously lit up on Hayden's face. However, upon realizing that he had just smiled, Hayden quickly puffed out his cheek and looked away. Huff, that Zenos always knows how to placate him and make him smile so easily. So otherworldly!Zenos got down from Hayden and instead wrapped his hands around the boy's waist and pulled him closer. His eyes were fixated on the boy's lips, and their noses brushed against each other. "Stop holding grudges, young master lazy Hayden." He susurrated in a husky and deep voice. A surge of sweet sensation coursed down Hayden's spine, and his face and ears turned red. His lips subconsciously parted. However, before he could blink, the kiss that Hayden expected on his lips didn't happen
Ring The endless ringing of Hayden’s phone made Hayden groan and turn repeatedly. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and peered at the phone. After seeing the caller, Hayden grabbed a pillow and used it to cover his ears in ‘frustration.’ Hayden shut his eyes, ignored the call, and let it ring. After a few minutes of contemplation and endless ringing, Hayden picked up the call with a scowl. "What?" he articulated coldly. "Where are you?" Zenos inquired, his voice surprisingly gentle; clearly, he knew Hayden was still annoyed at him. The tides sure turned over!Upon hearing Zenos’s words, Hayden’s expression changed. He puffed out his cheeks, and he bellowed, "You think I don't know that you have men following and narrating my movement to you? You jerk!" He harrumphed coldly and cut off the call. Not up to twelve minutes, a calm-looking Zenos strode into the house. His eyes brushed past Hayden’s friends, and upon seeing that Hayden was absent, he nodded to them in greeting.
Hayden stomped into his mansion, his face reddened and his cheeks puffed out in anger. He clenched his fists, several thoughts pervading his mind. To think Zenos didn't follow him at all! Although Hayden said Zenos shouldn’t follow him, he didn’t expect that Zenos would indeed do as Hayden said. Hmph! Who cares anyway? Does he seem like he cares? No. He didn’t. He wasn’t moved a bit. Not a bit. Unfortunately, Hayden’s increasingly reddened eyes betrayed him. The night started so good and beautiful; how can it end like this? He even said that Zenos should give him a break; what if Zenos indeed does as he says… Hayden’s eyes reddened, and he was on the verge of bursting into tears… The sudden scoff of Mason and his sarcastic voice drifted into Hayden’s ear. "Oh. You remember you still have an apartment and friends here?” Mason chided without taking a glance away from his phone or taking a look at Hayden’s face. In fact, he believed that Hayden was there to visit them. “Stupid.” H
Upon seeing Zenos’s back, Zenos’s subordinate's expression changed instantly. One of them pointed at Zenos’s back. "Boss. You're…" Before the subordinates could let out a word, Zenos’s cold gaze swept past them.The subordinates immediately kept their mouths shut and could only watch Zenos stride past them. As soon as Zenos stepped out of the place, the subordinates’ expressions changed and their faces turned cold. How dare these lowly assassins do something like that? The subordinates inwardly swore to make the assassin's last days on earth a living hell! Zenos strode toward Hayden at a long and fast pace. He grabbed Hayden’s hand and dragged him out of the supermarket. As soon as they arrived in the parking lot, Zenos let go of the boy’s hand and scowled, his heart filled with petrification and heartache. What if he didn’t discover the gun and the bullet met Hayden? What if? The thought is enough to send overwhelming fear coursing through Zenos. "Are you crazy? How can you co
Zenos familiarly strode toward the cart section, and grabbed a cart with his right hand, and Hayden’s hands with his left.As soon as the duo left Chips n Chops, Hayden happily suggested that they should go to the city's famous supermarket to get the sketch paper, and once they are done with that, they can continue strolling and find other places to visit!Upon seeing Zenos act so familiarly as if he had been used to this all his life, Hayden’s eyes widened in shock. Hayden has always taken Zenos as someone lofty, high, and mighty who is used to extraordinary actions and not ordinary actions other humans do day-to-day.Hayden’s hand held Zenos’ hand tighter, and his eyes fixed on Zenos’ tall and straight figure. "How can you do this like... like you were familiar with this?" He inquired, his voice filled with shock. Zenos’ lips curved up in amusement. What is this little rascal thinking again? "Familiar." He calmly proclaimed in acquiesence Hearing Zenos’ confirmation made Hayden’
