Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 121: A trip to the beach [2]

Chapter 121: A trip to the beach [2]

"Aren’t you going to answer that?" Franz asked as he turned his half-body to look at the backseat. He was sitting in the passenger seat, while his boyfriend, Alex, was behind the wheel, busy on his phone.

Shawn jolted up after Franz pointed at his ringing phone. He frantically fished it from his pocket, wondering why it suddenly rang louder when he could remember himself putting it into silent mode. Was he mistaken?

He briefly paused after reading the name on the screen. It was Kayden Montgomery. After what happened, he ignored his calls and messages.

Shawn was certain Kayden would explain and probably apologize, but he thought that there was no need to clear the air, as they won’t be seeing each other again anyway. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to block or delete his number.

He felt ridiculously relieved after hearing that the alpha’s wedding was stopped. He realized then that the reason was that he was slowly getting attracted to the guy. So, to stop putting himself in a complicated predicament later, he decided to nip his budding feelings.

He quickly slid the end button and turned his phone off instead. Then, he stashed it back on his backpack and forced a smile on Franz who was watching his movement.

Franz returned him a worried smile, "Seems like it’s not something important. It’s been ringing since earlier but you were like in a daze and wasn’t hearing it at all. I don’t want to be nosy, but did something happen again, Shawn?"

The omega shook his head immediately and weaved a lie, "It’s just from home...I don’t need to answer since Uncle Steve already told them I’m going with young master Knox. They’re probably just going to say a few things about acting properly in front of the young master or taking care of him..."

Franz nodded lightly, not daring to probe any deeper even if he doubted the omega’s answer. Then, he giggled and commented, "Young master Knox, pfft. I bet he’d frown at you if he heard that. That guy doesn’t like being called like that, does he?"

"That’s why I’m just calling him like that when he’s not present," Shawn answered, relieved to see the beta wasn’t pushing.

Alex caught their attention by saying, "They’re here already."

Franz and Shawn quickly got out of the car and welcomed the two. Shawn took the bags from Knox who insisted on carrying them by himself, while Franz swooped Knoa from the floor.

"Knoa! I missed you so much!" Franz showered the little guy with kisses on his face.

Knoa giggled and cupped the beta’s face, and then he replied adorably, flashing his white teeth to his uncle, "Hello, Uncle Franz, Knoa missed you too!"

Franz, "Aww. I’m taking him inside now, Knox. Let’s hurry! I’m already excited about going to the beach!"

The beta hopped back in the car with the kid. Knox pulled up the trunk lid and helped Shawn input their luggage in the compartment. He asked the latter as he closed the lid back, "I’m surprised you decided to come. I thought you’d stay and meet Athan’s mother."

Shawn crumpled his face, "Ugh, I’m not really comfortable with the madame. I asked Sir Athan if I could bail, and he told me to just use accompanying you as an excuse. The chairman wanted me to stay, but I asked Uncle to deliver that excuse and he agreed immediately."

"I’m glad you came," Knox tapped the other omega on the back. Shawn just smiled at him and entered the car after.

Planning for that trip was easier than Knox expected. After Althea brought out the topic, the maids already helped him pack their things while Knoa was sleeping.

The chairman assigned two guards to accompany them, but Knox informed him that he planned to take his friends, and asked to forgo the security. His wish was denied quickly; however, he was allowed to let Franz and Alex come with them, and later on, Shawn made an appearance.

It was already dark when they left. Because Knoa took a nap in the afternoon, he was active throughout the whole travel.

The terrain soon became more sloping and mountains appeared. Alex had to slow down his driving because the roads didn’t have street lights and the surroundings became darker after they entered a remote area.

The roads were narrow as well, thankfully it was cemented, and after passing the mountainous and sloping area, they finally arrived at the town proper of the coastal province after five hours of driving.

The car tailing them from behind honked and overtook Alex, they then led the car to where the resthouse Althea rented for their whole stay.

"Good evening, dear sirs!"

A friendly-looking old woman came out and greeted them. Her hair was all white already, and she was hunching whenever she walked. She greeted the four adults with a wide smile and waved at the little kid.

"I’m the caretaker of this resthouse, dear sirs. My name is Edna," the old woman introduced herself.

