It was another stressful day for Braylon. He had brought his son to the precinct, and, as expected, everyone’s eyes were on him. He sat in his usual spot, reading something. Alex wasn’t pleased—what could Braylon possibly be reading after handing the case file to the other detectives? Alan sat quietly, listening to his father. He was such an obedient child. Eryx arrived and noticed the little boy clinging to his teddy bear. He felt a strange connection to the child, even a sense of attraction. “So, what’s the task for today?” Eryx asked, glancing at Braylon. But Braylon didn’t respond. “Thanks to someone, we have no work, and for the first time, we can't crack the case,” Alex said sharply, his words aimed directly at Braylon. Alex wasn’t usually one to show his frustration, but he was making an exception for Braylon. The tension between them was growing, and their relationship was fracturing more each day. Revilla observed the situation with concern. Their friendship seemed to be o
“So... how are you? When did you come back to the city?” Mr. Rhys initiated a casual conversation, trying not to put pressure on his son. After all, Braylon was their beloved child. “I’m fine... I returned to the city three weeks ago. I was busy catching up with cases, so I couldn’t come here,” Braylon replied, fidgeting with his fingers. “Where have you been staying all this time?” Mr. Rhys asked. “In my apartment, Dad...” he said, omitting any mention of Zaneta or the cases. He didn’t want to add to his father’s worries. “Have you been in touch with your friends? They’ve been concerned about you. Sometimes Revilla calls us to ask about you and how we’re doing...” Mr. Rhys continued. He was right; their friends had made it a point to reach out to Mr. and Mrs. Rhys to inquire about their well-being. Braylon pressed his lips together, holding back tears as he prepared to respond. “Yeah... we’re all working together now...” he said with a smile as Mr. Rhys patted his son’s shoulder.
After enjoying the breakfast his mom had lovingly prepared for him, Braylon leaned down to give his son a quick peck. “Be a good boy... Daddy will visit you often,” he assured Alan, who nodded in response. The little boy didn’t voice any complaints about his father’s inability to take care of him. “Bye, Mom... Bye, Dad...” Braylon said once more as he bid farewell to his parents and began walking out of the mansion. With Alan there, Mrs. Rhys would have some time to spend with him. She didn’t need to worry about anything; her son and grandson were with her. What more could she expect? Right now, nothing. Braylon arrived at the precinct and headed to his office. His mind was focused solely on work, shutting out everything else. Soon, he found himself surrounded by his fellow officers. It was none other than his team, ready to dive into the day’s tasks. “What now?” Braylon said, feeling annoyed. He wasn't in the mood for a confrontation. “Can we discuss the case?” Alex asked, glanci
After finishing their so-called stressful work, everyone started to head back. Braylon was gathering his things when he noticed that he was alone in the precinct. Eryx approached him, his silhouette eclipsing Braylon. “What do you want?” Braylon asked, not bothering to look up. The dismissive tone only seemed to irritate Eryx further. He grabbed Braylon’s hand and turned him around. Braylon’s face remained expressionless. Ever since they returned from that village, their conversations had been strained, devoid of any normalcy. “Don’t you know what I want?” Eryx scoffed, his frustration palpable. Braylon rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to be your mistress in others’ eyes. Got it? Now let go of me.” He yanked his hand away, and Eryx’s jaw tightened in response. “We’ll see one day...” Eryx shot back as he walked away, leaving Braylon with a clenched fist and uneven breaths. Maybe they were meant to be separated. The opportunity Eryx spoke of had slipped away long ago. Now, with a fia
Braylon entered his apartment and turned on the lights, stumbling slightly as he did so. His body was in agony; after months of inactivity, he had just fought someone stronger than himself. He hissed in pain while peeling off his shirt—it was anything but pleasant. With a grimace, he slid the shirt off and walked toward his bedroom. He grabbed a first aid kit and sat on the bed. As he dipped a cotton ball in antiseptic, he scoffed under his breath. “How long are you going to stay hidden behind the curtains?” he asked suddenly, though he knew he was alone in the room. After all, no one knew where he lived except for a few friends. But to his surprise, a figure emerged from the shadows. “Still, I can’t hide from you…” the person said with a shrug. Dressed entirely in black, he was well-covered and armed, as if he were on a mission. His face was obscured by a black mask, adding an air of mystery to his presence. “You can’t…” Braylon said proudly as the masked figure approached him. Up
The next day began as usual, with nothing out of the ordinary—except for Braylon. He woke up with intense body pain, clenching his jaw to endure it. He could have taken a painkiller to ease the discomfort, but he chose not to. Why? After getting ready for work, he stepped outside the building, where a car was already waiting for him. It was Eryx. Though concerned, Eryx tried not to show it. Ignoring him, Braylon started walking. "What the hell, Braylon? I've been waiting for you, and you just brush me off like I'm nobody," Eryx snapped, gritting his teeth. "What do you want? Just leave me alone. I can handle getting to work on my own. I don't need you acting like I’m a child," Braylon replied, clearly irritated. Despite his efforts to avoid Eryx, the spoiled brat kept trying to approach him. “Get in the car... or make yourself an easy target for those bastards,” Eryx warned as Braylon glanced around. Several identical black cars were lurking at various points, clearly waiting for h