"That moment when you told me you don’t want to have anything to do with me, even though we just met, I became a wreck,” Zenos confessed sincerely, replaying that moment when he stepped into Hayden’s room with snacks only for Hayden to lash out at him.At that time, Zenos believed that he’d never have anything to do with the boy. Who knew that they’d end up becoming so close that they wouldn’t be able to do without each other?The city was cold, and beautiful lights pervaded the city, the cool breeze caressing them softly. Even though the night was cold, somehow being next to each other while holding each other's hands, Hayden and Zenos felt inexplicably warm. The duo couldn’t help thinking inwardly that they needed to be doing more of this from now on reminiscing.Upon recalling that moment, Hayden’s expression changed, and a surge of regret overwhelmed him. Back then, Hayden lashed out at Zenos, thinking that Zenos would coax and explain to him, but he hadn’t expected that in a
"Oh, not again.” Hayden took a step back and exhaled; he puffed out his cheeks and huffed. He made a mistake again! How could he make a mistake for the umpteenth time now? Huff! So infuriating! Hayden’s eyes landed on the drawing, which was now splashed with a different color! Sigh! He gently removed the drawing from the board. Even though he had the idea, he kept making lots of mistakes due to his absentmindedness. Furthermore, he also had a bout of anxiety overwhelming him today. This was all due to the upcoming design exam. In the past, before Hayden set his eyes on Zenos, Hayden had always believed that he wouldn’t venture into design, but ever since he met Zenos, Hayden was inspired to pursue his design career. Hayden believed that in the future, he and Zenos would surely lead the business company to the top. The thought made Hayden’s expression soften and made his bout of anxiety diffuse slightly. Immediately, Hayden felt inspired and a lot of calm; he took a step bac
Hayden leisurely lay on his stomach while flailing his legs, his hand holding his phone tight and his fingers tapping the keyboard rapidly early that morning, leisurely chatting with those rascals in the mansion. It was vivid that Hayden was in a good mood after all; a certain person didn’t wake up with an aching body that morning!Just thinking about it feels great and makes his mood extremely surreal; even his face seems to have a permanent smile on it. Suddenly, the bedroom door was opened, and a darkened face, Zenos, strode into the room at a long and fast pace. Feeling the fierce aura exuding from Zenos, Hayden’s eyes flew wide open, and he turned to Zenos in bewilderment, "What are you… Mmmhhh." Hayden had yet to complete his statement when he was pressed down and kissed ferociously by the dark-faced Zenos. Soon, Hayden was flipped over by Zenos, and his hands were pinned above him. Hayden’s brain rang, and he became alarmed... What. What was happening? How can Zenos pres
Zenos pushed the door and strode into the room calmly. His lips curved up, and he shut the door behind them. The boy had been so sure of trapping Zenos with his plans so much that the boy didn’t bother to shut the door tonight. Only if the boy knew how much Zenos took precautions! Zenos gently sat next to the boy; his soft eyes landed on Hayden's adorable and pure sleeping face. Hayden sleeping like this made him appear so free, pure, and untainted by the world's darkness. It made Zenos want to protect the boy from any harm.Zenos' lips curved up upon recalling the boy’s naughty antics from earlier. His hand fell on the boy’s hair, and he softly brushed Hayden’s hair with his hand. Zenos’s lips curved upward, and a light chuckle spilled past his lips, "How'd you get the mind to torture me, babe?" The boy should have known that riling Zenos’ desire would make Hayden wake up with increasing pain. However, the boy has always been naughty; who knows if the boy enjoys the… Suddenly, H