Knox bowed at the elderly and responded, "I’m Knox Arden..." he then introduced his companions and pointed at the two men in black behind them. "They’re with us, but...can you give them a separate house? My friends aren’t really comfortable being watched."

"Oh! Certainly, Sir Knox!" The old woman called out a younger male, "This is my grandson, Ragel. He helps me with taking care of this house."

"Hello..." the four greeted the young male who equally bowed at them one by one. He looked shy and quiet; however, his features were sharp and he gave off a cold vibe. But when he saw Knoa in Knox’s arms, his stoic face painted with emotion as he smiled warmly at the kid.

’He likes kids...’ Knox stated inwardly as Ragel’s face instantly changed after paying attention to his grandmother’s guests again.

The older woman ordered his grandson to take the two men to the annex building, while she escorted Knox and his companions inside the main house.

It was ten in the evening already, but the interior of the house felt like they were brought back in the morning because of its brightness. The walls are painted white mixed with warm shades of brown.

It was a bungalow type with an open plan living, made of natural materials and textures aside from some white concrete walls for proper division of room, with bright and airy colors, and a streamlined design.

The living room was open to a wide lawn whose perimeter was filled with ornamental flowers, palm trees planted in equal spaces in between one another, and track lights and aesthetic lamps were installed to illuminate the whole outdoor garden.

From the other side of the living room was the dining table, a step elevated from the whole floor, and overlooking the beach from the retractable glass windows. A nice balcony cantilevered from the whole natural ground was next to it.

"Wow~. The view from here is breathtaking! You could see the nightlights from the other side of the island!" Franx exclaimed in awe, pointing outside the balcony.

Edna nodded, satisfied at her guest’s reaction. She then informed them, "Those lights are indeed coming from the next island. The nightclubs, bars, and restaurants are built there since the sand and the water in that area are prettier and shallow. You can visit the place in the morning. I will arrange a ferry for all of you."

Knox turned to the old woman and replied, "Oh, I don’t think I could come. I’m going to attend the moving up ceremony in the Sunflower Orphanage in the town."

Edna’s eyes beamed, "Ah! I forgot about that! Miss Althea asked me if Ragel could accompany you to the orphanage."

Knox shook his head, "Oh, no, I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t want to bother your grandson. I have two guards with me anyway."

"We’ll come with you as well, you know? It’s not fun if Knoa isn’t with us! We can volunteer and then go exploring later, right?" Franz suggested, glancing at Alex and Shawn.

Edna waved her hand to dismiss Knox’s refusal, "Ragel will be of help! He knew everyone in the orphanage, and he doesn’t have any other work besides that, so you don’t have to worry, Sir Knox."

The old woman insisted. Knoa yawned and rested his head on his father’s shoulder. Knox just ended up agreeing to cut the conversation short. He then asked the caretaker to accompany them to their respective rooms already.

In the morning, after the scrumptious breakfast prepared by Edna, they all head out of the house. A van parked on the driveway came into their sight. Knox looked back at the two guards, wondering why change of vehicle.

One answered him, "We loaded all the presents Miss Althea had us brought inside, sir."

Knox replied dumbfoundedly, "Ah, I see."

He was completely unaware of the presents! He thought that all he needed to do was attend and introduce himself as Althea’s proxy. Does that mean he has to give a present to the movers, one by one? What if they asked him for an opening speech? Or it could be a closing one, or an inspirational one!

He had no idea about the HZ Foundation’s goals and objectives at all! He could say some things about charities and humanitarian programs, but he didn’t know if those included in the foundations’ missions.

A brochure appeared on Knox’s sight all of a sudden. He blinked and turned to the owner of the hand that held the glossy paper.

Ragel shyly stated, "Sir, let me brief you on the orphanage’s history with the HZ Foundation on the way. If that’s okay with you."

Knox was a bit surprised at the tall young male that suddenly stood next to him. However, he earnestly nodded his head, and answered, "Please. It’d be a great help."

Ragel smiled and gestured to the second row of the seat on the van. The third was already occupied by Knoa and Shawn, and the fourth row by the couple. Knox climbed in, but as he watched the younger male climb and sit next to him, he unexpectedly caught a whiff of the soothing smell of pines.

Unconsciously, he was lost in a daze, missing the similar scent Azrael had.