Alex arrived at the storeroom, which seemed to be built by the company. A truck had just pulled up at the gate, and workers were unloading goods into the storeroom. The layout of the premises struck him as odd. For a pharmaceutical company, he expected a more organized structure, but everything appeared chaotic and poorly planned. To get inside unnoticed, Alex distracted a guard, using the mischievous tricks he had perfected during his college days. Once inside, he wandered around, only to find smooth, polished walls, a spotless floor, and a few tanks. But as he walked past one particular door, he discovered something completely unexpected—a world drastically different from what the company portrayed on the surface. Pro-life Medical Company presented itself as a well-established, well-funded organization, committed to quality, productivity, and environmental standards. However, what Alex found inside was the complete opposite. The research labs, which should have been state-of-the-ar
The rhythmic beeping of the cardiac monitor echoed through the room, amplifying the unsettling atmosphere for everyone present. The sharp scent of disinfectant hung in the air, causing an uneasy flutter in their hearts. An IV needle was inserted into Alex’s vein, delivering the fluids his body desperately needed. “Just rest, Revilla. He’s going to be fine,” Braylon reassured her, patting her shoulder gently. “Didn’t you hear the doctor? He’ll wake up in a few hours.” Revilla sat quietly beside Alex, holding his hand with care, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. She hadn't let go since they brought him here. They had rushed Alex to the hospital immediately after rescuing him from that sinister lab. Thankfully, they had arrived in time—any delay, and the drugs in his bloodstream could have plunged him into a vegetative state. The medical team had acted quickly, using dialysis to flush the paralyzing agent from his system. Now, all they could do was wait and hope for him to wake up.
It was like a strong storm finished in their life. Braylon almost lost his sanity, when Alan was kidnapped. It had been two weeks, and everything had happened. Alan was coming out of the trauma slowly, Eryx often came home to cheer up his son. He wasn't going to school, not yet. "He must be tired. But he is strong, don't worry." Eryx squeezed Braylon's shoulder, pulling him close to Eryx. Braylon just hummed in response; eyes gazing at the sleeping figure of Alan softly. "Sister Zaneta came home to invite us to her wedding, but Alan didn't talk to her and ran into his room. She was suspicious about it, but I managed to lie to her." Braylon's eyes brimmed with tears, chest congested with a feeling of agony. "It's okay, he needs some time." Braylon nodded. "Alex and others came home but left just before you came. Alan seemed quite active today." "He will get out of this trauma soon. He is just a kid and it was too much for him. Just believe him." Braylon inclined his head in ag
"I am coming with you two," "No... you aren't going anywhere," Eryx sternly said, refusing Braylon's request. "He is my son. I'll come with you two. If you two refuse me, I don't hesitate to kill myself," okay, this was the underrated threatening from Braylon, but what they didn't expect was his hands were holding a knife. Eryx and Adler exchanged a worried glance, their faces tight with concern. Eryx stepped forward, his voice low but firm. “Braylon, I know how much this means to you, but it’s too dangerous. You need to stay safe. He is my son as well. Don't do anything stupid.” Braylon’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’m not staying behind while my son is out there. I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not.” Adler sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “We can’t protect you and search for Alan at the same time. You’ll slow us down.” “I won’t be a burden,” Braylon snapped. “I’m a trained detective, remember? I can handle myself.” Eryx glanced at Adler, seeing the
"Let's go home," Adler softly exclaimed. Braylon shook his head denying the offer. "We can't stay here, baby. We will surely find Alan, but for that, you have to be strong, right?" Eryx caressed his love's hair. Adler and Eryx had finally managed to convince Braylon to leave the bustling mall, where they had spent an hour under police surveillance. Adler informed his members before leaving the mall. It had been a long and exhausting day for everyone, and the last thing they wanted was to add to the worries of the Rhys couple. So, they decided to take Braylon to Adler's apartment, a place where Braylon could be safe for now. Adler's apartment was a haven after the chaos he had experienced. Adler went to cook something for Braylon. Eryx followed Adler. "Do you want anything?" Adler asked while searching for the ingredients. "Where is the first aid kit? I will treat his wound." Eryx uttered. "In the bedroom. Second cupboard on the left," Adler instructed. With a hum, E
