Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart
Chapter 138 - 137

Chapter 138: Chapter 137

"Okay," he whispered against Hiro’s lips. He pulled him closer, wrapping strong arms around him. He knew this wasn’t an easy decision for Hiro, but the fact that Hiro was considering his desires meant everything to him.

"I’ll be leaving for work in a while. Is there anywhere you want to go today?" He asked, picking up a piece of fish which he held to Hiro’s lips. "Perhaps the hospital?"

Hiro happily ate it and shook his head. "I only want to be with you today. Can I go to work with you?"

Raiden smiled as he scooped another bite of food and brought it to Hiro’s lips. “Of course. Though I do have tons of meetings. You might be alone in the afternoon unless you want to join the meetings.”

Hiro had been fine with spending time alone, but the moment he heard he could be with Raiden, his eyes lit up in excitement. “Really? I’m allowed to be at the meetings?”

Raiden chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Of course, baby.” He tapped Hiro’s nose affectionately before taking a bite for himself. Who would dare stop Hiro from joining the meeting? He would like to see. As for that mannerless buffoon he had hired who insulted Hiro right in his office, she had been taken care of. There was no one who would make his lover cry again.

As they ate, Raiden’ suddenly remembered something he wanted to discuss with Hiro. “By the way, do you want to go back to school?”

Hiro blinked, surprised by the question.

“I just figured it’d be a good thing for you to get a degree in whatever major you like rather than staying home all day whenever I’m not around,” Raiden explained. “It’ll keep you busy.” He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Hiro’s ear. “But if that’s not what you want, you can tell me. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.” His lips curled into a teasing smile. “Even if you just want to stay at home and look pretty for me.”

Hiro giggled, shaking his head. “This sudden talk about sending me to school and supporting me... sounds like you want to stay with me forever.”

Raiden’s face fell instantly. “Wait, what did you think this was?” He asked. His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it. "Is this a joke to you, Hiro?"

Hiro’s breath caught at Raiden’s sudden change of mood. “Raiden—”

Raiden gripped his shoulders, not painfully, but firmly enough to make Hiro meet his gaze. “We’re boyfriends Hiro. We canceled that agreement we had before or do you think we’re still just a fling? Something that would end within a few months or years?"

Hiro’s head shook immediately. “No. That’s not what I-"

“Then why did you say it like that?” Raiden growled, his voice was low, rough with frustration. “Like there was an end to us?” He didn’t like the way it sounded. He began to internally panic. Had Hiro been playing him all these while? Had he been pretending to like him so he would just stay with him for a while and break up with him? He suddenly felt like he couldn’t breathe. The thought of losing Hiro even after everything, after all his meticulous planning, the calculations, the time he spent waiting patiently, those long agonizing years filled with empty days and cold nights.

No.

He could not go back to that. No way.

Hiro was talking, his lips were moving but everything just sounded distorted in his mind, nothing registering at all.

Raiden stood up, placing Hiro on the chair. He couldn’t be around Hiro at the moment. He needed to think, to restrategize. Would he have to make Hiro stay with him by force or was there something else he could use? He then thought of Saika and their parents. Yes. He could find a way to make Hiro stay using them. Hiro would never want something bad to happen to his sister right? And if that didn’t work, he could always use the parents. He’d tell Hiro that if he leaves him, he’ll never be able to meet or speak to his parents.

Yes. Those could work.

"Raiden!" Hiro shouted, and the chaotic thoughts in Raiden’s head ceased. It was like a whistle had been blown, clearing away all of his swirling borderline psychotic thoughts.

“Wait.” Hiro cried, grabbing Raiden’s hand, gripping it tightly. "Please, don’t leave." His voice wavered as tears spilled down his cheeks. He swallowed, looking up at Raiden, desperate to make him understand.

He panicked when he noticed that Raiden had somehow disconnected from him, like he wasn’t listening to what he was saying at all and the thought of losing Raiden made him start crying. He could not even imagine it.

"Raiden, that’s not what I meant.” He sobbed, shaking Raiden’s hand a little. "I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want us to end."

Raiden exhaled deeply, but he still wouldn’t face him.

Hiro’s grip tightened. “I want to be with you, Raiden,” he said, his voice breaking, shoulders trembling as he cried. “Long term. I can’t even imagine waking up one morning and not finding you by my side. T-The thought of it suffocates me.” His breath hitched as tears spilled down his cheeks. “I—” He hesitated, but then the words came tumbling out, raw and vulnerable. “I... I can’t bear to lose you Raiden. I feel sick to my stomach just imagining it. I can’t. Ever since we got together for real, I never once thought about it and I never want to. Raiden...I-I’m in love with you.”

Raiden stiffened. Then slowly, he turned around.

His sharp, piercing grey eyes locked onto Hiro, unable to believe what he had just heard. "You what?"

"I love you Raiden." Hiro cried, gazing at Raiden earnestly. He did. He really did. He had been thinking about his feelings for the past few days. How he felt about Raiden and what Raiden meant to him and he quickly realised that he was in love. He was head over heels in love with Raiden.

"I love you." He repeated, exhaling deeply for he felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulder. "I really really love you, Raiden."

Raiden stared at Hiro, his breath catching in his throat. His heart pounded so hard it felt deafening in his ears. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard—couldn’t trust that he wasn’t imagining it.