It was another day, and Alan was once again brimming with excitement. He had been begging Braylon to take him outside ever since they had fun in the amusement park. And it was his demand since Braylon hung out with his friend and refused to bring him with them. “Please, Dad, can we go out today? Please?” Alan had asked that morning, his big brown eyes wide with hope. Braylon sighed, knowing he couldn't resist his son's plea. “Alright, alright, baby. Let’s go to the mall. But you have to promise to behave, okay?” Alan’s face lit up with a huge grin. “I promise! I’ll be the best behaved!” He ran to get changed, and Braylon stood there adoring his son. With that settled, Braylon got them both ready, making sure Alan had his favourite sneakers on and a small backpack with snacks and a water bottle. They headed out, the sun shining brightly as they walked to the nearby mall. Mr and Mrs Rhys hadn't returned from the business trip so He just texted them about the outing. At the mall, Al
The day had finally arrived. Eryx and Braylon had been planning the outing, and now it was happening. Braylon called Alex and Revilla, and then he contacted Adler and Franklyn to join them. Even though Braylon informed them, once again Eryx called them to confirm the outing. Alex and Revilla were happy about this little outing. In their group, they were only staying in the work since Eryx and Braylon quit. It was their dream job, but when their life took an unexpected turn, they had to choose a path that was not even their profession; that kinda hurts them, though. They hadn't seen each other for the past few weeks, and this little outing to the hotpot to the old place was what they needed. Eryx was the one to pick everyone from their place, Braylon's excitement bubbled in his face. It was quite hard for Braylon to convince Alan since the younger was stubborn to join them. Braylon wasn't selfish in not taking his son with him. It was quite a remote place; Alan would be uncomfort
In just one month, Alan would turn five, and today was the day Eryx and Braylon had planned to enrol him in the school. Alan’s excitement was visible; he had been homeschooled by his grandparents until now, and the expectation of attending a regular school with other children thrilled him. Braylon wanted Alan to experience school life. He argued with his parents to let Alan study in the school rather than homeschool. At last, the Rhys couple decided to accept the decision Braylon made. Alan was mature for his age and understood how Braylon was struggling and many other things, which was something both Eryx and Braylon were proud of, mostly Braylon. Eryx, Braylon, and Alan arrived at the school. The school building loomed large and renovated, compared to other kids' schools, with children’s laughter echoing from the playground. Alan’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the new atmosphere, excitement pooled in him. He was squealing with joy inside, obviously. It was new for him. Braylo
Amy burst through the cabin door with a loud bang, startling Mr. Silvester immediately looked up from his desk. His secretary stood behind Amy, her face flushed and her hands wringing nervously, unable to stop Amy from intruding into the CEO's office. With a wave, Mr Silvester signalled for his secretary to leave them alone. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and quietly closed the door behind her, leaving the two of them in the room. Mr. Silvester calmly gazed at Amy's angry face. She stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, her eyes blazing with fury. “How could you do this?” she shouted, her voice echoing in the spacious office. “You just broke off the merger without any warning!” Mr. Silvester leaned back in his chair, “I had to, Miss Richardson,” he said evenly. “My son wasn’t fond of the decision.” Amy let out a derisive laugh. “Oh, please! Don’t try to pin this on your homo son. You were okay with the merger, regardless of how much he opposed it. This was your de
The dinner was nice, they talked randomly, not much yet warm and comfortable. After that, Alan was soon sound asleep. After the dinner, making Alan sleep, Eryx prepared to leave. He got up from his seat and began to say his goodbyes; Mr and Mrs Rhys went to their room after concluding their conversation, but Braylon hesitated. “Are you sure you have to go?” Braylon asked with a tiny amount of desperation in his voice. “It’s late, and you could stay here tonight. You know, it's quite comfortable for you also, less travel.” Eryx smiled at how Braylon was trying to make him stay, it's cute. “I badly want to, but I really should be getting home. I have an early meeting tomorrow. Not to mention my dad; he will bury me with his endless lectures If I don't go.” Braylon stood and approached Eryx, his eyes pleading. “Please, Eryx. Just stay. It’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to spend time together. I miss you.” 'Miss you', the word did some great magic, changed Eryx's mind in a go
It had been a few days since Eryx joined his father's company. Despite his extensive tutoring in business, his role started with basic tasks like a regular employee. However, his time at the company quickly turned sour. Eryx wasn't treated like other staff. His colleagues picked on him, mocked him, and did dirty tricks to humiliate him. The primary reason was his open homosexuality, which made him a target. And the secondary reason was the post he posted online. He was disowned, that's what the people knew but if he was disowned, how could he join his father's company? They forgot to think of it. Despite the mistreatment, Eryx endured it all. His father had explicitly ordered him not to use his authority over the staff, and Eryx had accepted this condition. For the sake of his love, he decided to do anything. In the afternoon, during lunch break, Eryx sat alone in the company cafeteria, quietly eating his sandwich and texting Braylon. The only good thing was he was able to talk t